Count Alarcos; a Tragedy

Excerpt

ACT I

SCENE 1

A Street in Burgos; the Cathedral in the distance.

[Enter Two Courtiers.]

I:1:1 1ST COURT.
The Prince of Hungary dismissed?

I:1:2 2ND COURT.
Indeed
So runs the rumour.

I:1:3 1ST COURT.
Why the spousal note
Still floats upon the air!

I:1:4 2ND COURT.
Myself this morn
Beheld the Infanta's entrance, as she threw,
Proud as some hitless barb, her haughty glance
On our assembled chiefs.

I:1:5 1ST COURT.
The Prince was there?

I:1:6 2ND COURT.
Most royally; nor seemed a man more fit
To claim a kingdom for a dower. He looked
Our Gadian Hercules, as the advancing peers
Their homage paid. I followed in the train
Of Count Alarcos, with whose ancient house
My fortunes long have mingled.

I:1:7 1ST COURT.
'Tis the same,
But just returned?

I:1:8 2ND COURT.
Long banished from the Court;
And only favoured since the Queen's decease,
His ancient foe.

I:1:9 1ST COURT.
A very potent Lord?

I:1:10 2ND COURT.
Near to the throne; too near perchance for peace.
You're young at Burgos, or indeed 'twere vain
To sing Alarcos' praise, the brightest knight
That ever waved a lance in Old Castille.

I:1:11 1ST COURT.
You followed in his train?

I:1:12 2ND COURT.
And as we passed,
Alarcos bowing to the lowest earth,
The Infanta swooned; and pale as yon niched saint,
From off the throned step, her seat of place,
Fell in a wild and senseless agony.

I:1:13 1ST COURT.
Sancta Maria! and the King—

I:1:14 2ND COURT.
Uprose
And bore her from her maidens, then broke up
The hurried Court; indeed I know no more,
For like a turning tide the crowd pressed on,
And scarcely could I gain the grateful air.
Yet on the Prado's walk came smiling by
The Bishop of Ossuna; as he passed
He clutched my cloak, and whispered in my ear,
'The match is off.'

[Enter PAGE.]

I:1:15 1ST COURT.
Hush! hush! a passenger.

I:1:16 PAGE.
Most noble Cavaliers, I pray, inform me
Where the great Count Alarcos holds his quarter.

I:1:17 2ND COURT.
In the chief square. His banner tells the roof;
Your pleasure with the Count, my gentle youth?

I:1:18 PAGE.
I were a sorry messenger to tell
My mission to the first who asks its aim.

I:1:19 2ND COURT.
The Count Alarcos is my friend and chief.

I:1:20 PAGE.
Then better reason I should trusty be,
For you can be a witness to my trust.

I:1:21 1ST COURT.
A forward youth!

I:1:22 2ND COURT.
A page is ever pert

I:1:23 PAGE.
Ay! ever pert is youth that baffles age.

[Exit PAGE.]

I:1:24 1ST COURT.
The Count is married?

I:1:25 2ND COURT.
To a beauteous lady;
And blessed with a fair race. A happy man
Indeed is Count Alarcos.

[A trumpet sounds.]

I:1:26 1ST COURT.
Prithee, see;
Passes he now?

I:1:27 2ND COURT.
Long since. Yon banner tells
The Count Sidonia. Let us on, and view
The passage of his pomp. His Moorish steeds,
They say, are very choice.

[Exeunt Two Courtiers.]

SCENE 2.

A Chamber in the Palace of Alarcos. The COUNTESS seated and
working at her tapestry; the COUNT pacing the Chamber.

I:2:1 COUN.
You are disturbed, Alarcos?

I:2:2 ALAR.
'Tis the stir
And tumult of this morn....