_Chimene._ If he be conqueror, dost thou believe that I shall surrender? My strong [sense of] duty is too strong and my loss too great; and this [law of] combat and the will of the King are not strong enough to dictate conditions to them [i.e. to my duty and sorrow for my loss]. He may conquer Don Sancho with very little difficulty, but he shall not with him [conquer] the sense of duty of Chimene; and whatever [reward] a monarch may have promised to his victory, my self-respect will raise against him a thousand other enemies. _Elvira._ Beware lest, to punish this strange pride, heaven may at last permit you to revenge yourself. What!--you will still reject the happiness of being able now to be reconciled [_lit._ to be silent] with honor? What means this duty, and what does it hope for? Will the death of your lover restore to you a father? Is one [fatal] stroke of misfortune insufficient for you? Is there need of loss upon loss, and sorrow upon sorrow? Come, in the caprice in which your humor persists, you do not deserve the lover that is destined for you, and we may [_lit._ shall] see the just wrath of heaven, by his death, leaving you Don Sancho as a spouse. _Chimene._ Elvira, the griefs which I endure are sufficient: do not redouble them by this fatal augury. I wish, if I can, to avoid both; but if not, in this conflict Rodrigo has all my prayers; not because a weak [_lit._ foolish] affection inclines me to his side, but because, if he were conquered, I should become [the bride] of Don Sancho. This fear creates [_lit._ causes to be born] my desire---- [_Enter Don Sancho._] What do I see, unhappy [woman that I am]! Elvira, all is lost! Scene V.--DON SANCHO, CHIMENE, and ELVIRA. _Don Sancho._ Compelled to bring this sword to thy feet---- _Chimene._ What! still [all] reeking with the blood of Rodrigo! Traitor, dost thou dare to show thyself before mine eyes, after having taken from me that [being] whom I love the best? Declare thyself my love, and thou hast no more to fear. My father is satisfied; cease to restrain thyself. The same [death] stroke has placed my honor in safety, my soul in despair, and my passion at liberty! _Don Sancho._ With a mind more calmly collected---- _Chimene._ Dost thou still speak to me, detestable assassin of a hero whom I adore? Go; you fell upon him treacherously. A warrior so valiant would never have sunk beneath such an assailant! Hope nothing from me. Thou hast not served me; and believing that thou wert avenging me, thou hast deprived me of life. _Don Sancho._ Strange delusion, which, far from listening to me---- _Chimene._ Wilt thou that I should listen to thee while boasting of his death?--that I should patiently hear with what haughty pride thou wilt describe his misfortune, my own crime, and thy prowess? Scene VI.--DON FERNANDO, DON DIEGO, DON ARIAS, DON SANCHO, DON ALONZO, CHIMENE, and ELVIRA.