No More Learning

The faint light cast from every distant star
Showed thirty ships now crossing the bar;
The waves swelled beneath, and their effort
Brought the tide-borne Moors within the port.
We let them pass; all appearing tranquil;
No soldiers at the port, the city still.
The calm we maintained deceived their eyes.
They, believing they'd achieved surprise,
Fearless, closed, anchored, disembarked,
And then they ran against us in the dark.
We leapt up on the instant, copious cries
Uttered by our troops, rose to the skies.
Others echoed from our anchored fleet;
Thus the Moors' amazement proved complete,
Terror seized them just as they were landing.
They knew defeat, prior to any fighting.
They thought to pillage, but met with slaughter.
We pressed them on land, and on the water,
And high their blood lifted like a fountain,
Before they could resist, re-group, again.
But soon, in spite of us, their princes rallied,
Their courage was revived, their terror fled:
The shame of dying, without act of war,
Quelling confusion renewed their valour.
They drew their scimitars against us swiftly;
Mingling our blood with theirs most horribly.
The river, fleet, the port, the shore, the main,
Were sites of conflict now, where death did reign.
O countless the brave acts, courageousness
Concealed itself from knowledge in the darkness,
Where each, the sole true witness of his blows,
Could not discern whose side fortune chose!
I rushed everywhere, encouraging our men,
Making these advance, supporting them.
Deploying new-comers, urging them on,
Nor could I judge the outcome till the dawn.
But, at last, light showed us our advantage;
The Moors faced defeat, and so lost courage:
And seeing our reinforcements on the way,
Fear of death destroyed their hopes with day.
The re-gained their ships, they cut the cables,
Their dreadful cries rose high above the gables,
They retreated then, without considering
The action their kings were undertaking.
Their terror was too great to think of duty;
The tide that brought them on now helped them flee;
Yet their kings were still engaged in battle,
Handfuls of their men, pierced by our metal,
Disputed valiantly, sold their lives dearly.
In vain I begged them to surrender to me:
Scimitars in hand they would not listen;
But seeing their men fall all around them,
And that they were fighting on unshielded,
They sought our chief: answering, they yielded,
I sent them to you, with due compliments;
The war then ceased through lack of combatants.
It was in this manner, in your service. . .


Act IV Scene IV (The King, Diegue, Arias, Rodrigue, Alonso, Sanche)

Alonso
Sire, Chimene is here, demanding justice.

King
Sad news, and an obsessive sense of duty!

(To Rodrigue)

Go, I will not pressure her unfairly.
In place of thanks, I'll drive you from this place:
But, ere you go, accept your King's embrace.

(Exit Rodrigue)

Diegue
Chimene pursues him, yet she would save him.

King
I'll test her now, since they say she loves him.
Adopt a sad expression.


Act IV Scene V (The King, Diegue, Arias, Alonso, Sanche, Chimene, Elvire)

King
Be content
Chimene, victory answers your intent:
Though Rodrigue overcame our enemies
He died before our eyes from wounds received.
Offer thanks to Heaven who has avenged you.

(To Don Diegue)

See how her face abruptly changes hue.

Diegue
Yes, see, she's fainting, and from perfect love,
In this swoon, Sire, see how her passions move.
Her grief betrays the secret of her soul,
And we may no longer doubt the tale that's told.

Chimene
What! Rodrigue is dead?

King
No, no, he lives,
And bears you yet his unchanging love:
Quiet this sorrow borne of your distress.

Chimene
Sire, one faints from joy as well as sadness:
Excess of happiness may bring on weakness,
Surprise the soul, and overcome the senses.

King
You wish us to believe the impossible?
Chimene, your grief was only too visible.

Chimene
Sire, make this the culmination to my woe
And call it grief then, if you wish it so.
A deep displeasure overcame my feelings;
His death destroyed the object I was seeking.
If he had died of wounds for his country
Vengeance was thwarted, and my plans awry:
So fine an end would only injure me
Who ask his death, but not a death in glory,
No great acclaim to raise him up on high,
On a scaffold, not in honour, he must die;
For my father not his country, diminished,
Let his name be sullied, memory tarnished.
To die for one's country is no sad fate;
Such a death sets one among the great.
I love his victory: for that's no sin.
The State, secure now, returns my victim.
Noble, then, famous among warriors,
A leader crowned with laurel not with flowers,
To say it in a word, I find him, his blade,
Worthy of sacrifice to my father's shade. . .
Such vain hopes I allowed myself to feel!
Rodrigue has naught to fear from my steel;
What use are my scorned tears against him?
Your whole empire now lies open to him;
There all's allowed him, beneath your sway;
He triumphs over me, as the Moors today.
His enemies' spilt blood drowns out justice,
As a new trophy for his crimes does service;
We swell the pomp, and scornful of the law,
Follow his chariot, with two kings before.

King
Daughter, your words show too much violence.
In rendering justice, set all in the balance:
Your father died, yet he was the aggressor;
Justice itself commands me to be fairer.
Before you accuse my judgement further
Consult your heart: Rodrigue is its master.
Love, in secret, thanks your King moreover,
For the favour that grants you such a lover.

Chimene
Grants me! My foe! Object of my anger!
Source of my woes! Murderer of my father!
To my just cause you give so little weight,
You will not even hear the wrongs I state!
Since you refuse justice to all my claims,
Sire, let me have my recourse to weapons;
That's how he perpetrated his offence,
And that is how I now seek vengeance.
I ask his head of all your warriors, now;
Let one bring it, I'll be his prize, I vow.
Let combat begin, Sire, combat finished,
I'll wed the man, if Rodrigue is punished.
Let them proclaim this on your authority.

King
This custom here, of ancient pedigree,
As means to punish an unjust assault,
Robs the State of its finest men, the fault
This sad abuse creates if it finds success
Protects the criminal, attacks the guiltless.
I exempt Rodrigue: he's far too valuable
To expose to such a fate, unjust and fickle;
Whatever blood that noble heart has spilt,
The Moors in fleeing bore away his guilt.

Diegue
What, Sire! For him alone you change the law
That has been countless times observed at court?
What will your people, what will envy say,
If your protection cloaks him every way,
Preventing him from seeking to appear,
Where a noble death is sought by honour?
Such a favour tarnishes his glory:
Let him not blush now for his victory.
The Count was rash; Rodrigue replied though:
Played the brave man's part, and still must do so.

King
Since you wish it, I will grant permission:
But thousands will view it as their mission,
The prize Chimene would award their blows
Would make of all my warriors his foes.
For him to face them all would be unjust,
He should face only one man, if he must.
Choose whom you wish, and choose well, Chimene;
But after this ask me naught again.

Diegue
Excuse none of all those he terrifies;
Leave the field open, see, no man applies.
After what Rodrigue has said today,
Who is brave enough to make a play?
Who would take on such an adversary?
Who would show such courage or temerity?

Sanche
Open the lists: you'll bring on his assailant;
I am that man, so rash, or rather valiant,
Favour my ardour's urging now in this.
Madame, you must remember your promise.

King
Chimene, will you place your cause in his hand?

Chimene
I promised.

King
Tomorrow then, understand.

Diegue
No, Sire, now: there must be no more delay.
A brave man should be ready come what may.

King
To win a war, then duel immediately!

Diegue
Rodrigue has rested while he told his story.

King
He shall rest some hours more before they fight;
And for fear such combat be seen as right,
To show you all I allow with some regret
This blood-stained process that has never yet
Pleased me: the court and I will be absent.

(To Arias)

You alone will judge them competent.
See to it that both act honourably,
Once over, bring the conqueror to me.
Either will earn the same prize for his pains;
I'll with my own hand give him to Chimene,
And he will receive her hand as his reward.

Chimene
What! Sire, to impose so harsh a law!

King
Yet Love, far from registering this protest,
If Rodrigue wins, true justice will attest.
Cease to murmur against laws so sweet;
Whoever wins, will yet fall at your feet.

End of Act IV

Act V Scene I (Rodrigue, Chimene)

Chimene
Rodrigue, and here! Whence your audacity?
Go, you harm my honour now; please leave me.

Rodrigue
I go to die, Madame, yet come to you,
Before my death, to say a last adieu.
Eternal love that binds me to your laws
Accepts my life in homage thus to yours.

Chimene
You go to die!

Rodrigue
I haste towards that hour
That yields my being to your vengeful power.

Chimene
You go to die! Has Sanche's blade such art
It works on your indomitable heart?
What makes you so weak, and him so strong?
Rodrigue, about to fight, sings his swan-song!
He who feared not my father, or the Moors,
Off to fight Sanche, thinks it a lost cause!
In time of need your courage is all spent?

Rodrigue
I go not to a duel, but punishment;
My faithful ardour deprives me of desire
To defend myself, since you light the pyre.
My heart's the same; my arm loses strength
When it seeks to protect what you condemn;
Last night would have yet proved fatal
If I'd fought only in my own quarrel;
But defending my people, king and country,
Only a traitor would have dared fight badly.
My heart does not detest life so utterly
As to wish to lose it through disloyalty.
Now fighting solely in my own cause,
You ask my death and I accept your laws.
Vengeance chooses another hand's force
(I was not worthy of dying at yours):
None will see me resist what must ensue;
I owe respect to one who fights for you,
I will yield him my naked chest bravely,
Adoring your hand, in that which slays me.

Chimene
If the force of justice and sad duty
Urging me on, pursuing victory,
Prescribes for you so harsh a law
It renders you defenceless, all the more
Be mindful in that act of blindness
That your honour is at stake, no less
Than your life, and your living glory
If you die, will be one more past story.
Your honour's dearer to you than I am,
Since with a father's blood it stained your hand,
And made you renounce, despite your passion
Your sweetest hope, that of my possession:
Yet I see you treat it now so lightly,
That you would be vanquished easily.
Your honour's plagued by inconsistency.
Why is it now not as it seemed to be?
Is your sole virtue committing outrage?
Except for insults, do you lack courage?
Did you show such harshness to my father
That conquered you might know your conqueror?
Go, without seeking death: let me pursue you,
Defend your honour, though you've no wish to.

Rodrigue
After the Count's death, the Moors defeat,
Is this honour of mine not yet replete?
It should disdain the need for self-defence;
They know my courage dares all attempts,
My valour is high, and beneath the heavens
As for my honour, nothing is more precious.
No, no, think as you wish, in this story
Rodrigue may die without losing glory,
Without being accused of lacking honour,
Unconquered, free of any conqueror.
They'll merely say: 'He adored Chimene;
He wished to die and not endure the pain
Of her hatred, bowed to that destiny
That of a lover made an enemy.
She sought his life, and yet his noble heart
Could not deny her justice, for his part.
So he lost his love, to save his honour
So he lost his life, to save his lover's,
Preferring (to hopes of making her his wife)
His honour to Chimene, Chimene to life. '
And so you will see my death in this duel,
Far from quenching glory, will give it fuel;
And this honour will flow from willing death,
Your need for recompense ends with my breath.

Chimene
Since life and honour then prove far too weak
To stop you hastening to your death, Rodrigue,
If ever I loved you, take revenge on me,
Defend yourself, from Don Sanche so wrest me.
Fight to free me from the harsh condition
That yields me to an object of aversion.
Must I say more? Go: think of your defence,
To tax my duty, impose my silence.
And if you feel your love is still alive,
Emerge as the victor, with Chimene your prize.
Adieu: these last words make me blush with shame.

Rodrigue
Is there a sword that can defy my claim?
Navarese, Moors, Castilians, appear,
All Spain's men of valour now stand here;
Join together so, create an army,
To fight this one man roused so utterly:
Unite your force against a hope so sweet;
You'll prove too few now to deny it me.


Act V Scene II (Infanta)

Shall I hear you again, high blood of ours,
That makes a crime of my love?
Shall I hear you, love, whose tender powers
Make my generous heart against it move?
Poor Princess, to which of the two
Must you devote these hours?
Rodrigue your valour proves worthy of me;
But you're no king's son, despite victory.

Implacable fate, whose harshness parts
My honour from my desire,
Is it written my choice, counter my heart,
Must quench forever my loving fire?
Heavens! What sighs aspire
To rise from my loving heart,
If it must endlessly grieve and suffer
Not quench its love, nor accept its lover!

Yet it's too harsh, and my reason's stunned
By my scorn for such a lover:
Though birth reserves me for kings alone,
Rodrigue I'll bow to your law with honour.
Over two kings the victor,
How then could you lack a crown?
Does the title of Cid, your recent gain,
Not clearly show over whom you'll reign?

He's worthy of me, but made for Chimene;
The gift I gave proves my ruin.
Her father's death brings them, I maintain,
So little hatred, sad she pursues him.
I must hope no harm's ensuing,
From his crime, or from my pain,
Since, to punish, destiny agrees
That love live on so, between enemies.


Act V Scene III (Infanta, Leonor)

Infanta
Why here, Leonor?

Leonor
To rejoice, Lady,
At this repose your soul finds, finally.

Infanta
Whence should such peace arise to quench my pain?

Leonor
If love lives on hope, and dies with it again,
Rodrigue can no longer quench your courage.
You know the duel that Chimene would stage;
Since he will die, or else they will be wed,
Your heart is freed, as your hope is dead.

Infanta
Oh! Far from that!

Leonor
To what can you pretend?

Infanta
Rather, from what shall I myself defend?
If Rodrigue duels accepting such conditions,
I have many means to alter their intentions.
Love, sweet author of my cruel anguish,
Shows lovers' minds many an artifice.

Leonor
What can you work, if a father's merit
Rouses no discord between their spirits?
For Chimene shows readily by her action,
That hate no longer fuels his prosecution.
She's granted combat, and for combatant
Accepted the first offer made that instant.
She'd no recourse to that nobility,
Who by their exploits won themselves glory.
Don Sanche suits her choice, and he'll suffice
Since this duel will be the first he fights;
His lack of experience pleases her;
Since he lacks renown she lacks all fear;
And her calm reveals to us readily
She seeks a duel to discharge her duty,
One that will give Rodrigue swift victory,
And render him no more her enemy.

Infanta
I have seen all this, my heart however,
As Chimene's, adores this conqueror.
A sorry lover, how can I be resigned?

Leonor
By keeping your noble rank in mind;
Heaven owes you a king, you love a subject!

Infanta
My inclination has changed its object.
I no longer love Rodrigue the gentleman;
No my love names him to another plan;
If I love, I love he who wrought fine things,
The valorous Cid who has mastered kings.
Yet I'll draw back, not from fear of blame,
But so as not to harm their loving flame;
And when to oblige me he is crowned,
The gift I gave shall never be disowned.
Since his victory in this duel is certain,
Let me grant him to Chimene again.
And you who know my suffering spirit,
Will see me end this thing as I began it.


Act V Scene IV (Chimene, Elvire)

Chimene
Elvire, how I suffer! Pity me here!
I have no hope, and everything to fear;
No prayer escapes to which I can consent;
Of every wish I form I soon repent.
Two rivals now will duel for me as prize:
Yet the happiest end will fuel my sighs;
Whatever fate determines in my honour
I fail my father, or I lose my lover.

Elvire
One way or the other, you're satisfied,
You are avenged, or Rodrigue has not died;
And whatever destiny ordains for you
You've honour, glory and a husband too.

Chimene
What! The object of my hate, or anger!
Rodrigue's killer or that of my father!
In either case they will make me wed
One stained with the blood of my dear dead;
Against that fate I'll fight with every breath:
I fear the quarrel's ending worse than death.
Flee, Love and Vengeance, that so trouble me,
The price too great of your sweet victory;
And you, prime mover of my destiny,
In this duel, let none have mastery,
Let there be no loser and no winner.

Elvire
Then you'll be hurt in too harsh a manner.
This duel will yield you yet more distress,
If you're forced to seek justice afresh,
Ever to nourish your noble anger,
And still seek the death of your lover.
Madame, better that his rare valour now,
Gains your silence, as it crowns his brow,
That this duel should stifle all your sighs,
And the King your heart's hope yet realise.

Chimene
You think if he's the victor I'll surrender?
My duty is too great, my loss is greater;
This duel, and the wishes of the King,
Will never bind me with their law-making.
He may conquer Sanche with little pain,
But not that honour sacred to Chimene.
Whatever the King may grant the victor
He makes a greater enemy of my honour.

Elvire
Beware lest Heaven punishes your pride
And sees you avenged, though he has died.
What! You would deny the joy and sense
Of keeping an honourable silence?
What does duty then expect or hope for?
Will your lover's death bring back your father?
Is one disaster not enough for you?
Must loss bring loss, grief bring grief, too?
Come, with such capricious obstinacy,
You merit neither love nor destiny;
Heaven's just anger will see you wed
To Don Sanche when Rodrigue is dead.

Chimene
Elvire, this suffering is enough for me,
Don't multiply it with dread augury.
I wish to escape them both if I may;
If not, it's for Rodrigue that I will pray:
Not because foolish passion so decides;
But because I'll be Sanche's if he dies.
This fear gives rise to my inclination. . .

(Don Sanche enters)

Ah, what do I see? Elvire, it is done.


Act V Scene V (Don Sanche, Chimene, Elvire)

Sanche
Being forced to lay this blade before you. . .

Chimene
What! And painted with Rodrigue's blood too?
How do you dare to meet my gaze, traitor,
After slaying one who was your better?
Speak now, Love, you have no more to fear:
Cease to hide, this satisfies my father;
A single blow brings honour now to me,
My soul to despair, my love to liberty.

Sanche
If you were calmer. . .

Chimene
Still you speak, what more,
Vile murderer of that hero I adore!
Go, you were treacherous; the valiant
Could never yield to such an assailant.
Hope for nothing here, you did not serve me!
You stole my life, in seeking to avenge me.

Sanche
This strange mistake, beyond comprehension. . .

Chimene
Is it to your boasting I must listen?
And hear you paint with endless insolence
His woe, my crime, and your brave defence?


Act V Scene VI (King, Diegue, Arias, Sanche, Alonso, Chimene, Elvire)

Chimene
Sire, there's no longer reason to conceal
What all my efforts were forced to reveal.
I loved: you know it; to avenge my father,
I was willing to condemn my lover:
Your Majesty, Sire, yourself could see
How my love was sacrificed to duty.
Rodrigue is dead, and his death changed me
To afflicted lover from implacable enemy.
Vengeance was owing to my father,
And now I owe tears to my lover.
Don Sanche caused me ill, in my defence,
And that ill-dealing arm I must recompense!
Sire, if compassion can sway a king,
I beg you to revoke your harsh ruling;
For what lost me my love, his victory,
I leave him my fortune; if he'll forgo me;
That I may weep in some sacred cloister,
To my last breath, for father and for lover.

Diegue
She still loves, Sire, and thinks it no crime
To confess a love so true, to you, at this time.

King
Chimene, you are wrong, your lover is not dead,
Sanche, the vanquished, spoke falsely instead.

Sanche
Her ardour deceived her, in spite of me:
I left the fight, Sire, to recount it swiftly.
The noble warrior, who has claimed her,
Said when he disarmed me: 'Have no fear.
I would rather leave the outcome uncertain,
Than shed blood placed at risk for Chimene;
But since duty summons me to the King
Go tell her for me of our undertaking,
Take your sword on behalf of the victor. '
Sire, I went: the blade itself deceived her;
She thought me the victor seeing me there,
And betrayed her love in her swift anger
With so much agitation and impatience,
I could not gain a moment's audience.
For myself, though conquered I'm content;
And despite my own amorous intent,
And infinite loss, I welcome my defeat,
Rendering a perfect love thus complete.

King
My daughter, be not ashamed of this love,
Nor seek the means its power to disprove;
An honourable shame urges you in vain;
Your duty is done, your honour true again;
Your father's satisfied, as his avenger
You have so often placed his life in danger.
Yet you see Heaven wishes something else.
Having worked for others, act now for yourself,
And do not struggle against my command,
That will grant you a beloved husband.


Act V Scene VII (King, Diegue, Arias, Rodrigue, Alonso, Sanche, Infanta, Chimene, Leonor, Elvire)

Infanta
Dry your tears, Chimene, and free of sadness
Receive him from the hands of your princess.

Rodrigue
Be not offended if in your presence, Sire,
Loving respect makes me kneel before her.
I have not come here to demand my prize:
I have come, once more, to offer you my life,
Madame; my love employs in its own cause
Neither King's will, nor customary laws.
If what is done was too little for a father,
What will it take to satisfy you more?
Must I battle with a thousand rivals,
To the earth's ends extend my labours,
Attack a camp alone, or rout an army,
Exceed the fame of heroes legendary?
If my crime can thus be washed away,
I'll undertake whatever deed today:
But if proud honour, all inexorable,
To be appeased, must slay the criminal,
Do not seek to use man's power against me:
Avenge yourself, my head bows at your feet;
Your hands must conquer the invincible;
Take that vengeance others find impossible;
But let my death suffice to punish me.
Do not banish me from your memory,
And say sometimes, in pitying my life:
'If he'd not loved me, he'd not have died. '

Chimene
Rise Rodrigue. Sire, know this for a fact,
I have gone too far to wish to retract.
Rodrigue has virtues that I cannot hate:
And when a King commands, we must obey.
But, regardless of your previous ruling,
Can you endure to see such a wedding?
And if as a duty you wish to view it,
Is royal justice in accord with it?
If Rodrigue is essential to the State,
Must I pay for the workings of fate.
Expose myself to this reproach, eternal,
Of having bathed my hands in blood paternal?

King
Often enough time makes legitimate
What, at first sight, seems illegitimate.
Rodrigue has won you, and you are his.
But though today valour deserves this,
I would prove an enemy to your honour
To grant him now the prize of his valour.
A marriage deferred does not affect the laws
That, regardless of time, make him yours.
Take a year, if you would, to dry your tears.
Rodrigue, arm yourself, among your peers.
After driving the Moors from our coast,
Marring their plans, answering their boast,
Go, wage war on them in their own country,
Command my army, ravage the enemy.
As the Cid you have them trembling;
They called you lord, shall know you as their king.
Though great your deeds stay ever faithful;
Return more worthy of her if possible,
And in all your exploits prove so true,
It will be bliss to her to marry you.

Rodrigue
To possess Chimene, and do you service,
What will my weapons not accomplish?
Whatever absence from her must endure,
Sire, it is yet happiness to hope for more.

King
Take hope then from courage, and my promise;
You now possess the heart of your mistress,
To meet this point of honour, yet arising,
Rely on time, your valour, and your king.