Racine: Phaedra

240
CALDERON
Your dignity ; but, knowing it, no more
Than when I knew it not, your subject.
Segismund.— What then?
AsTOLFO.—Your Highness' chamberlain ev'n now has told you
Astolfo, Duke of Muscovy,
Your father's sister's son; your cousin, sir:
And who as such, and in his own right Prince,
Expects from you the courtesy he shows.
Chamberlain,—His Highness is as yet unused to Court,
And to the ceremonious interchange
Of compliment, especially to those
Who draw their blood from the same royal fountain.
Segismund.—Where is the lad ? I weary of all this
Prince, cousins, chamberlains, and compliments
Where are my soldiers? Blow the trumpet, and
With one sharp blast scatter these butterflies,
And bring the men of iron to my side.
With whom a king feels like a king indeed
Voices [within].—Within there! room for the Princess Es-
trella
Enter Estrella with Ladies.
Estrella.—Welcome, my Lord, right welcome to the throne
That much too long has waited for your coming:
And, in the general voice of Poland, hear
A kinswoman and cousin's no less sincere.
Segismund.—Ay, this is welcome welcome-worth indeed,
And cousin cousin-worth ! Oh, I have thus
Over the threshold of the mountain seen,
Leading a bevy of fair stars, the moon
Enter the court of heav'n—My kinswoman 1
My cousin ! But my subject ?
Estrella.— If you please
To count your cousin for your subject, sir,
You shall not find her a disloyal.
Segismund.— Oh,
But there are twin stars in that heav'nly face.
That now I know for having over-ruled
Those evil ones that darken'd all my past.
And brought me forth from that captivity
To be the slave of her who set me free.