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

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 I 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