The KING, CARLOS, the DUKESS ALVA, FERIA, and MEDINA SIDONIA,PRINCE OF PARMA, COUNT LERMA, DOMINGO, and numerous GRANDEES.KING (in a gentle tone).Thy prayer hath met a gracious hearing, prince,And here I come, with all the noble peersOf this my court, to bring thee liberty.[CARLOS raises his eyes and looks around him like one awakenedfrom a dream. His eyes are fixed now on the KING, now on thecorpse; he gives no answer.Receive thy sword again. We've been too rash![He approaches him, holds out his hand, and assists him to rise.My son's not in his place; Carlos, arise!Come to thy father's arms! His love awaits thee.CARLOS (receives the embrace of the KING without any consciousness.Suddenly recollects himself, pauses and looks fixedly at him).Thou smell'st of blood—no, I cannot embrace thee![Pushes his father back. All the GRANDEES are in commotion.CARLOS to them:—Nay, stand not there confounded and amazed!—What monstrous action have I done? DefiledThe anointed of the Lord! Oh, fear me not,I would not lay a hand on him. Behold,Stamped on his forehead is the damning brand!The hand of God hath marked him!KING (about to go quickly).Nobles! follow.CARLOS.Whither? You stir not from this spot.[Detaining the KING forcibly with both hands, while with onehe manages to seize the sword which the KING has brought withhim, and it comes from the scabbard.KING.What! DrawA sword upon thy father?ALL THE GRANDEES (drawing their swords).Regicide!CARLOS (holding the KING firmly with one hand, the naked swordin the other).Put up your swords! What! Think you I am mad?I am not so: or you were much to blameThus to remind me, that upon the pointOf this my sword, his trembling life doth hover.I pray you, stand aloof; for souls like mineNeed soothing. There—hold back! And with the kingWhat I have yet to settle touches notYour loyalty. See there—his hand is bloody!Do you not see it? And now look you here![Pointing to the corpse.This hath he done with a well-practised hand.KING (to the GRANDEES, who press anxiously around him).Retire! Why do you tremble? Are we notFather and son? I will yet wait and seeTo what atrocious crime his nature——
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CARLOS.NatureI know her not. Murder is now the word!The bonds of all humanity are severed,Thine own hands have dissolved them through the realm.Shall I respect a tie which thou hast scorned?Oh, see! see here! the foulest deed of bloodThat e'er the world beheld. Is there no GodThat kings, in his creation, work such havoc?Is there no God, I ask? Since mother's wombsBore children, one alone—and only one—So guiltlessly hath died. And art thou sensibleWhat thou hast done? Oh, no! he knows it not:Knows not that he has robbed—despoiled the worldOf a more noble, precious, dearer lifeThan he and all his century can boast.KING (with a tone of softness).If I have been too hasty, Carlos—thouFor whom I have thus acted, should at leastNot call me to account.CARLOS.Is't possible!Did you then never guess how dear to meWas he who here lies dead? Thou lifeless corpse!Instruct him—aid his wisdom, to resolveThis dark enigma now. He was my friend.And would you know why he has perished thus?He gave his life for me.KING.Ha? my suspicions!CARLOS.Pardon, thou bleeding corpse, that I profaneThy virtue to such ears. But let him blushWith deep-felt shame, the crafty politician,That his gray-headed wisdom was o'erreached,E'en by the judgment of a youth. Yes, sire,We two were brothers! Bound by nobler bandsThan nature ties. His whole life's bright careerWas love. His noble death was love for me.E'en in the moment when his brief esteemExalted you, he was my own. And whenWith fascinating tongue he sported withYour haughty, giant mind, 'twas your conceitTo bridle him; but you became yourselfThe 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 designedTo save my life. It was the first deceitHe ever practised. To insure my safetyHe rushed on death himself, and nobly perished.You lavished on him all your favor; yetFor me he died. Your heart, your confidence,You forced upon him. As a toy he heldYour 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 beThat you gave credit to this strange deceit?Meanly indeed he valued you, to tryBy such coarse artifice to win his ends.You dared to court his friendship, but gave wayBefore a test so simple. Oh, no! neverFor souls like yours was such a being formed.That well he knew himself, when he rejectedYour 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 hisemotion with uneasiness, approaches him with apprehension).Keep not this deathlike silence, sire. Look round,And speak at least to us.CARLOS.Once you were notIndifferent to him. And deeply onceYou occupied his thoughts. It might have beenHis lot to make you happy. His full heartMight have enriched you; with its mere abundanceAn atom of his soul had been enoughTo 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 concealtheir faces in their mantles.Oh, ye who stand around with terror dumb,And mute surprise, do not condemn the youthWho 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 renounceAll that this world can offer to my hopes.Seek among strangers for a son. Here liesMy 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 hereProclaimed in all this lifeless, mute demeanor.My vassals have condemned me.[Silence as before. The tumult grows louder. A murmur is heardamong the GRANDEES. They exchange embarrassed looks. COUNT LERMAat length gently touches ALVA.LERMA.Here's rebellion!ALVA (in a low voice).I fear it.LERMA.It approaches! They are coming!
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 peopleSurround the palace; and reports are spreadThat Carlos is a prisoner—that his lifeIs threatened. And the mob demand to seeHim 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 yetOver 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 beforeThe young, the expectant king; I'm nothing nowBut a forsaken, old, defenceless man!ALVA.Spaniards! is't come to this?[All crowd round the KING, and fall on their knees beforehim 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 nowWith this my royal mantle; and on highBear 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 IMake it my aim to tranquillize Madrid.[Exit ALVA. The KING is borne off, attended by all the grandees.
CARLOS remains behind with the corpse. After a few moments LouisMERCADO appears, looks cautiously round him, and stands a long timesilent 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 physicianSee my credentials.[Shows the PRINCE a signet ring. CARLOS remains still silent.And the queen desiresTo 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 doubledYou 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 prevailedThat 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 assumeThis dress, you may pass freely through the guards,Until you reach the chamber of the queen,Which this small key will open. Your attireWill save you from attack. But on the spot,Prince! your decision must be made at once.The requisite apparel and the maskAre ready in your chamber. I must hasteAnd take the queen your answer.CARLOS.And the hour?MERCADO.It is midnight.CARLOS.Then inform her I will come.[Exit MERCADO.
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 awayTo give you warning—fly this very instant!CARLOS.Heaven will protect me!LERMA.As the queen observedTo me, this moment, you must leave MadridThis very day, and fly to Brussels, prince.Postpone it not, I pray you. The commotionFavors your flight. The queen, with this design,Has raised it. No one will presume so farAs to lay hand on you. Swift steeds await youAt 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 eventHas moved my inmost soul! No faithful friendWill ever love like him. No patriot breathesBut weeps for you. More now I dare not say.CARLOS.Count Lerma! he who's gone considered youA 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 childrenRemember me! Return in peace to Spain.May you on Philip's throne feel as a man,For you have learned to suffer! UndertakeNo bloody deed against your father, prince!Philip compelled his father to yield upThe throne to him; and this same Philip nowTrembles at his own son. Think, prince, of thatAnd 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.
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 chamberHe is shut up, and whatso'er may happenHe will admit no person to his presence.The treason of the marquis has at onceChanged his whole nature. We no longer know him.ALVA.I must go to him, nor respect his feelings.A great discovery which I have made——FERIA.A new discovery!ALVA.A Carthusian monkMy guards observed, with stealthy footsteps, creepInto the prince's chamber, and inquireWith anxious curiosity, aboutThe Marquis Posa's death. They seized him straight,And questioned him. Urged by the fear of death,He made confession that he bore about himPapers of high importance, which the marquisEnjoined him to deliver to the prince,If, before sunset, he should not return.FERIA.Well, and what further?ALVA.These same letters stateThat Carlos from Madrid must fly beforeThe morning dawn.FERIA.Indeed!ALVA.And that a ship at Cadiz liesReady for sea, to carry him to Flushing.And that the Netherlands but wait his presence,To shake the Spanish fetters from their arms.FERIA.Can this be true?ALVA.And other letters sayA fleet of Soliman's will sail for Rhodes,According to the treaty, to attackThe Spanish squadron in the Midland seas.FERIA.Impossible.ALVA.And hence I understandThe object of the journeys, which of lateThe marquis made through Europe. 'Twas no lessThan to rouse all the northern powers to armsIn aid of Flanders' freedom.FERIA.Was it so?ALVA.There is besides appended to these lettersThe full concerted plan of all the warWhich is to disunite from Spain's controlThe Netherlands forever. Naught omitted;The power and opposition close compared;All the resources accurately noted,Together with the maxims to be followed,And all the treaties which they should conclude.The plan is fiendish, but 'tis no less splendid.FERIA.The deep, designing traitor!ALVA.And, moreover,There is allusion made, in these same letters,To some mysterious conference the princeMust with his mother hold upon the evePreceding his departure.FERIA.That must beThis very day.ALVA.At midnight. But for thisI have already taken proper steps.You see the case is pressing. Not a momentIs to be lost. Open the monarch's chamber.FERIA.Impossible! All entrance is forbidden.ALVA.I'll open then myself; the increasing dangerMust justify my boldness.[As he is on the point of approaching the door it opens,and the KING comes out.FERIA.'Tis himself.
The KING. The preceding.All are alarmed at his appearance, fall back, and let himpass through them. He appears to be in a waking dream, like asleep-walker. His dress and figure indicate the disorder causedby his late fainting. With slow steps he walks past the GRANDEESand looks at each with a fixed eye, but without recognizing any ofthem. At last he stands still, wrapped in thought, his eyes fixedon the ground, till the emotions of his mind gradually expressthemselves in words.KING.Restore me back the dead! Yes, I must have him.DOMINGO (whispering to ALVA).Speak to him, duke.KING.He died despising me!Have him again I must, and make him thinkMore nobly of me.ALVA (approaching with fear).Sire!KING (looking round the circle).Who speaks to me!Have you forgotten who I am? Why notUpon your knees, before your king, ye creatures!Am I not still your king? I must commandSubmission from you. Do you all then slight meBecause one man despised me?ALVA.Gracious king!No more of him: a new and mightier foeArises in the bosom of your realm.FERIA.Prince Carlos——KING.Had a friend who died for him;For him! With me he might have shared an empire.How he looked down upon me! From the throneKings look not down so proudly. It was plainHow vain his conquest made him. His keen sorrowConfessed how great his loss. Man weeps not soFor aught that's perishable. Oh, that he mightBut live again! I'd give my Indies for it!Omnipotence! thou bring'st no comfort to me:Thou canst not stretch thine arm into the graveTo rectify one little act, committedWith hasty rashness, 'gainst the life of man.The dead return no more. Who dare affirmThat I am happy? In the tomb he dwells,Who scorned to flatter me. What care I nowFor all who live? One spirit, one free being,And one alone, arose in all this age!He died despising me!ALVA.Our lives are useless!Spaniards, let's die at once! E'en in the graveThis man still robs us of our monarch's heart.KING (sits down, and leans his head on his arm).Oh! had he died for me! I loved him, too,And much. Dear to me was he as a son.In his young mind there brightly rose for meA new and beauteous morning. Who can sayWhat I had destined for him? He to meWas a first love. All Europe may condemn me,Europe may overwhelm me with its curse,But I deserved his thanks.DOMINGO.What spell is this?KING.And, say, for whom did he desert me thus?A boy,—my son? Oh, no, believe it not!A Posa would not perish for a boy;The scanty flame of friendship could not fillA Posa's heart. It beat for human kind.His passion was the world, and the whole courseOf future generations yet unborn.To do them service he secured a throne—And lost it. Such high treason 'gainst mankindCould Posa e'er forgive himself? Oh, no;I know his feelings better. Not that heCarlos preferred to Philip, but the youth—The tender pupil,—to the aged monarch.The father's evening sunbeam could not ripenHis novel projects. He reserved for thisThe young son's orient rays. Oh, 'tis undoubted,They wait for my decease.ALVA.And of your thoughts,Read in these letters strongest confirmation.KING.'Tis possible he may miscalculate.I'm still myself. Thanks, Nature, for thy gifts;I feel within my frame the strength of youth;I'll turn their schemes to mockery. His virtueShall be an empty dream—his death, a fool's.His fall shall crush his friend and age together.We'll test it now—how they can do without me.The world is still for one short evening mine,And this same evening will I so employ,That no reformer yet to cone shall reapAnother harvest, in the waste I'll leave,For ten long generations after me.He would have offered me a sacrificeTo his new deity—humanity!So on humanity I'll take revenge.And with his puppet I'll at once commence.[To the DUKE ALVA.What you have now to tell me of the prince,Repeat. What tidings do these letters bring?ALVA.These letters, sire, contain the last bequestOf Posa to Prince Carlos.KING (reads the papers, watched by all present. He then lays them asideand walks in silence up and down the room).Summon straightThe cardinal inquisitor; and begHe will bestow an hour upon the king,This very night!TAXIS.Just on the stroke of twoThe horses must be ready and prepared,At the Carthusian monastery.ALVA.SpiesDespatched by me, moreover, have observedEquipments at the convent for a journey,On which the prince's arms were recognized.FERIA.And it is rumored that large sums are raisedIn the queen's name, among the Moorish agents,Destined for Brussels.KING.Where is Carlos?ALVA.With Posa's body.KING.And there are lights as yetWithin the queen's apartments?ALVA.EverythingIs silent there. She has dismissed her maidsFar earlier than as yet has been her custom.The Duchess of Arcos, who was last with her,Left her in soundest sleep.[An officer of the Body Guard enters, takes the DUKE OF FERIAaside, and whispers to him. The latter, struck with surprise,turns to DUKE ALVA. The others crowd round him, and a murmuringnoise arises.FERIA, TAXIS, and DOMINGO (at the same time)'Tis wonderful!KING.What is the matter!FERIA.News scarce credible!DOMINGO.Two soldiers, who have just returned from duty,Report—but—oh, the tale's ridiculous!KING.What do they say?ALVA.They say, in the left wingOf the queen's palace, that the emperor's ghostAppeared before them, and with solemn gaitPassed on. This rumor is confirmed by allThe sentinels, who through the whole pavilionTheir watches keep. And they, moreover, add,The phantom in the queen's apartment vanished.KING.And in what shape appeared it?OFFICER.In the robes,The same attire he in Saint Justi woreFor the last time, apparelled as a monk.KING.A monk! And did the sentries know his personWhilst he was yet alive? They could not elseDetermine that it was the emperor.OFFICER.The sceptre which he bore was evidenceIt was the emperor.DOMINGO.And the story goesHe often has been seen in this same dress.KING.Did no one speak to him?OFFICER.No person dared.The sentries prayed, and let him pass in silence.KING.The phantom vanished in the queen's apartments!OFFICER.In the queen's antechamber.[General silence.KING (turns quickly round).What say you?ALVA.Sire! we are silent.KING (after some thought, to the OFFICER).Let my guards be readyAnd under arms, and order all approachTo that wing of the palace to be stopped.I fain would have a word with this same ghost.[Exit OFFICER. Enter a PAGE.PAGE.The cardinal inquisitor.KING (to all present).Retire![The CARDINAL INQUISITOR, an old man of ninety, and blind, enters,supported on a staff, and led by two Dominicans. The GRANDEES fallon their knees as he passes, and touch the hem of his garment. Hegives them his blessing, and they depart.
The KING and the GRAND INQUISITOR. A long silence.GRAND INQUISITOR.Say, do I stand before the king?KING.You do.GRAND INQUISITOR.I never thought it would be so again!KING.I now renew the scenes of early youth,When Philip sought his sage instructor's counsel.GRAND INQUISITOR.Your glorious sire, my pupil, Charles the Fifth,Nor sought or needed counsel at my hands.KING.So much happier he! I, cardinal,Am guilty of a murder, and no rest——GRAND INQUISITOR.What was the reason for this murder?KING.'TwasA fraud unparalleled——GRAND INQUISITOR.I know it all.KING.What do you know? Through whom, and since what time?GRAND INQUISITOR.For years—what you have only learned since sunset.KING (with astonishment).You know this man then!GRAND INQUISITOR.All his life is notedFrom its commencement to its sudden close,In Santa Casa's holy registers.KING.Yet he enjoyed his liberty!GRAND INQUISITOR.The chainWith which he struggled, but which held him bound,Though long, was firm, nor easy to be severed.KING.He has already been beyond the kingdom.GRAND INQUISITOR.Where'er he travelled I was at his side.KING (walks backwards and forwards in displeasure).You knew the hands, then, I had fallen into;And yet delayed to warn me!GRAND INQUISITOR.This rebukeI pay you back. Why did you not consult usBefore you sought the arms of such a man?You knew him: one sole glance unmasked him to you.Why did you rob the office of its victim?Are we thus trifled with! When majestyCan stoop to such concealment, and in secret,Behind our backs, league with our enemies,What must our fate be then? If one be sparedWhat plea can justify the fate of thousands?KING.But he, no less, has fallen a sacrifice.GRAND INQUISITOR.No; he is murdered—basely, foully murdered.The blood that should so gloriously have flowedTo honor us has stained the assassin's hand.What claim had you to touch our sacred rights?He but existed, by our hands to perish.God gave him to this age's exigence,To perish, as a terrible example,And turn high-vaunting reason into shame.Such was my long-laid plan—behold, destroyedIn one brief hour, the toil of many years.We are defrauded, and your only gainIs bloody hands.KING.Passion impelled me to it.Forgive me.GRAND INQUISITOR.Passion! And does royal PhilipThus answer me? Have I alone grown old?[Shaking his head angrily.Passion! Make conscience free within your realms,If you're a slave yourself.KING.In things like thisI'm but a novice. Bear in patience with me.GRAND INQUISITOR.No, I'm ill pleased with you—to see you thusTarnish the bygone glories of your reign.Where is that Philip, whose unchanging soul,Fixed as the polar star in heaven above,Round its own axis still pursued its course?Is all the memory of preceding yearsForever gone? And did the world becomeNew moulded when you stretched your hand to him?Was poison no more poison? Did distinction'Twixt good and evil, truth and falsehood, vanish?What then is resolution? What is firmness?What is the faith of man, if in one weak,Unguarded hour, the rules of threescore yearsDissolve in air, like woman's fickle favor?KING.I looked into his eyes. Oh, pardon meThis weak relapse into mortality.The world has one less access to your heart;Your eyes are sunk in night.GRAND INQUISITOR.What did this manWant with you? What new thing could he adduce,You did not know before? And are you versedSo ill with fanatics and innovators?Does the reformer's vaunting language soundSo novel to your ears? If the firm edificeOf your conviction totters to mere words,Should you not shudder to subscribe the fateOf many thousand poor, deluded soulsWho mount the flaming pile for nothing worse?KING.I sought a human being. These Domingos——GRAND INQUISITOR.How! human beings! What are they to you?Cyphers to count withal—no more! Alas!And must I now repeat the elementsOf kingly knowledge to my gray-haired pupil?An earthly god must learn to bear the wantOf what may be denied him. When you whineFor sympathy is not the world your equal?What rights should you possess above your equals?KING (throwing himself into a chair).I'm a mere suffering mortal, that I feel;And you demand from me, a wretched creature,What the Creator only can perform.GRAND INQUISITOR.No, sire; I am not thus to be deceived.I see you through. You would escape from us.The church's heavy chains pressed hard upon you;You would be free, and claim your independence.[He pauses. The KING is silent.We are avenged. Be thankful to the church,That checks you with the kindness of a mother.The erring choice you were allowed to makeHas proved your punishment. You stand reproved!Now you may turn to us again. And knowIf I, this day, had not been summoned here,By Heaven above! before to-morrow's sun,You would yourself have stood at my tribunal!KING.Forbear this language, priest. Restrain thyself.I'll not endure it from thee. In such tonesNo tongue shall speak to me.GRAND INQUISITOR.Then why, O kingCall up the ghost of Samuel? I've anointedTwo monarchs to the throne of Spain. I hopedTo leave behind a firm-established work.I see the fruit of all my life is lost.Don Philip's hands have shattered what I built.But tell me, sire, wherefore have I been summoned?What do I hear? I am not minded, king,To seek such interviews again.KING.But oneOne service more—the last—and then in peaceDepart. Let all the past be now forgotten—Let peace be made between us. We are friends.GRAND INQUISITOR.When Philip bends with due humility.KING (after a pause).My son is meditating treason.GRAND INQUISITOR,Well!And what do you resolve?KING.On all, or nothing.GRAND INQUISITOR.What mean you by this all?KING.He must escape,Or die.GRAND INQUISITOR.Well, sire! decide.KING.And can you notEstablish some new creed to justifyThe bloody murder of one's only son?GRAND INQUISITOR.To appease eternal justice God's own SonExpired upon the cross.KING.And can you spreadThis creed throughout all Europe?GRAND INQUISITOR.Ay, as farAs the true cross is worshipped.KING.But I sin—Sin against nature. Canst thou, by thy power,Silence her mighty voice.GRAND INQUISITOR.The voice of natureAvails not over faith.KING.My right to judgeI place within your hands. Can I retraceThe step once taken?GRAND INQUISITOR.Give him to me!KING.My only son! For whom then have I labored?GRAND INQUISITOR.For the grave rather than for liberty!KING (rising up).We are agreed. Come with me.GRAND INQUISITOR.Monarch! WhitherKING.From his own father's hands to take the victim.[Leads him away.
Queen's Apartment.CARLOS. The QUEEN. Afterwards the KING and attendants. CARLOSin monk's attire, a mask over his face, which he is just takingoff; under his arm a naked sword. It is quite dark. He approachesa door, which is in the act of opening. The QUEEN comes out inher night-dress with a lighted candle. CARLOS falls on one kneebefore her.CARLOS.Elizabeth!QUEEN (regarding him with silent sorrow).Do we thus meet again?CARLOS.'Tis thus we meet again![A silence.QUEEN (endeavoring to collect herself).Carlos, arise!We must not now unnerve each other thus.The mighty dead will not be honored nowBy fruitless tears. Tears are for petty sorrows!He gave himself for thee! With his dear lifeHe purchased thine. And shall this precious bloodFlow for a mere delusion of the brain?Oh, Carlos, I have pledged myself for thee.On that assurance did he flee from henceMore satisfied. Oh, do not falsifyMy word.CARLOS (with animation)To him I'll raise a monumentNobler than ever honored proudest monarch,And o'er his dust a paradise shall bloom!QUEEN.Thus did I hope to find thee! This was stillThe mighty purpose of his death. On meDevolves the last fulfilment of his plans,And I will now fulfil my solemn oath.Yet one more legacy your dying friendBequeathed to me. I pledged my word to him,And wherefore should I now conceal it from you?To me did he resign his Carlos—IDefy suspicion, and no longer trembleBefore mankind, but will for once assumeThe courage of a friend; My heart shall speak.He called our passion—virtue! I believe him,And will my heart no longer——CARLOS.Hold, O queen!Long was I sunk in a delusive dream.I loved, but now I am at last awakeForgotten be the past. Here are your letters,—Destroy my own. Fear nothing from my passion,It is extinct. A brighter flame now burns,And purifies my being. All my loveLies buried in the grave. No mortal wishFinds place within this bosom.[After a pause, taking her hand.I have comeTo bid farewell to you, and I have learnedThere is a higher, greater good, my mother,Than to call thee mine own. One rapid nightHas winged the tardy progress of my years,And prematurely ripened me to manhood.I have no further business in the world,But to remember him. My harvest nowIs ended.[He approaches the QUEEN, who conceals her face.Mother! will you not reply!QUEEN.Carlos! regard not these my tears. I cannotRestrain then. But believe me I admire you.CARLOS.Thou wert the only partner of our leagueAnd by this name thou shalt remain to meThe most beloved object in this world.No other woman can my friendship share,More than she yesterday could win my love.But sacred shall the royal widow be,Should Providence conduct me to the throne.[The KING, accompanied by the GRAND INQUISITOR,appears in the background without being observed.I hasten to leave Spain, and never moreShall I behold my father in this world.No more I love him. Nature is extinctWithin this breast. Be you again his wife—His son's forever lost to him! ReturnBack to your course of duty—I must speedTo liberate a people long oppressedFrom a fell tyrant's hand. Madrid shall hailCarlos as king, or ne'er behold him more.And now a long and last farewell——[He kisses her.QUEEN.Oh, Carlos!How you exalt me! but I dare not soarTo such a height of greatness:—yet I mayContemplate now your noble mind with wonder.CARLOS.Am I not firm, Elizabeth? I hold theeThus in my arms and tremble not. The fearOf instant death had, yesterday, not torn meFrom this dear spot.[He leaves her.All that is over now,And I defy my mortal destinies.I've held thee in these arms and wavered not.Hark! Heard you nothing![A clock strikes.QUEEN.Nothing but the bellThat tolls the moment of our separation.CARLOS.Good night, then, mother! And you shall, from Ghent,Receive a letter, which will first proclaimOur secret enterprise aloud. I goTo dare King Philip to an open contest.Henceforth there shall be naught concealed between us!You need not shun the aspect of the world.Be this my last deceit.[About to take up the mask—the KING stands between them.KING.It is thy last.[The QUEEN falls senseless.CARLOS (hastens to her and supports her in his arms).Is the queen dead? Great heavens!KING (coolly and quietly to the GRAND INQUISITOR).Lord Cardinal!I've done my part. Go now, and do your own.[Exit.