Don Carlos

        You have it there.

[His hand trembles, tears start from his eyes, he falls on the neck of the MARQUIS, and presses his face to his bosom.

                  Oh, not my father,   Could do so much, Roderigo! Not my father!

[Exit hastily.

SCENE VI

MARQUIS (looks after him with astonishment)   And is this possible! And to this hour   Have I not known him fully? In his heart   This blemish has escaped my eye. Distrust   Of me – his friend! But no, 'tis calumny!   What hath he done that I accuse him thus   Of weakest weakness. I myself commit   The fault I charge on him. What have I done   Might well surprise him! When hath he displayed   To his best friend such absolute reserve?   Carlos, I must afflict thee – there's no help —   And longer still distress thy noble soul.   In me the king hath placed his confidence,   His holiest trust reposed – as in a casket,   And this reliance calls for gratitude.   How can disclosure serve thee when my silence   Brings thee no harm – serves thee, perhaps? Ah! why   Point to the traveller the impending storm?   Enough, if I direct its anger past thee!   And when thou wakest the sky's again serene.[Exit

SCENE VII

The KING's Cabinet.

The KING seated, near him the INFANTA CLARA EUGENIA.

KING (after a deep silence)   No – she is sure my daughter – or can nature   Thus lie like truth! Yes, that blue eye is mine!   And I am pictured in thy every feature.   Child of my love! for such thou art – I fold thee   Thus to my heart; thou art my blood.

[Starts and pauses:

                      My blood —   What's worse to fear? Are not my features his?

[Takes the miniature in his hand and looks first at the portrait, then at the mirror opposite; at last he throws it on the ground, rises hastily, and pushes the INFANTA from him.

   Away, away! I'm lost in this abyss.

SCENE VIII

COUNT LERMA and the KING.

LERMA   Her majesty is in the antechamber.KING   What! Now?LERMA          And begs the favor of an audience.KING   Now! At this unaccustomed hour! Not now —   I cannot see her yet.LERMA               Here comes the queen.

[Exit LERMA.

SCENE IX

The KING, the QUEEN enters, and the INFANTA.

The INFANTA runs to meet the QUEEN and clings to her;

the QUEEN falls at the KING's feet, who is silent, and appears confused and embarrassed.

QUEEN   My lord! My husband! I'm constrained to seek   Justice before the throne!KING                 What? Justice!QUEEN                          Yes!   I'm treated with dishonor at the court!   My casket has been rifled.KING                 What! Your casket?QUEEN   And things I highly value have been plundered.KING   Things that you highly value.QUEEN                   From the meaning   Which ignorant men's officiousness, perhaps,   Might give to them —KING              What's this? Officiousness,   And meaning! How? But rise.QUEEN                   Oh no, my husband!   Not till you bind yourself by sacred promise,   By virtue of your own authority,   To find the offender out, and grant redress,   Or else dismiss my suite, which hides a thief.KING   But rise! In such a posture! Pray you, rise.QUEEN (rises)   'Tis some one of distinction – I know well;   My casket held both diamonds and pearls   Of matchless value, but he only took   My letters.KING          May I ask —QUEEN                Undoubtedly,   My husband. They were letters from the prince:   His miniature as well.KING               From whom?QUEEN                     The prince,   Your son.KING         To you?QUEEN             Sent by the prince to me.KING   What! From Prince Carlos! Do you tell me that?QUEEN   Why not tell you, my husband?KING                   And not blush.QUEEN   What mean you? You must surely recollect   The letters Carlos sent me to St. Germains,   With both courts' full consent. Whether that leave   Extended to the portrait, or alone   His hasty hope dictated such a step,   I cannot now pretend to answer; but   If even rash, it may at least be pardoned   For thus much I may be his pledge – that then   He never thought the gift was for his mother.      [Observes the agitation of the KING.   What moves you? What's the matter?INFANTA (who has found the miniature on the ground, and has been playing with it, brings it to the QUEEN)                      Look, dear mother!   See what a pretty picture!QUEEN                 What then my —

[She recognizes the miniature, and remains in speechless astonishment. They both gaze at each other. After a long pause.

   In truth, this mode of trying a wife's heart   Is great and royal, sire! But I should wish   To ask one question?KING              'Tis for me to question.QUEEN   Let my suspicions spare the innocent.   And if by your command this theft was done —KING   It was so done!QUEEN            Then I have none to blame,   And none to pity – other than yourself —   Since you possess a wife on whom such schemes   Are thrown away.KING            This language is not new —   Nor shall you, madam, now again deceive me   As in the gardens of Aranjuez —   My queen of angel purity, who then   So haughtily my accusation spurned —   I know her better now.QUEEN               What mean you, sire?KING   Madam! thus briefly and without reserve —   Say is it true? still true, that you conversed   With no one there? Is really that the truth?QUEEN   I spoke there with the prince.KING                   Then is clear   As day! So daring! heedless of mine honor!QUEEN   Your honor, sire! If that be now the question,   A greater honor is, methinks, at stake   Than Castile ever brought me as a dowry.KING   Why did you then deny the prince's presence?QUEEN   Because I'm not accustomed to be questioned   Like a delinquent before all your courtiers;   I never shall deny the truth when asked   With kindness and respect. Was that the tone   Your majesty used towards me in Aranjuez?   Are your assembled grandees the tribunal   Queens must account to for their private conduct?   I gave the prince the interview he sought   With earnest prayer, because, my liege and lord,   I – the queen – wished and willed it, and because   I never can admit that formal custom   Should sit as judge on actions that are guiltless;   And I concealed it from your majesty   Because I chose not to contend with you   About this right in presence of your courtiers.KING   You speak with boldness, madam!QUEEN                    I may add,   Because the prince, in his own father's heart,   Scarce finds that kindness he so well deserves.KING   So well deserves!QUEEN             Why, sire! should I conceal it!   Highly do I esteem him – yes! and love him   As a most dear relation, who was once   Deemed worthy of a dearer – tenderer – title.   I've yet to learn that he, on this account,   Should be estranged from me beyond all others, —   Because he once was better loved than they.   Though your state policy may knit together   What bands it pleases – 'tis a harder task   To burst such ties! I will not hate another   For any one's command – and since I must   So speak – such dictates I will not endure.KING   Elizabeth! you've seen me in weak moments —   And their remembrance now emboldens you.   On that strong influence you now depend,   Which you have often, with so much success,   Against my firmness tried. But fear the more   The power which has seduced me to be weak   May yet inflame me to some act of madness.QUEEN   What have I done?KING (takes her hand)             If it should prove but so —   And is it not already? If the full   Accumulated measure of your guilt   Become but one breath heavier – should I be   Deceived —

[Lets her hand go.

          I can subdue these last remains   Of weakness – can and will – then woe betide   Myself and you, Elizabeth!QUEEN                 What crime   Have I committed?KING             On my own account then   Shall blood be shed.QUEEN              And has it come to this?   Oh, Heaven!KING   I shall forget myself – I shall   Regard no usage and no voice of nature —   Not e'en the law of nations.QUEEN                  Oh, how much   I pity you!KING          The pity of a harlot!INFANTA (clinging to her mother in terror)   The king is angry, and my mother weeps.

[KING pushes the child violently from the QUEEN.

QUEEN (with mildness and dignity, but with faltering voice)   This child I must protect from cruelty —   Come with me, daughter.

[Takes her in her arms.

                If the king no more   Acknowledge thee – beyond the Pyrenees   I'll call protectors to defend our cause.

[Going.

KING (embarrassed)   Queen!QUEEN       I can bear no more – it is too much!

[Hastening to the door, she falls with her child on the threshold.

KING (running to her assistance)   Heavens! What is that?INFANTA (cries out with terror)                She bleeds! My mother bleeds!

[Runs out.

KING (anxiously assisting her)   Oh, what a fearful accident! You bleed;   Do I deserve this cruel punishment?   Rise and collect yourself – rise, they are coming!   They will surprise us! Shall the assembled court   Divert themselves with such a spectacle?   Must I entreat you? Rise.

[She rises, supported by the KING.

SCENE X

The former, ALVA, DOMINGO entering, alarmed, ladies follow.

KING             Now let the queen   Be led to her apartment; she's unwell.

[Exit the QUEEN, attended by her ladies.

ALVA and DOMINGO come forward.

ALVA   The queen in tears, and blood upon her face!KING   Does that surprise the devils who've misled me?ALVA and DOMINGO   We?KING      You have said enough to drive me mad.   But nothing to convince me.ALVA                  We gave you   What we ourselves possessed.KING                  May hell reward you!   I've done what I repent of! Ah! was hers,   The language of a conscience dark with guilt?MARQUIS POSA (from without)   Say, can I see the king?

SCENE XI

The former, MARQUIS POSA.

KING (starts up at the sound of his voice, and advances      some paces to meet him).                 Ah! here he comes.   Right welcome, marquis! Duke! I need you now   No longer. Leave us.

[ALVA and DOMINGO look at each other with silent astonishment and retire.

SCENE XII

The KING, and MARQUIS POSA.

MARQUIS             That old soldier, sire,   Who has faced death, in twenty battles, for you,   Must hold it thankless to be so dismissed.KING   'Tis thus for you to think – for me to act;   In a few hours you have been more to me   Than that man in a lifetime. Nor shall I   Keep my content a secret. On your brow   The lustre of my high and royal favor   Shall shine resplendent – I will make that man   A mark for envy whom I choose my friend.MARQUIS   What if the veil of dark obscurity   Were his sole claim to merit such a title?KING   What come you now to tell me?MARQUIS                   As I passed   Along the antechamber a dread rumor   Fell on my ear, – it seemed incredible, —   Of a most angry quarrel – blood – the queen —KING   Come you from her?MARQUIS             I should be horrified   Were not the rumor false: or should perhaps   Your majesty meantime have done some act —   Discoveries of importance I have made,   Which wholly change the aspect of affairs.KING   How now?MARQUIS        I found an opportunity   To seize your son's portfolio, with his letters,   Which, as I hope, may throw some light —

[He gives the PRINCE's portfolio to the KING.

KING (looks through it eagerly)                        A letter   From the emperor, my father. How! a letter   Of which I ne'er remember to have heard.      [He reads it through, puts it aside, and goes      to the other papers.   A drawing of some fortress – detached thoughts   From Tacitus – and what is here? The hand   I surely recognize – it is a lady's.

[He reads it attentively, partly to himself, and partly aloud.

   "This key – the farthest chamber of the queen's   Pavilion!" Ha! what's this? "The voice of love, —   The timid lover – may – a rich reward."   Satanic treachery! I see it now.   'Tis she – 'tis her own writing!MARQUIS                    The queen's writing!   Impossible!KING          The Princess Eboli's.MARQUIS   Then, it was true, what the queen's page confessed,   Not long since – that he brought this key and letter.KING (grasping the MARQUIS' hand in great emotion)   Marquis! I see that I'm in dreadful hands.   This woman – I confess it – 'twas this woman   Forced the queen's casket: and my first suspicions   Were breathed by her. Who knows how deep the priest   May be engaged in this? I am deceived   By cursed villany.MARQUIS   Then it was lucky —KING   Marquis! O marquis! I begin to fear   I've wronged my wife.MARQUIS               If there exist between   The prince and queen some secret understandings,   They are of other import, rest assured,   Than those they charge her with. I know, for certain,   The prince's prayer to be despatched to Flanders   Was by the queen suggested.KING                  I have thought so.MARQUIS   The queen's ambitious. Dare I speak more fully?   She sees, with some resentment, her high hopes   All disappointed, and herself shut out   From share of empire. Your son's youthful ardor   Offers itself to her far-reaching views,   Her heart! I doubt if she can love.KING                      Her schemes   Of policy can never make me tremble.MARQUIS   Whether the Infant loves her – whether we   Have something worse to fear from him, – are things   Worthy our deep attention. To these points   Our strictest vigilance must be directed.KING   You must be pledge for him.MARQUIS                  And if the king   Esteem me capable of such a task,   I must entreat it be intrusted to me   Wholly without conditions.KING                 So it shall.MARQUIS   That in the steps which I may think required,   I may be thwarted by no coadjutors,   Whatever name they bear.KING                I pledge my word   You shall not. You have proved my guardian angel.   How many thanks I owe you for this service!

[LERMA enters – the KING to him.

   How did you leave the queen?LERMA                  But scarce recovered   From her deep swoon.

[He looks at the MARQUIS doubtfully, and exit.

MARQUIS (to the KING, after a pause)              One caution yet seems needful.   The prince may be advised of our design,   For he has many faithful friends in Ghent,   And may have partisans among the rebels.   Fear may incite to desperate resolves;   Therefore I counsel that some speedy means   Be taken to prevent this fatal chance.KING   You are quite right – but how?MARQUIS                   Your majesty   May sign a secret warrant of arrest   And place it in my hands, to be employed,   As may seem needful, in the hour of danger.

[The KING appears thoughtful.

   This step must be a most profound state secret   Until —KING (going to his desk and writing the warrant of arrest)        The kingdom is at stake, and now   The pressing danger sanctions urgent measures.   Here marquis! I need scarcely say – use prudence.MARQUIS (taking the warrant)   'Tis only for the last extremity.KING (laying his hand on the shoulder of the MARQUIS)   Go! Go, dear marquis! Give this bosom peace,   And bring back slumber to my sleepless pillow.

[Exeunt at different sides.

SCENE XIII

A Gallery.

CARLOS entering in extreme agitation, COUNT LERMA meeting him.

CARLOS   I have been seeking you.LERMA                And I your highness.CARLOS   For heaven's sake is it true?LERMA                   What do you mean?CARLOS   That the king drew his dagger, and that she   Was borne, all bathed in blood, from the apartment?   Now answer me, by all that's sacred; say,   What am I to believe? What truth is in it?LERMA   She fainted, and so grazed her skin in falling   That is the whole.CARLOS             Is there no further danger?   Count, answer on your honor.LERMA                  For the queen   No further danger; for yourself, there's much!CARLOS   None for my mother. Then, kind Heaven, I thank thee.   A dreadful rumor reached me that the king   Raved against child and mother, and that some   Dire secret was discovered.LERMA                  And the last   May possibly be true.CARLOS               Be true! What mean you?LERMA   One warning have I given you, prince, already,   And that to-day, but you despised it; now   Perhaps you'll profit better by a second.CARLOS   Explain yourself.LERMA             If I mistake not, prince,   A few days since I noticed in your hands   An azure-blue portfolio, worked in velvet   And chased with gold.CARLOS (with anxiety)               Yes, I had such a one.LERMA   And on the cover, if I recollect, a portrait   Set in pearls?CARLOS           'Tis right; go on.LERMA   I entered the king's chamber on a sudden,   And in his hands I marked that same portfolio,   The Marquis Posa standing by his side.CARLOS (after a short silence of astonishment, hastily)   'Tis false!LERMA (warmly)         Then I'm a traitor!CARLOS (looking steadfastly at him)                    That you are!LERMA   Well, I forgive you.CARLOS (paces the apartment in extreme agitation, at length       stands still before him).              Has he injured thee?   What have our guiltless ties of friendship done,   That with a demon's zeal thou triest to rend them?LERMA   Prince, I respect the grief which renders you   So far unjust.CARLOS           Heaven shield me from suspicion!LERMA   And I remember, too, the king's own words.   Just as I entered he addressed the marquis:   "How many thanks I owe you for this news."CARLOS   Oh, say no more!LERMA            Duke Alva is disgraced!   The great seal taken from the Prince Ruy Gomez,   And given to the marquis.CARLOS (lost in deep thought)                 And from me   Has he concealed all this? And why from me?LERMA   As minister all-powerful, the court   Looks on him now – as favorite unrivalled!CARLOS   He loved me – loved me greatly: I was dear   As his own soul is to him. That I know —   Of that I've had a thousand proofs. But should   The happiness of millions yield to one?   Must not his country dearer to him prove   Than Carlos? One friend only is too few   For his capacious heart. And not enough   Is Carlos' happiness to engross his love.   He offers me a sacrifice to virtue;   And shall I murmur at him? Now 'tis certain   I have forever lost him.

[He steps aside and covers his face.

LERMA                 Dearest prince!   How can I serve you?CARLOS (without looking at him)              Get you to the king;   Go and betray me. I have naught to give.LERMA   Will you then stay and brave the ill that follows?CARLOS (leans on a balustrade and looks forward with a vacant gaze)   I've lost him now, and I am destitute!LERMA (approaching him with sympathizing emotion)   And will you not consult your safety, prince?CARLOS   My safety! Generous man!LERMA:                 And is there, then,   No other person you should tremble for?CARLOS (starts up)   Heavens! you remind me now. Alas! My mother!   The letter that I gave him – first refused —   Then after, gave him!

[He paces backwards and forwards with agitation, wringing his hands.

               Has she then deserved   This blow from him? He should have spared her, Lerma.

[In a hasty, determined tone.

   But I must see her – warn her of her danger —   I must prepare her, Lerma, dearest Lerma!   Whom shall I send? Have I no friend remaining?   Yes! Heaven be praised! I still have one; and now   The worst is over.

[Exit quickly.

LEEMA (follows, and calls after him)   Whither, whither, prince?

SCENE XIV

The QUEEN, ALVA, DOMINGO.

ALVA   If we may be permitted, gracious queen —QUEEN   What are your wishes?DOMINGO               A most true regard   For your high majesty forbids us now   To watch in careless silence an event   Pregnant with danger to your royal safety.ALVA   We hasten, by a kind and timely warning,   To counteract a plot that's laid against you.DOMINGO   And our warm zeal, and our best services,   To lay before your feet, most gracious queen!QUEEN (looking at them with astonishment)   Most reverend sir, and you, my noble duke,   You much surprise me. Such sincere attachment,   In truth, I had not hoped for from Domingo,   Nor from Duke Alva. Much I value it.   A plot you mention, menacing my safety —   Dare I inquire by whom —ALVA   You will beware a certain Marquis Posa   He has of late been secretly employed   In the king's service.QUEEN               With delight I hear   The king has made so excellent a choice.   Report, long since, has spoken of the marquis   As a deserving, great, and virtuous man —   The royal grace was ne'er so well bestowed!DOMINGO   So well bestowed! We think far otherwise.ALVA   It is no secret now, for what designs   This man has been employed.QUEEN                  How! What designs?   You put my expectation on the rack.DOMINGO   How long is it since last your majesty   Opened your casket?QUEEN              Why do you inquire?DOMINGO   Did you not miss some articles of value?QUEEN   Why these suspicions? What I missed was then   Known to the court! But what of Marquis Posa?   Say, what connection has all this with him?ALVA   The closest, please your majesty – the prince   Has lost some papers of importance;   And they were seen this morning with the king   After the marquis had an audience of him.QUEEN (after some consideration)   This news is strange indeed – inexplicable   To find a foe where I could ne'er have dreamed it,   And two warm friends I knew not I possessed!

[Fixing her eyes steadfastly upon them.

   And, to speak truth, I had well nigh imputed   To you the wicked turn my husband served me.ALVA   To us!QUEEN       To you yourselves!DOMINGO                 To me! Duke Alva!QUEEN (her eyes still fastened on them)   I am glad to be so timely made aware   Of my rash judgment – else had I resolved   This very day to beg his majesty   Would bring me face to face with my accusers.   But I'm contented now. I can appeal   To the Duke Alva for his testimony.ALVA   For mine? You would not sure do that!QUEEN   Why not?ALVA        'Twould counteract the services we might   Render in secret to you.QUEEN                How! in secret?

[With stern dignity.

   I fain would know what secret projects, duke,   Your sovereign's spouse can have to form with you,   Or, priest! with you – her husband should not know?   Think you that I am innocent or guilty?DOMINGO   Strange question!ALVA             Should the monarch prove unjust —   And at this time —QUEEN   Then I must wait for justice   Until it come – and they are happiest far   Whose consciences may calmly wait their right.

[Bows to them and exit. DOMINGO and ALVA exeunt on the opposite side.

SCENE XV

Chamber Of PRINCESS EBOLI.

PRINCESS EBOLI. CARLOS immediately after.

EBOLI   Is it then true – the strange intelligence,   That fills the court with wonder?CARLOS (enters)                     Do not fear   Princess! I shall be gentle as a child.EBOLI   Prince, this intrusion!CARLOS                Are you angry still?   Offended still with me —EBOLI                Prince!CARLOS (earnestly)                     Are you angry?   I pray you answer me.EBOLI               What can this mean?   You seem, prince, to forget – what would you with me?CARLOS (seizing her hand with warmth)   Dear maiden! Can you hate eternally?   Can injured love ne'er pardon?EBOLI (disengaging herself)                   Prince! of what   Would you remind me?CARLOS              Of your kindness, dearest!   And of my deep ingratitude. Alas,   Too well I know it! deeply have I wronged thee —   Wounded thy tender heart, and from thine eyes,   Thine angel eyes, wrung precious tears, sweet maid!   But ah! 'tis not repentance leads me hither.EBOLI   Prince! leave me – I —CARLOS               I come to thee, because   Thou art a maid of gentle soul – because   I trust thy heart – thy kind and tender heart.   Think, dearest maiden! think, I have no friend,   No friend but thee, in all this wretched world —   Thou who wert once so kind wilt not forever   Hate me, nor will thy anger prove eternal.EBOLI (turning away her face)   O cease! No more! for heaven's sake! leave me, prince.CARLOS   Let me remind thee of those golden hours —   Let me remind thee of thy love, sweet maid —   That love which I so basely have offended!   Oh, let me now appear to thee again   As once I was – and as thy heart portrayed me.   Yet once again, once only, place my image,   As in days past, before thy tender soul,   And to that idol make a sacrifice   Thou canst not make to me.EBOLI                 Oh, Carlos, cease!   Too cruelly thou sportest with my feelings!CARLOS   Be nobler than thy sex! Forgive an insult!   Do what no woman e'er has done before thee,   And what no woman, after thee, can equal.   I ask of thee an unexampled favor.   Grant me – upon my knees I ask of thee   Grant me two moments with the queen, my mother!

[He casts himself at her feet.