Luyn Calvo, an uncle of Diaz, intervenes, entreating his nephew to
desist from further bloodshed and to surrender his sword Tizona into
his the priest's hands. After a hard struggle with himself the hero,
who secretly loves Chimene, yields, and hands his sword to Calvo, who
at once offers it to Chimene, thereby giving the defenceless hero into
her hands.

Exultingly she swears to take vengeance on Diaz, who stands motionless,
looking down with mournful dignity on the woman whom he loves and who
seems to hate him so bitterly.

In the midst of this scene the war cry is heard. The enemy has again
broken into the country and has already taken and burnt the fortress of
Belforad. All crowd round Diaz, beseeching him to save them. While he
stands mute and deprived of his invincible sword, Chimene, mastering
her own grief at the sight of her country's distress, lays down Tizona
at Fernando's feet. Ruy Diaz now receives his sword back from the
hands of the King, and brandishing it high above his head he leads the
warriors forth to freedom or death.

The second act takes place in Chimene's castle. Her women try to
beguile their mistress's sorrow by songs, and when they see her soothed
to quiet, they retire noiselessly. But hardly does she find {401}
herself alone than pain and grief overcome her again. She longs to
avenge her father's death on Diaz, and yet deep in her heart there is a
feeling of great admiration for him. In vain she wrestles with her
feelings, invoking the Allmighty's help to do what is right. In this
mood Alvar finds her and once more assures her of his devotion and
repeats that he will fight with Diaz as soon as the country is freed
from the enemy. He leaves her and night sets in and in the darkness
Diaz steals in, for he cannot resist his heart's desire to see Chimene
once more before the battle. In the uncertain rays of the moonlight
she at first mistakes him for her father's ghost, but when he
pronounces her name she recognizes him, and violently motions him away,
but he falls on his knee and pours out his hopeless love. At last his
passion overcomes all obstacles; she forgives him and at his entreaty
she calls him by his name, saying: "Ruy Diaz be victorious!" Full of
joy he blesses her and goes to join his men who are heard in the
distance calling him to lead them to battle.

The third act is played once more in Burgos.

Diaz has been victorious; the whole army of captives defiles bef