Racine: Phaedra

LIFE A DREAM 363
And veriest disenchanter shall deny
For the too well-remember'd theatre
Of my long tragedy—Strike up the drums I
If this be Truth, and all of us awake,
Indeed a famous quarrel is at stake
If but a Vision 1 will see it out.
And, drive the Dream, I can but join the rout.
Captain.—And in good time, sir, for a palpable
Touchstone of truth and rightful vengeance too.
Here is Clotaldo taken.
Soldiers.— In with him!
In with the traitor! [Clotaldo brought in.
Segismund.— Ay, Clotaldo, indeed
Himself—in his old habit—his old self
What I
back again, Clotaldo, for a while
To swear me this for truth, and afterwards
All for a dreaming lie?
Clotaldo.— Awake or dreaming,
Down with that sword, and down these traitors theirs,
Drawn in rebellion 'gainst their Sovereign.
Segismund [about to strike].—Traitor! Traitor yourself!
But soft—soft—soft !
You told me, not so very long ago.
Awake or dreaming— I forget—my brain
Is not so clear about it—but I know
One test you gave me to discern between,
Which mad and dreaming people cannot master;
Or if the dreamer could, so best secure
A comfortable waking—Was't not so?
[To Rosaura] Needs not your intercession now, you
see.
As in the dream before
Clotaldo, rough old nurse and tutor too
That only traitor wert, to me if true
Give him his sword ; set him on a fresh horse
Conduct him safely through my rebel force
And so God speed him to his sovereign's side!
Give me your hand ; and whether all awake
Or all a-dreaming, ride, Clotaldo, ride
Dream-swift—for fear we dreams should overtake.
[A battle may be supposed to take place.