Count Alarcos; a Tragedy by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield, 1804-1881

II:4:20 ALAR. Where's the crown in Spain More prompt and more prepared?

II:4:21 KING. Cousin, you're right. We flourish. By St. James, I feel a glow Of the heart to see you here once more, my cousin; I'm low in the vale of years, and yet I think I could defend my crown with such a knight On my right hand.

II:4:22 ALAR. Such liege and land would raise Our lances high.

II:4:23 KING. We carry all before us. Leon reduced. the crescent paled in Cordova, Why, if she gain Valencia, Aragon Must kick the beam. And shall she gain Valencia? It cheers my blood to find thee by my side; Old days, old days return, when thou to me Wert as the apple of mine eye.

II:4:24 ALAR. My liege, This is indeed most gracious.

II:4:25 KING. Gentle cousin, Thou shalt have pause to say that I am gracious. O! I did ever love thee; and for that Some passages occurred between us once, That touch my memory to the quick; I would Even pray thee to forget them, and to hold I was most vilely practised on, my mind Poisoned, and from a fountain, that to deem Tainted were frenzy.

II:4:26 ALAR.

[Falling on his knee, and taking the KING's hand.]

II:4:27 KING. O, I know it well, I know thou art right true. Mine eyes are moist To see thee here again.

II:4:28 ALAR. It is my post, Nor could I seek another.

II:4:29 KING. Thou dost know That Hungary leaves us?

II:4:30 ALAR. I was grieved to hear There were some crosses.

II:4:31 KING. Truth, I am not grieved. Is it such joy this fair Castillian realm, This glowing flower of Spain, be rudely plucked By a strange hand? To see our chambers filled With foreign losels; our rich fiefs and abbeys The prey of each bold scatterling, that finds No heirship in his country? Have I lived And laboured for this end, to swell the sails Of alien fortunes? O my gentle cousin, There was a time we had far other hopes! I suffer for my deeds.

II:4:32 ALAR. We must forget, We must forget, my liege.