Act the Second: Scene VIII

CLOTALDO [aside]. To calm Prince Sigismund devolves on me,Because 'twas I who reared him: -- What do I see?

ROSAURA. Thy favour, sir, I prize;To thee the silence of my speech replies;For when the reason's dull, the mind depressed,He best doth speak who keeps his silence best.

SIGISMUND. You must not leave me. Stay:What! would you rob my senses of the rayYour beauteous presence gave?

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

SIGISMUND. The violent efforts that you makeShow that you do not ask the leave you take.

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

SIGISMUND. You rouse my courtesy to rage, by heaven!--In me resistance, as it were, distilsA cruel poison that my patience kills.

ROSAURA. Then though that poison may be strong,The source of fury, violence, and wrong,Potent thy patience to subdue,It dare not the respect to me that's due.

SIGISMUND. As if to show I may,You take the terror of your charms away.For I am but too proneTo attempt the impossible; I to-day have thrownOut of this window one who said, like you,I dare not do the thing I said I would do.Now just to show I can,I may throw out your honour, as the man.

CLOTALDO [aside]. More obstinate doth he grow;What course to take, O heavens! I do not know,When wild desire, nay, crime,Perils my honour for the second time.

ROSAURA. Not vainly, as I see,This hapless land was warned thy tyrannyIn fearful scandals would eventuate,In wrath and wrong, in treachery, rage and hate.But who in truth could claimAught from a man who is but a man in name,Audacious, cruel, cold,Inhuman, proud, tyrannical and bold,'Mong beasts a wild beast born?--

SIGISMUND. It was to save me from such words of scornSo courteously I spoke,Thinking to bind you by a gentler yoke;But if I am in aught what you have said,Then, as God lives, I will be all you dread.Ho, there! here leave us. See to it at your cost,The door be locked; let no one in.

ROSAURA. I'm lost!Consider . . . .

SIGISMUND. I'm a despot, and 'tis vainYou strive to move me, or my will restrain.

CLOTALDO [aside]. Oh, what a moment! what an agony!I will go forth and stop him though I die.

SIGISMUND. A second time you dare to cross my way.Old dotard: do you holdMy rage in such slight awe you are so bold?What brought you hither? Speak!

CLOTALDO. The accents of this voice, however weak,To tell you to restrainYour passions, if as King you wish to reign,--Not to be cruel, though you deemYourself the lord of all, for all may be a dream.

SIGISMUND. You but provoke my rageBy these old saws, the unwelcome light of age,In killing you, at least I'll seeIf 'tis a dream or truth.

CLOTALDO. Sole hope for meTo save my life is thus to humbly kneel.

SIGISMUND. Take your audacious hand from off my steel.

CLOTALDO. Till some kind aid be sent,Till some one come who may your rage prevent,I will not loose my hold.

ROSAURA. Oh, Heaven!

SIGISMUND. I say,Loose it, old dotard, grim and gaunt and gray,Or by another death

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

ROSAURA. Quick! quick! they slayClotaldo, help! oh, help!

ASTOLFO. This strange affray,What can it mean, magnanimous Prince? would youSo bright a blade imbrueIn blood that age already doth congeal?Back to its sheath return the shining steel.

SIGISMUND. Yes, when it is bathed redIn his base blood.

ASTOLFO. This threatened life hath fledFor sanctuary to my feet;I must protect it in that poor retreat.

SIGISMUND. Protect your own life, then, for in this way,Striking at it, I will the grudge repayI owe you for the past.

ASTOLFO. I thus defendMy life; but majesty will not offend.

CLOTALDO. Oh! wound him not, my lord.