Pedro Calderón de la Barca

Life is a dream

La vida es sueño

Traducción de La vida es sueño

Calderón de la Barca, La vida es sueño, Denis Florence MacCarty (ed. and trad.), Calderon's Dramas, London, H.S. King, 1873

Joan Oleza Simó (Investigador principal) Denis Florence MacCarty (Traductor) Romeu Guallart, Luis María (Editor)

English · Verso · 3436 versos

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0022_LifeIsADream

Rosaura lady

Clarin servant

Clotaldo nobleman

Estrella a princess

Basilius king of Poland

Sigismond prince of Poland

Astolfo duke of Moscovy

Soldiers

Guards

Musicians

Attendants

Ladies

Servants

All1

All2

All3

Act I

(At one side a craggy mountain, at the other a tower, the lower part of which serves as the prison of Sigismund. The door facing the spectators is half open. The action commences at nightfall.)

SCENE I.

(ROSAURA, CLARIN.)

(ROSAURA in man's attire appears on the rocky heights and descends to the plain. She is followed by CLARIN.)

ROSAURA.

Wild hippogriff swift speeding, 1

Thou that dost run, the winged winds exceeding, 2

Bolt which no flash illumes, 3

Fish without scales, bird without shifting plumes, 4

And brute awhile bereft 5

Of natural instinct, why to this wild cleft, 6

This labyrinth of naked rocks, dost sweep 7

Unreined, uncurbed, to plunge thee down the steep? 8

Stay in this mountain wold, 9

And let the beasts their Phaeton behold. 10

For I, without a guide, 11

Save what the laws of destiny decide, 12

Benighted, desperate, blind. 13

Take any path whatever that doth wind 14

Down this rough mountain to its base, 15

Whose wrinkled brow in heaven frowns in the sun's bright face. 16

Ah, Poland! in ill mood 17

Hast thou received a stranger, since in blood 18

The name thou writest on thy sands 19

Of her who hardly here fares hardly at thy hands. 20

My fate may well say so:— 21

But where shall one poor wretch find pity in her woe? 22

CLARIN.

Say two, if you please; 23

Don't leave me out when making plaints like these. 24

For if we are the two 25

Who left our native country with the view 26

Of seeking strange adventures, if we be 27

The two who, madly and in misery, 28

Have got so far as this, and if we still 29

Are the same two who tumbled down this hill, 30

Does it not plainly to a wrong amount, 31

To put me in the pain and not in the account? 32

ROSAURA.

I do not wish to impart, 33

Clarin, to thee, the sorrows of my heart; 34

Mourning for thee would spoil the consolation 35

Of making for thyself thy lamentation; 36

For there is such a pleasure in complaining, 37

That a philosopher I've heard maintaining 38

One ought to seek a sorrow and be vain of it, 39

In order to be privileged to complain of it. 40

CLARIN.

That same philosopher 41

Was an old drunken fool, unless I err: 42

Oh, that I could a thousand thumps present him, 43

In order for complaining to content him! 44

But what, my lady, say, 45

Are we to do, on foot, alone, our way 46

Lost in the shades of night? 47

For see, the sun descends another sphere to light. 48

ROSAURA.

So strange a misadventure who has seen? 49

But if my sight deceives me not, between 50

These rugged rocks, half-lit by the moon's ray 51

And the declining day, 52

It seems, or is it fancy? that I see 53

A human dwelling? 54

CLARIN.

So it seems to me, 55

Unless my wish the longed-for lodging mocks. 56

ROSAURA.

A rustic little palace 'mid the rocks 57

Uplifts its lowly roof, 58

Scarce seen by the far sun that shines aloof. 59

Of such a rude device 60

Is the whole structure of this edifice, 61

That lying at the feet 62

Of these gigantic crags that rise to greet 63

The sun's first beams of gold, 64

It seems a rock that down the mountain rolled. 65

CLARIN.

Let us approach more near, 66

For long enough we've looked at it from here; 67

Then better we shall see 68

If those who dwell therein will generously 69

A welcome give us. 70

ROSAURA.

See an open door 71

(Funereal mouth 'twere best the name it bore), 72

From which as from a womb 73

The night is born, engendered in its gloom. 74

([The sound of chains is heard within.])

CLARIN.

Heavens! what is this I hear? 75

ROSAURA.

Half ice, half fire, I stand transfixed with fear. 76

CLARIN.

A sound of chains, is it not? 77

Some galley-slave his sentence here hath got; 78

My fear may well suggest it so may be. 79

SCENE II.

(SIGISMUND, [in the tower.] ROSAURA, CLARIN.)

SIGISMUND.

[within]. Alas! Ah, wretched me! Ah, wretched me! 80

ROSAURA.

Oh what a mournful wail! 81

Again my pains, again my fears prevail. 82

CLARIN.

Again with fear I die. 83

ROSAURA.

Clarin! 84

CLARIN.

My lady! 85

ROSAURA.

Let us turn and fly 86

The risks of this enchanted tower. 87

CLARIN.

For one, 88

I scarce have strength to stand, much less to run. 89

ROSAURA.

Is not that glimmer there afar — 90

That dying exhalation — that pale star — 91

A tiny taper, which, with trembling blaze 92

Flickering 'twixt struggling flames and dying rays, 93

With ineffectual spark 94

Makes the dark dwelling place appear more dark? 95

Yes, for its distant light, 96

Reflected dimly, brings before my sight 97

A dungeon's awful gloom, 98

Say rather of a living corse, a living tomb; 99

And to increase my terror and surprise, 100

Drest in the skins of beasts a man there lies: 101

A piteous sight, 102

Chained, and his sole companion this poor light. 103

Since then we cannot fly, 104

Let us attentive to his words draw nigh, 105

Whatever they may be. 106

([The doors of the tower open wide, and SIGISMUND is discovered in chains and clad in the skins of beasts. The light in the tower increases.])

SIGISMUND.

Alas! Ah, wretched me! Ah, wretched me! 107

Heaven, here lying all forlorn, 108

I desire from thee to know, 109

Since thou thus dost treat me so, 110

Why have I provoked thy scorn 111

By the crime of being born?— 112

Though for being born I feel 113

Heaven with me must harshly deal, 114

Since man's greatest crime on earth 115

Is the fatal fact of birth — 116

Sin supreme without appeal. 117

This alone I ponder o'er, 118

My strange mystery to pierce through; 119

Leaving wholly out of view 120

Germs my hapless birthday bore, 121

How have I offended more, 122

That the more you punish me? 123

Must not other creatures be 124

Born? If born, what privilege 125

Can they over me allege 126

Of which I should not be free? 127

Birds are born, the bird that sings, 128

Richly robed by Nature's dower, 129

Scarcely floats — a feathered flower, 130

Or a bunch of blooms with wings — 131

When to heaven's high halls it springs, 132

Cuts the blue air fast and free, 133

And no longer bound will be 134

By the nest's secure control:— 135

And with so much more of soul, 136

Must I have less liberty? 137

Beasts are born, the beast whose skin 138

Dappled o'er with beauteous spots, 139

As when the great pencil dots 140

Heaven with stars, doth scarce begin 141

From its impulses within— 142

Nature's stern necessity, 143

To be schooled in cruelty,— 144

Monster, waging ruthless war:— 145

And with instincts better far 146

Must I have less liberty? 147

Fish are born, the spawn that breeds 148

Where the oozy sea-weeds float, 149

Scarce perceives itself a boat, 150

Scaled and plated for its needs, 151

When from wave to wave it speeds, 152

Measuring all the mighty sea, 153

Testing its profundity 154

To its depths so dark and chill:— 155

And with so much freer will, 156

Must I have less liberty? 157

Streams are born, a coiled-up snake 158

When its path the streamlet finds, 159

Scarce a silver serpent winds 160

'Mong the flowers it must forsake, 161

But a song of praise doth wake, 162

Mournful though its music be, 163

To the plain that courteously 164

Opes a path through which it flies:— 165

And with life that never dies, 166

Must I have less liberty? 167

When I think of this I start, 168

Aetna-like in wild unrest 169

I would pluck from out my breast 170

Bit by bit my burning heart:— 171

For what law can so depart 172

From all right, as to deny 173

One lone man that liberty — 174

That sweet gift which God bestows 175

On the crystal stream that flows, 176

Birds and fish that float or fly? 177

ROSAURA.

Fear and deepest sympathy 178

Do I feel at every word. 179

SIGISMUND.

Who my sad lament has heard? 180

What! Clotaldo! 181

CLARIN

Say 'tis he. 182

ROSAURA.

No, 'tis but a wretch (ah, me!) 183

Who in these dark caves and cold 184

Hears the tale your lips unfold. 185

SIGISMUND.

Then you'll die for listening so, 186

That you may not know I know 187

That you know the tale I told. 188

([Seizes her.])

Yes, you'll die for loitering near: 189

In these strong arms gaunt and grim 190

I will tear you limb from limb. 191

CLARIN.

I am deaf and couldn't hear:— 192

No! 193

ROSAURA.

If human heart you bear, 194

'Tis enough that I prostrate me. 195

At thy feet, to liberate me! 196

SIGISMUND.

Strange thy voice can so unbend me, 197

Strange thy sight can so suspend me, 198

And respect so penetrate me! 199

Who art thou? for though I see 200

Little from this lonely room, 201

This, my cradle and my tomb. 202

Being all the world to me, 203

And if birthday it could be, 204

Since my birthday I have known 205

But this desert wild and lone, 206

Where throughout my life's sad course 207

I have lived, a breathing corse, 208

I have moved, a skeleton; 209

And though I address or see 210

Never but one man alone, 211

Who my sorrows all hath known, 212

And through whom have come to me 213

Notions of earth, sky, and sea; 214

And though harrowing thee again, 215

Since thou'lt call me in this den, 216

Monster fit for bestial feasts, 217

I'm a man among wild beasts, 218

And a wild beast amongst men. 219

But though round me has been wrought 220

All this woe, from beasts I've learned 221

Polity, the same discerned 222

Heeding what the birds had taught, 223

And have measured in my thought 224

The fair orbits of the spheres; 225

You alone, 'midst doubts and fears, 226

Wake my wonder and surprise — 227

Give amazement to my eyes, 228

Admiration to my ears. 229

Every time your face I see 230

You produce a new amaze: 231

After the most steadfast gaze, 232

I again would gazer be. 233

I believe some hydropsy 234

Must affect my sight, I think 235

Death must hover on the brink 236

Of those wells of light, your eyes, 237

For I look with fresh surprise, 238

And though death result, I drink. 239

Let me see and die: forgive me; 240

For I do not know, in faith, 241

If to see you gives me death, 242

What to see you not would give me; 243

Something worse than death would grieve me, 244

Anger, rage, corroding care, 245

Death, but double death it were, 246

Death with tenfold terrors rife, 247

Since what gives the wretched life, 248

Gives the happy death, despair! 249

ROSAURA.

Thee to see wakes such dismay, 250

Thee to hear I so admire, 251

That I'm powerless to inquire, 252

That I know not what to say: 253

Only this, that I to-day, 254

Guided by a wiser will, 255

Have here come to cure my ill, 256

Here consoled my grief to see, 257

If a wretch consoled can be 258

Seeing one more wretched still. 259

Of a sage, who roamed dejected, 260

Poor, and wretched, it is said, 261

That one day, his wants being fed 262

By the herbs which he collected, 263

"Is there one" (he thus reflected) 264

"Poorer than I am to-day?" 265

Turning round him to survey, 266

He his answer got, detecting 267

A still poorer sage collecting 268

Even the leaves he threw away. 269

Thus complaining to excess, 270

Mourning fate, my life I led, 271

And when thoughtlessly I said 272

To myself, "Does earth possess 273

One more steeped in wretchedness?" 274

I in thee the answer find. 275

Since revolving in my mind, 276

I perceive that all my pains 277

To become thy joyful gains 278

Thou hast gathered and entwined. 279

And if haply some slight solace 280

By these pains may be imparted, "By these pains may be imparted," The metre changes here to the vocal "asonante" in "a--e", and continues to the end of the Fourth Scene. [editor’s footnote] 281

Hear attentively the story 282

Of my life's supreme disasters. 283

I am …. 284

SCENE III.

(CLOTALDO, Soldiers, SIGISMUND, ROSAURA, CLARIN.)

CLOTALDO.

[within]. Warders of this tower, 285

Who, or sleeping or faint-hearted, 286

Give an entrance to two persons 287

Who herein have burst a passage . . . . 288

ROSAURA.

New confusion now I suffer. 289

SIGISMUND.

'Tis Clotaldo, who here guards me; 290

Are not yet my miseries ended? 291

CLOTALDO.

[within]. Hasten hither, quick! be active! 292

And before they can defend them, 293

Kill them on the spot, or capture! 294

[ALL]

[Voices within.] Treason! 295

CLARIN.

Watchguards of this tower, 296

Who politely let us pass here, 297

Since you have the choice of killing 298

Or of capturing, choose the latter. 299

([Enter CLOTALDO and Soldiers; he with a pistol, and all with their faces covered.])

CLOTALDO.

Keep your faces all well covered, 300

For it is a vital matter 301

That we should be known by no one, 302

While I question these two stragglers. 303

CLARIN.

Are there masqueraders here? 304

CLOTALDO.

Ye who in your ignorant rashness 305

Have passed through the bounds and limits 306

Of this interdicted valley, 307

'Gainst the edict of the King, 308

Who has publicly commanded 309

None should dare descry the wonder 310

That among these rocks is guarded, 311

Yield at once your arms and lives, 312

Or this pistol, this cold aspic 313

Formed of steel, the penetrating 314

Poison of two balls will scatter, 315

The report and fire of which 316

Will the air astound and startle. 317

SIGISMUND.

Ere you wound them, ere you hurt them, 318

Will my life, O tyrant master, 319

Be the miserable victim 320

Of these wretched chains that clasp me; 321

Since in them, I vow to God, 322

I will tear myself to fragments 323

With my hands, and with my teeth, 324

In these rocks here, in these caverns, 325

Ere I yield to their misfortunes, 326

Or lament their sad disaster. 327

CLOTALDO.

If you know that your misfortunes, 328

Sigismund, are unexampled, 329

Since before being born you died 330

By Heaven's mystical enactment; 331

If you know these fetters are 332

Of your furies oft so rampant 333

But the bridle that detains them, 334

But the circle that contracts them. 335

Why these idle boasts? The door 336

[To the Soldiers.] Of this narrow prison fasten; 337

Leave him there secured. 338

SIGISMUND.

Ah, heavens, 339

It is wise of you to snatch me 340

Thus from freedom! since my rage 341

'Gainst you had become Titanic, 342

Since to break the glass and crystal 343

Gold-gates of the sun, my anger 344

On the firm-fixed rocks' foundations 345

Would have mountains piled of marble. 346

CLOTALDO.

'Tis that you should not so pile them 347

That perhaps these ills have happened, 348

([Some of the SOLDIERS lead SIGISMUND into his prison, the doors of which are closed upon him.])

SCENE IV.

(ROSAURA, CLOTALDO, CLARIN, Soldiers.)

ROSAURA.

Since I now have seen how pride 349

Can offend thee, I were hardened 350

Sure in folly not here humbly 351

At thy feet for life to ask thee; 352

Then to me extend thy pity, 353

Since it were a special harshness 354

If humility and pride, 355

Both alike were disregarded. 356

CLARIN.

If Humility and Pride 357

Those two figures who have acted 358

Many and many a thousand times 359

In the "autos sacramentales", 360

Do not move you, I, who am neither 361

Proud nor humble, but a sandwich 362

Partly mixed of both, entreat you 363

To extend to us your pardon. 364

CLOTALDO.

Ho! 365

SOLDIERS.

My lord? 366

CLOTALDO.

Disarm the two, 367

And their eyes securely bandage, 368

So that they may not be able 369

To see whither they are carried. 370

ROSAURA.

This is, sir, my sword; to thee 371

Only would I wish to hand it, 372

Since in fine of all the others 373

Thou art chief, and I could hardly 374

Yield it unto one less noble. 375

CLARIN.

Mine I'll give the greatest rascal 376

Of your troop: [To a Soldier.] so take it, you. 377

ROSAURA.

And if I must die, to thank thee 378

For thy pity, I would leave thee 379

This as pledge, which has its value 380

From the owner who once wore it; 381

That thou guard it well, I charge thee, 382

For although I do not know 383

What strange secret it may carry, 384

This I know, that some great mystery 385

Lies within this golden scabbard, 386

Since relying but on it 387

I to Poland here have travelled 388

To revenge a wrong. 389

CLOTALDO

Just heavens! 390

What is this? Still graver, darker, 391

Grow my doubts and my confusion, 392

My anxieties and my anguish. 393

Speak, who gave you this? 394

ROSAURA.

A woman. 395

CLOTALDO.

And her name? 396

ROSAURA.

To that my answer 397

Must be silence. 398

CLOTALDO.

But from what 399

Do you now infer, or fancy, 400

That this sword involves a secret? 401

ROSAURA.

She who gave it said: "Depart hence 402

Into Poland, and by study, 403

Stratagem, and skill so manage 404

That this sword may be inspected 405

By the nobles and the magnates 406

Of that land, for you, I know, 407

Will by one of them be guarded,"— 408

But his name, lest he was dead, 409

Was not then to me imparted. 410

CLOTALDO

Bless me, Heaven! what's this I hear? 411

For so strangely has this happened, 412

That I cannot yet determine 413

If 'tis real or imagined. 414

This is the same sword that I 415

Left with beauteous Violante, 416

As a pledge unto its wearer, 417

Who might seek me out thereafter, 418

As a son that I would love him, 419

And protect him as a father. 420

What is to be done (ah, me!) 421

In confusion so entangled, 422

If he who for safety bore it 423

Bears it now but to dispatch him, 424

Since condemned to death he cometh 425

To my feet? How strange a marvel! 426

What a lamentable fortune! 427

How unstable! how unhappy! 428

This must be my son — the tokens 429

All declare it, superadded 430

To the flutter of the heart, 431

That to see him loudly rappeth 432

At the breast, and not being able 433

With its throbs to burst its chamber, 434

Does as one in prison, who, 435

Hearing tumult in the alley, 436

Strives to look from out the window; 437

Thus, not knowing what here passes 438

Save the noise, the heart uprusheth 439

To the eyes the cause to examine — 440

They the windows of the heart, 441

Out through which in tears it glances. 442

What is to be done? (O Heavens!) 443

What is to be done? To drag him 444

Now before the King were death; 445

But to hide him from my master, 446

That I cannot do, according 447

To my duty as a vassal. 448

Thus my loyalty and self-love 449

Upon either side attack me; 450

Each would win. But wherefore doubt? 451

Is not loyalty a grander, 452

Nobler thing than life, than honour? 453

Then let loyalty live, no matter 454

That he die; besides, he told me, 455

If I well recall his language, 456

That he came to revenge a wrong, 457

But a wronged man is a lazar,— 458

No, he cannot be my son, 459

Not the son of noble fathers. 460

But if some great chance, which no one 461

Can be free from, should have happened, 462

Since the delicate sense of honour 463

Is a thing so fine, so fragile, 464

That the slightest touch may break it, 465

Or the faintest breath may tarnish, 466

What could he do more, do more, 467

He whose cheek the blue blood mantles, 468

But at many risks to have come here 469

It again to re-establish? 470

Yes, he is my son, my blood, 471

Since he shows himself so manly. 472

And thus then betwixt two doubts 473

A mid course alone is granted: 474

'Tis to seek the King, and tell him 475

Who he is, let what will happen. 476

A desire to save my honour 477

May appease my royal master; 478

Should he spare his life, I then 479

Will assist him in demanding 480

His revenge; but if the King 481

Should, persisting in his anger, 482

Give him death, then he will die 483

Without knowing I'm his father. 484

[To ROSAURA and CLARIN.] Come, then, come then with me, strangers. 485

Do not fear in your disasters 486

That you will not have companions 487

In misfortune; for so balanced 488

Are the gains of life or death, 489

That I know not which are larger. 490

([Exeunt.])

SCENE V.

(A HALL IN THE ROYAL PALACE.)

([Enter at one side ASTOLFO and Soldiers, and at the other the INFANTA ESTRELLA and her Ladies. Military music and salutes within.])

ASTOLFO.

Struck at once with admiration 491

At thy starry eyes outshining, 492

Mingle many a salutation, 493

Drums and trumpet-notes combining, 494

Founts and birds in alternation; 495

Wondering here to see thee pass, 496

Music in grand chorus gathers 497

All her notes from grove and grass: 498

Here are trumpets formed of feathers, 499

There are birds that breathe in brass. 500

All salute thee, fair Senora, 501

Ordnance as their Queen proclaim thee, 502

Beauteous birds as their Aurora, 503

As their Pallas trumpets name thee, 504

And the sweet flowers as their Flora; 505

For Aurora sure thou art, 506

Bright as day that conquers night — 507

Thine is Flora's peaceful part, 508

Thou art Pallas in thy might, 509

And as Queen thou rul'st my heart. 510

ESTRELLA.

If the human voice obeying 511

Should with human action pair, 512

Then you have said ill in saying 513

All these flattering words and fair, 514

Since in truth they are gainsaying 515

This parade of victory, 516

'Gainst which I my standard rear, 517

Since they say, it seems to me, 518

Not the flatteries that I hear, 519

But the rigours that I see. 520

Think, too, what a base invention 521

From a wild beast's treachery sprung,— 522

Fraudful mother of dissension — 523

Is to flatter with the tongue, 524

And to kill with the intention. 525

ASTOLFO.

Ill informed you must have been, 526

Fair Estrella, thus to throw 527

Doubt on my respectful mien: 528

Let your ear attentive lean 529

While the cause I strive show. 530

King Eustorgius the Fair, 531

Third so called, died leaving two 532

Daughters, and Basilius heir; 533

Of his sisters I and you 534

Are the children — I forbear 535

To recall a single scene 536

Save what's needful. Clorilene, 537

Your good mother and my aunt, 538

Who is now a habitant 539

Of a sphere of sunnier sheen, 540

Was the elder, of whom you 541

Are the daughter; Recisunda, 542

Whom God guard a thousand years, 543

Her fair sister (Rosamunda 544

Were she called if names were true) 545

Wed in Muscovy, of whom 546

I was born. 'Tis needful now 547

The commencement to resume. 548

King Basilius, who doth bow 549

'Neath the weight of years, the doom 550

Age imposes, more inclined 551

To the studies of the mind 552

Than to women, wifeless, lone, 553

Without sons, to fill his throne 554

I and you our way would find. 555

You, the elder's child, averred, 556

That the crown you stood more nigh: 557

I, maintaining that you erred, 558

Held, though born of the younger, I, 559

Being a man, should be preferred. 560

Thus our mutual pretension 561

To our uncle we related, 562

Who replied that he would mention 563

Here, and on this day he stated, 564

What might settle the dissension. 565

With this end, from Muscovy 566

I set out, and with that view, 567

I to-day fair Poland see, 568

And not making war on you, 569

Wait till war you make on me. 570

Would to love — that God so wise — 571

That the crowd may be a sure 572

Astrologue to read the skies, 573

And this festive truce secure 574

Both to you and me the prize, 575

Making you a Queen, but Queen 576

By my will, our uncle leaving 577

You the throne we'll share between — 578

And my love a realm receiving 579

Dearer than a King's demesne. 580

ESTRELLA.

Well, I must be generous too, 581

For a gallantry so fine; 582

This imperial realm you view, 583

If I wish it to be mine 584

'Tis to give it unto you. 585

Though if I the truth confessed, 586

I must fear your love may fail — 587

Flattering words are words at best, 588

For perhaps a truer tale 589

Tells that portrait on your breast. 590

ASTOLFO.

On that point complete content 591

Will I give your mind, not here, 592

For each sounding instrument 593

[Drums are heard.] Tells us that the King is near, 594

With his Court and Parliament. 595

SCENE VI.

(The KING BASILIUS, with his retinue. —ASTOLFO, ESTRELLA, Ladies, Soldiers.)

ESTRELLA.

Learned Euclid . . . 596

ASTOLFO.

Thales wise . . 597

ESTRELLA.

The vast Zodiac . . . 598

ASTOLFO.

The star spaces . . . 599

ESTRELLA.

Who dost soar to . . . 600

ASTOLFO.

Who dost rise… 601

ESTRELLA.

The sun's orbit . . . 602

ASTOLFO.

The stars' places . . . 603

ESTRELLA.

To describe . . . 604

ASTOLFO.

To map the skies . . . 605

ESTRELLA.

Let me humbly interlacing . . . 606

ASTOLFO.

Let me lovingly embracing . . . 607

ESTRELLA.

Be the tendril of thy tree. 608

ASTOLFO.

Bend respectfully my knee. 609

BASILIUS.

Children, that dear word displacing 610

Colder names, my arms here bless; 611

And be sure, since you assented 612

To my plan, my love's excess 613

Will leave neither discontented, 614

Or give either more or less. 615

And though I from being old 616

Slowly may the facts unfold, 617

Hear in silence my narration, 618

Keep reserved your admiration, 619

Till the wondrous tale is told. 620

You already know — I pray you 621

Be attentive, dearest children "children" The metre changes here to the "asonante" in "i—e", or their vocal equivalents, and is kept up for the remainder of the Act. (editor’s footnote) , 622

Great, illustrious Court of Poland, 623

Faithful vassals, friends and kinsmen, 624

You already know — my studies 625

Have throughout the whole world given me 626

The high title of "the learned," 627

Since 'gainst time and time's oblivion 628

The rich pencils of Timanthes, 629

The bright marbles of Lysippus, 630

Universally proclaim me 631

Through earth's bounds the great Basilius. 632

You already know the sciences 633

That I feel my mind most given to 634

Are the subtle mathematics, 635

By whose means my clear prevision 636

Takes from rumour its slow office, 637

Takes from time its jurisdiction 638

Of, each day, new facts disclosing; 639

Since in algebraic symbols 640

When the fate of future ages 641

On my tablets I see written, 642

I anticipate time in telling 643

What my science hath predicted. 644

All those circles of pure snow, 645

All those canopies of crystal, 646

Which the sun with rays illumines, 647

Which the moon cuts in its circles, 648

All those orbs of twinkling diamond, 649

All those crystal globes that glisten, 650

All that azure field of stars 651

Where the zodiac signs are pictured, 652

Are the study of my life, 653

Are the books where heaven has written 654

Upon diamond-dotted paper, 655

Upon leaves by sapphires tinted, 656

With light luminous lines of gold, 657

In clear characters distinctly 658

All the events of human life, 659

Whether adverse or benignant. 660

These so rapidly I read 661

That I follow with the quickness 662

Of my thoughts the swiftest movements 663

Of their orbits and their circles. 664

Would to heaven, that ere my mind 665

To those mystic books addicted 666

Was the comment of their margins 667

And of all their leaves the index, 668

Would to heaven, I say, my life 669

Had been offered the first victim 670

Of its anger, that my death-stroke 671

Had in this way have been given me, 672

Since the unhappy find even merit 673

Is the fatal knife that kills them, 674

And his own self-murderer 675

Is the man whom knowledge injures!— 676

I may say so, but my story 677

So will say with more distinctness, 678

And to win your admiration 679

Once again I pray you listen.— 680

Clorilene, my wife, a son 681

Bore me, so by fate afflicted 682

That on his unhappy birthday 683

All Heaven's prodigies assisted. 684

Nay, ere yet to life's sweet life 685

Gave him forth her womb, that living 686

Sepulchre (for death and life 687

Have like ending and beginning), 688

Many a time his mother saw 689

In her dreams' delirious dimness 690

From her side a monster break, 691

Fashioned like a man, but sprinkled 692

With her blood, who gave her death, 693

By that human viper bitten. 694

Round his birthday came at last, 695

All its auguries fulfilling 696

(For the presages of evil 697

Seldom fail or even linger): 698

Came with such a horoscope, 699

That the sun rushed blood-red tinted 700

Into a terrific combat 701

With the dark moon that resisted; 702

Earth its mighty lists outspread 703

As with lessening lights diminished 704

Strove the twin-lamps of the sky. 705

'Twas of all the sun's eclipses 706

The most dreadful that it suffered 707

Since the hour its bloody visage 708

Wept the awful death of Christ. 709

For o'erwhelmed in glowing cinders 710

The great orb appeared to suffer 711

Nature's final paroxysm. 712

Gloom the glowing noontide darkened, 713

Earthquake shook the mightiest buildings, 714

Stones the angry clouds rained down, 715

And with blood ran red the rivers. 716

In this frenzy of the sun, 717

In its madness and delirium, 718

Sigismund was born, thus early 719

Giving proofs of his condition, 720

Since his birth his mother slew, 721

Just as if these words had killed her, 722

"I am a man, since good with evil 723

I repay here from the beginning,"— 724

I, applying to my studies, 725

Saw in them as 'twere forewritten 726

This, that Sigismund would be 727

The most cruel of all princes, 728

Of all men the most audacious, 729

Of all monarchs the most wicked; 730

That his kingdom through his means 731

Would be broken and partitioned, 732

The academy of the vices, 733

And the high school of sedition; 734

And that he himself, borne onward 735

By his crimes' wild course resistless, 736

Would even place his feet on me; 737

For I saw myself down-stricken, 738

Lying on the ground before him 739

(To say this what shame it gives me!) 740

While his feet on my white hairs 741

As a carpet were imprinted. 742

Who discredits threatened ill, 743

Specially an ill previsioned 744

By one's study, when self-love 745

Makes it his peculiar business?— 746

Thus then crediting the fates 747

Which far off my science witnessed, 748

All these fatal auguries 749

Seen though dimly in the distance, 750

I resolved to chain the monster 751

That unhappily life was given to, 752

To find out if yet the stars 753

Owned the wise man's weird dominion. 754

It was publicly proclaimed 755

That the sad ill-omened infant 756

Was stillborn. I then a tower 757

Caused by forethought to be builded 758

'Mid the rocks of these wild mountains 759

Where the sunlight scarce can gild it, 760

Its glad entrance being barred 761

By these rude shafts obeliscal. 762

All the laws of which you know, 763

All the edicts that prohibit 764

Anyone on pain of death 765

That secluded part to visit 766

Of the mountain, were occasioned 767

By this cause, so long well hidden. 768

There still lives Prince Sigismund, 769

Miserable, poor, in prison. 770

Him alone Clotaldo sees, 771

Only tends to and speaks with him; 772

He the sciences has taught him, 773

He the Catholic religion 774

Has imparted to him, being 775

Of his miseries the sole witness. 776

Here there are three things: the first 777

I rate highest, since my wishes 778

Are, O Poland, thee to save 779

From the oppression, the affliction 780

Of a tyrant King, because 781

Of his country and his kingdom 782

He were no benignant father 783

Who to such a risk could give it. 784

Secondly, the thought occurs 785

That to take from mine own issue 786

The plain right that every law 787

Human and divine hath given him 788

Is not Christian charity; 789

For by no law am I bidden 790

To prevent another proving, 791

Say, a tyrant, or a villain, 792

To be one myself: supposing 793

Even my son should be so guilty, 794

That he should not crimes commit 795

I myself should first commit them. 796

Then the third and last point is, 797

That perhaps I erred in giving 798

Too implicit a belief 799

To the facts foreseen so dimly; 800

For although his inclination 801

Well might find its precipices, 802

He might possibly escape them: 803

For the fate the most fastidious, 804

For the impulse the most powerful. 805

Even the planets most malicious 806

Only make free will incline, 807

But can force not human wishes. 808

And thus 'twist these different causes 809

Vacillating and unfixed, 810

I a remedy have thought of 811

Which will with new wonder fill you. 812

I to-morrow morning purpose, 813

Without letting it be hinted 814

That he is my son, and therefore 815

Your true King, at once to fix him 816

As King Sigismund (for the name 817

Still he bears that first was given him) 818

'Neath my canopy, on my throne, 819

And in fine in my position, 820

There to govern and command you, 821

Where in dutiful submission 822

You will swear to him allegiance. 823

My resources thus are triple, 824

As the causes of disquiet 825

Were which I revealed this instant. 826

The first is; that he being prudent, 827

Careful, cautious and benignant, 828

Falsifying the wild actions 829

That of him had been predicted, 830

You'll enjoy your natural prince, 831

He who has so long been living 832

Holding court amid these mountains, 833

With the wild beasts for his circle. 834

Then my next resource is this: 835

If he, daring, wild, and wicked, 836

Proudly runs with loosened rein 837

O'er the broad plain of the vicious, 838

I will have fulfilled the duty 839

Of my natural love and pity; 840

Then his righteous deposition 841

Will but prove my royal firmness, 842

Chastisement and not revenge 843

Leading him once more to the prison. 844

My third course is this: the Prince 845

Being what my words have pictured, 846

From the love I owe you, vassals, 847

I will give you other princes 848

Worthier of the crown and sceptre; 849

Namely, my two sisters' children, 850

Who their separate pretensions 851

Having happily commingled 852

By the holy bonds of marriage, 853

Will then fill their fit position. 854

This is what a king commands you, 855

This is what a father bids you, 856

This is what a sage entreats you, 857

This is what an old man wishes; 858

And as Seneca, the Spaniard, 859

Says, a king for all his riches 860

Is but slave of his Republic, 861

This is what a slave petitions. 862

ASTOLFO.

If on me devolves the answer, 863

As being in this weighty business 864

The most interested party, 865

I, of all, express the opinion:— 866

Let Prince Sigismund appear; 867

He's thy son, that's all-sufficient. 868

ALL.

Give to us our natural prince, 869

We proclaim him king this instant! 870

BASILIUS.

Vassals, from my heart I thank you 871

For this deference to my wishes:— 872

Go, conduct to their apartments 873

These two columns of my kingdom, 874

On tomorrow you shall see him. 875

ALL.

Live, long live great King Basilius! 876

([Exeunt all, accompanying ESTRELLA and ASTOLFO; The King remains.])

SCENE VII.

(CLOTALDO, ROSAURA, CLARIN, and BASILIUS.)

CLOTALDO.

May I speak to you, sire? 877

BASILIUS.

Clotaldo, 878

You are always welcome with me. 879

CLOTALDO.

Although coming to your feet 880

Shows how freely I'm admitted, 881

Still, your majesty, this once, 882

Fate as mournful as malicious 883

Takes from privilege its due right, 884

And from custom its permission. 885

BASILIUS.

What has happened? 886

CLOTALDO.

A misfortune, 887

Sire, which has my heart afflicted 888

At the moment when all joy 889

Should have overflown and filled it. 890

BASILIUS.

Pray proceed. 891

CLOTALDO.

This handsome youth here, 892

Inadvertently, or driven 893

By his daring, pierced the tower, 894

And the Prince discovered in it. 895

Nay . . . . 896

BASILIUS.

Clotaldo, be not troubled 897

At this act, which if committed 898

At another time had grieved me, 899

But the secret so long hidden 900

Having myself told, his knowledge 901

Of the fact but matters little. 902

See me presently, for I 903

Much must speak upon this business, 904

And for me you much must do 905

For a part will be committed 906

To you in the strangest drama 907

That perhaps the world e'er witnessed. 908

As for these, that you may know 909

That I mean not your remissness 910

To chastise, I grant their pardon. 911

([Exit.])

CLOTALDO.

Myriad years to my lord be given! 912

SCENE VIII.

(CLOTALDO, ROSAURA, and CLARIN.)

CLOTALDO

Heaven has sent a happier fate; 913

Since I need not now admit it, 914

I'll not say he is my son. 915

Strangers who have wandered hither, 916

You are free. 917

ROSAURA.

I give your feet 918

A thousand kisses. 919

CLARIN.

I say misses, 920

For a letter more or less 921

'Twixt two friends is not considered. 922

ROSAURA.

You have given me life, my lord, 923

And since by your act I'm living, 924

I eternally will own me 925

As your slave. 926

CLOTALDO.

The life I've given 927

Is not really your true life, 928

For a man by birth uplifted 929

If he suffers an affront 930

Actually no longer liveth; 931

And supposing you have come here 932

For revenge as you have hinted, 933

I have not then given you life, 934

Since you have not brought it with you, 935

For no life disgraced is life.— 936

(This I say to arouse his spirit.) 937

ROSAURA.

I confess I have it not, 938

Though by you it has been given me; 939

But revenge being wreaked, my honour 940

I will leave so pure and limpid, 941

All its perils overcome, 942

That my life may then with fitness 943

Seem to be a gift of yours. 944

CLOTALDO.

Take this burnished sword which hither 945

You brought with you; for I know, 946

To revenge you, 'tis sufficient, 947

In your enemy's blood bathed red; 948

For a sword that once was girded 949

Round me (I say this the while 950

That to me it was committed), 951

Will know how to right you. 952

ROSAURA.

Thus 953

In your name once more I gird it, 954

And on it my vengeance swear, 955

Though the enemy who afflicts me 956

Were more powerful. 957

CLOTALDO.

Is he so? 958

ROSAURA.

Yes; so powerful, I am hindered 959

Saying who he is, not doubting 960

Even for greater things your wisdom 961

And calm prudence, but through fear 962

Lest against me your prized pity 963

Might be turned. 964

CLOTALDO.

'Twill rather be, 965

By declaring it, more kindled; 966

Otherwise you bar the passage 967

'Gainst your foe of my assistance.— 968

(Would that I but knew his name!) 969

ROSAURA.

Not to think I set so little 970

Value on such confidence, 971

Know my enemy and my victim 972

Is no less than Prince Astolfo, 973

Duke of Muscovy. 974

CLOTALDO

Resistance 975

Badly can my grief supply 976

Since 'tis heavier than I figured. 977

Let us sift the matter deeper. 978

If a Muscovite by birth, then 979

He who is your natural lord 980

Could not 'gainst you have committed 981

Any wrong; reseek your country, 982

And abandon the wild impulse 983

That has driven you here. 984

ROSAURA.

I know, 985

Though a prince, he has committed 986

'Gainst me a great wrong. 987

CLOTALDO.

He could not, 988

Even although your face was stricken 989

(Oh, heavens!) 990

ROSAURA.

Mine's a wrong more deep and bitter. 991

CLOTALDO.

Tell it, then; it cannot be 992

Worse than what my fancy pictures. 993

ROSAURA.

I will tell it; though I know not, 994

With the respect your presence gives me, 995

With the affection you awaken, 996

With the esteem your worth elicits, 997

How with bold face here to tell you 998

That this outer dress is simply 999

An enigma, since it is not 1000

What it seems. And from this hint, then, 1001

If I'm not what I appear, 1002

And Astolfo with this princess 1003

Comes to wed, judge how by him 1004

I was wronged: I've said sufficient. 1005

([Exeunt ROSAURA and CLARIN.])

CLOTALDO.

Listen! hear me! wait! oh, stay! 1006

What a labyrinthine thicket 1007

Is all this, where reason gives 1008

Not a thread whereby to issue? 1009

My own honour here is wronged, 1010

Powerful is my foe's position, 1011

I a vassal, she a woman; 1012

Heaven reveal some way in pity, 1013

Though I doubt it has the power; 1014

When in such confused abysses, 1015

Heaven is all one fearful presage, 1016

And the world itself a riddle. 1017

Act II

(A HALL IN THE ROYAL PALACE.)

SCENE I.

(BASILIUS and CLOTALDO.)

CLOTALDO.

Everything has been effected 1018

As you ordered. 1019

BASILIUS.

How all happened "happened" The metre of this and the following scene is the asonante in a—e. [editor’s footnote] 1020

Let me know, my good Clotaldo. 1021

CLOTALDO.

It was done, sire, in this manner. 1022

With the tranquillising draught, 1023

Which was made, as you commanded, 1024

Of confections duly mixed 1025

With some herbs, whose juice extracted 1026

Has a strange tyrannic power, 1027

Has some secret force imparted, 1028

Which all human sense and speech 1029

Robs, deprives, and counteracteth, 1030

And as 'twere a living corpse 1031

leaves the man whose lips have quaffed it 1032

So asleep that all his senses, 1033

All his powers are overmastered . . . . 1034

— No need have we to discuss 1035

That this fact can really happen, 1036

Since, my lord, experience gives us 1037

Many a clear and proved example; 1038

Certain 'tis that Nature's secrets 1039

May by medicine be extracted, 1040

And that not an animal, 1041

Not a stone, or herb that's planted, 1042

But some special quality 1043

Doth possess: for if the malice 1044

Of man's heart, a thousand poisons 1045

That give death, hath power to examine, 1046

Is it then so great a wonder 1047

That, their venom being abstracted, 1048

If, as death by some is given, 1049

Sleep by others is imparted? 1050

Putting, then, aside the doubt 1051

That 'tis possible this should happen, 1052

A thing proved beyond all question 1053

Both by reason and example . . . . 1054

— With the sleeping draught, in fine, 1055

Made of opium superadded 1056

To the poppy and the henbane, 1057

I to Sigismund's apartment — 1058

Cell, in fact — went down, and with him 1059

Spoke awhile upon the grammar 1060

Of the sciences, those first studies 1061

Which mute Nature's gentle masters, 1062

Silent skies and hills, had taught him; 1063

In which school divine and ample, 1064

The bird's song, the wild beast's roar, 1065

Were a lesson and a language. 1066

Then to raise his spirit more 1067

To the high design you planned here, 1068

I discoursed on, as my theme, 1069

The swift flight, the stare undazzled 1070

Of a pride-plumed eagle bold, 1071

Which with back-averted talons, 1072

Scorning the tame fields of air, 1073

Seeks the sphere of fire, and passes 1074

Through its flame a flash of feathers, 1075

Or a comet's hair untangled. 1076

I extolled its soaring flight, 1077

Saying, "Thou at last art master 1078

Of thy house, thou'rt king of birds, 1079

It is right thou should'st surpass them." 1080

He who needed nothing more 1081

Than to touch upon the matter 1082

Of high royalty, with a bearing 1083

As became him, boldly answered; 1084

For in truth his princely blood 1085

Moves, excites, inflames his ardour 1086

To attempt great things: he said, 1087

"In the restless realm of atoms 1088

Given to birds, that even one 1089

Should swear fealty as a vassal! 1090

I, reflecting upon this, 1091

Am consoled by my disasters, 1092

For, at least, if I obey, 1093

I obey through force: untrammelled, 1094

Free to act, I ne'er will own 1095

Any man on earth my master."— 1096

This, his usual theme of grief, 1097

Having roused him nigh to madness, 1098

I occasion took to proffer 1099

The drugged draught: he drank, but hardly 1100

Had the liquor from the vessel 1101

Passed into his breast, when fastest 1102

Sleep his senses seized, a sweat, 1103

Cold as ice, the life-blood hardened 1104

In his veins, his limbs grew stiff, 1105

So that, knew I not 'twas acted, 1106

Death was there, feigned death, his life 1107

I could doubt not had departed. 1108

Then those, to whose care you trust 1109

This experiment, in a carriage 1110

Brought him here, where all things fitting 1111

The high majesty and the grandeur 1112

Of his person are provided. 1113

In the bed of your state chamber 1114

They have placed him, where the stupor 1115

Having spent its force and vanished, 1116

They, as 'twere yourself, my lord, 1117

Him will serve as you commanded: 1118

And if my obedient service 1119

Seems to merit some slight largess, 1120

I would ask but this alone 1121

(My presumption you will pardon), 1122

That you tell me, with what object 1123

Have you, in this secret manner, 1124

To your palace brought him here? 1125

BASILIUS.

Good Clotaldo, what you ask me 1126

Is so just, to you alone 1127

I would give full satisfaction. 1128

Sigismund, my son, the hard 1129

Influence of his hostile planet 1130

(As you know) doth threat a thousand 1131

Dreadful tragedies and disasters; 1132

I desire to test if Heaven 1133

(An impossible thing to happen) 1134

Could have lied — if having given us 1135

Proofs unnumbered, countless samples 1136

Of his evil disposition, 1137

He might prove more mild, more guarded 1138

At the lest, and self-subdued 1139

By his prudence and true valour 1140

Change his character; for 'tis man 1141

That alone controls the planets. 1142

This it is I wish to test, 1143

Having brought him to this palace, 1144

Where he'll learn he is my son, 1145

And display his natural talents. 1146

If he nobly hath subdued him, 1147

He will reign; but if his manners 1148

Show him tyrannous and cruel, 1149

Then his chains once more shall clasp him. 1150

But for this experiment, 1151

Now you probably will ask me 1152

Of what moment was't to bring him 1153

Thus asleep and in this manner? 1154

And I wish to satisfy you, 1155

Giving all your doubts an answer. 1156

If to-day he learns that he 1157

Is my son, and some hours after 1158

Finds himself once more restored 1159

To his misery and his shackles, 1160

Certain 'tis that from his temper 1161

Blank despair may end in madness — 1162

But once knowing who he is, 1163

Can he be consoled thereafter? 1164

Yes, and thus I wish to leave 1165

One door open, one free passage, 1166

By declaring all he saw 1167

Was a dream. With this advantage 1168

We attain two ends. The first 1169

Is to put beyond all cavil 1170

His condition, for on waking 1171

He will show his thoughts, his fancies: 1172

To console him is the second; 1173

Since, although obeyed and flattered, 1174

He beholds himself awhile, 1175

And then back in prison shackled 1176

Finds him, he will think he dreamed. 1177

And he rightly so may fancy, 1178

For, Clotaldo, in this world 1179

All who live but dream they act here. 1180

CLOTALDO.

Reasons fail me not to show 1181

That the experiment may not answer; 1182

But there is no remedy now, 1183

For a sign from the apartment 1184

Tells me that he hath awoken 1185

And even hitherward advances. 1186

BASILIUS.

It is best that I retire; 1187

But do you, so long his master, 1188

Near him stand; the wild confusion 1189

That his waking sense may darken 1190

Dissipate by simple truth. 1191

CLOTALDO.

Then your licence you have granted 1192

That I may declare it? 1193

BASILIUS.

Yes; 1194

For it possibly may happen 1195

That admonished of his danger 1196

He may conquer his worst passions. 1197

([Exit])

SCENE II.

(CLARIN and CLOTALDO.)

CLARIN.

Four good blows are all it cost me 1198

To come here, inflicted smartly 1199

By a red-robed halberdier, 1200

With a beard to match his jacket, 1201

At that price I see the show, 1202

For no window's half so handy 1203

As that which, without entreating 1204

Tickets of the ticket-master, 1205

A man carried with himself; 1206

Since for all the feasts and galas 1207

Cool effrontery is the window 1208

Whence at ease he gazes at them. 1209

CLOTALDO.

This is Clarin, heavens! of her, 1210

Yes, I say, of her the valet, 1211

She, who dealing in misfortunes, 1212

Has my pain to Poland carried: 1213

Any news, friend Clarin? 1214

CLARIN.

News? 1215

Yes, sir, since your great compassion 1216

Is disposed Rosaura's outrage 1217

To revenge, she has changed her habit, 1218

And resumed her proper dress. 1219

CLOTALDO.

'Tis quite right, lest possible scandal 1220

Might arise. 1221

CLARIN.

More news: her name 1222

Having changed and wisely bartered 1223

For your niece's name, she now 1224

So in honour has advanced her, 1225

That among Estrella's ladies 1226

She here with her in the palace 1227

Lives. 1228

CLOTALDO.

'Tis right that I once more 1229

Should her honour re-establish. 1230

CLARIN.

News; that anxiously she waiteth 1231

For that very thing to happen, 1232

When you may have time to try it. 1233

CLOTALDO.

Most discreetly has she acted; 1234

Soon the time will come, believe me, 1235

Happily to end this matter. 1236

CLARIN.

News, too; that she's well regaled, 1237

Feasted like a queen, and flattered 1238

On the strength of being your niece. 1239

And the last news, and the saddest, 1240

Is that I who here came with her 1241

Am with hunger almost famished. 1242

None remember me, or think 1243

I am Clarin, clarion rather, 1244

And that if that clarion sounded, 1245

All the Court would know what passes. 1246

For there are two things, to wit, 1247

A brass clarion and a lackey, 1248

That are bad at keeping secrets; 1249

And it so may chance, if haply 1250

I am forced to break my silence, 1251

They of me may sing this passage: 1252

"Never, when the day is near, 1253

Does clarion sound more clear." 1254

CLOTALDO.

Your complaint is too well-founded; 1255

I will get you satisfaction, 1256

Meanwhile you may wait on me. 1257

CLARIN.

See, sir, Sigismund advances. 1258

SCENE III.

([Music and song.] SIGISMUND enters, lost in amazement. Servants minister to him, presenting costly robes. —CLOTALDO, and CLARIN.)

SIGISMUND.

Help me, Heaven, what's this I see! 1259

Help me, Heaven, what's this I view! 1260

Things I scarce believe are true, 1261

But, if true, which fright not me. 1262

I in palaces of state? 1263

I 'neath silks and cloth of gold? 1264

I, around me, to behold 1265

Rich-robed servants watch and wait? 1266

I so soft a bed to press 1267

While sweet sleep my senses bowed? 1268

I to wake in such a crowd, 1269

Who assist me even to dress? 1270

'Twere deceit to say I dream, 1271

Waking I recall my lot, 1272

I am Sigismund, am I not? 1273

Heaven make plain what dark doth seem! 1274

Tell me, what has phantasy — 1275

Wild, misleading, dream-adept — 1276

So effected while I slept, 1277

That I still the phantoms see? 1278

But let that be as it may, 1279

Why perplex myself and brood? 1280

Better taste the present good, 1281

Come what will some other day. 1282

FIRST SERVANT.

What a sadness doth oppress him! 1283

SECOND SERVANT.

Who in such-like case would be 1284

Less surprised and sad than he? 1285

CLARIN.

I for one. 1286

SECOND SERVANT.

[to the First]. You had best address him. 1287

FIRST SERVANT.

[to SIGISMUND]. May they sing again? 1288

SIGISMUND.

No, no; 1289

I don't care to hear them sing. 1290

SECOND SERVANT.

I conceived the song might bring 1291

To your thought some ease. 1292

SIGISMUND.

Not so; 1293

Voiced that but charm the ear 1294

Cannot soothe my sorrow's pain; 1295

'Tis the soldier's martial strain 1296

That alone I love to hear. 1297

CLOTALDO.

May your Highness, mighty Prince, 1298

Deign to let me kiss your hand, 1299

I would first of all this land 1300

My profound respect evince. 1301

SIGISMUND.

'Tis my gaoler! how can he 1302

Change his harshness and neglect 1303

To this language of respect? 1304

What can have occurred to me? 1305

CLOTALDO.

The new state in which I find you 1306

Must create a vague surprise, 1307

Doubts unnumbered must arise 1308

To bewilder and to blind you; 1309

I would make your prospect fair, 1310

Through the maze a path would show, 1311

Thus, my lord, 'tis right you know 1312

That you are the prince and heir 1313

Of this Polish realm: if late 1314

You lay hidden and concealed 1315

'Twas that we were forced to yield 1316

To the stern decrees of fate, 1317

Which strange ills, I know not how, 1318

Threatened on this land to bring 1319

Should the laurel of a king 1320

Ever crown thy princely brow. 1321

Still relying on the power 1322

Of your will the stars to bind, 1323

For a man of resolute mind 1324

Can them bind how dark they lower; 1325

To this palace from your cell 1326

In your life-long turret keep 1327

They have borne you while dull sleep 1328

Held your spirit in its spell. 1329

Soon to see you and embrace 1330

Comes the King, your father, here — 1331

He will make the rest all clear. 1332

SIGISMUND.

Why, thou traitor vile and base, 1333

What need I to know the rest, 1334

Since it is enough to know 1335

Who I am my power to show, 1336

And the pride that fills my breast? 1337

Why this treason brought to light 1338

Has thou to thy country done, 1339

As to hide from the King's son, 1340

'Gainst all reason and all right, 1341

This his rank? 1342

CLOTALDO.

Oh, destiny! 1343

SIGISMUND.

Thou the traitor's part has played 1344

'Gainst the law; the King betrayed, 1345

And done cruel wrong to me; 1346

Thus for each distinct offence 1347

Have the law, the King, and I 1348

Thee condemned this day to die 1349

By my hands. 1350

SECOND SERVANT.

Prince . . . . 1351

SIGISMUND.

No pretence 1352

Shall undo the debt I owe you. 1353

Catiff, hence! By Heaven! I say, 1354

If you dare to stop my way 1355

From the window I will throw you. 1356

SECOND SERVANT.

Fly, Clotaldo! 1357

CLOTALDO.

Woe to thee, 1358

In thy pride so powerful seeming, 1359

Without knowing thou art dreaming! 1360

([Exit.])

SECOND SERVANT.

Think . . . . 1361

SIGISMUND.

Away! don't trouble me. 1362

SECOND SERVANT.

He could not the King deny. 1363

SIGISMUND.

Bade to do a wrongful thing 1364

He should have refused the King; 1365

And, besides, his prince was I. 1366

SECOND SERVANT.

'Twas not his affair to try 1367

If the act was wrong or right. 1368

SIGISMUND.

You're indifferent, black or white, 1369

Since so pertly you reply. 1370

CLARIN.

What the Prince says is quite true, 1371

What you do is wrong, I say. 1372

SECOND SERVANT.

Who gave you this licence, pray? 1373

CLARIN.

No one gave; I took it. 1374

SIGISMUND.

Who 1375

Art thou, speak? 1376

CLARIN.

A meddling fellow, 1377

Prating, prying, fond of scrapes, 1378

General of all jackanapes, 1379

And most merry when most mellow. 1380

SIGISMUND.

You alone in this new sphere 1381

Have amused me. 1382

CLARIN.

That's quite true, sir, 1383

For I am the great amuser 1384

Of all Sigismunds who are here. 1385

SCENE IV.

(ASTOLFO, SIGISMUND, CLARIN, Servants, and Musicians.)

ASTOLFO.

Thousand tunes be blest the day, 1386

Prince, that gives thee to our sight, 1387

Sun of Poland, whose glad light 1388

Makes this whole horizon gay, 1389

As when from the rosy fountains 1390

Of the dawn the stream-rays run, 1391

Since thou issuest like the sun 1392

From the bosom of the mountains! 1393

And though late do not defer 1394

With thy sovran light to shine; 1395

Round thy brow the laurel twine — 1396

Deathless crown. 1397

SIGISMUND.

God guard thee, sir. 1398

ASTOLFO.

In not knowing me I o'erlook, 1399

But alone for this defect, 1400

This response that lacks respect, 1401

And due honour. Muscovy's Duke 1402

Am I, and your cousin born, 1403

Thus my equal I regard thee. 1404

SIGISMUND.

Did there, when I said "God guard thee," 1405

Lie concealed some latent scorn? — 1406

Then if so, now having got 1407

Thy big name, and seeing thee vexed, 1408

When thou com'st to see me next 1409

I will say God guard thee not. 1410

SECOND SERVANT.

[To ASTOLFO]. Think, your Highness, if he errs 1411

Thus, his mountain birth's at fault, 1412

Every word is an assault. 1413

[To SIGISMUND.] Duke Astolfo, sir, prefers . . . . 1414

SIGISMUND.

Tut! his talk became a bore, 1415

Nay his act was worse than that, 1416

He presumed to wear his hat. 1417

SECOND SERVANT.

As grandee. 1418

SIGISMUND.

But I am more. 1419

SECOND SERVANT.

Nevertheless respect should be 1420

Much more marked betwixt ye two 1421

Than 'twixt others. 1422

SIGISMUND.

And pray who 1423

Asked your meddling thus with me? 1424

SCENE V.

(ESTRELLA.— THE SAME.)

ESTRELLA.

Welcome may your Highness be, 1425

Welcomed oft to this thy throne, 1426

Which long longing for its own 1427

Finds at length its joy in thee; 1428

Where, in spite of bygone fears, 1429

May your reign be great and bright, 1430

And your life in its long flight 1431

Count by ages, not by years. 1432

SIGISMUND.

(to CLARIN). Tell me, thou, say, who can be 1433

This supreme of loveliness — 1434

Goddess in a woman's dress — 1435

At whose feet divine we see 1436

Heaven its choicest gifts doth lay?— 1437

This sweet maid? Her name declare. 1438

CLARIN.

'Tis your star-named cousin fair. 1439

SIGISMUND.

Nay, the sun, 'twere best to say.— 1440

([To ESTRELLA.])

Though thy sweet felicitation 1441

Adds new splendour to my throne, 1442

'Tis for seeing thee alone 1443

That I merit gratulation; 1444

Therefore I a prize have drawn 1445

That I scarce deserved to win, 1446

And am doubly blessed therein:— 1447

Star, that in the rosy dawn 1448

Dimmest with transcendent ray 1449

Orbs that brightest gem the blue, 1450

What is left the sun to do, 1451

When thou risest with the day?— 1452

Give me then thy hand to kiss, 1453

In whose cup of snowy whiteness 1454

Drinks the day delicious brightness. 1455

ESTRELLA.

What a courtly speech is this? 1456

ASTOLFO.

If he takes her hand I feel 1457

I am lost. 1458

SECOND SERVANT.

Astolfo's grief 1459

I perceive, and bring relief: 1460

Think, my lord, excuse my zeal, 1461

That perhaps this is too free, 1462

Since Astolfo . . . . 1463

SIGISMUND.

Did I say 1464

Woe to him that stops my way?— 1465

SECOND SERVANT.

What I said was just. 1466

SIGISMUND.

To me 1467

This is tiresome and absurd. 1468

Nought is just, or good or ill, 1469

In my sight that balks my will. 1470

SECOND SERVANT.

Why, my lord, yourself I heard 1471

Say in any righteous thing 1472

It was proper to obey. 1473

SIGISMUND.

You must, too, have heard me say 1474

Him I would from window throw 1475

Who should tease me or defy? 1476

SECOND SERVANT.

Men like me perhaps might show 1477

That could not be done, sir. 1478

SIGISMUND.

No? 1479

Then, by Heaven, at least, I'll try! 1480

([He seizes him in his arms and rushes to the side. All follow, and return immediately.])

ASTOLFO.

What is this I see? Oh, woe! 1481

ESTRELLA.

Oh, prevent him! Follow me! 1482

([Exit.])

SIGISMUND.

[returning]. From the window into the sea 1483

He has fallen; I told him so. 1484

ASTOLFO.

These strange bursts of savage malice 1485

You should regulate, if you can; 1486

Wild beasts are to civilised man 1487

As rude mountains to a palace. 1488

SIGISMUND.

Take a bit of advice for that: 1489

Pause ere such bold words are said, 1490

Lest you may not have a head 1491

Upon which to hang your hat. 1492

([Exit ASTOLFO.])

SCENE VI.

(BASILIUS, SIGISMUND, and CLARIN.)

BASILIUS.

What's all this? 1493

SIGISMUND.

A trifling thing: 1494

One who teased and thwarted me 1495

I have just thrown into the sea. 1496

CLARIN.

[to SIGISMUND]. Know, my lord, it is the King. 1497

BASILIUS.

Ere the first day's sun hath set, 1498

Has thy coming cost a life? 1499

SIGISMUND.

Why he dared me to the strife, 1500

And I only won the bet. 1501

BASILIUS.

Prince, my grief, indeed is great, 1502

Coming here when I had thought 1503

That admonished thou wert taught 1504

To o'ercome the stars and fate, 1505

Still to see such rage abide 1506

In the heart I hoped was free, 1507

That thy first sad act should be 1508

A most fearful homicide. 1509

How could I, by love conducted, 1510

Trust me to thine arms' embracing, 1511

When their haughty interlacing, 1512

Has already been instructed 1513

How to kill? For who could see, 1514

Say, some dagger bare and bloody, 1515

By some wretch's heart made ruddy, 1516

But would fear it? Who is he, 1517

Who may happen to behold 1518

On the ground the gory stain 1519

Where another man was slain 1520

But must shudder? The most bold 1521

Yields at once to Nature's laws; 1522

Thus I, seeing in your arms 1523

The dread weapon that alarms, 1524

And the stain, must fain withdraw; 1525

And though in embraces dear 1526

I would press you to my heart, 1527

I without them must depart, 1528

For, alas! your arms I fear. 1529

SIGISMUND.

Well, without them I must stay, 1530

As I've staid for many a year, 1531

For a father so severe, 1532

Who could treat me in this way, 1533

Whose unfeeling heart could tear me 1534

From his side even when a child, 1535

Who, a denizen of the wild, 1536

As a monster there could rear me, 1537

Any by many an artful plan 1538

Sought my death, it cannot grieve me 1539

Much his arms will not receive me 1540

Who has scarcely left me man. 1541

BASILIUS.

Would to God it had not been 1542

Act of mine that name conferred, 1543

Then thy voice I ne'er had heard, 1544

Then thy boldness ne'er had seen. 1545

SIGISMUND.

Did you manhood's right retain, 1546

I would then have nought to say, 1547

But to give and take away 1548

Gives me reason to complain; 1549

For although to give with grace 1550

Is the noblest act 'mongst men, 1551

To take back the gift again 1552

Is the basest of the base. 1553

BASILIUS.

This then is thy grateful mood 1554

For my changing thy sad lot 1555

To a prince's! 1556

SIGISMUND.

And for what 1557

Should I show my gratitude! 1558

Tyrant of my will o'erthrown, 1559

If thou hoary art and gray, 1560

Dying, what do'st give me? Say, 1561

Do'st thou give what's not mine own? 1562

Thou'rt my father and my King, 1563

Then the pomp these walls present 1564

Comes to me by due descent 1565

As a simple, natural thing. 1566

Yes, this sunshine pleaseth me, 1567

But 'tis not through thee I bask; 1568

Nay, a reckoning I might ask 1569

For the life, love, liberty 1570

That through thee I've lost so long: 1571

Thine 'tis rather to thank me, 1572

That I do not claim from thee 1573

Compensation for my wrong. 1574

BASILIUS.

Still untamed and uncontrolled;— 1575

Heaven fulfils its word I feel, 1576

I to that same court appeal 1577

'Gainst thy taunts, thou vain and bold, 1578

But although the truth thou'st heard, 1579

And now know'st thy name and race, 1580

And do'st see thee in this place, 1581

Where to all thou art preferred, 1582

Yet be warned, and on thee take 1583

Ways more mild and more beseeming, 1584

For perhaps thou art but dreaming, 1585

When it seems that thou'rt awake. 1586

([Exit.])

SIGISMUND.

Is this, then, a phantom scene? — 1587

Do I wake in seeming show?— 1588

No, I dream not, since I know 1589

What I am and what I've been. 1590

And although thou should'st repent thee, 1591

Remedy is now too late. 1592

Who I am I know, and fate, 1593

Howsoe'er thou should'st lament thee, 1594

Cannot take from me my right 1595

Of being born this kingdom's heir. 1596

If I saw myself erewhile 1597

Prisoned, bound, kept out of sight, 1598

'Twas that never on my mind 1599

Dawned the truth; but now I know 1600

Who I am — a mingled show 1601

Of the man and beast combined. 1602

SCENE VII.

(ROSAURA, in female attire; SIGISMUND, CLARIN, and Servants.)

ROSAURA

To wait upon Estrella I come here, 1603

And lest I meet Astolfo tremble with much fear; 1604

Clotaldo's wishes are 1605

The Duke should know me not, and from afar 1606

See me, if see he must. 1607

My honour is at stake, he says; my trust 1608

Is in Clotaldo's truth. 1609

He will protect my honour and my youth. 1610

CLARIN.

[to SIGISMUND]. Of all this palace here can boast, 1611

All that you yet have seen, say which has pleased you most? 1612

SIGISMUND.

Nothing surprised me, nothing scared, 1613

Because for everything I was prepared; 1614

But if I felt for aught, or more or less 1615

Of admiration, 'twas the loveliness 1616

Of woman; I have read 1617

Somewhere in books on which my spirit fed, 1618

That which caused God the greatest care to plan, 1619

Because in him a little world he formed, was man; 1620

But this were truer said, unless I err, 1621

Of woman, for a little heaven he made in her; 1622

She who in beauty from her birth 1623

Surpasses man as heaven surpasseth earth; 1624

Nay, more, the one I see. 1625

ROSAURA

The Prince is here; I must this instant flee. 1626

SIGISMUND.

Hear, woman! stay; 1627

Nor wed the western with the orient ray, 1628

Flying with rapid tread; 1629

For joined the orient rose and western red, 1630

The light and the cold gloom, 1631

The day will sink untimely to its tomb. 1632

But who is this I see? 1633

ROSAURA

I doubt and yet believe that it is he. 1634

SIGISMUND.

This beauty I have seen 1635

Some other time. 1636

ROSAURA

This proud, majestic mien, 1637

This form I once saw bound 1638

Within a narrow cell. 1639

SIGISMUND.

My life I have found. 1640

Woman, the sweetest name 1641

That man can breathe, or flattering language frame, 1642

Who art thou? for before 1643

I see thee, I believe and I adore; 1644

Faith makes my love sublime, 1645

Persuading me we've met some other time. 1646

Fair woman, speak; my will must be obeyed. 1647

ROSAURA.

In bright Estrella's train a hapless maid.— 1648

He must not know my name. 1649

SIGISMUND.

The sun, say rather, of that star whose flame, 1650

However bright its blaze 1651

Is but the pale reflection of thy rays. 1652

In the fair land of flowers, 1653

The realm of sweets that lies in odorous bowers, 1654

The goddess rose I have seen 1655

By right divine of beauty reign as queen. 1656

I have seen where brightest shine 1657

Gems, the assembled glories of the mine, 1658

The brilliant throng elect the diamond king 1659

For the superior splendour it doth fling. 1660

Amid the halls of light, 1661

Where the unresting star-crowds meet at night, 1662

I have seen fair Hesper rise 1663

And take the foremost place of all the skies. 1664

And in that higher zone 1665

Where the sun calls the planets round his throne, 1666

I have seen, with sovereign sway, 1667

That he presides the oracle of the day. 1668

How, then, 'mid flowers of earth or stars of air, 1669

'Mid stones or suns, if that which is most fair 1670

The preference gains, canst thou 1671

Before a lesser beauty bend and bow, 1672

When thine own charms compose 1673

Something more bright than sun, stone, star, or rose? 1674

SCENE VIII.

(CLOTALDO, who remains at the side-scene; SIGISMUND, CLARIN, and Servants.)

CLOTALDO

To calm Prince Sigismund devolves on me, 1675

Because 'twas I who reared him: 1676

ROSAURA.

Thy favour, sir, I prize; 1677

To thee the silence of my speech replies; 1678

For when the reason's dull, the mind depressed, 1679

He best doth speak who keeps his silence best. 1680

SIGISMUND.

You must not leave me. Stay: 1681

What! would you rob my senses of the ray 1682

Your beauteous presence gave? 1683

ROSAURA.

That licence, from your Highness, I must crave. 1684

SIGISMUND.

The violent efforts that you make 1685

Show that you do not ask the leave you take. 1686

ROSAURA.

I hope to take it, if it is not given. 1687

SIGISMUND.

You rouse my courtesy to rage, by heaven!— 1688

In me resistance, as it were, distils 1689

A cruel poison that my patience kills. 1690

ROSAURA.

Then though that poison may be strong, 1691

The source of fury, violence, and wrong, 1692

Potent thy patience to subdue, 1693

It dare not the respect to me that's due. 1694

SIGISMUND.

As if to show I may, 1695

You take the terror of your charms away. 1696

For I am but too prone 1697

To attempt the impossible; I to-day have thrown 1698

Out of this window one who said, like you, 1699

I dare not do the thing I said I would do. 1700

Now just to show I can, 1701

I may throw out your honour, as the man. 1702

CLOTALDO

More obstinate doth he grow; 1703

What course to take, O heavens! I do not know, 1704

When wild desire, nay, crime, 1705

Perils my honour for the second time. 1706

ROSAURA.

Not vainly, as I see, 1707

This hapless land was warned thy tyranny 1708

In fearful scandals would eventuate, 1709

In wrath and wrong, in treachery, rage and hate. 1710

But who in truth could claim 1711

Aught from a man who is but a man in name, 1712

Audacious, cruel, cold, 1713

Inhuman, proud, tyrannical and bold, 1714

'Mong beasts a wild beast born?— 1715

SIGISMUND.

It was to save me from such words of scorn 1716

So courteously I spoke, 1717

Thinking to bind you by a gentler yoke; 1718

But if I am in aught what you have said, 1719

Then, as God lives, I will be all you dread. 1720

Ho, there! here leave us. See to it at your cost, 1721

The door be locked; let no one in. 1722

([Exeunt CLARIN and the attendants.])

ROSAURA.

I'm lost! 1723

Consider . . . . 1724

SIGISMUND.

I'm a despot, and 'tis vain 1725

You strive to move me, or my will restrain. 1726

CLOTALDO

Oh, what a moment! what an agony! 1727

I will go forth and stop him though I die. 1728

([He advances.])

My lord, consider, stay . . . . 1729

SIGISMUND.

A second time you dare to cross my way. 1730

Old dotard: do you hold 1731

My rage in such slight awe you are so bold? 1732

What brought you hither? Speak! 1733

CLOTALDO.

The accents of this voice, however weak, 1734

To tell you to restrain 1735

Your passions, if as King you wish to reign,— 1736

Not to be cruel, though you deem 1737

Yourself the lord of all, for all may be a dream. 1738

SIGISMUND.

You but provoke my rage 1739

By these old saws, the unwelcome light of age, 1740

In killing you, at least I'll see 1741

If 'tis a dream or truth. 1742

([As he is about to draw his dagger CLOTALDO detains it, and throws himself on his knees.])

CLOTALDO.

Sole hope for me 1743

To save my life is thus to humbly kneel. 1744

SIGISMUND.

Take your audacious hand from off my steel. 1745

CLOTALDO.

Till some kind aid be sent, 1746

Till some one come who may your rage prevent, 1747

I will not loose my hold. 1748

ROSAURA.

Oh, Heaven! 1749

SIGISMUND.

I say, 1750

Loose it, old dotard, grim and gaunt and gray, 1751

Or by another death 1752

([They struggle.])

I'll crush you in my arms while you have breath. 1753

ROSAURA.

Quick! quick! they slay 1754

Clotaldo, help! oh, help! 1755

([ASTOLFO enters at this moment, and CLOTALDO falls at his feet; he stands between them.])

ASTOLFO.

This strange affray, 1756

What can it mean, magnanimous Prince? would you 1757

So bright a blade imbrue 1758

In blood that age already doth congeal? 1759

Back to its sheath return the shining steel. 1760

SIGISMUND.

Yes, when it is bathed red 1761

In his base blood. 1762

ASTOLFO.

This threatened life hath fled 1763

For sanctuary to my feet; 1764

I must protect it in that poor retreat. 1765

SIGISMUND.

Protect your own life, then, for in this way, 1766

Striking at it, I will the grudge repay 1767

I owe you for the past. 1768

ASTOLFO.

I thus defend 1769

My life; but majesty will not offend. 1770

([ASTOLFO draws his sword and they fight.])

CLOTALDO.

Oh! wound him not, my lord. 1771

SCENE IX.

(BASILIUS, ESTRELLA and Attendants, SIGISMUND, ASTOLFO, and CLOTALDO.)

BASILIUS.

Swords flashing here!— 1772

ESTRELLA.

Astolfo is engaged: 1773

BASILIUS.

What caused this quarrel? Speak, say why? 1774

ASTOLFO.

'Tis nothing now, my lord, since thou art by. 1775

SIGISMUND.

'Tis much, although thou now art by, my lord. 1776

I wished to kill this old man with my sword. 1777

BASILIUS.

Did you not then respect 1778

These snow-white hairs? 1779

CLOTALDO.

My lord will recollect 1780

They scarce deserved it, being mine. 1781

SIGISMUND.

Who dares 1782

To ask of me do I respect white hairs? 1783

Your own some day 1784

My feet may trample in the public way, 1785

For I have not as yet revenged my wrong, 1786

Your treatment so unjust and my sad state so long. 1787

([Exit.])

BASILIUS.

But ere that dawn doth break, 1788

You must return to sleep, where when you wake 1789

All that hath happened here will seem — 1790

As is the glory of the world — a dream. 1791

([Exeunt The King, CLOTALDO, and Attendants.])

SCENE X.

(ESTRELLA and ASTOLFO)

ASTOLFO.

Ah, how rarely fate doth lie 1792

When it some misfortune threatens! "When it some misfortune threatens!" The vocal asonante in e—e here commences, and continues to the end of the Sixteenth Scene. [editor’s footnote] 1793

Dubious when 'tis good that's promised, 1794

When 'tis evil, ah, too certain!— 1795

What a good astrologer 1796

Would he be, whose art foretelleth 1797

Only cruel things; for, doubtless, 1798

They would turn out true for ever! 1799

This in Sigismund and me 1800

Is exemplified, Estrella, 1801

Since between our separate fortunes 1802

Such a difference is presented. 1803

In his case had been foreseen 1804

Murders, miseries, and excesses, 1805

And in all they turned out true, 1806

Since all happened as expected. 1807

But in mine, here seeing, lady, 1808

Rays so rare and so resplendent 1809

That the sun is but their shadow. 1810

And even heaven a faint resemblance, 1811

When fate promised me good fortune, 1812

Trophies, praises, and all blessings, 1813

It spoke ill and it spoke well; 1814

For it was of both expressive, 1815

When it held out hopes of favour, 1816

But disdain alone effected. 1817

ESTRELLA.

Oh, I doubt not these fine speeches 1818

Are quite true, although intended 1819

Doubtless for that other lady, 1820

She whose portrait was suspended 1821

From your neck, when first, Astolfo, 1822

At this Court here you addressed me. 1823

This being so, 'tis she alone 1824

Who these compliments deserveth. 1825

Go and pay them to herself, 1826

For like bills that are protested 1827

In the counting-house of love, 1828

Are those flatteries and finesses 1829

Which to other kings and ladies 1830

Have been previously presented. 1831

SCENE XI.

(ROSAURA, who remains at the side; ESTRELLA, and ASTOLFO.)

ROSAURA

Well, thank God, my miseries 1832

Have attained their lowest level, 1833

Since by her who sees this sight 1834

Nothing worse can be expected. 1835

ASTOLFO.

Then that portrait from my breast 1836

Shall be taken, that thy perfect 1837

Beauty there may reign instead. 1838

For where bright Estrella enters 1839

Shadow cannot be, or star 1840

Where the sun; I go to fetch it.— 1841

Pardon, beautiful Rosaura, 1842

This offence; the absent never, 1843

Man or woman, as this shows, 1844

Faith of plighted vows remember. 1845

([Exit.])

([ROSAURA comes forward.])

ROSAURA

Not a single word I heard, 1846

Being afraid they might observe me. 1847

ESTRELLA.

Oh, Astrea! 1848

ROSAURA.

My good lady! 1849

ESTRELLA.

Nothing could have pleased me better 1850

Than your timely coming here. 1851

I have something confidential 1852

To entrust you with. 1853

ROSAURA.

You honour 1854

Far too much my humble service. 1855

ESTRELLA.

Brief as is the time, Astrea, 1856

I have known you, you already 1857

Of my heart possess the keys 1858

'Tis for this and your own merits 1859

That I venture to entrust you 1860

With what oft I have attempted 1861

From myself to hide. 1862

ROSAURA.

Your slave! 1863

ESTRELLA.

Then concisely to express it, 1864

Know, Astolfo, my first cousin 1865

('Tis enough that word to mention, 1866

For some things may best be said 1867

When not spoken but suggested), 1868

Soon expects to wed with me, 1869

If my fate so far relenteth, 1870

As that by one single bliss 1871

All past sorrows may be lessened. 1872

I was troubled, the first day 1873

That we met, to see suspended 1874

From his neck a lady's portrait. 1875

On the point I urged him gently, 1876

He so courteous and polite 1877

Went immediately to get it, 1878

And will bring it here. From him 1879

I should feel quite disconcerted 1880

To receive it. You here stay, 1881

And request him to present it 1882

Unto you. I say no more. 1883

You are beautiful and clever, 1884

You must know too what is love. 1885

([Exit.])

SCENE XII.

ROSAURA.

Would I knew it not! O help me 1886

Now, kind heaven! for who could be 1887

So prudential, so collected, 1888

As to know how best to act 1889

In so painful a dilemma? 1890

Is there in the world a being, 1891

Is there one a more inclement 1892

Heaven has marked with more misfortunes, 1893

Has 'mid more of sorrow centred?— 1894

What, bewildered, shall I do, 1895

When 'tis vain to be expected 1896

That my reason can console me, 1897

Or consoling be my helper? 1898

From my earliest misfortune 1899

Everything that I've attempted 1900

Has been but one misery more — 1901

Each the other's sad successor, 1902

All inheritors of themselves. 1903

Thus, the Phoenix they resemble, 1904

One is from the other born, 1905

New life springs where old life endeth, 1906

And the young are warmly cradled 1907

By the ashes of the elder. 1908

Once a wise man called them cowards, 1909

Seeing that misfortunes never 1910

Have been seen to come alone. 1911

But I call them brave, intrepid, 1912

Who go straight unto their end, 1913

And ne'er turn their backs in terror:— 1914

By the man who brings them with him 1915

Everything may be attempted, 1916

Since he need on no occasion 1917

Have the fear of being deserted. 1918

I may say so, since at all times, 1919

Whatsoever life presented, 1920

I, without them, never saw me, 1921

Nor will they grow weary ever, 1922

Till they see me in death's arms, 1923

Wounded by fate's final weapon. 1924

Woe is me! but what to-day 1925

Shall I do in this emergence?— 1926

If I tell my name, Clotaldo, 1927

Unto whom I am indebted 1928

For my very life and honour, 1929

May be with me much offended; 1930

Since he said my reparation 1931

Must in silence be expected. 1932

If I tell not to Astolfo 1933

Who I am, and he detects me 1934

How can I dissemble then? 1935

For although a feigned resemblance 1936

Eyes and voice and tongue might try, 1937

Ah, the truthful heart would tremble, 1938

And expose the lie. But wherefore 1939

Study what to do? 'Tis certain 1940

That however I may study, 1941

Think beforehand how to nerve me, 1942

When at last the occasion comes, 1943

Then alone what grief suggesteth 1944

I will do, for no one holds 1945

In his power the heart's distresses. 1946

And thus what to say or do 1947

As my soul cannot determine, 1948

Grief must only reach to-day 1949

Its last limit, pain be ended, 1950

And at last an exit make 1951

From the doubts that so perplex me 1952

How to act: but until then 1953

Help me, heaven, oh, deign to help me! 1954

SCENE XIII.

(ASTOLFO, with the portrait; and ROSAURA.)

ASTOLFO.

Here then is the portrait, Princess: 1955

But, good God! 1956

ROSAURA.

Your Highness trembles; 1957

What has startled, what surprised you? 1958

ASTOLFO.

Thee, Rosaura, to see present. 1959

ROSAURA.

I Rosaura? Oh, your Highness 1960

Is deceived by some resemblance 1961

Doubtless to some other lady; 1962

I'm Astrea, one who merits 1963

Not the glory of producing 1964

An emotion so excessive. 1965

ASTOLFO.

Ah, Rosaura thou mayst feign, 1966

But the soul bears no deception, 1967

And though seeing thee as Astrea, 1968

As Rosaura it must serve thee. 1969

ROSAURA.

I, not knowing what your Highness 1970

Speaks of, am of course prevented 1971

From replying aught but this, 1972

That Estrella (the bright Hesper 1973

Of this sphere) was pleased to order 1974

That I here should wait expectant 1975

For that portrait, which to me 1976

She desires you give at present: 1977

For some reason she prefers 1978

It through me should be presented — 1979

So Estrella — say, my star — 1980

Wishes — so a fate relentless 1981

Wills — in things that bring me loss — 1982

So Estrella now expecteth. 1983

ASTOLFO.

Though such efforts you attempt, 1984

Still how badly you dissemble, 1985

My Rosaura! Tell the eyes 1986

In their music to keep better 1987

Concert with the voice, because 1988

Any instrument whatever 1989

Would be out of tune that sought 1990

To combine and blend together 1991

The true feelings of the heart 1992

With the false words speech expresses. 1993

ROSAURA.

I wait only, as I said, 1994

For the portrait. 1995

ASTOLFO.

Since you're bent then 1996

To the end to keep this tone, 1997

I adopt it, and dissemble. 1998

Tell the Princess, then, Astrea, 1999

That I so esteem her message, 2000

That to send to her a copy 2001

Seems to me so slight a present, 2002

How so highly it is valued 2003

By myself, I think it better 2004

To present the original, 2005

And you easily may present it, 2006

Since, in point of fact, you bring it 2007

With you in your own sweet person. 2008

ROSAURA.

When it has been undertaken 2009

By a man, bold, brave, determined, 2010

To obtain a certain object, 2011

Though he get perhaps a better, 2012

Still not bringing back the first 2013

He returns despised: I beg, then. 2014

That your highness give the portrait; 2015

I, without it, dare not venture. 2016

ASTOLFO.

How, then, if I do not give it 2017

Will you get it? 2018

ROSAURA.

I will get it 2019

Thus, ungrateful. 2020

([She attempts to snatch it.[)

ASTOLFO.

'Tis in vain. 2021

ROSAURA.

It must ne'er be seen, no, never 2022

In another woman's hands. 2023

ASTOLFO.

Thou art dreadful. 2024

ROSAURA.

Thou deceptive. 2025

ASTOLFO.

Oh, enough, Rosaura mine. 2026

ROSAURA.

Thine! Thou liest, base deserter. 2027

([Both struggle for the portrait.])

SCENE XIV.

(ESTRELLA, ROSAURA, and ASTOLFO.)

ESTRELLA.

Prince! Astrea! What is this? 2028

ASTOLFO

Heavens! Estrella! 2029

ROSAURA

Love befriend me; 2030

Give me wit enough my portrait 2031

To regain: 2032

[To ESTRELLA.] What the matter is, my lady, 2033

I will tell thee. 2034

ASTOLFO

Would'st o'erwhelm me? 2035

ROSAURA.

You commanded me to wait here 2036

For the Prince, and representing 2037

You, to get from him a portrait. 2038

I remained alone, expecting, 2039

And, as often by one thought 2040

Is some other thought suggested, 2041

Seeing that you spoke of portraits, 2042

I, reminded thus, remembered 2043

That I had one of myself 2044

In my sleeve: I wished to inspect it, 2045

For a person quite alone 2046

Even by trifles is diverted. 2047

From my hand I let it fall 2048

On the ground; the Prince, who entered 2049

With the other lady's portrait, 2050

Raised up mine, but so rebellious 2051

Was he to what you had asked him 2052

That, instead of his presenting 2053

One, he wished to keep the other. 2054

Since he mine will not surrender 2055

To my prayers and my entreaties: 2056

Angry at this ill-timed jesting 2057

I endeavoured to regain it, 2058

That which in his hand is held there 2059

Is my portrait, if you see it; 2060

You can judge of the resemblance. 2061

ESTRELLA.

Duke, at once, give up the portrait. 2062

([She takes it from his hand.])

ASTOLFO.

Princess . . . . 2063

ESTRELLA.

Well, the tints were blended 2064

By no cruel hand, methinks. 2065

ROSAURA.

Is it like me? 2066

ESTRELLA.

Like! 'Tis perfect. 2067

ROSAURA.

Now demand from him the other. 2068

ESTRELLA.

Take your own, and leave our presence. 2069

ROSAURA

I have got my portrait back; 2070

Come what may I am contented. 2071

([Exit.])

SCENE XV.

(ESTRELLA and ASTOLFO.)

ESTRELLA.

Give me now the other portrait; 2072

For — although perhaps I never 2073

May again address or see you — 2074

I desire not, no, to let it 2075

In your hands remain, if only 2076

For my folly in requesting 2077

You to give it. 2078

ASTOLFO

How escape 2079

From this singular dilemma? 2080

Though I wish, most beauteous Princess, 2081

To obey thee and to serve thee, 2082

Still I cannot give the portrait 2083

Thou dost ask for, since . . . . 2084

ESTRELLA.

A wretched 2085

And false-hearted lover art thou. 2086

Now I wish it not presented, 2087

So to give thee no pretext 2088

For reminding me that ever 2089

I had asked it at thy hands. 2090

([Exit.)

ASTOLFO.

Hear me! listen! wait! I remember! — 2091

God, what has thou done, Rosaura? 2092

Why, or wherefore, on what errand, 2093

To destroy thyself and me 2094

Hast thou Poland rashly entered? 2095

([Exit.)

SCENE XVI.

(PRISON OF THE PRINCE IN THE TOWER.)

(SIGISMUND, as at the commencement, clothed in skins, chained, and lying on the ground; CLOTALDO, Two Servants, and CLARIN.)

CLOTALDO.

Leave him here on the ground, 2096

Where his day,— its pride being o'er,— 2097

Finds its end too. 2098

A SERVANT.

As before 2099

With the chain his feet are bound. 2100

CLARIN.

Never from that sleep profound 2101

Wake, O Sigismund, or rise, 2102

To behold with wondering eyes 2103

All thy glorious life o'erthrown, 2104

Like a shadow that hath flown, 2105

Like a bright brief flame that dies! 2106

CLOTALDO.

One who can so wisely make 2107

Such reflections on this case 2108

Should have ample time and space, 2109

Even for the Solon's sake, 2110

[To the Servant.] To discuss it; him you'll take 2111

To this cell here, and keep bound. 2112

([Pointing to an adjoining room])

CLARIN.

But why me? 2113

CLOTALDO.

Because 'tis found 2114

Safe, when clarions secrets know, 2115

Clarions to lock up, that so 2116

They may not have power to sound. 2117

CLARIN.

Did I, since you treat me thus, 2118

Try to kill my father? No. 2119

Did I from the window throw 2120

That unlucky Icarus? 2121

Is my drink somniferous? 2122

Do I dream? Then why be pent? 2123

CLOTALDO.

'Tis a clarion's punishment. 2124

CLARIN.

Then a horn of low degree, 2125

Yea, a cornet I will be, 2126

A safe, silent instrument. 2127

([They take him away, and CLOTALDO remains alone.])

SCENE XVII.

(BASILIUS, disguised; CLOTALDO, and SIGISMUND, asleep.)

BASILIUS.

Hark, Clotaldo! 2128

CLOTALDO.

My lord here? 2129

Thus disguised, your majesty? 2130

BASILIUS.

Foolish curiosity 2131

Leads me in this lowly gear 2132

To find out, ah, me! with fear, 2133

How the sudden change he bore. 2134

CLOTALDO.

There behold him as before 2135

In his miserable state. 2136

BASILIUS.

Wretched Prince! unhappy fate! 2137

Birth by baneful stars watched o'er!— 2138

Go and wake him cautiously, 2139

Now that strength and force lie chained 2140

By the opiate he hath drained. 2141

CLOTALDO.

Muttering something restlessly, 2142

See he lies. 2143

BASILIUS.

Let's listen; he 2144

May some few clear words repeat. 2145

SIGISMUND.

[Speaking in his sleep.] Perfect Prince is he whose heat 2146

Smites the tyrant where he stands, 2147

Yes, Clotaldo dies by my hands, 2148

Yes, my sire shall kiss my feet. 2149

CLOTALDO.

Death he threatens in his rage. 2150

BASILIUS.

Outrage vile he doth intend. 2151

CLOTALDO.

He my life has sworn to end. 2152

BASILIUS.

He has vowed to insult my age. 2153

SIGISMUND.

[still sleeping]. On the mighty world's great stage, 2154

'Mid the admiring nations' cheer, 2155

Valour mine, that has no peer, 2156

Enter thou: the slave so shunned 2157

Now shall reign Prince Sigismund, 2158

And his sire he wrath shall fear.— 2159

([He awakes.])

But, ah me! Where am I? Oh!— 2160

BASILIUS.

Me I must not let him see. 2161

([To CLOTALDO.])

Listening I close by will be, 2162

What you have to do you know. 2163

([He retires.])

SIGISMUND.

Can it possibly be so? 2164

Is the truth not what it seemed? 2165

Am I chained and unredeemed? 2166

Art not thou my lifelong tome, 2167

Dark old tower? Yes! What a doom! 2168

God! what wondrous things I've dreamed! 2169

CLOTALDO.

Now in this delusive play 2170

Must my special part be taken:— 2171

Is it not full time to waken? 2172

SIGISMUND.

Yes, to waken well it may. 2173

CLOTALDO.

Wilt thou sleep the livelong day?— 2174

Since we gazing from below 2175

Saw the eagle sailing slow, 2176

Soaring through the azure sphere, 2177

All the time thou waited here, 2178

Didst thou never waken? 2179

SIGISMUND.

No, 2180

Nor even now am I awake 2181

Since such thoughts my memory fill, 2182

That it seems I'm dreaming still: 2183

Nor is this a great mistake; 2184

Since if dreams could phantoms make 2185

Things of actual substance seen, 2186

I things seen may phantoms deem. 2187

Thus a double harvest reaping, 2188

I can see when I am sleeping, 2189

And when waking I can dream. 2190

CLOTALDO.

What you may have dreamed of, say. 2191

SIGISMUND.

If I thought it only seemed, 2192

I would tell not what I dreamed, 2193

But what I beheld, I may. 2194

I awoke, and lo! I lay 2195

(Cruel and delusive thing!) 2196

In a bed whose covering, 2197

Bright with blooms from rosy bowers, 2198

Seemed a tapestry of flowers 2199

Woven by the hand of Spring. 2200

Then a crowd of nobles came, 2201

Who addressed me by the name 2202

Of their prince, presenting me 2203

Gems and robes, on bended knee. 2204

Calm soon left me, and my frame 2205

Thrilled with joy to hear thee tell 2206

Of the fate that me befell, 2207

For though now in this dark den, 2208

I was Prince of Poland then. 2209

CLOTALDO.

Doubtless you repaid me well? 2210

SIGISMUND.

No, not well: for, calling thee 2211

Traitor vile, in furious strife 2212

Twice I strove to take thy life. 2213

CLOTALDO.

But why all this rage 'gainst me? 2214

SIGISMUND.

I was master, and would be 2215

Well revenged on foe and friend. 2216

Love one woman could defend . . . . . 2217

That, at least, for truth I deem, 2218

All else ended like a dream, 2219

That alone can never end. 2220

([The King withdraws.])

CLOTALDO

From his place the King hath gone, 2221

Touched by his pathetic words: 2222

[Aloud] Speaking of the king of birds 2223

Soaring to ascend his throne, 2224

Thou didst fancy one thine own; 2225

But in dreams, however bright, 2226

Thou shouldst still have kept in sight 2227

How for years I tended thee, 2228

For 'twere well, whoe'er we be, 2229

Even in dreams to do what's right. 2230

([Exit.])

SCENE XVIII.

SIGISMUND.

That is true: then let's restrain 2231

This wild rage, this fierce condition 2232

Of the mind, this proud ambition, 2233

Should we ever dream again: 2234

And we'll do so, since 'tis plain, 2235

In this world's uncertain gleam, 2236

That to live is but to dream: 2237

Man dreams what he is, and wakes 2238

Only when upon him breaks 2239

Death's mysterious morning beam. 2240

The king dreams he is a king, 2241

And in this delusive way 2242

Lives and rules with sovereign sway; 2243

All the cheers that round him ring, 2244

Born of air, on air take wing. 2245

And in ashes (mournful fate!) 2246

Death dissolves his pride and state: 2247

Who would wish a crown to take, 2248

Seeing that he must awake 2249

In the dream beyond death's gate? 2250

And the rich man dreams of gold, 2251

Gilding cares it scarce conceals, 2252

And the poor man dreams he feels 2253

Want and misery and cold. 2254

Dreams he too who rank would hold, 2255

Dreams who bears toil's rough-ribbed hands, 2256

Dreams who wrong for wrong demands, 2257

And in fine, throughout the earth, 2258

All men dream, whate'er their birth, 2259

And yet no one understands. 2260

'Tis a dream that I in sadness 2261

Here am bound, the scorn of fate; 2262

'Twas a dream that once a state 2263

I enjoyed of light and gladness. 2264

What is life? 'Tis but a madness. 2265

What is life? A thing that seems, 2266

A mirage that falsely gleams, 2267

Phantom joy, delusive rest, 2268

Since is life a dream at best, 2269

And even dreams themselves are dreams. 2270

Act III

(WITHIN THE TOWER.)

SCENE I.

CLARIN.

In a strange enchanted tower, 2271

I, for what I know, am prisoned; "I, for what I know, am prisoned;" The asonante to the end of Scene IV. is in i—e, or their vocal equivalents. [editor’s footnote] 2272

How would ignorance be punished, 2273

If for knowledge they would kill me? 2274

What a thing to die of hunger, 2275

For a man who loves good living! 2276

I compassionate myself; 2277

All will say: "I well believe it"; 2278

And it well may be believed, 2279

Because silence is a virtue 2280

Incompatible with my name 2281

Clarin, which of course forbids it. 2282

In this place my sole companions, 2283

It may safely be predicted, 2284

Are the spiders and the mice: 2285

What a pleasant nest of linnets!— 2286

Owing to this last night's dream, 2287

My poor head I feel quite dizzy 2288

From a thousand clarionets, 2289

Shawms, and seraphines and cymbals, 2290

Crucifixes and processions, 2291

Flagellants who so well whipped them, 2292

That as up and down they went, 2293

Some even fainted as they witnessed 2294

How the blood ran down the others. 2295

I, if I the truth may whisper, 2296

Simply fainted from not eating, 2297

For I see me in this prison 2298

All day wondering how this Poland 2299

Such a 'Hungary' look exhibits, 2300

All night reading in the 'Fasti' 2301

By some half-starved poet written. "By some half-starved poet written." These four lines are a paraphrase of the original. Clarin's jokes are different, and not much better. He says he spends his days studying philosophy in the works of 'Nicomedes' (or 'Not-eating'), and his nights perusing the decrees of the 'Nicene' Council (Concilio 'Niceno', the Council of 'No-Supper'). [Editor’s footnote] 2302

In the calendar of saints, 2303

If a new one is admitted, 2304

Then St. Secret be my patron, 2305

For I fast upon his vigil; 2306

Though it must be owned I suffer 2307

Justly for the fault committed, 2308

Since a servant to be silent 2309

Is a sacrilege most sinful. 2310

([A sound of drums and trumpets, with voices within.])

SCENE II.

(Soldiers and CLARIN.)

FIRST SOLDIER.

[within]. He is here within this tower. 2311

Dash the door from off its hinges; 2312

Enter all 2313

CLARIN.

Good God! 'tis certain 2314

That 'tis me they seek so briskly, 2315

Since they say that I am here. 2316

What can they require? 2317

FIRST SOLDIER.

[within]. Go in there. 2318

([Several Soldiers enter.)

SECOND SOLDIER.

Here he is. 2319

CLARIN.

He's not. 2320

ALL THE SOLDIERS.

Great lord! 2321

CLARIN.

Are the fellows mad or tipsy? 2322

FIRST SOLDIER.

Thou art our own Prince, and we 2323

Will not have, and won't admit of, 2324

Any but our natural Prince; 2325

We no foreign Prince here wish for. 2326

Let us kneel and kiss thy feet. 2327

THE SOLDIERS.

Live, long live our best of Princes! 2328

CLARIN.

'Gad! the affair grows rather serious. 2329

Is it usual in this kingdom 2330

To take some one out each day, 2331

Make him Prince, and then remit him 2332

To this tower? It must be so, 2333

Since each day that sight I witness. 2334

I must therefore play my part. 2335

SOLDIERS.

Thy feet give us! 2336

CLARIN.

I can't give them, 2337

As I want them for myself. 2338

For a prince to be a cripple 2339

Would be rather a defect. 2340

SECOND SOLDIER.

We have all conveyed our wishes 2341

To your father; we have told him 2342

You alone shall be our Prince here, 2343

Not the Duke. 2344

CLARIN.

And were you guilty 2345

'Gainst my sire, of disrespect? 2346

FIRST SOLDIER.

'Twas the loyalty of our spirit. 2347

CLARIN.

If 'twas loyalty, I forgive you. 2348

SECOND SOLDIER.

Come, regain thy lost dominion. 2349

Long live Sigismund! 2350

ALL.

Live the Prince. 2351

CLARIN.

Say they Sigismund? Good. Admitted. 2352

Sigismund must be the name 2353

Given to all pretended princes. 2354

SCENE III.

(SIGISMUND, CLARIN, and Soldiers.)

SIGISMUND.

Who has named here Sigismund? 2355

CLARIN.

Ah, I'm but an addled prince, then! 2356

FIRST SOLDIER.

Who is Sigismund? 2357

SIGISMUND.

Who? I. 2358

SECOND SOLDIER.

[to CLARIN]. How, then, didst thou, bold and silly, 2359

Dare to make thee Sigismund? 2360

CLARIN.

I a Sigismund? Thou fibbest; 2361

It was you yourselves that thus 2362

Sigismundized me and princed me: 2363

All the silliness and the boldness 2364

Have been by yourselves committed. 2365

FIRST SOLDIER.

Great and brave Prince Sigismund 2366

(For thy bearing doth convince us 2367

Thou art he, although on faith 2368

We proclaim thee as our prince here). 2369

King Basilius, thy father, 2370

Fearful of the Heavens fulfilling 2371

A prediction, which declared 2372

He would see himself submitted 2373

At thy victor feet, attempts 2374

To deprive thee of thy birthright, 2375

And to give it to Astolfo, 2376

Muscovy's duke. For this his missives 2377

Summoned all his court: the people 2378

Understanding, by some instinct, 2379

That they had a natural king, 2380

Did not wish a foreign princeling 2381

To rule o'er them. And 'tis thus, 2382

That the fate for thee predicted 2383

Treating with a noble scorn, 2384

They have sought thee where imprisoned 2385

Thou dost live, that issuing forth, 2386

By their powerful arms assisted, 2387

From this tower, thy crown and sceptre 2388

Thou shouldst thus regain, and quit them 2389

Of a stranger and a tyrant. 2390

Forth! then; for among these cliffs here 2391

There is now a numerous army, 2392

Formed of soldiers and banditti, 2393

That invoke thee: freedom waits thee; 2394

To the thousand voices listen. 2395

[Voices]

[Voices within.] Long, long live Prince Sigismund! 2396

SIGISMUND.

Once again, O Heaven! wouldst wish me 2397

Once again to dream of greatness 2398

Which may vanish in an instant? 2399

Once again to see the glories, 2400

That a royal throne encircle, 2401

Die in darkness and in gloom, 2402

Like a flame the winds extinguish? 2403

Once again by sad experience 2404

To be taught the dangerous limits 2405

Human power may overleap, 2406

At its birth and while it liveth? 2407

No, it must not, must not be:— 2408

See me now one more submitted 2409

To my fate; and since I know 2410

Life is but a dream, a vision, 2411

Hence, ye phantoms, that assume 2412

To my darkened sense the figure 2413

And the voice of life — although 2414

Neither voice nor form is in them. 2415

I no longer now desire 2416

A feigned majesty, a fictitious 2417

And fantastic pomp — illusions 2418

Which the slightest breath that ripples 2419

The calm ether can destroy, 2420

Even as in the early spring-time, 2421

When the flowering almond tree 2422

Unadvisedly exhibits 2423

All its fleeting bloom of flowers, 2424

The first blast their freshness withers, 2425

And the ornament and grace 2426

Of its rosy locks disfigures. 2427

Now I know ye — know ye all, 2428

And I know the same false glimmer 2429

Cheats the eyes of all who sleep. 2430

Me false shows no more bewilder; 2431

Disabused, I now know well 2432

Life is but a dream — a vision. 2433

SECOND SOLDIER.

If thou thinkest we deceive thee, 2434

Turn thine eyes to those proud cliffs here, 2435

See the crowds that wait there, willing, 2436

Eager to obey thee. 2437

SIGISMUND.

Yet 2438

Just as clearly and distinctly, 2439

I have seen another time 2440

The same things that now I witness, 2441

And 'twas but a dream. 2442

SECOND SOLDIER.

At all times 2443

Great events, my lord, bring with them 2444

Their own omens; and thy dream 2445

But the actual fact prefigured. 2446

SIGISMUND.

You say well, it was an omen; 2447

But supposing the bright vision 2448

Even were true, since life is short, 2449

Let us dream, my soul a little, 2450

Once again, remembering now 2451

With all forethought and prevision 2452

That we must once more awake 2453

At the better time not distant; 2454

That being known, the undeceiving, 2455

When it comes, will be less bitter; 2456

For it takes the sting from evil 2457

To anticipate its visit. 2458

And with this conviction, too, 2459

Even its certainty admitting, 2460

That all power being only lent 2461

Must return unto the Giver, 2462

Let us boldly then dare all.— 2463

For the loyalty you exhibit, 2464

Thanks, my lieges. See in me 2465

One who will this land deliver 2466

From a stranger's alien yoke. 2467

Sound to arms; you soon shall witness 2468

What my valour can effect. 2469

'Gainst my father I have lifted 2470

Hostile arms, to see if Heaven 2471

Has of me the truth predicted. 2472

At my feet I am to see him . . . 2473

But if I, from dreams delivered, 2474

Wake ere then, and nothing happens, 2475

Silence now were more befitting. 2476

ALL.

Long live Sigismund, our king! 2477

SCENE IV.

(CLOTALDO, SIGISMUND, CLARIN, and Soldiers.)

CLOTALDO.

Ha! what tumult, Heavens! has risen? 2478

SIGISMUND.

Well, Clotaldo. 2479

CLOTALDO.

On me 2480

Will his wrath now fall. 2481

CLARIN.

He'll fling him 2482

Headlong down the steep, I'll bet. 2483

([Exit.)

CLOTALDO.

At your royal feet submitted 2484

I know how to die. 2485

SIGISMUND.

My father, 2486

Rise, I pray, from that position, 2487

Since to you, my guide and polestar, 2488

Are my future acts committed; 2489

All my past life owes you much 2490

For your careful supervision. 2491

Come, embrace me. 2492

CLOTALDO.

What do you say? 2493

SIGISMUND.

That I dream, and that my wishes 2494

Are to do what's right, since we 2495

Even in dreams should do what's fitting. 2496

CLOTALDO.

Then, my prince, if you adopt 2497

Acting rightly as your symbol, 2498

You will pardon me for asking, 2499

So to act, that you permit me. 2500

No advice and no assistance 2501

Can I give against my king. 2502

Better that my lord should kill me 2503

At his feet here. 2504

SIGISMUND.

Oh, ungrateful! 2505

But Heavens! 'tis fitter 2506

I restrain myself, not knowing 2507

But all this may be a vision. 2508

The fidelity I envy 2509

Must be honoured and admitted. 2510

Go and serve your lord, the king. 2511

Where the battle rages thickest 2512

We shall meet. — To arms, my friends! 2513

CLOTALDO.

Thanks, most generous of princes. 2514

([Exit.)

SIGISMUND.

Fortune, we go forth to reign; 2515

Wake me not if this is vision, 2516

Let me sleep not if 'tis true. 2517

But whichever of them is it, 2518

To act right is what imports me. 2519

If 'tis true, because it is so; 2520

If 'tis not, that when I waken 2521

Friends may welcome and forgive me. 2522

([Exeunt all, drums beating.)

SCENE V.

(HALL IN THE ROYAL PALACE.)

(BASILIUS and ASTOLFO.)

BASILIUS.

Who can expect, Astolfo, to restrain 2523

An untamed steed that wildly turns to flee? 2524

Who can the current of a stream detain, 2525

That swollen with pride sweeps down to seek the sea? 2526

Who can prevent from tumbling to the plain 2527

Some mighty peak the lightning's flash sets free? 2528

Yet each were easier in its separate way, 2529

Than the rude mob's insensate rage to stay. 2530

The several bands that throng each green retreat 2531

This truth proclaim by their disparted cries; 2532

Astolfo here the echoing notes repeat, 2533

While there 'tis Sigismund that rends the skies 2534

The place where late the land was glad to greet 2535

The choice we made, a second venture tries; 2536

And soon will be, as Horror o'er it leans, 2537

The fatal theatre of tragic scenes. 2538

ASTOLFO.

My lord, let all this joy suspended be, 2539

These plaudits cease, and to another day 2540

Defer the rapture thou hast promised me; 2541

For if this Poland (which I hope to sway) 2542

Resists to-day my right of sovereignty, 2543

'Tis that by merit I should win my way. 2544

Give me a steed; to stem this wild revolt 2545

My pride shall be the flash that bears the bolt. 2546

([Exit.)

BASILIUS.

Slight help there is for what is fixed by fate, 2547

And much of danger to foresee the blow; 2548

If it must fall, defence is then too late, 2549

And he who most forestalls doth most foreknow. 2550

Hard law! Stern rule! Dire fact to contemplate! 2551

That he who thinks to fly doth nearer go. 2552

Thus by the very means that I employed, 2553

My country and myself I have destroyed. 2554

SCENE VI.

(ESTRELLA and BASILIUS.)

ESTRELLA.

If, mighty lord, thy presence, which it braves, 2555

The tumult of the crowd cannot defeat — 2556

The frenzy of the multitude that raves 2557

In hostile bands through every square and street,— 2558

Thou'lt see thy kingdom swim in crimson waves, 2559

A purple sea of blood shall round it beat; 2560

For even already in its dismal doom 2561

All is disaster, tragedy, and gloom. 2562

Such is thy kingdom's ruin, so severe 2563

The hard and bloody trial fate hath sent, 2564

Dazed is the eye, and terrified the ear; 2565

Dark grows the sun, and every wind is spent; 2566

Each stone a mournful obelisk doth rear, 2567

And every flower erects a monument; 2568

A grave seems every house, whence life is gone,— 2569

Each soldier is a living skeleton. 2570

SCENE VII.

(CLOTALDO, BASILIUS, and ESTRELLA.)

CLOTALDO.

Thanks be to God, I reach thy feet alive. 2571

BASILIUS.

What news of Sigismund, Clotaldo, say? 2572

CLOTALDO.

The crowd, whom frenzy and blind impulse drive, 2573

Into the tower resistless burst their way, 2574

Released the Prince, who seeing thus revive 2575

The honour he had tasted for one day, 2576

Looked brave, declaring, in a haughty tone, 2577

The truth at last that heaven must now make known. 2578

BASILIUS.

Give me a horse! In person forth I'll ride 2579

To check the pride of this ungrateful son. 2580

Where Science erred let now the sword decide; 2581

By my own valour shall my throne be won! 2582

([Exit.)

ESTRELLA.

Let me the glory of the fight divide — 2583

A twinkling star beside that royal sun — 2584

Bellona matched with Mars: for I would dare 2585

To scale even heaven to rival Pallas there. 2586

([Exit, and they sound to arms.)

SCENE VIII.

(ROSAURA, who detains CLOTALDO.)

ROSAURA.

Though the trumpets from afar 2587

Echo in thy valorous breast, 2588

Hear me, list to my request, 2589

For I know that all is war. 2590

Well thou knowest that I came 2591

Poor to Poland, sad, dejected; 2592

And that graciously protected, 2593

Thou thy pity let me claim. 2594

It was thy command, ah, me! 2595

I should live here thus disguised, 2596

Striving, as thy words advised 2597

(Hiding all my jealousy), 2598

To avoid Astolfo's sight; 2599

But he saw me, and though seeing, 2600

With Estrella, he — false being!— 2601

Converse holds this very night 2602

In a garden bower. The key 2603

I have taken, and will show 2604

Where, by entering, with a blow 2605

Thou canst end my misery. 2606

Thus, then, daring, bold, and strong, 2607

Thou my honour wilt restore; 2608

Strike, and hesitate no more, 2609

Let his death revenge my wrong. 2610

CLOTALDO.

It is true, my inclination 2611

Since thou first wert seen by me, 2612

Was to strive and do for thee 2613

(Be thy tears my attestation) 2614

All my life could do to serve thee. 2615

What I first was forced to press, 2616

Was that thou should'st change thy dress; 2617

Les if chancing to observe thee 2618

Masquerading like a page, 2619

By appearances so strong 2620

Led astray, the Duke might wrong 2621

By a thought thy sex and age. 2622

Meanwhile various projects held me 2623

In suspense, oft pondering o'er 2624

How thy honour to restore; 2625

Though (thy honour so compelled me) 2626

I Astolfo's life should take — 2627

Wild design that soon took wing — 2628

Yet, as he was not my king, 2629

It no terror could awake. 2630

I his death was seeking, when 2631

Sigismund with vengeful aim 2632

Sought for mine; Astolfo came, 2633

And despising what most men 2634

Would a desperate peril deem, 2635

Stood in my defence; his bearing, 2636

Nigh to rashness in its daring, 2637

Showed a valour most extreme. 2638

How then, think, could I, whose breath 2639

Is his gift, in murderous strife, 2640

For his giving me my life, 2641

Strive in turn to give him death? 2642

And thus, grateful, yet aggrieved, 2643

By two opposite feelings driven, 2644

Seeing it to thee have given, 2645

And from him have it received, 2646

Doubting this, and that believing, 2647

Half revenging, half forgiving, 2648

If to thee I'm drawn by giving, 2649

I to him am by receiving; 2650

Thus bewildered and beset, 2651

Vainly seeks my love a way, 2652

Since I have a debt to pay, 2653

Where I must exact a debt 2654

ROSAURA.

It is settled, I believe, 2655

As all men of spirit know, 2656

That 'tis glorious to bestow, 2657

But a meanness to receive. 2658

Well, admitting this to be, 2659

Then thy thanks should not be his, 2660

Even supposing that he is 2661

One who gave thy life to thee; 2662

As the gift of life was thine, 2663

And from him the taking came, 2664

In this case the act was shame, 2665

And a glorious act in mine. 2666

Thus by him thou art aggrieved, 2667

And by me even complimented, 2668

Since to me thou hast presented 2669

What from him thou hast received: 2670

Then all hesitation leaving, 2671

Thou to guard my fame shouldst fly, 2672

Since my honour is as high 2673

As is giving to receiving. 2674

CLOTALDO.

Thou it seems a generous fever 2675

In a noble heart to give, 2676

Still an equal fire may live 2677

In the heart of the receiver. 2678

Heartlessness is something hateful, 2679

I would boast a liberal name; 2680

Thus I put my highest claim 2681

In the fact of being grateful. 2682

Then to me that title leave,— 2683

Gentle birth breeds gentleness; 2684

For the honour is no less 2685

To bestow than to receive. 2686

ROSAURA.

I received my life from thee, 2687

But for thee I now were dead; 2688

Still it was thyself that said 2689

No insulted life could be 2690

Called a life: on that I stand; 2691

Nought have I received from thee, 2692

For the life no life could be 2693

That was given me by thy hand. 2694

But if thou wouldst first be just 2695

Ere being generous in this way 2696

(As I heard thyself once say), 2697

Thou will give me life I trust, 2698

Which thou hast not yet; and thus 2699

Giving will enhance thee more, 2700

For if liberal before, 2701

Thou wilt then be generous. 2702

CLOTALDO.

Conquered by thy argument, 2703

Liberal I first will be. 2704

I, Rosaura, will to thee 2705

All my property present; 2706

In a convent live; by me 2707

Has the plan been weighed some time, 2708

For escaping from a crime 2709

Thou wilt there find sanctuary; 2710

For so many ills present them 2711

Through the land on every side, 2712

That being nobly born, my pride 2713

Is to strive and not augment them. 2714

By the choice that I have made, 2715

Loyal to the land I'll be, 2716

I am liberal with thee, 2717

And Astolfo's debt is paid; 2718

Choose then, nay, let honour, rather, 2719

Choose for thee, and for us two, 2720

For, by Heaven! I could not do 2721

More for thee were I thy father!— 2722

ROSAURA.

Were that supposition true, 2723

I might strive and bear this blow; 2724

But not being my father, no. 2725

CLOTALDO.

What then dost thou mean to do? 2726

ROSAURA.

Kill the Duke. 2727

CLOTALDO.

A gentle dame, 2728

Who no father's name doth know, 2729

Can she so much valour show? 2730

ROSAURA.

Yes. 2731

CLOTALDO.

What drives thee on? 2732

ROSAURA.

My fame. 2733

CLOTALDO.

Think that in the Duke thou'lt see . . . . 2734

ROSAURA.

Honour all my wrath doth rouse. 2735

CLOTALDO.

Soon thy king — Estrella's spouse. 2736

ROSAURA.

No, by Heaven! it must not be. 2737

CLOTALDO.

It is madness. 2738

ROSAURA.

Yes, I see it. 2739

CLOTALDO.

Conquer it. 2740

ROSAURA.

I can't o'erthrow it. 2741

CLOTALDO.

It will cost thee . . . . 2742

ROSAURA.

Yes, I know it. 2743

CLOTALDO.

Life and honour. 2744

ROSAURA.

Well, so be it. 2745

CLOTALDO.

What wouldst have? 2746

ROSAURA.

My death. 2747

CLOTALDO.

Take care! 2748

It is spite. 2749

ROSAURA.

'Tis honour's cure. 2750

CLOTALDO.

'Tis wild fire. 2751

ROSAURA.

That will endure. 2752

CLOTALDO.

It is frenzy. 2753

ROSAURA.

Rage, despair. 2754

CLOTALDO.

Can there then be nothing done 2755

This blind rage to let pass by? 2756

ROSAURA.

No. 2757

CLOTALDO.

And who will help thee? 2758

ROSAURA.

I. 2759

CLOTALDO.

Is there then no remedy? 2760

ROSAURA.

None. 2761

CLOTALDO.

Think of other means whereby . . . . 2762

ROSAURA.

Other means would seal my fate. 2763

([Exit.)

CLOTALDO.

If 'tis so, then, daughter, wait, 2764

For together we shall die. 2765

([Exit.)

SCENE IX.

(THE OPEN PLAIN.)

(SIGISMUND, clothed in skins: Soldiers marching. CLARIN.)

([Drums are heard.])

SIGISMUND.

If Rome could see me on this day 2766

Amid the triumphs of its early sway, 2767

Oh, with what strange delight 2768

It would have seen so singular a sight, 2769

Its mighty armies led 2770

By one who was a savage wild beast bred, 2771

Whose courage soars so high, 2772

That even an easy conquest seems the sky! 2773

But let us lower our flight, 2774

My spirit; 'tis not thus we should invite 2775

This doubtful dream to stay, 2776

Lest when I wake and it has past away, 2777

I learn to my sad cost, 2778

A moment given, 'twas in a moment lost; 2779

Determined not to abuse it, 2780

The less will be my sorrow should I lose it. 2781

([A trumpet sounds.)

CLARIN.

Upon a rapid steed, 2782

(Excuse my painting it; I can't indeed 2783

Resist the inspiration), 2784

Which seems a moving mass of all creation, 2785

Its body being the earth, 2786

The fire the soul that in its heart hath birth, 2787

Its foam the sea, its panting breath the air, 2788

Chaos confused at which I stand and stare, 2789

Since in its soul, foam, body, breath, to me 2790

It is a monster made of fire, earth, air, and sea; 2791

Its colour dapple grey, 2792

Speckled its skin, and flecked, as well it may, 2793

By the impatient spur its flank that dyes, 2794

For lo! it doth not run, the meteor flies; 2795

As borne upon the wind, 2796

A beauteous woman seeks thee. 2797

SIGISMUND.

I'm struck blind! 2798

CLARIN.

Good God, it is Rosaura, oh, the pain! 2799

([Retires.)

SIGISMUND.

Heaven has restored her to my sight again. 2800

SCENE X.

(ROSAURA, in a light corselet, with sword and dagger;)

(SIGISMUND, and Soldiers.)

ROSAURA.

Noble-hearted Sigismund! 2801

Thou whose hidden light heroic 2802

Issues from its night of shadows 2803

To the great deeds of its morning; 2804

And as heaven's sublimest planet 2805

From the white arms of Aurora 2806

Back restores their beauteous colour 2807

To the wild flowers and the roses, 2808

And upon the seas and mountains, 2809

When endiademed with glory, 2810

Scatters light, diffuses splendour, 2811

Braids their foam, their hair makes golden; 2812

Thus thou dawnest on the world 2813

Bright auspicious sun of Poland, 2814

Who will help a hapless woman, 2815

She who at thy feet doth throw her, 2816

Help her, since she is unhappy, 2817

And a woman; two good motives 2818

Quite enough to move a man 2819

Who of valour so doth boast him, 2820

Though even one would be sufficient, 2821

Though even one would be all potent. 2822

Thou hast seen me thrice already, 2823

Thrice thou hast not truly known me, 2824

For each time by different dresses 2825

Was I strangely metamorphosed. 2826

First I seemed to thee a man, 2827

When within thy sad and sombre 2828

Cell thou sawest me, when thy life 2829

Wiled from me mine own misfortunes. 2830

As a woman next thou sawest me, 2831

Where the splendours of thy throne-room 2832

Vanished like a fleeting vision, 2833

Vain, phantasmal and abortive. 2834

The third time is now, when being 2835

Something monstrous and abnormal, 2836

In a woman's dress thou see'st me 2837

With a warrior's arms adorned. 2838

And to pity and compassion 2839

That thou may'st be moved more strongly, 2840

Listen to the sad succession 2841

Of my tragical misfortunes. 2842

In the Court of Muscovy 2843

I was born of a noble mother, 2844

Who indeed must have been fair 2845

Since unhappiness was her portion. 2846

Fond and too persuading eyes 2847

Fixed on her, a traitor lover, 2848

Whom, not knowing, I don't name, 2849

Though mine own worth hath informed me 2850

What was his: for being his image, 2851

I sometimes regret that fortune 2852

Made me not a pagan born, 2853

That I might, in my wild folly, 2854

Think he must have been some god, 2855

Such as he was, who in golden 2856

Shower wooed Danae, or as swan 2857

Leda loved, as bull, Europa. 2858

When I thought to lengthen out, 2859

Citing these perfidious stories, 2860

My discourse, I find already 2861

That I have succinctly told thee 2862

How my mother, being persuaded 2863

By the flatteries of love's homage, 2864

Was a fair as any fair, 2865

And unfortunate as all are. 2866

That ridiculous excuse 2867

Of a plighted husband's promise 2868

So misled her, that even yet 2869

the remembrance brings her sorrow. 2870

For that traitor, that Aeneas 2871

Flying from his Troy, forgot there, 2872

Or left after him his sword. 2873

By this sheath its blade is covered, 2874

But it shall be naked drawn 2875

Ere this history is over. 2876

From this loosely fastened know 2877

Which binds nothing, which ties nothing, 2878

Call it marriage, call it crime, 2879

Names its nature cannot alter, 2880

I was born, a perfect image, 2881

A true copy of my mother, 2882

In her loveliness, ah, no! 2883

In her miseries and misfortunes. 2884

Therefore there is little need 2885

To say how the hapless daughter, 2886

Heiress of such scant good luck, 2887

Had her own peculiar portion. 2888

All that I will say to thee 2889

Of myself is, that the robber 2890

Of the trophies of my fame, 2891

Of the sweet spoils of my honour, 2892

Is Astolfo . . . . Ah! to name him 2893

Stirs and rouses up the choler 2894

Of the heart, a fitting effort 2895

When an enemy's name is spoken,— 2896

Yes, Astolfo was that traitor, 2897

Who, forgetful of his promise 2898

(For when love has passed away, 2899

Even its memory is forgotten), 2900

Came to Poland, hither called. 2901

From so sweet so proud a conquest, 2902

To be married to Estrella, 2903

Of my setting sun the torch light. 2904

Who'll believe that when one star 2905

Oft unites two happy lovers, 2906

Now one star, Estrella, comes 2907

Two to tear from one another? 2908

I offended, I deceived, 2909

Sad remained, remained astonished, 2910

Mad, half dead, remained myself; 2911

That's to say, in so much torment, 2912

That my heart was like a Babel 2913

Of confusion, hell, and horror: 2914

I resolving to be mute, 2915

(For there are some pains and sorrows 2916

That by feelings are expressed, 2917

Better than when words are spoken). 2918

I by silence spoke my pain, 2919

Till one day being with my mother 2920

Violante, she (oh, heavens!) 2921

Burst their prison; like a torrent 2922

Forth they rushed from out my breast, 2923

Streaming wildly o'er each other. 2924

No embarrassment it gave me 2925

To relate them, for the knowing 2926

That the person we confide to 2927

A like weakness must acknowledge 2928

Gives as 'twere to our confusion 2929

A sweet soothing and a solace, 2930

For at times a bad example 2931

Has its use. In fine, my sorrows 2932

She with pity heard, relating 2933

Even her own grief to console me: 2934

When he has himself been guilty 2935

With what ease the judge condoneth! 2936

Knowing from her own experience 2937

That 'twas idle, to slow-moving 2938

Leisure, to swift-fleeting time, 2939

To intrust one's injured honour. 2940

She could not advise me better, 2941

As the cure of my misfortunes, 2942

Than to follow and compel him 2943

By prodigious acts of boldness 2944

To repay my honour's debt: 2945

And that such attempt might cost me 2946

Less, my fortune wished that I 2947

Should a man's strange dress put on me. 2948

She took down an ancient sword, 2949

Which is this I bear: the moment 2950

Now draws nigh I must unsheath it, 2951

Since to her I gave that promise, 2952

When confiding in its marks, 2953

Thus she said, "Depart to Poland, 2954

And so manage that this steel 2955

Shall be seen by the chief nobles 2956

Of that land, for I have hope 2957

That there may be one among them 2958

Who may prove to thee a friend, 2959

An adviser and consoler." 2960

Well, in Poland I arrived; 2961

It is useless to inform thee 2962

What thou knowest already, how 2963

A wild steed resistless bore me 2964

To thy caverned tower, wherein 2965

Thou with wonder didst behold me. 2966

Let us pass too, how Clotaldo 2967

Passionately my cause supported, 2968

How he asked my life of the king 2969

Who to him that boon accorded; 2970

How discovering who I am 2971

He persuaded me my proper 2972

Dress to assume, and on Estrella 2973

To attend as maid of honour, 2974

So to thwart Astolfo's love 2975

And prevent the marriage contract. 2976

Let us, too, pass by, that here 2977

thou didst once again behold me 2978

In a woman's dress, my form 2979

Waking thus a twofold wonder, 2980

And approach the time, Clotaldo 2981

Being convinced it was important 2982

That should wed and reign together 2983

Fair Estrella and Astolfo, 2984

'Gainst my honour, me advised 2985

To forego my rightful project. 2986

But, O valiant Sigismund, 2987

Seeing that the moment cometh 2988

For thy vengeance, since heaven wishes 2989

Thee to-day to burst the portals 2990

Of thy narrow rustic cell, 2991

Where so long immured, thy body 2992

Was to feeling a wild beast, 2993

Was to sufferance what the rock is, 2994

And that 'gainst thy sire and country 2995

Thou hast gallantly revolted, 2996

And ta'en arms, I come to assist thee, 2997

Intermingling the bright corselet 2998

Of Minerva with the trappings 2999

Of Diana, thus enrobing 3000

Silken stuff and shining steel 3001

In a rare but rich adornment. 3002

On, then, on, undaunted champion! 3003

To us both it is important 3004

To prevent and bring to nought 3005

This engagement and betrothal; 3006

First to me, that he, my husband, 3007

Should not falsely wed another, 3008

Then to thee, that their two staffs 3009

Being united, their joined forces 3010

Should with overwhelming power 3011

Leave our doubtful victory hopeless. 3012

Woman, I come here to urge thee 3013

To repair my injured honour, 3014

And as man I come to rouse thee 3015

Crown and sceptre to recover. 3016

Woman I would wake thy pity 3017

Since here at thy feet I throw me, 3018

And as man, my sword and person 3019

In thy service I devote thee. 3020

But remember, if to-day 3021

As a woman thou should'st court me, 3022

I, as man, will give thee death 3023

In the laudable upholding, 3024

Of my honour, since I am 3025

In this strife of love, this contest, 3026

Woman my complaints to tell thee, 3027

And a man to guard my honour. 3028

SIGISMUND.

Heavens! if it is true I dream, 3029

Memory then suspend thy office, 3030

For 'tis vain to hope remembrance 3031

Could retain so many objects. 3032

Help me, God! or teach me how 3033

All these numerous doubts to conquer, 3034

Or to cease to think of any!— 3035

Whoe'er tried such painful problems? 3036

If 'twas but a dream, my grandeur, 3037

How then is it, at this moment, 3038

That this woman can refer me 3039

To some facts that are notorious? 3040

Then 'twas truth, and not a dream; 3041

But if it was truth (another 3042

And no less confusion,) how 3043

Can my life be called in proper 3044

Speech a dream? So like to dreams 3045

Are then all the world's chief glories, 3046

That the true are oft rejected 3047

As the false, the false too often 3048

Are mistaken for the true? 3049

Is there then 'twixt one and the other 3050

Such slight difference, that a question 3051

May arise at any moment 3052

Which is true or which is false? 3053

Are the original and the copy 3054

So alike, that which is which 3055

Oft the doubtful mind must ponder? 3056

If 'tis so, and if must vanish, 3057

As the shades of night at morning, 3058

All of majesty and power, 3059

All of grandeur and of glory, 3060

Let us learn at least to turn 3061

To our profit the brief moment 3062

That is given us, since our joy 3063

Lasteth while our dream lasts only. 3064

In my power Rosaura stands, 3065

Thou, my heart, her charms adoreth, 3066

Let us seize then the occasion; 3067

Let love trample in its boldness 3068

All the laws on which relying 3069

She here at my feet has thrown her. 3070

'Tis a dream; and since 'tis so, 3071

Let us dream of joys, the sorrows 3072

Will come soon enough hereafter. 3073

But with mine own words just spoken, 3074

Let me now confute myself! 3075

If it is a dream that mocks me, 3076

Who for human vanities 3077

Would forego celestial glory? 3078

What past bliss is not a dream? 3079

Who has had his happy fortunes 3080

Who hath said not to himself 3081

As his memory ran o'er them, 3082

"All I saw, beyond a doubt 3083

Was a dream." If this exposeth 3084

My delusion, if I know 3085

That desire is but the glowing 3086

Of a flame that turns to ashes 3087

At the softest wind that bloweth; 3088

Let us seek then the eternal, 3089

The true fame that ne'er reposeth, 3090

Where the bliss is not a dream, 3091

Nor the crown a fleeting glory. 3092

Without honour is Rosaura. 3093

But it is a prince's province 3094

To give honour, not to take it: 3095

Then, by Heaven! it is her honour 3096

That for her I must win back, 3097

Ere this kingdom I can conquer. 3098

Let us fly then this temptation. 3099

'Tis too strong: 3100

For to-day I must give battle, 3101

Ere descending night, the golden 3102

Sunbeams of expiring day 3103

Buries in the dark green ocean. 3104

ROSAURA.

Dost thou thus, my lord, withdraw thee? 3105

What! without a word being spoken? 3106

Does my pain deserve no pity? 3107

Does my grief so little move thee? 3108

Can it be, my lord, thou wilt not 3109

Deign to hear, to look upon me? 3110

Dost thou even avert thy face? 3111

SIGISMUND.

Ah, Rosaura, 'tis thy honour 3112

That requires this harshness now, 3113

If my pity I would show thee. 3114

Yes, my voice does not respond, 3115

'Tis my honour that respondeth; 3116

True I speak not, for I wish 3117

That my actions should speak for me; 3118

Thee I do not look on, no, 3119

For, alas! it is of moment, 3120

That he must not see thy beauty 3121

Who is pledged to see thy honour. 3122

([Exit followed by the Soldiers.)

ROSAURA.

What enigmas, O ye skies! 3123

After many a sigh and tear, 3124

Thus in doubt to leave me here 3125

With equivocal replies! 3126

SCENE XI.

(CLARIN and ROSAURA.)

CLARIN.

Madam, is it visiting hour? 3127

ROSAURA.

Welcome, Clarin, where have you been? 3128

CLARIN.

Only four stout walls between 3129

In an old enchanted tower; 3130

Death was on the cards for me, 3131

But amid the sudden strife 3132

Ere the last trump came, my life 3133

Won the trick and I got free. 3134

I ne'er hoped to sound again. 3135

ROSAURA.

Why? 3136

CLARIN.

Because alone I know 3137

Who you are: And this being so, 3138

Learn, Clotaldo is . . . . . This strain 3139

Puts me out. 3140

([Drums are heard.)

ROSAURA.

What can it be? 3141

CLARIN.

From the citadel at hand, 3142

Leagured round, an armed band 3143

As to certain victory 3144

Sallies forth with flags unfurled. 3145

ROSAURA.

'Gainst Prince Sigismund! and I, 3146

Coward that I am, not by 3147

To surprise and awe the world, 3148

When with so much cruelty 3149

Each on each the two hosts spring! 3150

([Exit.)

SCENE XII.

(CLARIN; and Soldiers within.)

Voices of some.

Live, long live our victor King! 3151

Voices of others.

Live, long live our liberty! 3152

CLARIN.

Live, long live the two, I say! 3153

Me it matters not a pin, 3154

Which doth lose or which doth win, 3155

If I can keep out of the way!— 3156

So aside here I will go, 3157

Acting like a prudent hero, 3158

Even as the Emperor Nero 3159

Took things coolly long ago. 3160

Or if care I cannot shun, 3161

Let it 'bout mine ownself be; 3162

Yes, here hidden I can see 3163

All the fighting and the fun; 3164

What a cosy place I spy 3165

Mid the rock there! so secure, 3166

Death can't find me out I'm sure, 3167

Then a fig for death I say! 3168

([Conceals himself, drums beat and the sound of arms is heard.)

SCENE XIII.

(BASILIUS, CLOTALDO, ASTOLFO, flying. — CLARIN concealed.)

BASILIUS.

Hapless king! disastrous reign! 3169

Outraged father! guilty son! 3170

CLOTALDO.

See thy vanquished forces run 3171

In a panic o'er the plain! 3172

ASTOLFO.

And the rebel conqueror's stay, 3173

Proud, defiant. 3174

BASILIUS.

'Tis decreed 3175

Those are loyal who succeed, 3176

Rebels those who lose the day. 3177

Let us then, Clotaldo, flee, 3178

Since the victory he hath won, 3179

From a proud and cruel son. 3180

([Shots are fired within, and CLARIN falls wounded from his hiding-place.)

CLARIN.

Heaven protect me! 3181

ASTOLFO.

Who can be 3182

This last victim of the fight, 3183

Who is struck down in the retreat, 3184

Falls here bleeding at our feet? 3185

CLARIN.

I am an unlucky wight, 3186

Who to shun Death's fearful face 3187

Found the thing I would forget: 3188

Flying from him, him I've met. 3189

For there is no secret place 3190

Hid from death; and therefore I 3191

This conclusion hold as clear, 3192

He 'scapes best who goes more near, 3193

He dies first who first doth fly. 3194

Then return, return and be 3195

In the bloody conflict lost; 3196

Where the battle rages most, 3197

There is more security 3198

Than in hills how desolate, 3199

Since no safety can there be 3200

'Gainst the force of destiny, 3201

And the inclemency of fate; 3202

Therefore 'tis in vain thou flyest 3203

From the death thou draw'st more nigh, 3204

Oh, take heed for thou must die 3205

If it is God's will thou diest! 3206

([Falls within.)

BASILIUS.

Oh, take heed for thou must die 3207

If it is God's will thou diest!— 3208

With what eloquence, O heaven! 3209

Does this body that here lieth, 3210

Through the red mouth of a wound 3211

To profoundest thoughts entice us 3212

From our ignorance and our error! 3213

The red current as it glideth 3214

Is a bloody tongue that teaches 3215

All man's diligence is idle, 3216

When against a greater power, 3217

And a higher cause it striveth. 3218

Thus with me, 'gainst strife and murder 3219

When I thought I had provided, 3220

I but brought upon my country 3221

All the ills I would have hindered. 3222

CLOTALDO.

Though, my lord, fate knoweth well 3223

Every path, and quickly findeth 3224

Whom it seeks; yet still it strikes me 3225

'Tis not christian-like to say 3226

'Gainst its rage that nought suffices. 3227

That is wrong, a prudent man 3228

Even o'er fate victorious rises; 3229

And if thou art not preserved 3230

From the ills that have surprised thee, 3231

From worse ills thyself preserve. 3232

ASTOLFO.

Sire, Clotaldo doth address thee 3233

As a cautious, prudent man, 3234

Whose experience time hath ripened. 3235

I as a bold youth would speak: 3236

Yonder, having lost its rider, 3237

I behold a noble steed 3238

Wandering reinless and unbridled, 3239

Mount and fly with him while I 3240

Guard the open path behind thee. 3241

BASILIUS.

If it is God's will I die, 3242

Or if Death for me here lieth 3243

As in ambush, face to face 3244

I will meet it and defy it. 3245

SCENE XIV.

(SIGISMUND, ESTRELLA, ROSAURA, Soldiers, Attendants, BASILIUS,)

(ASTOLFO, and CLOTALDO.)

A SOLDIER.

'Mid the thickets of the mountain, "'Mid the thickets of the mountain," Este verso y los dos siguientes están en boca de Segismundo en otras versiones/traducciones. En este caso es un soldaso («A SOLDIER») que hemos identificado con el soldado 1 («FIRST SOLDIER»). [Nota del editor digital] 3246

'Neath these dark boughs so united, 3247

The King hides. 3248

SIGISMUND.

Pursue him then, 3249

Leave no single shrub unrifled, 3250

Nothing must escape your search, 3251

Not a plant, and not a pine tree. 3252

CLOTALDO.

Fly, my lord! 3253

BASILIUS.

And wherefore fly? 3254

ASTOLFO.

Come! 3255

BASILIUS.

Astolfo, I'm decided. 3256

CLOTALDO.

What to do? 3257

BASILIUS.

To try, Clotaldo, 3258

One sole remedy that surviveth. 3259

[To SIGISMUND. If 'tis me thou'rt seeking, Prince, 3260

At thy feet behold me lying. 3261

[Kneeling. Let thy carpet be these hairs 3262

Which the snows of age have whitened. 3263

Tread upon my neck, and trample 3264

On my crown; in base defilement 3265

Treat me with all disrespect; 3266

Let thy deadliest vengeance strike me 3267

Through my honour; as thy slave 3268

Make me serve thee, and in spite of 3269

All precautions let fate be, 3270

Let heaven keep the word it plighted. 3271

SIGISMUND.

Princes of the Court of Poland, 3272

Who such numerous surprises 3273

Have astonished seen, attend, 3274

For it is your prince invites ye. 3275

That which heaven has once determined, 3276

That which God's eternal finger 3277

Has upon the azure tablets 3278

Of the sky sublimely written, 3279

Those transparent sheets of sapphire 3280

Superscribed with golden ciphers 3281

Ne'er deceive, and never lie; 3282

The deceiver and the liar 3283

Is he who to use them badly 3284

In a wrongful sense defines them. 3285

Thus, my father, who is present, 3286

To protect him from the wildness 3287

Of my nature, made of me 3288

A fierce brute, a human wild-beast; 3289

So that I, who from my birth, 3290

From the noble blood that trickles 3291

Through my veins, my generous nature, 3292

And my liberal condition, 3293

Might have proved a docile child, 3294

And so grew, it was sufficient 3295

By so strange an education, 3296

By so wild a course of living, 3297

To have made my manners wild;— 3298

What a method to refine them! 3299

If to any man 'twas said, 3300

"It is fated that some wild-beast 3301

will destroy you," would it be 3302

Wise to wake a sleeping tiger 3303

As the remedy of the ill? 3304

If 'twere said, "this sword here hidden 3305

In its sheath, which thou dost wear, 3306

Is the one foredoomed to kill thee," 3307

Vain precaution it would be 3308

To preserve the threatened victim. 3309

Bare to point it at his breast. 3310

If 'twere said, "these waves that ripple 3311

Calmly here for thee will build 3312

Foam-white sepulchres of silver," 3313

Wrong it were to trust the sea 3314

When its haughty breast is lifted 3315

Into mountain heights of snow, 3316

Into hills of curling crystal. 3317

Well, this very thing has happened 3318

Unto him, who feared a wild-beast, 3319

And awoke him while he slept; 3320

Or who drew a sharp sword hidden 3321

Naked forth, or dared the sea 3322

When 'twas roused by raging whirlwinds 3323

And though my fierce nature (hear me) 3324

Was as 'twere the sleeping tiger, 3325

A sheathed sword my innate rage 3326

And my wrath a quiet ripple, 3327

Fate should not be forced by means 3328

So unjust and so vindictive, 3329

For they but excite it more; 3330

And thus he who would be victor 3331

O'er his fortune, must succeed 3332

By wise prudence and self-strictness. 3333

Not before an evil cometh 3334

Can it rightly be resisted 3335

Even by him who hath foreseen it, 3336

For although (the fact's admitted) 3337

By an humble resignation 3338

It is possible to diminish 3339

Its effects, it first must happen, 3340

And by no means can be hindered. 3341

Let it serve as an example 3342

This strange sight, this most surprising 3343

Spectacle, this fear, this horror, 3344

This great prodigy; for none higher 3345

E'er was worked than this we see, 3346

After years of vain contriving, 3347

Prostrate at my feet a father, 3348

And a mighty king submitted. 3349

This the sentence of high heaven 3350

Which he did his best to hinder 3351

He could not prevent. Can I, 3352

Who in valour and in science, 3353

Who in years am so inferior, 3354

It avert? My lord, forgive me, 3355

[To the King. Rise, sir, let me clasp thy hand; 3356

For since heaven has now apprized thee 3357

That thy mode of counteracting 3358

Its decree was wrong, a willing 3359

Sacrifice to thy revenge 3360

Let my prostrate neck be given. 3361

BASILIUS.

Son, this noble act of thine 3362

In my heart of hearts reviveth 3363

All my love, thou'rt there reborn. 3364

Thou art Prince; the bay that bindeth 3365

Heroes' brows, the palm, be thine, 3366

Let the crown thine own deeds give thee. 3367

ALL.

Long live Sigismund our King! 3368

SIGISMUND.

Though my sword must wait a little 3369

Ere great victories it can gain, 3370

I to-day will win the highest, 3371

The most glorious, o'er myself.— 3372

Give, Astolfo, give your plighted 3373

Hand here to Rosaura, since 3374

It is due and I require it. 3375

ASTOLFO.

Though 'tis true I owe the debt, 3376

Still 'tis needful to consider 3377

That she knows not who she is; 3378

It were infamous, a stigma 3379

On my name to wed a woman . . . . 3380

CLOTALDO.

Stay, Astolfo, do not finish; 3381

For Rosaura is as noble 3382

As yourself. My sword will right her 3383

In the field against the world: 3384

She's my daughter, that's sufficient. 3385

ASTOLFO.

What do you say? 3386

CLOTALDO.

Until I saw her 3387

To a noble spouse united, 3388

I her birth would not reveal. 3389

It were now a long recital, 3390

But the sum is, she's my child. 3391

ASTOLFO.

That being so, the word I've plighted 3392

I will keep. 3393

SIGISMUND.

And that Estrella 3394

May not now be left afflicted, 3395

Seeing she has lost a prince 3396

Of such valour and distinction, 3397

I propose from mine own hand 3398

As a husband one to give her, 3399

Who, if he does not exceed 3400

Him in worth, perhaps may rival. 3401

Give to me thy hand. 3402

ESTRELLA.

I gain 3403

By an honour so distinguished. 3404

SIGISMUND.

To Clotaldo, who so truly 3405

Served my father, I can give him 3406

But these open arms wherein 3407

He will find what'er he wishes. 3408

A SOLDIER.

If thou honorest those who serve thee, 3409

Thus, to me the first beginner 3410

Of the tumult through the land, 3411

Who from out the tower, thy prison, 3412

Drew thee forth, what wilt thou give? 3413

SIGISMUND.

Just that tower: and that you issue 3414

Never from it until death, 3415

I will have you guarded strictly; 3416

For the traitor is not needed 3417

Once the treason is committed. 3418

BASILIUS.

So much wisdom makes one wonder. 3419

ASTOLFO.

What a change in his condition! 3420

ROSAURA.

How discreet! how calm! how prudent! 3421

SIGISMUND.

Why this wonder, these surprises, 3422

If my teacher was a dream, 3423

And amid my new aspirings 3424

I am fearful I may wake, 3425

And once more a prisoner find me 3426

In my cell? But should I not, 3427

Even to dream it is sufficient: 3428

For I thus have come to know 3429

That at last all human blisses 3430

Pass and vanish as a dream, 3431

And the time that may be given me 3432

I henceforth would turn to gain: 3433

Asking for our faults forgiveness, 3434

Since to generous, noble hearts 3435

It is natural to forgive them. 3442