King. And you have dared, sir!—
Cres. Your Majesty said the sentence was just; and what is well said cannot be ill done.
King. Could you not have left it for my imperial Court to execute?
Cres. All your Majesty’s justice is only one great body with many hands; if a thing be to be done, what matter by which? Or what matter erring in the inch, if one be right in the ell?
King. At least you might have beheaded him, as an officer and a gentleman.
Cres. Please your Majesty, we have so few Hidalgos hereabout, that our executioner is out of practice at beheading. And this, after all, depends on the dead gentleman’s taste; if he don’t complain, I don’t think any one else need for him.
King. Don Lope, the thing is done; and, if unusually, not unjustly—Come, order all your soldiers away with me toward Portugal; where I must be with all despatch. For you—— (to Crespo) what is your name?
Cres. Peter Crespo, please your Majesty.
King. Peter Crespo, then, I appoint you perpetual Mayor of Zalamea. And so farewell.
[Exit with Train.