That s my Duchess painted on the wall, looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a

wonder, now; Fra Pandolf s hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands. Will t please you sit and look at her？ [......] - E en then would be some stooping; and I choose Never to stoop. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, When er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile ？ This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands As if alive. Willt please you rise？ Well meet The Company below., then. I repeat. The count your master s known munificence Is ample warrant that no just pretense Of mine for dowry will be disallowed; Though his fair daughter s self, as I avowed At starting, is my object. Nay, we 11 go Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea horse, though a rarity, Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me! Questions:

Identify the author of the work from which the passage is selected.