MONTORO’S SONG AGAINST COUNT ALVARO DE LUNA, HIGH CONSTABLE OF CASTILE (From the Spanish of E. Marquina)

“King, a flock is feeding down the cliff unheeding and upon the hill, with your crook to shepherd it....” —It is yours, O Favourite. Ask for what you will. “In your crown a jewel blazes fierce and cruel— kingship to fulfil. Such a royal stone is it....” —It is yours, O Favourite. Ask for what you will. “King, see, your rejected sceptre lies neglected on the throne-steps still. Long you have forgotten it....” —It is yours, O Favourite. Ask for what you will. “King, in kingly measure I have spent my treasure, haste my stores to fill! Be my Envoy leal and fit—” —I shall do so, Favourite. Ask for what you will. “King, tell me I am dreaming; I see the tapers gleaming; a scaffold boding ill with the headsman swart by it—” —It is yours, O Favourite, ask for what you will.