Chapter 21

ASTOLFO, with the portrait; and ROSAURA.

ASTOLFO. Here then is the portrait, Princess: But, good God!

ROSAURA. Your Highness trembles; What has startled, what surprised you?

ASTOLFO. Thee, Rosaura, to see present.

ROSAURA. I Rosaura? Oh, your Highness Is deceived by some resemblance Doubtless to some other lady; I'm Astrea, one who merits Not the glory of producing An emotion so excessive.

ASTOLFO. Ah, Rosaura thou mayst feign, But the soul bears no deception, And though seeing thee as Astrea, As Rosaura it must serve thee.

ROSAURA. I, not knowing what your Highness Speaks of, am of course prevented From replying aught but this, That Estrella (the bright Hesper Of this sphere) was pleased to order That I here should wait expectant For that portrait, which to me She desires you give at present: For some reason she prefers It through me should be presented -- So Estrella -- say, my star -- Wishes -- so a fate relentless Wills -- in things that bring me loss -- So Estrella now expecteth.

ASTOLFO. Though such efforts you attempt, Still how badly you dissemble, My Rosaura! Tell the eyes In their music to keep better Concert with the voice, because Any instrument whatever Would be out of tune that sought To combine and blend together The true feelings of the heart With the false words speech expresses.

ROSAURA. I wait only, as I said, For the portrait.

ASTOLFO. Since you're bent then To the end to keep this tone, I adopt it, and dissemble. Tell the Princess, then, Astrea, That I so esteem her message, That to send to her a copy Seems to me so slight a present, How so highly it is valued By myself, I think it better To present the original, And you easily may present it, Since, in point of fact, you bring it With you in your own sweet person.

ROSAURA. When it has been undertaken By a man, bold, brave, determined, To obtain a certain object, Though he get perhaps a better, Still not bringing back the first He returns despised: I beg, then. That your highness give the portrait; I, without it, dare not venture.

ASTOLFO. How, then, if I do not give it Will you get it?

ROSAURA. I will get it Thus, ungrateful. [She attempts to snatch it.[

ASTOLFO. 'Tis in vain.

ROSAURA. It must ne'er be seen, no, never In another woman's hands.

ASTOLFO. Thou art dreadful.

ROSAURA. Thou deceptive.

ASTOLFO. Oh, enough, Rosaura mine.

ROSAURA. Thine! Thou liest, base deserter. [Both struggle for the portrait.]

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