CLOTALDO. Reasons fail me not to show That the experiment may not answer; But there is no remedy now, For a sign from the apartment Tells me that he hath awoken And even hitherward advances. BASILIUS. It is best that I retire; But do you, so long his master, Near him stand; the wild confusion That his waking sense may darken Dissipate by simple truth. CLOTALDO. Then your licence you have granted That I may declare it? BASILIUS. Yes; For it possibly may happen That admonished of his danger He may conquer his worst passions. [Exit] * * * * * SCENE II. CLARIN and CLOTALDO. CLARIN [aside]. Four good blows are all it cost me To come here, inflicted smartly By a red-robed halberdier, With a beard to match his jacket, At that price I see the show, For no window's half so handy As that which, without entreating Tickets of the ticket-master, A man carried with himself; Since for all the feasts and galas Cool effrontery is the window Whence at ease he gazes at them. CLOTALDO [aside]. This is Clarin, heavens! of her, Yes, I say, of her the valet, She, who dealing in misfortunes, Has my pain to Poland carried:-- Any news, friend Clarin? CLARIN. News? Yes, sir, since your great compassion Is disposed Rosaura's outrage To revenge, she has changed her habit, And resumed her proper dress. CLOTALDO. 'Tis quite right, lest possible scandal Might arise. CLARIN. More news: her name Having changed and wisely bartered For your niece's name, she now So in honour has advanced her, That among Estrella's ladies She here with her in the palace Lives. CLOTALDO. 'Tis right that I once more Should her honour re-establish. CLARIN. News; that anxiously she waiteth For that very thing to happen, When you may have time to try it. CLOTALDO. Most discreetly has she acted; Soon the time will come, believe me, Happily to end this matter. CLARIN. News, too; that she's well regaled, Feasted like a queen, and flattered On the strength of being your niece. And the last news, and the saddest, Is that I who here came with her Am with hunger almost famished. None remember me, or think I am Clarin, clarion rather, And that if that clarion sounded, All the Court would know what passes. For there are two things, to wit, A brass clarion and a lackey, That are bad at keeping secrets; And it so may chance, if haply I am forced to break my silence, They of me may sing this passage: "Never, when the day is near, Does clarion sound more clear."* *[footnote] *"Clarin, que rompe el albor, No suena mejor."-- This is a quotation by Calderon from his own drama, "En esta vida todo es verdad y todo mentira." -- Act 2, sc. x. CLOTALDO. Your complaint is too well-founded; I will get you satisfaction, Meanwhile you may wait on me. CLARIN. See, sir, Sigismund advances. * * * * * SCENE III.