Chapter 22

ESTRELLA, ROSAURA, and ASTOLFO.

ESTRELLA. Prince! Astrea! What is this?

ASTOLFO [aside] Heavens! Estrella!

ROSAURA [aside]. Love befriend me; Give me wit enough my portrait To regain: -- If thou would'st learn then [To ESTRELLA.] What the matter is, my lady, I will tell thee.

ASTOLFO [aside to ROSAURA.] Would'st o'erwhelm me?

ROSAURA. You commanded me to wait here For the Prince, and representing You, to get from him a portrait. I remained alone, expecting, And, as often by one thought Is some other thought suggested, Seeing that you spoke of portraits, I, reminded thus, remembered That I had one of myself In my sleeve: I wished to inspect it, For a person quite alone Even by trifles is diverted. From my hand I let it fall On the ground; the Prince, who entered With the other lady's portrait, Raised up mine, but so rebellious Was he to what you had asked him That, instead of his presenting One, he wished to keep the other. Since he mine will not surrender To my prayers and my entreaties: Angry at this ill-timed jesting I endeavoured to regain it, That which in his hand is held there Is my portrait, if you see it; You can judge of the resemblance.

ESTRELLA. Duke, at once, give up the portrait. [She takes it from his hand.]

ASTOLFO. Princess . . . .

ESTRELLA. Well, the tints were blended By no cruel hand, methinks.

ROSAURA. Is it like me?

ESTRELLA. Like! 'Tis perfect.

ROSAURA. Now demand from him the other.

ESTRELLA. Take your own, and leave our presence.

ROSAURA [aside]. I have got my portrait back; Come what may I am contented. [Exit.]

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