Count Alarcos; a Tragedy Part 13

A Banquet; the KING seated; on his right ALARCOS.

SIDONIA, LEON, the ADMIRAL OF CASTILLE, and other LORDS.

Groups of PAGES, CHAMBERLAINS, and SERVING-MEN.

II:4:1 The KING.

Would'st match them, cousin, 'gainst our barbs?

II:4:2 ALAR.

Against Our barbs, Sir!

II:4:3 KING.

Eh, Lord Leon, you can scan A courser's points?

II:4:4 LEON.

O, Sir, your travellers Need fleeter steeds than we poor shambling folks Who stay at home. To my unskilful sense, Speed for the chase and vigour for the tilt, Meseems enough.

II:4:5 ALAR.'

If riders be as prompt.

II:4:6 LEON.

Our tourney is put off, or please your Grace, I'd try conclusions with this marvellous beast, This Pegasus, this courser of the sun, That is to blind us all with his bright rays And cloud our chivalry.

II:4:7 KING.

My Lord Sidonia, You're a famed judge: try me this Cyprus wine; An English prince did give it me, returning From the holy sepulchre.

II:4:8 SIDO.

Most rare, my liege, And glitters like a gem!

II:4:9 KING.

It doth content Me much, your Cyprus wine. Lord Admiral, Hast heard the news? The Saracens have fled Before the Italian galleys.

II:4:10 THE ADMIRAL OF CASTILLE.

No one guides A galley like your Pisan.

II:4:11 ALAR.

The great Doge Of Venice, sooth, would barely veil his flag To Pisa.

II:4:12 ADM.

Your Venetian hath his craft.

This Saracenic rent will surely touch Our turbaned neighbours?

II:4:13 KING.

To the very core, Granada's all a-mourning. Good, my Lords, One goblet more. We'll give our cousin's health.

Here's to the Count Alarcos.

II:4:14 OMNES.

To the Count Alarcos.

[The Guests rise, pay their homage to the KING, and are retiring.]

II:4:15 KING.

Good night, Lord Admiral; my Lord of Leon, My Lord Sidonia, and my Lord of Lara, Gentle adieus; to you, my Lord, and you, To all and each. Cousin, good night--and yet A moment rest awhile; since your return I've looked on you in crowds, it may become us To say farewell alone.

[The KING waves his hand to the SENESCHAL--the Chamber is cleared.]

II:4:16 ALAR.

Most gracious Sire, You honour your poor servant.

II:4:17 KING.

Prithee, sit.

This scattering of the Saracen, methinks, Will hold the Moor to his truce?

II:4:18 ALAR.

It would appear To have that import.

II:4:19 KING.

Should he pa.s.s the mountains, We can receive him.

II:4:20 ALAR.

Where's the crown in Spain More prompt and more prepared?

II:4:21 KING.

Cousin, you're right.

We flourish. By St. James, I feel a glow Of the heart to see you here once more, my cousin; I'm low in the vale of years, and yet I think I could defend my crown with such a knight On my right hand.

II:4:22 ALAR.

Such liege and land would raise Our lances high.

II:4:23 KING.

We carry all before us.

Leon reduced. The crescent paled in Cordova, Why, if she gain Valencia, Aragon Must kick the beam. And shall she gain Valencia?

It cheers my blood to find thee by my side; Old days, old days return, when thou to me Wert as the apple of mine eye.

II:4:24 ALAR.

My liege, This is indeed most gracious.

II:4:25 KING.

Gentle cousin, Thou shalt have pause to say that I am gracious.

O! I did ever love thee; and for that Some pa.s.sages occurred between us once, That touch my memory to the quick; I would Even pray thee to forget them, and to hold I was most vilely practised on, my mind Poisoned, and from a fountain, that to deem Tainted were frenzy.

II:4:26 ALAR.

[Falling on his knee, and taking the KING's hand.]

My most gracious liege, This morn to thee I did my fealty pledge.

Believe me, Sire, I did so with clear breast, And with no thought to thee and to thy line But fit devotion.