General  surprise !  "  Who,"  imperatively  demandB  Zara,
"  can  have  (wnctrated  into  this  retreat  ?" — Garcias  boldly
presentti  hinieelf  to  bcr  Bstontshed  view.  Zara  recovers
sufficiently  from  her  surprise  to  interrogate  Morico  as  to
the  appearance  of  the  Imnished  Castilian  in  the  gardens
of  tlie  palitce.  Morico  appears  almost  petrified,  and  ia
unable  to  make  any  reply.  The  presence  of  his  old  and
faithful  subject  affiicts  the  King  and  overwhelms  him
with  confusion.  HiB  venerable  tutor  solicits  pardon  for
his  boldness,  and  attributes  tliis  breach  of  obedience
to  devotion  for  his  sovereign'B  fame  and  happiness.  Zara
can  scarcely  contain  herself — she  burns  to  revenge  this
enunoui  iatrnsion  of  her  detested  enemy.  The  noble
Castilian,  inspired  with  the  love  of  his  country  and  its
King,  and  braving  the  dangers  which  evidently  menace
bim,  forcibly  depicts  to  Alphoaxo  his  fallen,  inglorious
situation' — the  neglect  of  his  Royal  duties — his  injustice  to
a  virtuous  and  sufiFering  wife — and  the  misery  of  his  once
beloved  and  loving  subjects.  The  freedom  of  his
language  irritates  the  impetuous  young  monarch.  AC-
phonso  expresses  his  anger,  and  enjoins  silence  on  the  part
of  Garcias,  Zara,  foreseeing  the  perils  with  which  fate
threatens  her,  peremptorily  orders  Garcias  to  retire ;
the  old  noble  looks  upon  her  with  disdain.  Aliphoitao,
enraged  at  this  insult  to  hia  mistress,  commands  that
Garcias  )>e  instantly  seized.  Zara  and  Morico  urge
him  on  to  a  signal  and  immediate  retribution  for  the
offence.
Garcias  remains  unmoved;  his  yenerabie  appearance
and  bold  deportment  impress  universal  wspect  for  his
person.  His  age,  his  rank,  his  virtues,  the  services  he
has  rendered  the  King,  as  well  as  the  personal  attach-
ment he  feels  towards  him,  endow  the  old  Castilian  with


+24  THE  CODE  OF  tkhpsichore.
