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

conceit To bridle him; but you became yourself The pliant tool of his exalted plans. That I became a prisoner, my arrest, Was his deep friendship's meditated work. That letter to Prince William was designed To save my life. It was the first deceit He ever practised. To insure my safety He rushed on death himself, and nobly perished. You lavished on him all your favor; yet For me he died. Your heart, your confidence, You forced upon him. As a toy he held Your sceptre and your power; he cast them from him, And gave his life for me.

[The KING stands motionless, with eyes fixed on the ground;
all the GRANDEES regard him with surprise and alarm.

How could it be That you gave credit to this strange deceit? Meanly indeed he valued you, to try By such coarse artifice to win his ends. You dared to court his friendship, but gave way Before a test so simple. Oh, no! never For souls like yours was such a being formed. That well he knew himself, when he rejected Your crowns, your gifts, your greatness, and yourself. This fine-toned lyre broke in your iron hand, And you could do no more than murder him.

ALVA (never having taken his eyes from the KING, and observing his
emotion with uneasiness, approaches him with apprehension). Keep not this deathlike silence, sire. Look round, And speak at least to us.

CARLOS.
Once you were not Indifferent to him. And deeply once You occupied his thoughts. It might have been His lot to make you happy. His full heart Might have enriched you; with its mere abundance An atom of his soul had been enough To make a god of you. You've robbed yourself - Plundered yourself and me. What could you give, To raise again a spirit like to this?

[Deep silence. Many of the GRANDEES turn away, or conceal
their faces in their mantles.

Oh, ye who stand around with terror dumb, And mute surprise, do not condemn the youth Who holds this language to the king, his father. Look on this corpse. Behold! for me he died. If ye have tears - if in your veins flow blood, Not molten brass, look here, and blame me not.

[He turns to the KING with more self-possession and calmness.

Doubtless you wait the end of this rude scene? Here is my sword, for you are still my king. Think not I fear your vengeance. Murder me, As you have murdered this most noble man. My life is forfeit; that I know full well. But what is life to me? I here renounce All that this world can offer to my hopes. Seek among strangers for a son. Here lies My kingdom.

[He sinks down on the corpse, and takes no part in what follows.
A confused tumult and the noise of a crowd is heard in the distance.
All is deep silence round the KING. His eyes scan the circle over,
but no one returns his looks.

KING.
What! Will no one make reply? Each eye upon the ground, each look abashed! My sentence is pronounced. I read it here Proclaimed in all this lifeless, mute demeanor. My vassals have condemned me.

[Silence as before. The tumult grows louder. A murmur is heard
among the GRANDEES. They exchange embarrassed looks. COUNT LERMA
at length gently touches ALVA.

LERMA.
Here's rebellion!

ALVA (in a low voice). I fear it.

LERMA. It approaches! They are coming!


SCENE V.

An officer of the Body Guard. The former.

OFFICER (urgently). Rebellion! Where's the king?
[He makes his way through the crowd up to the KING.
Madrid's in arms! To thousands swelled, the soldiery and people Surround the palace; and reports are spread That Carlos is a prisoner - that his life Is threatened. And the mob demand to see Him living, or Madrid will be in flames.

THE GRANDEES (with excitement). Defend the king!

ALVA (to the KING, who remains quiet and unmoved).
Fly, sire! your life's in danger. As yet we know not who has armed the people.

KING (rousing from his stupor, and advancing with dignity among then). Stands my throne firm, and am I sovereign yet Over this empire? No! I'm king no more. These cowards weep - moved by a puny boy. They only wait the signal to desert me. I am betrayed by rebels!

ALVA.
Dreadful thought!

KING. There! fling yourselves before him - down before The young, the expectant king; I'm nothing now But a forsaken, old, defenceless man!

ALVA. Spaniards! is't come to this?

[All crowd round the KING, and fall on their knees before
him with drawn swords. CARLOS remains alone with the corpse,
deserted by all.

KING (tearing off his mantle and throwing it from him).
There! clothe him now With this my royal mantle; and on high Bear him in triumph o'er my trampled corpse!

[He falls senseless in ALVA's and LERMA's arms.

LERMA. For heaven's sake, help!

FERIA.
Oh, sad, disastrous chance!

LERMA. He faints!

ALVA (leaves the KING in LERMA's and FERIA's hands).
Attend his majesty! whilst I Make it my aim to tranquillize Madrid.

[Exit ALVA. The KING is borne off, attended by all the grandees.


SCENE VI.

CARLOS remains behind with the corpse. After a few moments Louis
MERCADO appears, looks cautiously round him, and stands a long time
silent behind the PRINCE, who does not observe him.

MERCADO. I come, prince, from her majesty the queen.
[CARLOS turns away and makes no reply. My name, Mercado, I'm the queen's physician See my credentials.
[Shows the PRINCE a signet ring. CARLOS remains still silent.
And the queen desires To speak with you to-day - on weighty business.

CARLOS. Nothing is weighty in this world to me.

MERCADO. A charge the Marquis Posa left with her.

CARLOS (looking up quickly). Indeed! I come this instant.

MERCADO.
No, not yet, Most gracious prince! you must delay till night. Each avenue is watched, the guards are doubled You ne'er could reach the palace unperceived; You would endanger everything.

CARLOS.
And yet - -

MERCADO. I know one means alone that can avail us. 'Tis the queen's thought, and she suggests it to you; But it is bold, adventurous, and strange!

CARLOS. What is it?

MERCADO.
A report has long prevailed That in the secret vaults, beneath the palace, At midnight, shrouded in a monk's attire, The emperor's departed spirit walks. The people still give credit to the tale, And the guards watch the post with inward terror. Now, if you but determine to assume This dress, you may pass freely through the guards, Until you reach the chamber of the queen, Which this small key will open. Your attire Will save you from attack. But on the spot, Prince! your decision must be made at once. The requisite apparel and the mask Are ready in your chamber. I must haste And take the queen your answer.

CARLOS.
And the hour?

MERCADO. It is midnight.

CARLOS.
Then inform her I will come.

[Exit MERCADO.


SCENE VII.

CARLOS and COUNT LERMA.

LERMA. Save yourself, prince! The king's enraged against you. Your liberty, if not your life's in danger! Ask me no further - I have stolen away To give you warning - fly this very instant!

CARLOS. Heaven will protect me!

LERMA.
As the queen observed To me, this moment, you must leave Madrid This very day, and fly to Brussels, prince. Postpone it not, I pray you. The commotion Favors your flight. The queen, with this design, Has raised it. No one will presume so far As to lay hand on you. Swift steeds await you At the Carthusian convent, and behold, Here are your weapons, should you be attacked.

[LERMA gives him a dagger and pistols.

CARLOS. Thanks, thanks, Count Lerma!

LERMA.
This day's sad event Has moved my inmost soul! No faithful friend Will ever love like him. No patriot breathes But weeps for you. More now I dare not say.

CARLOS. Count Lerma! he who's gone considered you A man of honor.

LERMA.
Farewell, prince, again! Success attend you! Happier times will come - But I shall be no more. Receive my homage!

[Falls on one knee.

CARLOS (endeavors to prevent him, with much emotion). Not so - not so, count! I am too much moved - I would not be unmanned!

LERMA (kissing his hand with feeling).
My children's king! To die for you will be their privilege! It is not mine, alas! But in those children Remember me! Return in peace to Spain. May you on Philip's throne feel as a man, For you have learned to suffer! Undertake No bloody deed against your father, prince! Philip compelled his father to yield up The throne to him; and this same Philip now Trembles at his own son. Think, prince, of that And may Heaven prosper and direct your path!

[Exit quickly. CARLOS about to hasten away by another side,
but turns rapidly round, and throws himself down before the copse,
which he again folds in his arms. He then hurries from the room.


SCENE VIII.

The KING's Antechamber.
DUKE ALVA and DUKE FERIA enter in conversation.

ALVA. The town is quieted. How is the king?

FERIA. In the most fearful state. Within his chamber He is shut up, and whatso'er may happen He will admit no person to his presence. The treason