University of Virginia Library

Scene IV.

Clotaldo, Sigismund, Clarin, and Soldiers.
Clotaldo.
Ha! what tumult, Heavens! has risen?

Sigismund.
Well, Clotaldo.

Clotaldo.
Sire. ... On me
[Aside.
Will his wrath now fall.

Clarin
(aside).
He'll fling him
Headlong down the steep, I'll bet.

[Exit.
Clotaldo.
At your royal feet submitted
I know how to die.

Sigismund.
My father,
Rise, I pray, from that position,
Since to you, my guide and polestar,
Are my future acts committed;
All my past life owes you much
For your careful supervision.
Come, embrace me.

Clotaldo.
What do you say?

Sigismund.
That I dream, and that my wishes
Are to do what's right, since we
Even in dreams should do what's fitting.

Clotaldo.
Then, my prince, if you adopt
Acting rightly as your symbol,
You will pardon me for asking,
So to act, that you permit me.
No advice and no assistance
Can I give against my king.
Better that my lord should kill me
At his feet here.

Sigismund.
Oh, ungrateful!
Villain! wretch! (Aside.)
But, Heavens! 'tis fitter
I restrain myself, not knowing
But all this may be a vision.—
The fidelity I envy
Must be honoured and admitted.
Go and serve your lord, the king.
Where the battle rages thickest
We shall meet.—To arms, my friends!

Clotaldo.
Thanks, most generous of princes.

[Exit.
Sigismund.
Fortune, we go forth to reign;
Wake me not if this is vision,
Let me sleep not if 'tis true.
But whichever of them is it,
To act right is what imports me.
If 'tis true, because it is so;
If 'tis not, that when I waken
Friends may welcome and forgive me.

[Exeunt all, drums beating.