University of Virginia Library

Scene VII.

Clotaldo, Rosaura, Clarin, and Basilius.
Clotaldo.
May I speak to you, sire?

Basilius.
Clotaldo,
You are always welcome with me.

Clotaldo.
Although coming to your feet
Shows how freely I'm admitted,
Still, your majesty, this once,
Fate as mournful as malicious
Takes from privilege its due right,
And from custom its permission.

Basilius.
What has happened?

Clotaldo.
A misfortune,
Sire, which has my heart afflicted
At the moment when all joy
Should have overflown and filled it.

Basilius.
Pray proceed.

Clotaldo.
This handsome youth here,
Inadvertently, or driven
By his daring, pierced the tower,
And the Prince discovered in it.
Nay. ...

Basilius.
Clotaldo, be not troubled
At this act, which if committed
At another time had grieved me,
But the secret so long hidden
Having myself told, his knowledge
Of the fact but matters little.
See me presently, for I
Much must speak upon this business,
And for me you much must do
For a part will be committed
To you in the strangest drama
That perhaps the world e'er witnessed.
As for these, that you may know
That I mean not your remissness
To chastise, I grant their pardon.

[Exit.
Clotaldo.
Myriad years to my lord be given!