_Don Rodrigo._ O cruel resolution [_lit._ point of honor]! Alas! whatever I may do, can I by no means obtain this concession [_or_, favor]? In the name of a slain [_lit._ dead] father, or of our friendship, punish me through revenge, or at least through compassion. Thy unhappy lover will have far less pain in dying by thy hand than in living with thy hatred. _Chimene._ Go; I do not hate thee. _Don Rodrigo._ Thou oughtest to do so. _Chimene._ I cannot. _Don Rodrigo._ Dost thou so little fear calumny, and so little [fear] false reports? When people shall know my crime, and that thy passion [for me] still continues, what will not envy and deception spread abroad? Compel them to silence, and, without debating more, save thy fair fame by causing me to die. _Chimene._ That [fair fame] shines far more gloriously [_lit._ better] by leaving thee life; and I wish that the voice of the blackest slander should raise to heaven my honor, and lament my griefs, knowing that I worship thee, and that [still] I pursue thee [as a criminal]. Go, then; present no more to my unbounded grief that which I [must] lose, although I love it [him]! In the shades of night carefully conceal thy departure; if they see thee going forth, my honor runs a risk. The only opportunity which slander can have is to know that I have tolerated thy presence here. Give it no opportunity to assail my honor. _Don Rodrigo._ Let me die. _Chimene._ Nay, leave me. _Don Rodrigo._ On what art thou resolved? _Chimene._ In spite of the glorious love-fires which impede [_lit._ trouble] my wrath, I will do my utmost to avenge my father; but, in spite of the sternness of such a cruel duty, my sole desire is to be able to accomplish nothing [against thee]. _Don Rodrigo._ O wondrous love [_lit._ miracle of love]! _Chimene._ O accumulation of sorrows! _Don Rodrigo._ What misfortunes and tears will our fathers cost us! _Chimene._ Rodrigo, who would have believed----? _Don Rodrigo._ Chimene, who would have said----? _Chimene._ That our happiness was so near, and would so soon be ruined? _Don Rodrigo._ And that so near the haven, contrary to all appearances [_or_, expectation], a storm so sudden should shatter our hopes? _Chimene._ O deadly griefs! _Don Rodrigo._ O vain regrets! _Chimene._ Go, then, again [I beseech thee]; I can listen to thee no more. _Don Rodrigo._ Adieu! I go to drag along a lingering life, until it be torn from me by thy pursuit. _Chimene._ If I obtain my purpose, I pledge to thee my faith to exist not a moment after thee. Adieu! Go hence, and, above all, take good care that you are not observed. [_Exit Don Rodrigo._] _Elvira._ Dear lady, whatever sorrows heaven sends us---- _Chimene._ Trouble me no more; let me sigh. I seek for silence and the night in order to weep. Scene V.--DON DIEGO.