Classic Poem

Various scenes take place in this interval between L OZANO and his friends , X IMENA and hers, &c. Then follows a scene [ II ], with a road over a hill, to which enter D IEGO and his Son .
Dieg . That hill, with its long task, reminded me
Of my small sum of breath; — but thou?
Rod . Could shout, father,
Orders to a whole army at its foot.
Dieg . Bless thee. I thought I saw, a little on,
Lozano Was it so?
Rod . It was. I saw him.
Dieg . He will be there before us; and thy spirit
Must fret at these old clogs.
Rod . Oh no; 'tis calm,
Seeing you so. There, father, breathe a while;
The Count shall be well-bred for once, and wait
Our leisure.
Dieg . My great boy! I shall quite know you,
I think, when I'm in heaven, and see how angels
Go down to battle. I am calm, because
I must be. Put your hand forth: so; now look
At that.
There's trembling, boy, and age, and anger.
And there —
Rod . [ Kneeling down and kissing it .] The hand that shall allay them all.
Dieg . Come then.

Enter an Officer and Guards.

Officer . Castile!
Rod . Castile and right! Your errand, Sir
Off . 'Tis only with the noble Count, your father,
Whom the king wills, on pain of his displeasure,
To keep at home till he hear further. There
I thought to have found him; and am sorry, Sirs,
To stop ye in your walk.
Rod . We thank you, Sir.
Dieg . ( Angrily ). Sir, I — —
Rod . ( Aside ). Dear father! recollect you have left
All settlement to me — I can go on.
Dieg . That's true. Come to me.
Rod . No; we are observed.
I'm in your heart, go where I will.
Dieg . 'Tis true,
Again most true. I am a child again,
And learn of thee
Rod . Ay, ay. Besides, dear father, ( significantly )
This gentleman will let you go with him
A little further to the palace gate;
And there, if you sit down on the old Stone
Of Justice, — why, I can return to you.
Dieg . Return! God grant it. You are strong, you tell me,
And confident?
Rod . As truth and right.
Dieg . And wield
The sword with ease?
Rod . It seems to have made itself
Lighter to ride my hand
Be good enough, Sir,
To let my father in your company
Proceed a little further, and so rest himself
Upon the stone of justice.
Off . It is pleasant, Sir,
To do you service.
Rod . ( Grasping his father's hand ) For a little while.
Off . ( Offering his arm to D IEGO ). May I supply to reverend Count Lainez
Awhile the office of his noble son?
Deig . Nobody can, Sir — Pardon me: have you
A father living?
Off . Sir, I have.
Dieg . Your arm.