SCENE II.

_A field._[376]

_Enter_ ALVAREZ _and_ LOUIS.

ALV. Good, good: you would fain kill him, and revenge Your father’s death? LOUIS. I would. ALV. Bravely, or scurvily?[377] LOUIS. Not basely, for the world! ALV. We are secure. [_Produces two swords._ Young Louis, two more trusty blades than these Spain has not in her arm[or]y: with this Alvarez slew thy father; and this other Was that the king of France wore when great Charles In a set battle took him prisoner; Both I resign to thee. LOUIS. This is a new mystery. ALV. Now see this naked bosom; turn the points Of either on this bulwark, if thou covet’st, Out of a sprightly youth and manly thirst Of vengeance, blood; if blood be thy ambition, Then call to mind the fatal blow that struck De Castro, thy brave father, to his grave; Remember who it was that gave that blow, His enemy Alvarez: hear, and be sudden, Behold Alvarez! LOUIS. Death, I am deluded! ALV. Thou art incredulous; as fate is certain, I am the man. LOUIS. Thou that butcher? ALV. Tremble not, young man; trust me, I have wept Religiously to wash off from my conscience The stain of my offence: twelve years and more, Like to a restless pilgrim I have run From foreign lands to lands to find out death. I'm weary of my life; give me a sword: That thou mayst know with what a perfect zeal I honour old De Castro’s memory, I'll fight with thee; I would not have thy hand Dipp’d in a wilful murder; I could wish For one hour’s space I could pluck back from time But thirty of my years, that in my fall Thou might’st deserve report: now if thou conquer’st, Thou canst not triumph, I'm half dead already, Yet I'll not start a foot. LOUIS. Breathes there a spirit In such a heap of age?[378] ALV. O, that I had A son of equal growth with thee, to tug For reputation! by thy father’s ashes, I would not kill thee for another Spain, Yet now I'll do my best. Thou art amaz’d; Come on. LOUIS. Twelve tedious winters' banishment? ’Twas a long time. ALV. Could they redeem thy father, Would every age had been twelve ages, Louis, And I for penance every age a-dying! But ’tis too late to wish. LOUIS. I am o’ercome; Your nobleness hath conquer’d me: here ends All strife between our families, and henceforth Acknowledge me for yours. ALV. O, thou reviv’st Fresh horrors to my fact! for in thy gentleness I see my sin anew. LOUIS. Our peace is made; Your life shall be my care: ’twill be glad news To all our noble friends. ALV. Since heaven will have it so, I thank thee, glorious majesty! My son, For I will call thee [so], ere the next morrow Salute the world, thou shalt know stranger mysteries. LOUIS. I have enough to feed on: sir, I'll follow ye. _Exeunt._