Mandan a prender al conde

Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Yc 2325/15 
Referenced and notated in: Moroccan Sephardic Romancero, pg. 243, Gaon Books, House, 2018 Susana Weich-Shahak.

In this romance a count is ordered punished, not for crimes like theft or murder, but for assaulting a high-born maiden. The noblewoman appeals to the king, demanding justice for the count’s wrongdoing. The king responds that if he acts on her behalf, the count and his entire lineage will remain dishonored.

Text:                      
Mandan a prender al conde    y a ponerle mal estado,
no es por hurtos que había hecho   ni almas que había matado;    
de forzar a una doncella,      doncella de gran estado.
La doncella era de casta    y al buen rey se ha presentado:
- Justicia, señor, justicia,   por este conde villano,
me ha robado mis virtudes   y me ha arrimado a un mal estado.-
- Si el rey mandare por tí,       sobrino, dirís así:
deshonrado te quedates,        tú y todo tu linaje. 

Translation:
They order the count to be seized and to be put to shame,
not for thefts he had committed nor souls he had slain;
but for forcing a maiden, a maiden of high rank.
The maiden was of noble birth and to the good king she presented herself:
“Justice, my lord, justice, for this villainous count,
he has stolen my virtues and brought me to a lowly state.”
“If the king commands it for you, cousin, you will say thus:
dishonored you shall remain, you and all your lineage.”