By the holy bonds of marriage, Will then fill their fit position. This is what a king commands you, This is what a father bids you, This is what a sage entreats you, This is what an old man wishes; And as Seneca, the Spaniard, Says, a king for all his riches Is but slave of his Republic, This is what a slave petitions. [footnote] *The metre changes here to the "asonante" in "i--e", or their vocal equivalents, and is kept up for the remainder of the Act. ASTOLFO. If on me devolves the answer, As being in this weighty business The most interested party, I, of all, express the opinion:-- Let Prince Sigismund appear; He's thy son, that's all-sufficient. ALL. Give to us our natural prince, We proclaim him king this instant! BASILIUS. Vassals, from my heart I thank you For this deference to my wishes:-- Go, conduct to their apartments These two columns of my kingdom, On to-morrow you shall see him. ALL. Live, long live great King Basilius! [Exeunt all, accompanying ESTRELLA and ASTOLFO; The King remains.] * * * * * 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! * * * * * SCENE VIII. CLOTALDO, ROSAURA, and CLARIN. CLOTALDO [aside]. Heaven has sent a happier fate; Since I need not now admit it, I'll not say he is my son.-- Strangers who have wandered hither, You are free. ROSAURA. I give your feet A thousand kisses. CLARIN. I say misses, For a letter more or less 'Twixt two friends is not considered. ROSAURA. You have given me life, my lord, And since by your act I'm living, I eternally will own me As your slave.