SOL.
His wits have been distemper'd with their drugs.
But do you ask him, Captain.

CAPT.
On my knees,
And in the name of all who kneel with me,
I do beseech your Highness answer to
Your royal title.

FIFE.
Still, just as you please.
In my own poor opinion of myself--
But that may all be dreaming, which it seems
Is very much the fashion in this country
No Polish prince at all, but a poor lad
From Muscovy; where only help me back,
I promise never to contest the crown
Of Poland with whatever gentleman
You fancy to set up.

SOLDIERS.
--From Muscovy?
--A spy then--
--Of Astolfo's--
--Spy! a spy
--Hang him at once!

FIFE.
No, pray don't dream of that!

SOL.
How dared you then set yourself up for our Prince Segismund?

FIFE.
_I_ set up!--_I_ like that
When 'twas yourselves be-siegesmunded me.

CAPT.
No matter--Look!--The signal from the tower.
Prince Segismund!

SOL. (from the tower).
Prince Segismund!

CAPT.
All's well. Clotaldo safe secured?--

SOL. (from the tower).
No--by ill luck,
Instead of coming in, as we had look'd for,
He sprang on horse at once, and off at gallop.

CAPT.
To Court, no doubt--a blunder that--And yet
Perchance a blunder that may work as well
As better forethought. Having no suspicion
So will he carry none where his not going
Were of itself suspicious. But of those
Within, who side with us?

SOL.
Oh, one and all
To the last man, persuaded or compell'd.

CAPT.
Enough: whatever be to be retrieved
No moment to be lost. For though Clotaldo
Have no revolt to tell of in the tower,
The capital will soon awake to ours,
And the King's force come blazing after us.
Where is the Prince?

SOL.
Within; so fast asleep
We woke him not ev'n striking off the chain
We had so cursedly help bind him with,
Not knowing what we did; but too ashamed
Not to undo ourselves what we had done.

CAPT.
No matter, nor by whosesoever hands,
Provided done. Come; we will bring him forth
Out of that stony darkness here abroad,
Where air and sunshine sooner shall disperse
The sleepy fume which they have drugg'd him with.

(They enter the