Pedro the Cruel
But we were wrong to let the time fly by
In that sweet thoughtlessness.
Pedro? The hour has come!
Now, now will I proclaim thee to Castille
As my true wedded queen.
Maria. Pedro, not so!
To do that now were now to lose Castille.
Thou must not yet in all the people's eyes
So shame thy father's crown.
Pedro. By Heaven, that man
Who dares to say my crown is shamed by thee,
Shall lose his lying tongue. I am the King,
And she I wed, whoe'er she be, is queen.
Let all Castille gainsay it, if it dare!
Maria. Ah, let me linger here a little longer,
Caged in the green bowers of this Paradise,
A little longer, ere thou lead'st me up
The proud stair of the throne. I am so happy!
I love to dream myself thy secret angel.
I do not want with jewelled royalty
To crown a scornful brow and tread Castille
Beneath a conqueror's foot.
Pedro. Scorn'st thou my crown?
It is the noblest thing I have to give thee.
Maria. What! nobler than thy heart? And does my husband
Think that his wedded wife disdains his crown,
In that sweet thoughtlessness.
Pedro? The hour has come!
Now, now will I proclaim thee to Castille
As my true wedded queen.
Maria. Pedro, not so!
To do that now were now to lose Castille.
Thou must not yet in all the people's eyes
So shame thy father's crown.
Pedro. By Heaven, that man
Who dares to say my crown is shamed by thee,
Shall lose his lying tongue. I am the King,
And she I wed, whoe'er she be, is queen.
Let all Castille gainsay it, if it dare!
Maria. Ah, let me linger here a little longer,
Caged in the green bowers of this Paradise,
A little longer, ere thou lead'st me up
The proud stair of the throne. I am so happy!
I love to dream myself thy secret angel.
I do not want with jewelled royalty
To crown a scornful brow and tread Castille
Beneath a conqueror's foot.
Pedro. Scorn'st thou my crown?
It is the noblest thing I have to give thee.
Maria. What! nobler than thy heart? And does my husband
Think that his wedded wife disdains his crown,
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