That not done, best hold my peace, Lest I prove an empty boaster. ALL. Long live Sigismund, our king! Enter CI OTALDO. CLOTALDO. Ha! what noise? my life is forfeit. Rise, my father-kneel no longer; Rise to be the guide and pole-star By the which I shape my projects; For by your great loyalty Was my helpless childhood fostered. CLOTALDO. What say you? SIGISMUND. That I dream, and would act nobly, Since well-doing is not lost, Though it be in dreams done only. CLOTALDO. Then, sir, if it be your blazon SIGISMUND. Ha, villain! Ingrate!-but 'tis need I govern For his true estate who knoweth ? Owe I envy, praise, and wonder; But for you, now sound to arms. CLOTALDO. My best thanks this grace acknowledge. SIGISMUND. [Exit. Destiny, we go to reign; Wake I, let not sleep come o'er me; Sleep I, do not waken me. But well-doing most imports me, To win friends against the time [They go out, sounding alarums. Presently comes another struggle with temptation. Sigismund is advancing against the capital of his father, and Rosaura, at his approach, flees to him as her champion, who shall compel her faithless lover to do her right. Along with the temptation there goes also a new and deeper confusion, for she was one of the persons of his former dream. He discourses thus: Help me, Heaven, that I may learn From these doubts to issue wholly, Or not muse on them at all. Who has known such doubtful torments? If I dreamt that majesty Whereof lately I was owner, How doth now this woman give me Of that time such certain tokens? How do my life's following courses That the true for false are holden, These so little from those other Of our majesty and glory, Of our pomp, and pride, and greatness, Must in shadows vanish wholly, Let us hasten to improve What is ours, this present moment. Let us snatch a present joy, While a dream no future knoweth. And my soul her charms adoreth: Doubtless I have dreamed it all, Majesty that ne'er reposes. |