SEG. Then, as he fled before, And after he had sworn it on his knees, Came back to take me--where I am!--No more, No more of this! Away with you! Begone! Whether but visions of ambitious night That morning ought to scatter, or grown out Of night's proportions you invade the day To scare me from my little wits yet left, Begone! I know I must be near awake, Knowing I dream; or, if not at my voice, Then vanish at the clapping of my hands, Or take this foolish fellow for your sport: Dressing me up in visionary glories, Which the first air of waking consciousness Scatters as fast as from the almander-- That, waking one fine morning in full flower, One rougher insurrection of the breeze Of all her sudden honour disadorns To the last blossom, and she stands again The winter-naked scare-crow that she was! CAPT. I know not what to do, nor what to say, With all this dreaming; I begin to doubt They have driv'n him mad indeed, and he and we Are lost together. A SOLDIER (to Captain). Stay, stay; I remember-- Hark in your ear a moment. (Whispers.) CAPT. So--so--so?-- Oh, now indeed I do not wonder, sir, Your senses dazzle under practices Which treason, shrinking from its own device, Would now persuade you only was a dream; But waking was as absolute as this You wake in now, as some who saw you then, Prince as you were and are, can testify: Not only saw, but under false allegiance Laid hands upon-- SOLDIER 1. I, to my shame! SOLDIER 2. And I! CAPT. Who, to wipe out that shame, have been the first To stir and lead us--Hark! (Shouts, trumpets, etc.) A SOLDIER. Our forces, sir, Challenging King Basilio's, now in sight, And bearing down upon us. CAPT. Sir, you hear; A little hesitation and delay, And all is lost--your own right, and the lives Of those who now maintain it at that cost; With you all saved and won; without, all lost. That former recognition of your right Grant but a dream, if you will have it so; Great things forecast themselves by shadows great: Or will you have it, this like that dream too, People, and place, and time itself, all dream Yet, being in't, and as the shadows come Quicker and thicker than you can escape, Adopt your visionary soldiery, Who, having struck a solid chain away, Now put an airy sword into your hand, And harnessing you piece-meal till you stand Amidst us all complete in glittering, If unsubstantial, steel-- ROSAURA (without). The Prince! The Prince! CAPT. Who calls for him? SOL. The Page who spurr'd us hither, And now, dismounted from a foaming horse-- (Enter Rosaura)