Produced by K Kay ShearinCOUNT ALARCOSA TRAGEDYBy Benjamin DisraeliAs there is no historical authority for the events of the celebratedBallad on which this Tragedy is founded I have fixed upon thethirteenth century for the period of their occurrence At that time thekingdom of Castille had recently obtained that supremacy in Spain whichled in a subsequent age to the political integrity of the countryBurgos its capital was a magnificent city and then also arose thatmasterpiece of Christian architecture its famous CathedralThis state of comparative refinement and civilisation permitted theintroduction of more complicated motives than the rude manners of theBallad would have authorised while the picturesque features of theCastillian middle ages still flourished in full force the factions ofa powerful nobility renowned for their turbulence strong passionsenormous crimes profound superstition                                    DeltaLondon May 1839DRAMATIS PERSONAE     THE KING OF CASTILLE     COUNT ALARCOS a Prince of the Blood     COUNT OF SIDONIA     COUNT OF LEON     PRIOR OF BURGOS     ORAN a Moor     FERDINAND a PAGE     GUZMAN JACA a BRAVO     GRAUS the Keeper of a Posada     SOLISA Infanta of Castille only child of the King     FLORIMONDE Countess Alarcos     FLIX a Hostess     Courtiers Pages Chamberlains Bravos and PriestsTimethe 13th CenturySceneBurgos the capital of Castille and its vicinityACT I     SCENE 1     A Street in Burgos the Cathedral in the distance     Enter Two Courtiers     I11       1ST COURT                 The Prince of Hungary dismissed     I12       2ND COURT                     Indeed                 So runs the rumour     I13       1ST COURT                     Why the spousal note                 Still floats upon the air     I14       2ND COURT                     Myself this morn                 Beheld the Infantas entrance as she threw                 Proud as some hitless barb her haughty glance                 On our assembled chiefs     I15       1ST COURT                     The Prince was there     I16       2ND COURT                 Most royally nor seemed a man more fit                 To claim a kingdom for a dower  He looked                 Our Gadian Hercules as the advancing peers                 Their homage paid  I followed in the train                 Of Count Alarcos with whose ancient house                 My fortunes long have mingled     I17       1ST COURT                     Tis the same                 But just returned     I18       2ND COURT                     Long banished from the Court                 And only favoured since the Queens decease                 His ancient foe     I19       1ST COURT                     A very potent Lord     I110      2ND COURT                 Near to the throne too near perchance for peace                 Youre young at Burgos or indeed twere vain