Chapter 4

_Count._ At last you have gained it [_or_, prevailed], and the favor of a King raises you to a rank which was due only to myself; he makes you Governor of the Prince of Castile.

_Don Diego._ This mark of distinction with which he distinguishes [_lit._ which he puts into] my family shows to all that he is just, and causes it to be sufficiently understood, that he knows how to recompense bygone services.

_Count._ However great kings may be, they are only men [_lit._ they are that which we are]; they can make mistakes like other men, and this choice serves as a proof to all courtiers that they know how to [_or_, can] badly recompense present services.

_Don Diego._ Let us speak no more of a choice at which your mind becomes exasperated. Favor may have been able to do as much as merit; but we owe this respect to absolute power, to question nothing when a king has wished it. To the honor which he has done me add another--let us join by a sacred tie my house to yours. You have an only daughter, and I have an only son; their marriage may render us for ever more than friends. Grant us this favor, and accept, him as a son-in-law.

_Count._ To higher alliances this precious son ought [_or_, is likely] to aspire; and the new splendor of your dignity ought to inflate his heart with another [higher] vanity. Exercise that [dignity], sir, and instruct the prince. Show him how it is necessary to rule a province: to make the people tremble everywhere under his law; to fill the good with love, and the wicked with terror. Add to these virtues those of a commander: show him how it is necessary to inure himself to fatigue; in the profession of a warrior [_lit._ of Mars] to render himself without an equal; to pass entire days and nights on horseback; to sleep all-armed: to storm a rampart, and to owe to himself alone the winning of a battle. Instruct him by example, and render him perfect, bringing your lessons to his notice by carrying them into effect.

_Don Diego._ To instruct himself by example, in spite of your jealous feelings, he shall read only the history of my life. There, in a long succession of glorious deeds, he shall see how nations ought to be subdued; to attack a fortress, to marshal an army, and on great exploits to build his renown.

_Count._ Living examples have a greater [_lit._ another] power. A prince, in a book, learns his duty but badly [_or_, imperfectly]; and what, after all, has this great number of years done which one of my days cannot equal? If you have been valiant, I am so to-day, and this arm is the strongest support of the kingdom. Granada and Arragon tremble when this sword flashes; my name serves as a rampart to all Castile; without me you would soon pass under other laws, and you would soon have your enemies as [_lit._ for] kings. Each day, each moment, to increase my glory, adds laurels to laurels, victory to victory. The prince, by my side, would make the trial of his courage in the wars under the shadow of my arm; he would learn to conquer by seeing me do so; and, to prove speedily worthy of his high character, he would see----

_Don Diego._ I know it; you serve the king well. I have seen you fight and command under me, when [old] age has caused its freezing currents to flow within my nerves [i.e. "when the frosts of old age had numbed my nerves"--_Jules Bue_], your unexampled [_lit._ rare] valor has worthily [_lit._ well] supplied my place; in fine, to spare unnecessary words, you are to-day what I used to be. You see, nevertheless, that in this rivalry a monarch places some distinction between us.

_Count._ That prize which I deserved you have carried off.

_Don Diego._ He who has gained that [advantage] over you has deserved it best.

_Count._ He who can use it to the best advantage is the most worthy of it.

_Don Diego._ To be refused that prize [_lit._ it] is not a good sign.

_Count._ You have gained it by intrigue, being an old courtier.

_Don Diego._ The brilliancy of my noble deeds was my only recommendation [_lit._ support].

_Count._ Let us speak better of it [i.e. more plainly]: the king does honor to your age.

_Don Diego._ The king, when he does it [i.e. that honor], gives it [_lit._ measures it] to courage.

_Count._ And for that reason this honor was due only to me [_lit._ my arm].

_Don Diego._ He who has not been able to obtain it did not deserve it.

_Count._ Did not deserve it? I!

_Don Diego._ You.

_Count._ Thy impudence, rash old man, shall have its recompense. [_He gives him a slap on the face._] _Don Diego (drawing his sword [_lit._ putting the sword in his hand_]). Finish [this outrage], and take my life after such an insult, the first for which my race has ever had cause to blush [_lit._ has seen its brow grow red].

_Count._ And what do you think you can do, weak us you are [_lit._ with such feebleness]?

_Don Diego._ Oh, heaven! my exhausted strength fails me in this necessity!

_Count._ Thy sword is mine; but thou wouldst be too vain if this discreditable trophy had laden my hand [i.e. if I had carried away a trophy so discreditable]. Farewell--adieu! Cause the prince to read, in spite of jealous feelings, for his instruction, the history of thy life. This just punishment of impertinent language will serve as no small embellishment for it.