University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Seriffa, Don Sancho.
D. SAN.
Beauty is loves object, Madam and twere hard
T'approach such flames and keep a frozen heart,
Dull souls have eyes lent 'em to see their way,
But men of courage to behold what's faire.
Pardon divinest Lady if my spirit
Made me to love where I should have ador'd
And though you do estrange me from your heart
Envy me not the glory of my sufferings.

SER.
Don Sancho cannot be so young a Courtier
To think that any Lady can despise
A noble love bounded with due respects,
We have no other witnesse of our beauty
And heaven defend that we should hate our lovers.

D. SAN.
Accept my vowes then, Madam, with the temper
Of one that seem'd to love; and let my service
Be entertain'd at least with faire acceptance.

SER.
How can I do that without injury
Either to you or my own modesty?
To cherish you in what you cannot have
Were to augment your punishment: to give
A heart which is not mine, in me were falshood,
And no lesse wrong to you should you receive it
Then to its proper owner.

D. SAN.
But he seems
(As one that does not know his happinesse)
To be insensible of what your goodnesse
Has offerd him: why should you cast away
That whereof Kings would be ambitious?

SER.
Ay me!

D. SAN.
That sigh the greatest Monarch scarce deserves
Much lesse, a subject, thrust him from your thoughts
And let some nobler love take up his room.

SER.
Take heed Don Sancho, you begin to forfeit
Your first pretentions, I must not think,
You can love one whom you believe to have
The easie power to dislodge a love
Which she had once receiv'd, but hence-forth know
My flame runs up into a point so small
As cannot be divided into parts.

D. SAN.
Not though there be division of your hearts
The Cid I shame to say't, neglects you Madam.

SER.
If he did not I were more miserable
This now seems strange to you, but when I shall
Relate that to you which in part concerns you,
As you are Favourite to the King your Master,
And one that should advise him to be just,
You will perceive, that what I utterd of
Love to the Cid was to secure my self.
But heres my brother, lets withdraw a little.