Chapter 13

ESTRELLA. -- THE SAME.

ESTRELLA. Welcome may your Highness be, Welcomed oft to this thy throne, Which long longing for its own Finds at length its joy in thee; Where, in spite of bygone fears, May your reign be great and bright, And your life in its long flight Count by ages, not by years.

SIGISMUND (to CLARIN). Tell me, thou, say, who can be This supreme of loveliness -- Goddess in a woman's dress -- At whose feet divine we see Heaven its choicest gifts doth lay?-- This sweet maid? Her name declare.

CLARIN. 'Tis your star-named* cousin fair.

[footnote] *'Estrella', which means star in Spanish.

SIGISMUND. Nay, the sun, 'twere best to say.-- [To ESTRELLA.] Though thy sweet felicitation Adds new splendour to my throne, 'Tis for seeing thee alone That I merit gratulation; Therefore I a prize have drawn That I scarce deserved to win, And am doubly blessed therein:-- Star, that in the rosy dawn Dimmest with transcendent ray Orbs that brightest gem the blue, What is left the sun to do, When thou risest with the day?-- Give me then thy hand to kiss, In whose cup of snowy whiteness Drinks the day delicious brightness.

ESTRELLA. What a courtly speech is this?

ASTOLFO [aside]. If he takes her hand I feel I am lost.

SECOND SERVANT [aside]. Astolfo's grief I perceive, and bring relief:-- Think, my lord, excuse my zeal, That perhaps this is too free, Since Astolfo . . . .

SIGISMUND. Did I say Woe to him that stops my way?--

SECOND SERVANT. What I said was just.

SIGISMUND. To me This is tiresome and absurd. Nought is just, or good or ill, In my sight that balks my will.

SECOND SERVANT. Why, my lord, yourself I heard Say in any righteous thing It was proper to obey.

SIGISMUND. You must, too, have heard me say Him I would from window throw Who should tease me or defy?

SECOND SERVANT. Men like me perhaps might show That could not be done, sir.

SIGISMUND. No? Then, by Heaven, at least, I'll try! [He seizes him in his arms and rushes to the side. All follow, and return immediately.]

ASTOLFO. What is this I see? Oh, woe!

ESTRELLA. Oh, prevent him! Follow me! [Exit.]

SIGISMUND. [returning]. From the window into the sea He has fallen; I told him so.

ASTOLFO. These strange bursts of savage malice You should regulate, if you can; Wild beasts are to civilised man As rude mountains to a palace.

SIGISMUND. Take a bit of advice for that: Pause ere such bold words are said, Lest you may not have a head Upon which to hang your hat.

[Exit ASTOLFO.]

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