Racine: Phaedra

2 20
CALDERON
Scene II. The Palace at Warsaw. Enter on one side Astoifo,
Duke of Muscovy, with his train; and, on the other, the
Princess Estrella, with hers.
AsTOLFO,—My royal cousin, if so near in blood,
Till this auspicious meeting scarcely known,
Till all that beauty promised in the bud
Is now to its consummate blossom blown,
Well met at last ; and may
Estrella.— Enough, my Lord,
Of compliment devised for you by some
Court tailor, and, believe me, still too short
To cover the designful heart below.
AsTOLFO.—Nay, but indeed, fair cousin
Estrella.— Ay, let Deed
Measure your words, indeed your flowers of speech
111 with your iron equipage atone
Irony indeed, and wordy compliment.
AsTOLFO.—Indeed, indeed, you wrong me, royal cousin,
And fair as royal, misinterpreting
What, even for the end you think I aim at.
If false to you, were fatal to myself.
Estrella.—Why, what else means the glittering steel, my Lord
That bristles in the rear of these fine words ?
What can it mean, but, failing to cajole.
To fight or force me from my just pretension?
Astolfo.—Nay, might I not ask ev'n the same of you.
The nodding helmets of whose men at arms
Out-crest the plumage of your lady court?
Estrella.—But to defend what yours would force from me.
Astolfo.—Might not I, lady, say the same of mine ?
But not to come to battle, ev'n of words.
With a fair lady, and my kinswoman ;
And as averse to stand before your face.
Defenceless, and condemn'd in your disgrace,
Till the good king be here to clear it all
Will you vouchsafe to hear me?
Estrella.— As you will.
Astolfo.—You know that, when about to leave this world,
Our royal grandsire, King Alfonso, left