Don Carlos, Friedrich Schiller [read any book .txt] 📗

Duke Alva is appointed To Flanders.

QUEEN.
Yes, appointed - so I hear.

MARQUIS. The king cannot retract: - we know the king. This much is clear, the prince must not remain Here in Madrid, nor Flanders be abandoned.

QUEEN. And can you hinder it?

MARQUIS.
Perhaps I can, But then the means are dangerous as the evil - Rash as despair - and yet I know no other.

QUEEN. Name them.

MARQUIS.
To you, and you alone, my queen, Will I reveal them; for from you alone, Carlos will hear them named without a shudder. The name they bear is somewhat harsh.

QUEEN.
Rebellion!

MARQUIS. He must prove faithless to the king, and fly With secrecy to Brussels, where the Flemings Wait him with open arms. The Netherlands Will rise at his command. Our glorious cause From the king's son will gather matchless strength, The Spanish throne shall tremble at his arms, And what his sire denied him in Madrid, That will he willingly concede in Brussels.

QUEEN. You've spoken with the king to-day - and yet Maintain all this.

MARQUIS.
Yes, I maintain it all, Because I spoke with him.

QUEEN (after a pause).
The daring plan Alarms and pleases me. You may be right - The thought is bold, and that perhaps enchants me. Let it but ripen. Does Prince Carlos know it?

MARQUIS. It was my wish that he should hear it first From your own lips.

QUEEN.
The plan is doubtless good, But then the prince's youth - -

MARQUIS.
No disadvantage! He there will find the bravest generals Of the Emperor Charles - an Egmont and an Orange - In battle daring, and in council wise.

QUEEN (with vivacity). True - the design is grand and beautiful! The prince must act; I feel it sensibly. The part he's doomed to play here in Madrid Has bowed me to the dust on his account. I promise him the aid of France and Savoy; I think with you, lord marquis - he must act - But this design needs money - -

MARQUIS.
It is ready.

QUEEN. I, too, know means.

MARQUIS.
May I then give him hopes Of seeing you?

QUEEN.
I will consider it.

MARQUIS. The prince, my queen, is urgent for an answer. I promised to procure it.
[Presenting his writing tablet to the QUEEN.
Two short lines Will be enough.

QUEEN (after she has written).
When do we meet again?

MARQUIS. Whene'er you wish.

QUEEN.
Whene'er I wish it, marquis! How can I understand this privilege?

MARQUIS. As innocently, queen, as e'er you may. But we enjoy it - that is sure enough.

QUEEN (interrupting). How will my heart rejoice should this become A refuge for the liberties of Europe, And this through him! Count on my silent aid!

MARQUIS (with animation). Right well I knew your heart would understand me.

[The DUCHESS OLIVAREZ enters.

QUEEN (coldly to the MARQUIS). My lord! the king's commands I shall respect As law. Assure him of the queen's submission.

[She makes a sign to him. Exit MARQUIS.


SCENE IV.

A Gallery.
DON CARLOS, COUNT LERMA.

CARLOS. Here we are undisturbed. What would you now Impart to me?

LERMA.
Your highness has a friend Here at the court.

CARLOS (starting).
A friend! I knew it not! But what's your meaning?

LERMA.
I must sue for pardon That I am learned in more than I should know. But for your highness' comfort I've received it From one I may depend upon - in short, I have it from myself.

CARLOS.
Whom speak you of?

LERMA. The Marquis Posa.

CARLOS.
What!

LERMA.
And if your highness Has trusted to him more of what concerns you Than every one should know, as I am led To fear - -

CARLOS.
You fear!

LERMA.
He has been with the king.

CARLOS. Indeed!

LERMA.
Two hours in secret converse too.

CARLOS. Indeed!

LERMA.
The subject was no trifling matter.

CARLOS. That I can well believe.

LERMA.
And several times I heard your name.

CARLOS.
That's no bad sign, I hope.

LERMA. And then, this morning, in the king's apartment, The queen was spoken of mysteriously.

CARLOS (starts back astonished). Count Lerma!

LERMA.
When the marquis had retired I was commanded to admit his lordship In future unannounced.

CARLOS.
Astonishing!

LERMA. And without precedent do I believe, Long as I served the king - -

CARLOS.
'Tis strange, indeed! How did you say the queen was spoken of?

LERMA (steps back). No, no, my prince! that were against my duty.

CARLOS. 'Tis somewhat strange! One secret you impart. The other you withhold.

LERMA.
The first was due To you, the other to the king.

CARLOS.
You're right.

LERMA. And still I've thought you, prince, a man of honor.

CARLOS. Then you have judged me truly.

LERMA.
But all virtue Is spotless till it's tried.

CARLOS.
Some stand the trial.

LERMA. A powerful monarch's favor is a prize Worth seeking for; and this alluring bait Has ruined many a virtue.

CARLOS.
Truly said!

LERMA. And oftentimes 'tis prudent to discover - What scarce can longer be concealed.

CARLOS.
Yes, prudent It may be, but you say you've ever known The marquis prove himself a man of honor.

LERMA. And if he be so still my fears are harmless, And you become a double gainer, prince.

[Going.

CARLOS (follows him with emotion, and presses his hand). Trebly I gain, upright and worthy man, I gain another friend, nor lose the one Whom I before possessed.

[Exit LERMA.


SCENE V.

MARQUIS POSA comes through the gallery. CARLOS.

MARQUIS.
Carlos! My Carlos!

CARLOS. Who calls me? Ah! 'tis thou - I was in haste To gain the convent! You will not delay.

[Going.

MARQUIS. Hold! for a moment.

CARLOS.
We may be observed.

MARQUIS. No chance of that. 'Tis over now. The queen - -

CARLOS. You've seen my father.

MARQUIS.
Yes! he sent for me.

CARLOS (full of expectation). Well!

MARQUIS.
'Tis all settled - you may see the queen.

CARLOS. Yes! but the king! What said the king to you?

MARQUIS. Not much. Mere curiosity to learn My history. The zeal of unknown friends - I know not what. He offered me employment.

CARLOS. Which you, of course, rejected?

MARQUIS.
Yes, of course

CARLOS. How did you separate?

MARQUIS.
Oh, well enough!

CARLOS. And was I mentioned?

MARQUIS.
Yes; in general terms.

[Taking out a pocketbook and giving it to the PRINCE.

See here are two lines written by the queen, To-morrow I will settle where and how.

CARLOS (reads it carelessly, puts the tablet in his pocket,
and is going). You'll meet me at the prior's?

MARQUIS.
Yes! But stay Why in such haste? No one is coming hither.

CARLOS (with a forced smile). Have we in truth changed characters? To-day You seem so bold and confident.

MARQUIS.
To-day - Wherefore to-day?

CARLOS.
What writes the queen to me?

MARQUIS. Have you not read this instant?

CARLOS.
I? Oh yes.

MARQUIS. What is't disturbs you now?

CARLOS (reads the tablet again, delighted and fervently).
Angel of Heaven! I will be so, - I will be worthy of thee. Love elevates great minds. So come what may, Whatever thou commandest, I'll perform. She writes that I must hold myself prepared For a great enterprise! What can she mean? Dost thou not know?

MARQUIS.
And, Carlos, if I knew, Say, art thou