'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 me Where 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 tell My 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 pert

I: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 man Indeed 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 tells The Count Sidonia. Let us on, and view The 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 and working at her tapestry; the COUNT pacing the Chamber.

I:2:1 COUN. You are disturbed, Alarcos?

I:2:2 ALAR. 'Tis the stir And tumult of this morn. I am not used To Courts.

I:2:3 COUN. I know not why, it is a name That makes me tremble.

I:2:4 ALAR. Tremble, Florimonde, Why should you tremble?

I:2:5 COUN. Sooth I cannot say. Methinks the Court but little suits my kind; I love our quiet home.

I:2:6 ALAR. This is our home,

I:2:7 COUN. When you are here.

I:2:8 ALAR. I will be always here.

I:2:9 COUN. Thou canst not, sweet Alarcos. Happy hours, When we were parted but to hear thy horn Sound in our native woods!

I:2:10 ALAR. Why, this is humour! We're courtiers now; and we must smile and smirk.

I:2:11 COUN. Methinks your tongue is gayer than your glance. The King, I hope, was gracious?

I:2:12 ALAR. Were he not, My frown's as prompt as his. He was most gracious.

I:2:13 COUN. Something has chafed thee?

I:2:14 ALAR. What should chafe me, child, And when should hearts be light, if mine be dull? Is not mine exile over? Is it nought To breathe in the same house where we were born, And sleep where slept our fathers? Should that chafe?

I:2:15 COUN. Yet didst then leave my side this very morn, And with a vow this day should ever count Amid thy life most happy; when we meet Thy brow is clouded.

I:2:16 ALAR. Joy is sometimes grave, And deepest when 'tis calm. And I am joyful If it be joy, this long forbidden hall Once more to pace, and feel each fearless step Tread on a baffled foe.

I:2:17 COUN. Hast thou still foes

I:2:18 ALAR. I trust so; I should not be what I am,