ROSAURA. It is settled, I believe, As all men of spirit know, That 'tis glorious to bestow, But a meanness to receive. Well, admitting this to be, Then thy thanks should not be his, Even supposing that he is One who gave thy life to thee; As the gift of life was thine, And from him the taking came, In this case the act was shame, And a glorious act in mine. Thus by him thou art aggrieved, And by me even complimented, Since to me thou hast presented What from him thou hast received: Then all hesitation leaving, Thou to guard my fame shouldst fly, Since my honour is as high As is giving to receiving. CLOTALDO. Thou it seems a generous fever In a noble heart to give, Still an equal fire may live In the heart of the receiver. Heartlessness is something hateful, I would boast a liberal name; Thus I put my highest claim In the fact of being grateful. Then to me that title leave,-- Gentle birth breeds gentleness; For the honour is no less To bestow than to receive. ROSAURA. I received my life from thee, But for thee I now were dead; Still it was thyself that said No insulted life could be Called a life: on that I stand; Nought have I received from thee, For the life no life could be That was given me by thy hand. But if thou wouldst first be just Ere being generous in this way (As I heard thyself once say), Thou will give me life I trust, Which thou hast not yet; and thus Giving will enhance thee more, For if liberal before, Thou wilt then be generous. CLOTALDO. Conquered by thy argument, Liberal I first will be. I, Rosaura, will to thee All my property present; In a convent live; by me Has the plan been weighed some time, For escaping from a crime Thou wilt there find sanctuary; For so many ills present them Through the land on every side, That being nobly born, my pride Is to strive and not augment them. By the choice that I have made, Loyal to the land I'll be, I am liberal with thee, And Astolfo's debt is paid; Choose then, nay, let honour, rather, Choose for thee, and for us two, For, by Heaven! I could not do More for thee were I thy father!-- ROSAURA. Were that supposition true, I might strive and bear this blow; But not being my father, no. CLOTALDO. What then dost thou mean to do? ROSAURA. Kill the Duke. CLOTALDO. A gentle dame, Who no father's name doth know, Can she so much valour show? ROSAURA. Yes. CLOTALDO. What drives thee on? ROSAURA. My fame. CLOTALDO. Think that in the Duke thou'lt see . . . . ROSAURA. Honour all my wrath doth rouse. CLOTALDO. Soon thy king -- Estrella's spouse. ROSAURA. No, by Heaven! it must not be. CLOTALDO. It is madness. ROSAURA. Yes, I see it. CLOTALDO. Conquer it. ROSAURA. I can't o'erthrow it. CLOTALDO. It will cost thee . . . . ROSAURA. Yes, I know it. CLOTALDO. Life and honour. ROSAURA. Well, so be it. CLOTALDO. What wouldst have? ROSAURA. My death. CLOTALDO. Take care! It is spite.