El Cid Page #3

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I fought too.

My heart wasn't in my sword.

I kept seeing your face.

Suddenly, I thought,

"Why are we killing each other?"

True, they're Moors,

we're Christians--

Chimene...

do you understand

what I'm trying to say?

Yes, but... there always

have been wars between us.

I know.

Always.

You don't think, then...

we could live in peace?

Silence!

Will you keep quiet,

the both of you!

This is not a charge

I would bring lightly against any man...

especially a man who in a short time

was to be my son.

But a man who frees

the enemies of the King--

son or no son--

I must call such a man "traitor."

Sire, he slurs

the honor of our family.

This cannot be.

I, too, was once

the King's champion.

That was many years ago, Don Diego.

Perhaps it will be better to

leave the matter in our hands.

No, Sire. There were things said here

which cannot be forgotten...

even in this royal assembly.

Count Gormaz of Oviedo...

when you call my son a traitor...

I say you lie.

I am the King's champion.

I would not want to shame my sword

with an old man's blood.

Yet no man can call me a liar.

Liar!

I don't really understand, Rodrigo.

I only know if it grew

out of our love...

it must be right.

What do you want?

You shamed my father.

I want his name back.

But not the way you left it.

I want it clean so he can once more

wear it proudly.

I cannot apologize.

It is not that I do not want to.

I do not know how to.

People will only

esteem you the more for it.

Everyone will understand.

I have told you no.

Go home, Rodrigo.

I ask nothing for myself.

I humble myself before you.

Have pity on a proud old man.

I have no pity for those who have outlived

the usefulness of their lives.

Count.

I beg you.

See? Two words are all I ask.

Can you not say, "Forgive me"?

I cannot.

I will not.

Now go.

Don't make me stain my life...

and Chimene's with your blood.

Go home, Rodrigo.

No one will think the less of you for not having

stood up against the King's own champion.

Count Gormaz!

I will ask you...

only this last time.

I see that courage and honor

are not dead in Castile.

And now I remember why I once thought

you were worthy of my Chimene.

Go home, Rodrigo.

What glory is there for the King's champion

in killing someone like you?

Can a man live...

without honor?

No.

Now, Count, now I am satisfied.

Chimene!

Chimene!

Chimene.

Father!

- Chimene.

- Oh, Father!

Avenge me...

as my son would.

Don't let me die...

unavenged.

Unavenged.

Oh, Father.

I didn't seek your father's life, Chimene.

No, but you knew he could

only answer the way he did...

and you were prepared to kill him.

You bought your honor

with my sorrow.

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