we see only tears.  In this public calamity, my good fortune has so willed it that I have found [thronging] to my house five hundred of my friends, who, knowing the insult offered to me, impelled by a similar zeal, came all to offer themselves to avenge my quarrel.  Thou hast anticipated them; but their valiant hands will be more nobly steeped in the blood of Africans.  Go, march at their head where honor calls thee; it is thou whom their noble band would have as a leader.  Go, resist the advance of these ancient enemies; there, if thou wishest to die, find a glorious death.  Seize the opportunity, since it is presented to thee; cause your King to owe his safety to your loss; but rather return from that battle-field [lit. from it] with the laurels on thy brow.  Limit not thy glory to the avenging of an insult; advance that glory still further; urge by thy valor this monarch to pardon, and Chimene to peace.  If thou lovest her, learn that to return as a conqueror is the sole means of regaining her heart.  But time is too precious to waste in words; I stop thee in thine attempted answer, and desire that thou fly [to the rescue].  Come, follow me; go to the combat, and show the King that what he loses in the Count he regains in thee.

ACT THE FOURTH.

Scene I.—­CHIMENE and ELVIRA.

Chimene. Is it not a false report?  Do you know for certain, Elvira?

Elvira. You could never believe how every one admires him, and extols to heaven, with one common voice, the glorious achievements of this young hero.  The Moors appeared before him only to their shame; their approach was very rapid, their flight more rapid still.  A three hours’ battle left to our warriors a complete victory, and two kings as prisoners.  The valor of their leader overcame every obstacle [lit. found no obstacles].

Chimene. And the hand of Rodrigo has wrought all these wonders!

Elvira. Of his gallant deeds these two kings are the reward; by his hand they were conquered, and his hand captured them.

Chimene. From whom couldst thou ascertain these strange tidings?

Elvira. From the people, who everywhere sing his praises, [who] call him the object and the author of their rejoicing, their guardian angel and their deliverer.

Chimene. And the King—­with what an aspect does he look upon such valor?

Elvira. Rodrigo dares not yet appear in his presence, but Don Diego, delighted, presents to him in chains, in the name of this conqueror, these crowned captives, and asks as a favor from this generous prince that he condescend to look upon the hand which has saved the kingdom [lit. province].

Chimene. But is he not wounded?

Elvira. I have learned nothing of it.  You change color!  Recover your spirits.