Count Alarcos; a Tragedy by Benjamin Disraeli A Street in Burgos; the Cathedral in the distance.[Enter Two Courtiers.] I:1:1 1ST COURT.The Prince of Hungary dismissed?I:1:2 2ND COURT.IndeedSo runs the rumour.I:1:3 1ST COURT.Why the spousal noteStill floats upon the air!I:1:4 2ND COURT.Myself this mornBeheld the Infanta's entrance, as she threw, Proud as some hitless barb, her haughty glanceOn our assembled chiefs.I:1:5 1ST COURT.The Prince was there?I:1:6 2ND COURT.Most royally; nor seemed a man more fitTo claim a kingdom for a dower. He lookedOur Gadian Hercules, as the advancing peersTheir homage paid. I followed in the trainOf Count Alarcos, with whose ancient houseMy fortunes long have mingled.I:1:7 1ST COURT.'Tis the same, But just returned?I:1:8 2ND COURT.Long banished from the Court;And only favoured since the Queen's decease, His ancient foe.I:1:9 1ST COURT.A very potent Lord?I:1:10 2ND COURT.Near to the throne; too near perchance for peace.You're young at Burgos, or indeed 'twere vainTo sing Alarcos' praise, the brightest knightThat ever waved a lance in Old Castille.I:1:11 1ST COURT.You followed in his train?I:1:12 2ND COURT.And as we passed, Alarcos bowing to the lowest earth, The Infanta swooned; and pale as yon niched saint, From off the throned step, her seat of place, Fell in a wild and senseless agony.I:1:13 1ST COURT.Sancta Maria! and the King-I:1:14 2ND COURT.UproseAnd bore her from her maidens, then broke upThe hurried Court; indeed I know no more, For like a turning tide the crowd pressed on, And scarcely could I gain the grateful air.Yet on the Prado's walk came smiling byThe Bishop of Ossuna; as he passedHe clutched my cloak, and whispered in my ear, 'The match is off.'[Enter PAGE.]I:1:15 1ST COURT.Hush! hush! a passenger.I:1:16 PAGE.Most noble Cavaliers, I pray, inform meWhere the great Count Alarcos holds his quarter.I:1:17 2ND COURT.In the chief square. His banner tells the roof;Your pleasure with the Count, my gentle youth?I:1:18 PAGE.I were a sorry messenger to tellMy mission to the first who asks its aim.I:1:19 2ND COURT.The Count Alarcos is my friend and chief.I:1:20 PAGE.Then better reason I should trusty be, For you can be a witness to my trust.I:1:21 1ST COURT.A forward youth!I:1:22 2ND COURT.A page is ever pertI:1:23 PAGE.Ay! ever pert is youth that baffles age.[Exit PAGE.]I:1:24 1ST COURT.The Count is married?I:1:25 2ND COURT.To a beauteous lady;And blessed with a fair race. A happy manIndeed is Count Alarcos.[A trumpet sounds.]I:1:26 1ST COURT.Prithee, see;Passes he now?I:1:27 2ND COURT.Long since. Yon banner tellsThe Count Sidonia. Let us on, and viewThe passage of his pomp. His Moorish steeds, They say, are very choice.[Exeunt Two Courtiers.] SCENE 2. A Chamber in the Palace of Alarcos. The COUNTESS seated andworking at her tapestry; the COUNT pacing the Chamber. I:2:1 COUN.You are disturbed, Alarcos?I:2:2 ALAR.'Tis the stirAnd tumult of this morn.... We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching e