SIGISMUND. Is this, then, a phantom scene? -- Do I wake in seeming show?-- No, I dream not, since I know What I am and what I've been. And although thou should'st repent thee, Remedy is now too late. Who I am I know, and fate, Howsoe'er thou should'st lament thee, Cannot take from me my right Of being born this kingdom's heir. If I saw myself erewhile Prisoned, bound, kept out of sight, 'Twas that never on my mind Dawned the truth; but now I know Who I am -- a mingled show Of the man and beast combined. * * * * * SCENE VII. ROSAURA, in female attire; SIGISMUND, CLARIN, and Servants. ROSAURA [aside.] To wait upon Estrella I come here, And lest I meet Astolfo tremble with much fear; Clotaldo's wishes are The Duke should know me not, and from afar See me, if see he must. My honour is at stake, he says; my trust Is in Clotaldo's truth. He will protect my honour and my youth. CLARIN [to SIGISMUND]. Of all this palace here can boast, All that you yet have seen, say which has pleased you most? SIGISMUND. Nothing surprised me, nothing scared, Because for everything I was prepared; But if I felt for aught, or more or less Of admiration, 'twas the loveliness Of woman; I have read Somewhere in books on which my spirit fed, That which caused God the greatest care to plan, Because in him a little world he formed, was man; But this were truer said, unless I err, Of woman, for a little heaven he made in her; She who in beauty from her birth Surpasses man as heaven surpasseth earth; Nay, more, the one I see. ROSAURA [aside]. The Prince is here; I must this instant flee. SIGISMUND. Hear, woman! stay; Nor wed the western with the orient ray, Flying with rapid tread; For joined the orient rose and western red, The light and the cold gloom, The day will sink untimely to its tomb. But who is this I see? ROSAURA [aside]. I doubt and yet believe that it is he. SIGISMUND [aside]. This beauty I have seen Some other time. ROSAURA [aside]. This proud, majestic mien, This form I once saw bound Within a narrow cell. SIGISMUND [aside]. My life I have found.-- Woman, the sweetest name That man can breathe, or flattering language frame, Who art thou? for before I see thee, I believe and I adore; Faith makes my love sublime, Persuading me we've met some other time. Fair woman, speak; my will must be obeyed. ROSAURA. In bright Estrella's train a hapless maid.-- [Aside.] He must not know my name.