Or who drew a sharp sword hidden Naked forth, or dared the sea When 'twas roused by raging whirlwinds And though my fierce nature (hear me) Was as 'twere the sleeping tiger, A sheathed sword my innate rage And my wrath a quiet ripple, Fate should not be forced by means So unjust and so vindictive, For they but excite it more; And thus he who would be victor O'er his fortune, must succeed By wise prudence and self-strictness. Not before an evil cometh Can it rightly be resisted Even by him who hath foreseen it, For although (the fact's admitted) By an humble resignation It is possible to diminish Its effects, it first must happen, And by no means can be hindered. Let it serve as an example This strange sight, this most surprising Spectacle, this fear, this horror, This great prodigy; for none higher E'er was worked than this we see, After years of vain contriving, Prostrate at my feet a father, And a mighty king submitted. This the sentence of high heaven Which he did his best to hinder He could not prevent. Can I, Who in valour and in science, Who in years am so inferior, It avert? My lord, forgive me, [To the King. Rise, sir, let me clasp thy hand; For since heaven has now apprized thee That thy mode of counteracting Its decree was wrong, a willing Sacrifice to thy revenge Let my prostrate neck be given. BASILIUS. Son, this noble act of thine In my heart of hearts reviveth All my love, thou'rt there reborn. Thou art Prince; the bay that bindeth Heroes' brows, the palm, be thine, Let the crown thine own deeds give thee. ALL. Long live Sigismund our King! SIGISMUND. Though my sword must wait a little Ere great victories it can gain, I to-day will win the highest, The most glorious, o'er myself.-- Give, Astolfo, give your plighted Hand here to Rosaura, since It is due and I require it. ASTOLFO. Though 'tis true I owe the debt, Still 'tis needful to consider That she knows not who she is; It were infamous, a stigma On my name to wed a woman . . . . CLOTALDO. Stay, Astolfo, do not finish; For Rosaura is as noble As yourself. My sword will right her In the field against the world: She's my daughter, that's sufficient. ASTOLFO. What do you say? CLOTALDO. Until I saw her To a noble spouse united, I her birth would not reveal. It were now a long recital, But the sum is, she's my child. ASTOLFO. That being so, the word I've plighted I will keep. SIGISMUND. And that Estrella May not now be left afflicted, Seeing she has lost a prince Of such valour and distinction, I propose from mine own hand As a husband one to give her, Who, if he does not exceed Him in worth, perhaps may rival. Give to me thy hand. ESTRELLA. I gain By an honour so distinguished. SIGISMUND. To Clotaldo, who so truly Served my father, I can give him But these open arms wherein He will find what'er he wishes.