Madonna, wouldst thou punish me? Wouldst show The attitude most seeming me toward thee? Castilians all, behold! Here is your King, And here is she, the regent in his stead! I am a mere lieutenant for my son. For as the pilgrims, wearing, all, the cross For penance journey to Jerusalem, So will I, conscious of my grievous stain, Lead you against these foes of other faith Who at the bound'ry line, from Africa, My people threaten and my peaceful land. If I return, and victor, with God's grace, Then shall ye say if I am worthy still To guard the law offended by myself. This punishment be _yours_ as well as mine, For all of you shall follow me, and first, Into the thickest squadrons of the foe. And he who falls does penance for us all. Thus do I punish you and me! My son Here place upon a shield, like to a throne, For he today is King of this our land. So banded, then, let's go before the folk. [_A shield has been brought._] You women, each do give the child a hand. Slipp'ry his first throne, and the second too! Thou, Garceran, do thou stay at my side, For equal wantonness we must atone-- So let us fight as though our strength were one. And hast thou purged thyself of guilt, as I, Perhaps that quiet, chaste, and modest maid Will hold thee not unworthy of her hand! Thou shalt improve him, Doña Clara, but Let not thy virtue win his mere respect, But lend it charm, as well. That shields from much. [_Trumpets in the distance._] Hear yet They call us. Those whom I did bid To help against you, they are ready all To help against the common enemy, The dreaded Moor who threats our boundaries, And whom I will send back with shame and wounds Into the and desert he calls home, So that our native land be free from ill, Well-guarded from within and from without. On, on! Away! God grant, to victory! [_The procession has already formed. First, some vassals, then the shield with the child, whom the women hold by both hands, then the rest of the men. Lastly, the _KING,_ leaning in a trustful manner on _GARCERAN.] ESTHER (_turning to her father_). Seest thou, they are already glad and gay; Already plan for future marriages! They are the great ones, for th' atonement feast They've slain as sacrifice a little one, And give each other now their bloody hands.