No More Learning

Vengeance chooses another hand's force
(I was not worthy of dying at yours):
None will see me resist what must ensue;
I owe respect to one who fights for you,
I will yield him my naked chest bravely,
Adoring your hand, in that which slays me.

Chimene
If the force of justice and sad duty
Urging me on, pursuing victory,
Prescribes for you so harsh a law
It renders you defenceless, all the more
Be mindful in that act of blindness
That your honour is at stake, no less
Than your life, and your living glory
If you die, will be one more past story.
Your honour's dearer to you than I am,
Since with a father's blood it stained your hand,
And made you renounce, despite your passion
Your sweetest hope, that of my possession:
Yet I see you treat it now so lightly,
That you would be vanquished easily.
Your honour's plagued by inconsistency.
Why is it now not as it seemed to be?
Is your sole virtue committing outrage?
Except for insults, do you lack courage?
Did you show such harshness to my father
That conquered you might know your conqueror?
Go, without seeking death: let me pursue you,
Defend your honour, though you've no wish to.

Rodrigue
After the Count's death, the Moors defeat,
Is this honour of mine not yet replete?
It should disdain the need for self-defence;
They know my courage dares all attempts,
My valour is high, and beneath the heavens
As for my honour, nothing is more precious.
No, no, think as you wish, in this story
Rodrigue may die without losing glory,
Without being accused of lacking honour,
Unconquered, free of any conqueror.
They'll merely say: 'He adored Chimene;
He wished to die and not endure the pain
Of her hatred, bowed to that destiny
That of a lover made an enemy.
She sought his life, and yet his noble heart
Could not deny her justice, for his part.
So he lost his love, to save his honour
So he lost his life, to save his lover's,
Preferring (to hopes of making her his wife)
His honour to Chimene, Chimene to life.
'
And so you will see my death in this duel,
Far from quenching glory, will give it fuel;
And this honour will flow from willing death,
Your need for recompense ends with my breath.

Chimene
Since life and honour then prove far too weak
To stop you hastening to your death, Rodrigue,
If ever I loved you, take revenge on me,
Defend yourself, from Don Sanche so wrest me.
Fight to free me from the harsh condition
That yields me to an object of aversion.
Must I say more? Go: think of your defence,
To tax my duty, impose my silence.
And if you feel your love is still alive,
Emerge as the victor, with Chimene your prize.
Adieu: these last words make me blush with shame.

Rodrigue
Is there a sword that can defy my claim?
Navarese, Moors, Castilians, appear,
All Spain's men of valour now stand here;
Join together so, create an army,
To fight this one man roused so utterly:
Unite your force against a hope so sweet;
You'll prove too few now to deny it me.


Act V Scene II (Infanta)

Shall I hear you again, high blood of ours,
That makes a crime of my love?
Shall I hear you, love, whose tender powers
Make my generous heart against it move?
Poor Princess, to which of the two
Must you devote these hours?
Rodrigue your valour proves worthy of me;
But you're no king's son, despite victory.

Implacable fate, whose harshness parts
My honour from my desire,
Is it written my choice, counter my heart,
Must quench forever my loving fire?
Heavens! What sighs aspire
To rise from my loving heart,
If it must endlessly grieve and suffer
Not quench its love, nor accept its lover!