[The KING waves his hand to the SENESCHAL--the Chamber is cleared.]

II:4:16 ALAR.
Most gracious Sire,
You honour your poor servant.

II:4:17 KING.
Prithee, sit.
This scattering of the Saracen, methinks,
Will hold the Moor to his truce?

II:4:18 ALAR.
It would appear
To have that import.

II:4:19 KING.
Should he pass the mountains,
We can receive him.

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.]

My most gracious liege,
This morn to thee I did my fealty pledge.
Believe me, Sire, I did so with clear breast,