University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

King, Don Diego, Guard, and Attendants.
KING.
Do not believe Don Diego, though I share
My heart and Crown with the belov'd Cimena,
That ile usurpe by my authority
A treasure which thy sonne deserv'd so well.
No, his great services do live too fresh
In my remembrance to be so requited:
Rather I mean t'augment his happinesse,
And his reward shall paralell his valour,
A nobler Mistris I designe for him
To whom Cimena without blushing may
Give place unto; nor should thy sonne complain
Of this my affection, or of that his change.

DIE.
But we have never sir deserv'd this honour,
Nor dare my sonne pretend to such a fortune,
A higher happinesse attends the Princesse,
Who is too generous to descend so low.

K.
His actions tell me that he merits more
Which to reward according to his value
A Scepter is too little; I will share
With him in his desires, he in my power.
Love may content us both, if as my sister
Is willing to receive him for her servant,
So will the fair Cimena me for hers.
Don Sancho from me is gone to see her,
He knows her spirit, and should, how to tame it:
I hope well of his fair tongues good successe.
But why is he so slow in his return?
Since he is conscious of my neerest secrets
He must needs know that I burn all this while
And that his slownesse causes me to languish.