he same.

I:2:22 ALAR.
My Florimonde,
I took thee from a fair and pleasant home
In a soft land, where, like the air they live in,
Men's hearts are mild. This proud and fierce Castille
Resembles not thy gentle Aquitaine,
More than the eagle may a dove, and yet
It is my country. Danger in its bounds
Weighs more than foreign safety. But why speak
Of what exists not?

I:2:23 COUN.
And I hope may never!

I:2:24 ALAR.
And if it come, what then? This chance shall find me
Not unprepared.

I:2:25 COUN.
But why should there be danger?
And why should'st thou, the foremost prince of Spain,
Fear or make foes? Thou standest in no light
Would fall on other shoulders; thou hast no height
To climb, and nought to gain. Thou art complete;
The King alone above thee, and thy friend.

I:2:26 ALAR.
So I would deem. I did not speak of fear.

I:2:27 COUN.
Of danger?

I:2:28 ALAR.
That's delight, when it may lead
To mighty ends. Ah, Florimonde! thou art too pure;
Unsoiled in the rough and miry paths
Of ibis same trampling world; unskilled in heats
Of fierce and emulous spirits. There's a rapture
In the strife of factions, that a woman's soul
Can never reach. Men smiled on me to-day
Would gladly dig my grave; and yet I smiled,
And gave them coin as ready as their own,
And not less base.

I:2:29 COUN.
And can there be such men,
And canst thou live with them?

I:2:30 ALAR.
Ay! and they saw
Me ride this morning in my state again;
The people cried 'Alarcos and Castille!'
The shout will dull their feasts.

I:2:31 COUN.
There was a time
Thou didst look back as on a turbulent dream
On this same life.

I:2:32 ALAR.