ESTRELLA. Let me the glory of the fight divide -- A twinkling star beside that royal sun -- Bellona matched with Mars: for I would dare To scale even heaven to rival Pallas there. [Exit, and they sound to arms. * * * * * SCENE VIII. ROSAURA, who detains CLOTALDO. ROSAURA. Though the trumpets from afar Echo in thy valorous breast, Hear me, list to my request, For I know that all is war. Well thou knowest that I came Poor to Poland, sad, dejected; And that graciously protected, Thou thy pity let me claim. It was thy command, ah, me! I should live here thus disguised, Striving, as thy words advised (Hiding all my jealousy), To avoid Astolfo's sight; But he saw me, and though seeing, With Estrella, he -- false being!-- Converse holds this very night In a garden bower. The key I have taken, and will show Where, by entering, with a blow Thou canst end my misery. Thus, then, daring, bold, and strong, Thou my honour wilt restore; Strike, and hesitate no more, Let his death revenge my wrong. CLOTALDO. It is true, my inclination Since thou first wert seen by me, Was to strive and do for thee (Be thy tears my attestation) All my life could do to serve thee. What I first was forced to press, Was that thou should'st change thy dress; Les if chancing to observe thee Masquerading like a page, By appearances so strong Led astray, the Duke might wrong By a thought thy sex and age. Meanwhile various projects held me In suspense, oft pondering o'er How thy honour to restore; Though (thy honour so compelled me) I Astolfo's life should take -- Wild design that soon took wing -- Yet, as he was not my king, It no terror could awake. I his death was seeking, when Sigismund with vengeful aim Sought for mine; Astolfo came, And despising what most men Would a desperate peril deem, Stood in my defence; his bearing, Nigh to rashness in its daring, Showed a valour most extreme. How then, think, could I, whose breath Is his gift, in murderous strife, For his giving me my life, Strive in turn to give him death? And thus, grateful, yet aggrieved, By two opposite feelings driven, Seeing it to thee have given, And from him have it received, Doubting this, and that believing, Half revenging, half forgiving, If to thee I'm drawn by giving, I to him am by receiving; Thus bewildered and beset, Vainly seeks my love a way, Since I have a debt to pay, Where I must exact a debt