_Vera._ I sent for him to hear his final doom, And think he waits without.-- Admit the prisoner. [_He goes to the door, and speaks._ _Enter_ RAMIREZ, _guarded_. Now, sir, is yet your haughty soul resolved To quit your empty title for your freedom? _Xim._ Ramirez, answer not to raise his passion: For now the important secret of our lives Must come to public view; and on that hinge Depends thy crown, thy liberty, and life, My honour, and thy son's. _Alph._ What means my mother? [_Aside._ _Vera._ A son, Ramirez! _Ram._ Yes, a son I had. _Vera._ He died an infant here in Saragossa. _Ram._ A living son I have; and, since the queen Is pleased to expose my life Before a judge so prejudiced as you, Undaunted, in the face of death, I speak, And claim Alphonso mine. _Vera._ There needs no more: I spare thee all the rest; My wife's adultery, thy foul interloping, My own dishonour, and that bastard's birth. _Xim._ Injurious words, unfitting you to speak, And me, my lord, and those concerned, to hear. _Alph._ [_To_ VER.] Though I would give whate'er the sun beholds Not to be yours, yet, when my mother's fame Is questioned, none shall wrong her innocence; Nor shall Ramirez go Unpunished for that infamous aspersion. _Ram._ Alphonso, peace; your father bids you peace. _Vera._ Then, what am I? _Ram._ His foster-father. _Vera._ Impudently said; And yet I hope 'tis true. So much I hate him, That I could buy the public scorn, to be An alien to his blood. _Xim._ Have patience, sir, And you shall have your wish on cheaper terms; But hear me speak. _Vera._ Good heaven, then give me patience! _Xim._ When you and brave Ramirez, then your friend, Me and my sister married, four full years We passed in barren wedlock, childless both; Ramirez, you remember, brought his queen To Saragossa on a friendly visit; Then, as we both were married on one day, We both conceived together. _Vera._ I observe it,-- That, when Ramirez came, you both conceived! Mark that, and, if thou hast the face, proceed. _Xim._ My lord, I dare:-- You took me once aside, and, as your rage Inspired your soul, spoke thus: Ximena, know, That, if the fruit thou bear'st be not a son, Henceforth no more my queen, we part for ever. The word was hard, I bore it as I could; I prayed, and heaven, in pity, heard my vows: Two boys, in one fair morning, were disclosed By me, and by my sister; And both the fathers equally were blest. _Vera._ Say one was blest with two, and speak more truly.