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

now prepared to hear it from me?

CARLOS. Have I offended thee? I was distracted. Roderigo, pardon me.

MARQUIS.
Distracted! How?

CARLOS. I scarcely know! But may I keep this tablet?

MARQUIS. Not so! I came to ask thee for thine own.

CARLOS. My tablet! Why?

MARQUIS.
And whatsoever writings You have, unfit to meet a stranger's eye - Letters or memorandums, and in short, Your whole portfolio.

CARLOS.
Why?

MARQUIS.
That we may be Prepared for accidents. Who can prevent Surprise? They'll never seek them in my keeping. Here, give them to me - -

CARLOS (uneasy).
Strange! What can it mean?

MARQUIS. Be not alarmed! 'Tis nothing of importance A mere precaution to prevent surprise. You need not be alarmed!

CARLOS (gives him the portfolio).
Be careful of it.

MARQUIS. Be sure I will.

CARLOS (looks at him significantly).
I give thee much, Roderigo!

MARQUIS. Not more than I have often had from thee. The rest we'll talk of yonder. Now farewell.

[Going.

CARLOS (struggling with himself, then calls him back). Give me my letters back; there's one amongst them The queen addressed to me at Alcala, When I was sick to death. Still next my heart I carry it; to take this letter from me Goes to my very soul. But leave me that, And take the rest.

[He takes it out, and returns the portfolio.

MARQUIS.
I yield unwillingly - For 'twas that letter which I most required.

CARLOS. Farewell!

[He goes away slowly, stops a moment at the door, turns
back again, and brings him the letter.

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.