Racine: Phaedra

939
CALDERON
Again to call me so ?—Within there ! You
Segismund calls—Prince Segismund
[He has seated himself on the throne.
Enter Chamberlain, with Lords in waiting.
Chamberlain.— I rejoice
That unadvised of any but the voice
Of royal instinct in the blood, your Highness
Has ta'en the chair that you were bom to fill.
Segismund,—The chair?
Chamberlain.— The royal throne of Poland, Sir,
Which may your Royal Highness keep as long
As he that now rules from it shall have ruled
When heav'n has call'd him to itself.
Segismund.— When he?
Chamberlain.—Your royal father, King Basilio, Sir.
Segismund.—My royal father—King Basilio.
You see I answer but as Echo does,
Not knowing what she listens or repeats.
This is my throne—this is my palace—Oh,
But this out of the window ?
Chamberlain.— Warsaw, Sir,
Your capital
Segismund.— And all the moving people ?
Chamberlain.—Your subjects and your vassals like ourselves.
Segismund.—Ay, ay—my subjects—in my capital
Warsaw—and I am Prince of it—You see
It needs much iteration to strike sense
Into the human echo.
Chamberlain.— Left awhile
In the quick brain, the word will quickly to
Full meaning blow. \
Segismund.— You think so?
Chamberlain.— And meanwhile
Lest our obsequiousness, which means no worse
Than customary honor to the Prince
We most rejoice to welcome, trouble you,
Should we retire again ? or stand apart ?
Or would your Highness have the music play