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

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