ESTRELLA. Well, I must be generous too, For a gallantry so fine; This imperial realm you view, If I wish it to be mine 'Tis to give it unto you. Though if I the truth confessed, I must fear your love may fail -- Flattering words are words at best, For perhaps a truer tale Tells that portrait on your breast. ASTOLFO. On that point complete content Will I give your mind, not here, For each sounding instrument [Drums are heard.] Tells us that the King is near, With his Court and Parliament. * * * * * SCENE VI. The KING BASILIUS, with his retinue. -- ASTOLFO, ESTRELLA, Ladies, Soldiers. ESTRELLA. Learned Euclid . . . ASTOLFO. Thales wise . . ESTRELLA. The vast Zodiac . . . ASTOLFO. The star spaces . . . ESTRELLA. Who dost soar to . . . ASTOLFO. Who dost rise... ESTRELLA. The sun's orbit . . . ASTOLFO. The stars' places . . . ESTRELLA. To describe . . . ASTOLFO. To map the skies . . . ESTRELLA. Let me humbly interlacing . . . ASTOLFO. Let me lovingly embracing . . . ESTRELLA. Be the tendril of thy tree. ASTOLFO. Bend respectfully my knee. BASILIUS. Children, that dear word displacing Colder names, my arms here bless; And be sure, since you assented To my plan, my love's excess Will leave neither discontented, Or give either more or less. And though I from being old Slowly may the facts unfold, Hear in silence my narration, Keep reserved your admiration, Till the wondrous tale is told. You already know -- I pray you Be attentive, dearest children,* Great, illustrious Court of Poland, Faithful vassals, friends and kinsmen, You already know -- my studies Have throughout the whole world given me The high title of "the learned," Since 'gainst time and time's oblivion The rich pencils of Timanthes, The bright marbles of Lysippus, Universally proclaim me Through earth's bounds the great Basilius. You already know the sciences That I feel my mind most given to Are the subtle mathematics, By whose means my clear prevision Takes from rumour its slow office, Takes from time its jurisdiction Of, each day, new facts disclosing; Since in algebraic symbols When the fate of future ages On my tablets I see written, I anticipate time in telling What my science hath predicted. All those circles of pure snow, All those canopies of crystal, Which the sun with rays illumines, Which the moon cuts in its circles, All those orbs of twinkling diamond, All those crystal globes that glisten, All that azure field of stars Where the zodiac signs are pictured, Are the study of my life, Are the books where heaven has written Upon diamond-dotted paper, Upon leaves by sapphires tinted, With light luminous lines of gold, In clear characters distinctly All the events of human life, Whether adverse or benignant. These so rapidly I read That I follow with the quickness Of my thoughts the swiftest movements Of their orbits and their circles. Would to heaven, that ere my mind To those mystic books addicted