VII.
"If it be true that you have said, our honour's lost and gone;
And while the Countess is in life, remeed for us is none.
Though justice were upon our side, ill-talkers would not spare--
Speak, daughter, for your mother's dead, whose counsel eased my care."

VIII.
"How can I give you counsel?--but little wit have I;
But certes, Count Alarcos may make this Countess die;
Let it be noised that sickness cut short her tender life,
And then let Count Alarcos come and ask me for his wife.
What passed between us long ago, of that be nothing said;
Thus none shall our dishonour know, in honour I shall wed."--

IX.
The Count was standing with his friends, thus in the midst he spake--
"What fools we be! what pains men dree for a fair woman's sake!
I loved a fair one long ago;--though I'm a married man,
Sad memory I can ne'er forego, how life and love began."--

X.
While yet the Count was speaking, the good King came full near;
He made his salutation with very courteous cheer.
"Come hither, Count Alarcos, and dine with me this day,
For I have something secret I in your ear must say."--

XI.
The King came from the chapel, when he had heard the mass;
With him the Count Alarcos did to his chamber pass;
Full nobly were they served there, by pages many a one;
When all were gone, and they alone, 'twas thus the King begun.--

XII.
"What news be these, Alarcos, that you your word did plight,
To be a husband to my child, and love her day and night?
If more between you there did pass, yourself may know the truth,
But shamed is my grey-head--alas!--and scorned Solisa's youth.

XIII.
"I have a heavy word to speak--a lady fair doth lie
Within my daughter's rightful place, and certes! she must die--
Let it be noised that sickness cut short her tender life,
Then come and woo my daughter, and she shall be your wife:--
What passed between you long ago, of that be nothing said,
Thus, none shall my dishonour know--in honour you shall wed."

XIV.
Thus spake the Count Alarcos--"The truth I'll not deny,
I to the Infanta gave my troth, and broke it shamefully;
I feared my King would ne'er consent to give me his fair daughter;
But, oh! spare her that's innocent--avoid that sinful slaughter."--

XV.
"She dies, she dies," the King replies; "from thine own sin it springs,
If guiltless blood must wash the blot which stains the blood of kings:
Ere morning dawn her life must end, and thine must be the deed,
Else thou on