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_ ACT I - SCENE I
A Street in Burgos; the Cathedral in the distance.
[Enter Two Courtiers.]
1ST COURT.
The Prince of Hungary dismissed?
2ND COURT.
Indeed
So runs the rumour.
1ST COURT.
Why the spousal note
Still floats upon the air!
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.
1ST COURT.
The Prince was there?
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.
1ST COURT.
'Tis the same,
But just returned?
2ND COURT.
Long banished from the Court;
And only favoured since the Queen's decease,
His ancient foe.
1ST COURT.
A very potent Lord?
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.
1ST COURT.
You followed in his train?
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.
1ST COURT.
Sancta Maria! and the King--
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.]
1ST COURT.
Hush! hush! a passenger.
PAGE.
Most noble Cavaliers, I pray, inform me
Where the great Count Alarcos holds his quarter.
2ND COURT.
In the chief square. His banner tells the roof;
Your pleasure with the Count, my gentle youth?
PAGE.
I were a sorry messenger to tell
My mission to the first who asks its aim.
2ND COURT.
The Count Alarcos is my friend and chief.
PAGE.
Then better reason I should trusty be,
For you can be a witness to my trust.
1ST COURT.
A forward youth!
2ND COURT.
A page is ever pert
PAGE.
Ay! ever pert is youth that baffles age.
[Exit PAGE.]
1ST COURT.
The Count is married?
2ND COURT.
To a beauteous lady;
And blessed with a fair race. A happy man
Indeed is Count Alarcos.
[A trumpet sounds.]
1ST COURT.
Prithee, see;
Passes he now?
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.] _
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