University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

King, th'Infanta, Seriffa, Don Sancho, Don Diego.
K.
But, Madam, spare Roderigos innocence,
His vertues, and your worth are both too great
To suffer such a stain.

IN.
Think of it Madam,
And call not him a traitour, but your heart
Which entertain'd a love that was not sent
You were too credulous, not he perfidious,
What you desir'd you were willing to believe,
And knowing the command of your own beauty
With the advantage of your birth and fortune,
I cannot blame you if you thought that love
Which was but civill application:
But now you have found your errour, let your courage
Finde scorn for him that has not love for you.

SER.
How easily the whole Counsail the sick,
Aside.
And yet they have not hit my true disease.

K.
My sister Madam, tels you right, desires
That are not honorable ought to be short,
Your quality which your beauty only equals,
Invites a higher match then Roderigo.

SER.
A conquerour is next unto a King,
Since hees deny'd me, how can my hopes look higher?

K.
Don Sancho wait the Princesse to her lodgings,
And see that she command my Court as freely
As I my self.

SAN.
Your Graces humble creature.

Exit.
K.
Don Diego, is the Cid contented with
The offer which I make him of my sister?

D. DIE.
You are the King sir; he your humble vassall,
He could not be my sonne if disobedient
To you that are his master, and I finde
His inclination ready only feare
And modesty keeps in his strong desires.

K.
Tis not his feare but Mistris which restrains him,

D. DIE.
He will forget her sooner then his duty
Of which the Count can give you the best proof,
For though at that time he ador'd Cimena,
Yet ventur'd he to lose her for my sake
(His honour and his duty so commanding)
He can love well tis true, but obay better.

K.
I never doubled his obedience
Of which his excellent vertue does assure me:
Ide have (you sister) to accept the Courtship
Which he shall make to you, and if you aske
A reason why, know I will have it so;
Though fortune have not blest him with a Crown,
And though his greatnesse be within himself,
Yet there propitious heaven has shew'd its power,
Heaping its richest treasures on his person,
Hi heart is valours proper spheare, his soule
The throne of vertue where she sits and governs
Directing all his actions to honour;
These rare perfections must be the objects
Sister, of your desires.

IN.
Such a command
Makes my obedience ready to love vertue,
When you that are my King requires it of me
I not to give consent to hard conditions,
Tis your part to command, mine to obay.

K.
Tis well, it only rest now that Cimena
Comply with my desires I will no longer
Burn to so little purpose, my affection
Hastes to its end, there can be no content
T'approach a fire that will consume, not cherish,
I am resolv'd to have her, as for love
Which to the Cid she promis'd, I have power
T'absolve her of it; Princes render lawfull
What ever pleases them: respects become
The people, not a King: send for her sister
And tell her I would see her in your lodgings,
To treat of somthing that concerns her neerly,
Tis wearisome to live thus in desire,
This day enjoying her, Ile quench my fire.

Exit.