BASILIUS, ESTRELLA and Attendants, SIGISMUND, ASTOLFO, and CLOTALDO.
BASILIUS. Swords flashing here!--
ESTRELLA [aside]. Astolfo is engaged: -- Oh, pain severe!
BASILIUS. What caused this quarrel? Speak, say why?
ASTOLFO. 'Tis nothing now, my lord, since thou art by.
SIGISMUND. 'Tis much, although thou now art by, my lord.
I wished to kill this old man with my sword.
BASILIUS. Did you not then respect
These snow-white hairs?
CLOTALDO. My lord will recollect
They scarce deserved it, being mine.
SIGISMUND. Who dares
To ask of me do I respect white hairs?
Your own some day
My feet may trample in the public way,
For I have not as yet revenged my wrong,
Your treatment so unjust and my sad state so long.
[Exit.]
BASILIUS. But ere that dawn doth break,
You must return to sleep, where when you wake
All that hath happened here will seem --
As is the glory of the world -- a dream.
[Exeunt The King, CLOTALDO, and Attendants.]
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