Chapter 17

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

BASILIUS. Swords flashing here!--

ESTRELLA [aside]. Astolfo is engaged: -- Oh, pain severe!

BASILIUS. What caused this quarrel? Speak, say why?

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

SIGISMUND. 'Tis much, although thou now art by, my lord. I wished to kill this old man with my sword.

BASILIUS. Did you not then respect These snow-white hairs?

CLOTALDO. My lord will recollect They scarce deserved it, being mine.

SIGISMUND. Who dares To ask of me do I respect white hairs? Your own some day My feet may trample in the public way, For I have not as yet revenged my wrong, Your treatment so unjust and my sad state so long. [Exit.]

BASILIUS. But ere that dawn doth break, You must return to sleep, where when you wake All that hath happened here will seem -- As is the glory of the world -- a dream.

[Exeunt The King, CLOTALDO, and Attendants.]

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