QUEEN.Your friend,Marquis! so wholly occupied your mind,That for his cause you quite forgot my own—Could you suppose that I had thrown asideAll woman's weaknesses, that you could dareMake me his angel, and confide aloneIn virtue for his armor? You forgetWhat risks this heart must run, when we ennoblePassion with such a beauteous name as this.
MARQUIS.Yes, in all other women—but in one,One only, 'tis not so. For you, I swear it.And should you blush to indulge the pure desireTo call heroic virtue into life?Can it affect King Philip, that his worksOf noblest art, in the Escurial, raiseImmortal longings in the painter's soul,Who stands entranced before them? Do the soundsThat slumber in the lute, belong aloneTo him who buys the chords? With ear unmovedHe may preserve his treasure:—he has boughtThe wretched right to shiver it to atoms,But not the power to wake its silver tones,Or, in the magic of its sounds, dissolve.Truth is created for the sage, as beautyIs for the feeling heart. They own each other.And this belief, no coward prejudiceShall make me e'er disclaim. Then promise, queen,That you will ever love him. That false shame,Or fancied dignity, shall never make youYield to the voice of base dissimulation:—That you will love him still, unchanged, forever.Promise me this, oh, queen! Here solemnlySay, do you promise?
QUEEN.That my heart aloneShall ever vindicate my love, I promise——
MARQUIS (drawing his hand back).Now I die satisfied—my work is done.
[He bows to the QUEEN, and is about to go.
QUEEN (follows him with her eyes in silence).You are then going, marquis, and have notTold me how soon—and when—we meet again?
MARQUIS (comes back once more, his face turned away).Yes, we shall surely meet again!
QUEEN.Now, Posa,I understand you. Why have you done this?
MARQUIS.Carlos or I myself!
QUEEN.No! no! you rushHeadlong into a deed you deem, sublime.Do not deceive yourself: I know you well:Long have you thirsted for it. If your prideBut have its fill, what matters it to youThough thousand hearts should break. Oh! now, at length,I comprehend your feelings—'tis the loveOf admiration which has won your heart——
MARQUIS (surprised, aside).No! I was not prepared for this——
QUEEN (after a pause).Oh, marquis!Is there no hope of preservation?
MARQUIS.None.
QUEEN.None? Oh, consider well! None possible!Not e'en by me?
MARQUIS.Not even, queen, by thee.
QUEEN.You but half know me—I have courage, marquis——
MARQUIS.I know it——
QUEEN.And no means of safety?
MARQUIS.None
QUEEN (turning away and covering her face).Go! Never more shall I respect a man——
MARQUIS (casts himself on his knees before her in evident emotion).O queen! O heaven! how lovely still is life!
[He starts up and rushes out. The QUEEN retires into her cabinet.
DUKE ALVA and DOMINGO walking up and down in silence and separately.COUNT LERMA comes out of the KING's cabinet, and afterwards DONRAYMOND OF TAXIS, the Postmaster-General.
LERMA.Has not the marquis yet appeared?
ALVA.Not yet.
[LERMA about to re-enter the cabinet.
TAXIS (enters).Count Lerma! Pray announce me to the king?
LERMA.His majesty cannot be seen.
TAXIS.But sayThat I must see him; that my business isOf urgent import to his majesty.Make haste—it will admit of no delay.
[LERMA enters the cabinet.
ALVA.Dear Taxis, you must learn a little patience—You cannot see the king.
TAXIS.Not see him! Why?
ALVA.You should have been considerate, and procuredPermission from the Marquis Posa first—Who keeps both son and father in confinement.
TAXIS.The Marquis Posa! Right—that is the manFrom whom I bring this letter.
ALVA.Ah! What letter?
TAXIS.A letter to be forwarded to Brussels.
ALVA (attentively).To Brussels?
TAXIS.And I bring it to the king.
ALVA.Indeed! to Brussels! Heard you that, Domingo?
DOMINGO (joining them).Full of suspicion!
TAXIS.And with anxious mien,And deep embarrassment he gave it to me.
DOMINGO.Embarrassment! To whom is it directed?
TAXIS.The Prince of Orange and Nassau.
ALVA.To William!There's treason here, Domingo!
DOMINGO.Nothing less!In truth this letter must, without delay,Be laid before the king. A noble serviceYou render, worthy man—to be so firmIn the discharge of duty.
TAXIS.Reverend sir!'Tis but my duty.
ALVA.But you do it well.
LERMA (coming out of the cabinet, addressing TAXIS).The king will see you.[TAXIS goes in.Is the marquis come?
DOMINGO.He has been sought for everywhere.
ALVA.'Tis strange!The prince is a state prisoner! And the kingKnows not the reason why!
DOMINGO.He never cameTo explain the business here.
ALVA.What says the king?
LERMA.The king spoke not a word.
[A noise in the cabinet.
ALVA.What noise is that?
TAXIS (coming out of the cabinet).Count Lerma![Both enter.
ALVA (to DOMINGO).What so deeply can engage them.
DOMINGO.That look of fear! This intercepted letter!It augurs nothing good.
ALVA.He sends for Lerma!Yet he must know full well that you and IAre both in waiting.
DOMINGO.Ah! our day is over!
ALVA.And am I not the same to whom these doorsFlew open once? But, ah! how changed is allAround me and how strange!
[DOMINGO approaches the cabinet door softly, and remainslistening before it.
ALVA (after a pause).Hark! All is stillAnd silent as the grave!' I hear them breathe.
DOMINGO.The double tapestry absorbs the sounds!
ALVA.Away! there's some one coming. All appearsSo solemn and so still—as if this instantSome deep momentous question were decided.
The PRINCE OF PARMA, the DUKES OF FERIA and MEDINASIDONIA, with other GRANDEES enter—the preceding.
PARMA.Say, can we see the king?
ALVA.No!
PARMA.Who is with him?
FERIA.The Marquis Posa, doubtless?
ALVA.Every instantHe is expected here.
PARMA.This moment weArrive from Saragossa. Through MadridTerror prevails! Is the announcement true?
Domingo.Alas, too true!
FERIA.That he has been arrestedBy the marquis!
ALVA.Yes.
PARMA.And wherefore? What's the cause?
ALVA.Wherefore? That no one knows, except the kingAnd Marquis Posa.
PARMA.And without the warrantOf the assembled Cortes of the Realm?
FERIA.That man shall suffer, who has lent a handTo infringe the nation's rights.
ALVA.And so say I!
MEDINA SIDONIA.And I!
THE OTHER GRANDEES.And all of us!
ALVA.Who'll follow meInto the cabinet? I'll throw myselfBefore the monarch's feet.
LERMA (rushing out of the cabinet).The Duke of Alva!
DOMINGO.Then God be praised at last!
LERMA.When Marquis PosaComes, say the king's engaged and he'll be sent for.
DOMINGO (to LERMA; all the others having gathered round him, full of anxious expectation). Count! What has happened? You are pale as death!
LERMA (hastening away).Fell villany!
PARMA and FERIA.What! what!
MEDINA SIDONIA.How is the king?
DOMINGO (at the same time).Fell villany! Explain——
LERMA.The king shed tears!
DOMINGO.Shed tears!
ALL (together with astonishment).The king shed tears!
[The bell rings in the cabinet, COUNT LERMA hastens in.
DOMINGO.Count, yet one word.Pardon! He's gone! We're fettered in amazement.
PRINCESS EBOLI, FERIA, MEDINA SIDONIA, PARMA,DOMINGO, and other grandees.
EBOLI (hurriedly and distractedly).Where is the king? Where? I must speak with him.[To FERIA.Conduct me to him, duke!
FERIA.The monarch isEngaged in urgent business. No one nowCan be admitted.
EBOLI.Has he signed, as yet,The fatal sentence? He has been deceived.
DOMINGO (giving her a significant look at a distance).The Princess Eboli!
EBOLI (going to him).What! you here, priest?The very man I want! You can confirmMy testimony!
[She seizes his hand and would drag him into the cabinet.
DOMINGO.I? You rave, princess!
FERIA.Hold back. The king cannot attend you now.
EBOLI.But he must hear me; he must hear the truthThe truth, were he ten times a deity.
EBOLI.Man, tremble at the anger of thy idol.I have naught left to hazard.
[Attempts to enter the cabinet; ALVA rushes out, his eyessparkling, triumph in his gait. He hastens to DOMINGO,and embraces him.
ALVA.Let each churchResound with high To Dennis. VictoryAt length is ours.
DOMINGO.What! Ours?
ALVA (to DOMINGO and the other GRANDEES).Now to the king.You shall hereafter hear the sequel from me.
A chamber in the royal palace, separated from a large fore-court by an iron-barred gate. Sentinels walking up and down. CARLOS sitting at a table, with his head leaning forward on his arms, as if he were asleep. In the background of the chamber are some officers, confined with him. The MARQUIS POSA enters, unobserved by him, and whispers to the officers, who immediately withdraw. He himself steps close up to CARLOS, and looks at him for a few minutes in silent sorrow. At last he makes a motion which awakens him out of his stupor. CARLOS rises, and seeing the MARQUIS, starts back. He regards him for some time with fixed eyes, and draws his hand over his forehead as if he wished to recollect something.
MARQUIS.Carlos! 'tie I.
CARLOS (gives him his hand).Comest thou to me again?'Tis friendly of thee, truly.
MARQUIS.Here I thoughtThou mightest need a friend.
CARLOS.Indeed! was thatThy real thought? Oh, joy unspeakable!Right well I knew thou still wert true to me.
MARQUIS.I have deserved this from thee.
CARLOS.Hast thou not?And now we understand each other fully,It joys my heart. This kindness, this forbearanceBecomes our noble souls. For should there beOne rash, unjust demand amongst my wishes,Wouldst thou, for that, refuse me what was just?Virtue I know may often be severe,But never is she cruel and inhuman.Oh! it hath cost thee much; full well I knowHow thy kind heart with bitter anguish bledAs thy hands decked the victim for the altar.
MARQUIS.What meanest thou, Carlos?
CARLOS.Thou, thyself, wilt nowFulfil the joyous course I should have run.Thou wilt bestow on Spain those golden daysShe might have hoped in vain to win from me.I'm lost, forever lost; thou saw'st it clearly.This fatal love has scattered, and forever,All the bright, early blossoms of my mind.To all the great, exalted hopes I'm dead.Chance led thee to the king—or Providence,—It cost thee but my secret—and at onceHe was thine own—thou may'st become his angel:But I am lost, though Spain perhaps may flourish.Well, there is nothing to condemn, if notMy own mad blindness. Oh, I should have knownThat thou art no less great than tender-hearted.
MARQUIS.No! I foresaw not, I considered notThat friendship's generous heart would lead thee onBeyond my worldly prudence. I have erred,My fabric's shattered—I forgot thy heart.
CARLOS.Yet, if it had been possible to spareHer fate—oh, how intensely I had thanked thee!Could I not bear the burden by myself?And why must she be made a second victim?But now no more, I'll spare thee this reproach.What is the queen to thee? Say, dost thou love her?Could thy exalted virtue e'er consultThe petty interests of my wretched passion?Oh, pardon me! I was unjust——
MARQUIS.Thou art so!But not for this reproach. Deserved I one,I merit all—and then I should not standBefore you as I do.[He takes out his portfolio.I have some lettersTo give you back of those you trusted to me.
CARLOS (looks first at the letters, then at the MARQUIS, inastonishment).How!
MARQUIS.I return them now because they mayProve safer in thy custody than mine.
CARLOS.What meanest thou? Has his majesty not read them?Have they not been before him?
MARQUIS.What, these letters!
CARLOS.Thou didst not show them all, then?
MARQUIS.Who has saidThat ever I showed one?
CARLOS (astonished).Can it be so?Count Lerma——
MARQUIS.He! he told thee so! Now allIs clear as day. But who could have foreseen it?Lerma! Oh, no, he hath not learned to lie.'Tis true, the king has all the other letters.
CARLOS (looks at him long with speechless astonishment).But wherefore am I here?
MARQUIS.For caution's sake,Lest thou should chance, a second time, to makeAn Eboli thy confidant.
CARLOS (as if waking from a dream).Ha! NowI see it all—all is explained.
MARQUIS (goes to the door).Who's there?
DUKE ALVA. The former.
ALVA (approaching the PRINCE with respect, but turning hisback on the MARQUIS during the whole scene).Prince, you are free. Deputed by the kingI come to tell you so.
[CARLOS looks at the MARQUIS with astonishment.General silence.
And I, in truth,Am fortunate to have this honor first——
CARLOS (looking at both with extreme amazement, after a pause,to the DUKE).I am imprisoned, duke, and set at freedom,Unconscious of the cause of one or other.
ALVA.As far as I know, prince, 'twas through an error,To which the king was driven by a traitor.
CARLOS.Then am I here by order of the king?
ALVA.Yes, through an error of his majesty.
CARLOS.That gives me pain, indeed. But when the kingCommits an error, 'twould beseem the king,Methinks, to remedy the fault in person.I am Don Philip's son—and curious eyesAnd slanderous looks are on me. What the kingHath done from sense of duty ne'er will IAppear to owe to your considerate favor.I am prepared to appear before the Cortes,And will not take my sword from such a hand.
ALVA.The king will never hesitate to grantYour highness a request so just. PermitThat I conduct you to him.
CARLOS.Here I stayUntil the king or all Madrid shall comeTo lead me from my prison. Take my answer.
[ALVA withdraws. He is still seen for some timelingering in the court and giving orders to the guards.
CARLOS and MARQUIS POSA.
CARLOS (after the departure of the DUKE, full of expectation andastonishment, to the MARQUIS).What means all this? Inform me, Roderigo—Art thou not, then, the minister?
MARQUIS.I was,As thou canst well perceive——[Going to him with great emotion.O Carlos! Now
I have succeeded—yes—it is accomplished—'Tis over now—Omnipotence be praised,To whom I owe success.
CARLOS.Success! What mean you?Thy words perplex me.
MARQUIS (takes his hand).Carlos! thou art saved—Art free—but I——[He stops short.
CARLOS.But thou——
MARQUIS.Thus to my breastI press thee now, with friendship's fullest right,A right I've bought with all I hold most dear.How great, how lovely, Carlos, is this momentOf self-approving joy?
CARLOS.What sudden changeI mark upon thy features! Proudly nowThy bosom heaves, thine eyes dart vivid fire!
MARQUIS.We must say farewell, Carlos! Tremble 'not,But be a man! And what thou more shalt hear,Promise me, not by unavailing sorrow,Unworthy of great souls, to aggravateThe pangs of parting. I am lost to thee,Carlos, for many years—fools say forever.
[CARLOS withdraws his hand, but makes no reply.
Be thou a man: I've reckoned much on thee—I have not even shunned to pass with theeThis awful hour—which men, in words of fear,Have termed the final one. I own it, Carlos,I joy to pass it thus. Come let us sit—I feel myself grown weary and exhausted.
[He approaches CARLOS, who is in a lifeless stupor, andallows himself to be involuntarily drawn down by him.
Where art thou? No reply! I must be brief.Upon the day that followed our last meetingAt the Carthusian monastery the kingCalled me before him. What ensued thou knowest,And all Madrid. Thou hast not heard, however,Thy secret even then had reached his ears—That letters in the queen's possession foundHad testified against thee. This I learnedFrom his own lips—I was his confidant.
[He pauses for CARLOS' answer, but he stillremains silent.
Yes, Carlos, with my lips I broke my faith—Guided the plot myself that worked thy ruin.Thy deed spoke trumpet-tongued; to clear thee fully'Twas now too late: to frustrate his revengeWas all that now remained for me; and soI made myself thy enemy to-serve theeWith fuller power—dost thou not hear me, Carlos,
CARLOS.Go on! go on! I hear thee.
MARQUIS.To this pointI'm guiltless. But the unaccustomed beamsOf royal favor dazzled me. The rumor,As I had well foreseen, soon reached thine earsBut by mistaken delicacy led,And blinded by my vain desire to endMy enterprise alone, I kept concealedFrom friendship's ear my hazardous design.This was my fatal error! Here I failed!I know it. My self-confidence was madness.Pardon that confidence—'twas founded, Carlos,Upon our friendship's everlasting base.
[He pauses. CARLOS passes from torpid silence toviolent agitation.
That which I feared befell. Unreal dangersAlarmed your mind. The bleeding queen—the tumultWithin the palace—Lerma's interference—And, last of all, my own mysterious silence,Conspired to overwhelm thy heart with wonder.Thou wavered'st, thought'st me lost; but far too nobleTo doubt thy friend's integrity, thy soulClothed his defection with a robe of honor,Nor judged him faithless till it found a motiveTo screen and justify his breach of faith.Forsaken by thy only friend—'twas thenThou sought'st the arms of Princess Eboli—A demon's arms! 'Twas she betrayed thee, Carlos!I saw thee fly to her—a dire forebodingStruck on my heart—I followed thee too late!Already wert thou prostrate at her feet,The dread avowal had escaped thy lips—No way was left to save thee.
CARLOS.No! her heartWas moved, thou dost mistake, her heart was moved.
MARQUIS.Night overspread my mind. No remedy,No refuge, no retreat was left to meIn nature's boundless compass. Blind despairTransformed me to a fury—to a tiger—I raised my dagger to a woman's breast.But in that moment—in that dreadful moment—A radiant sunbeam fell upon my soul."Could I mislead the king! Could I succeedIn making him think me the criminal!However improbable, the very guiltWill be enough to win the king's belief.I'll dare the task—a sudden thunderboltMay make the tyrant start—what want I further?He stops to think, and Carlos thus gains timeTo fly to Brussels."
CARLOS.And hast thou done this?
MARQUIS.I have despatched a letter to Prince William,Saying I loved the queen, and had escapedThe king's mistrust in the unjust suspicionWhich falsely fell on thee—that I had foundMeans, through the monarch's favor, to obtainFree access to the queen. I added, further,That I was fearful of discovery—That thou hadst learned my secret, and hadst spedTo Princess Eboli, with hopes through herTo warn the queen—that I had made thee prisoner—And now that all seemed lost, I had resolvedTo fly to Brussels. This same letter I——
CARLOS (interrupts him, terrified).Hast surely not intrusted to the post!Thou knowest that letters to Brabant and Flanders——
MARQUIS.Are given to the king; and as things goTaxis would seem to have discharged his duty.
CARLOS.Heavens! then I'm lost.
MARQUIS.How lost? What meanest thou?
CARLOS.And thou, alas! art lost together with me—This dreadful fraud my father ne'er will pardon.
MARQUIS.This fraud! Thou'rt mad! Who will disclose it to him?
CARLOS (regards him with a fixed look).Who! Dost thou ask? I will myself.
MARQUIS.Thou ravest!Stand back——
CARLOS.Away! For heaven's sake hold me not.While I stay here, he's hiring the assassins.
MARQUIS.Then is our time more precious—and we stillHave much to say.
CARLOS.What! Before all is finished?
[He makes another effort to go. The MARQUIS holds himby the arm, and looks at him impressively.
MARQUIS.Carlos! was I so scrupulous—so eager—When thou, a boy, didst shed thy blood for me?
CARLOS (with emotion, and full of admiration).Kind Providence!
MARQUIS.Reserve thyself for Flanders!The kingdom is thy destiny—'tis mineTo give my life for thee.
CARLOS (takes his hand with deep sensibility).No, no! he will not,Cannot resist a virtue so sublime.I will conduct thee to him, and together,Arm linked in arm, will we appear before him.Then thus will I address him: "Father, see,This is the way a friend acts towards his friend."Trust me, 'twill move him—it will touch his heart.He's not without humanity,—my father.Yes, it will move him. With hot tears, his eyesWill overflow—and he will pardon us.
[A shot is fired through the iron grating. CARLOS leaps up.
Whom was that meant for?
MARQUIS (sinking down).I believe—for me.
CARLOS (falling to the earth with a loud cry of grief).O God of mercy!
MARQUIS.He is quick—the king.I had hoped—a little longer—Carlos—thinkOf means of flight—dost hear me?—of thy flight.Thy mother—knows it all—I can no more.[Dies.
[CARLOS remains by the corpse, like one bereft of life. After some time the KING enters, accompanied by many GRANDEES; and starts, panic-struck, at the sight. A general and deep silence. The GRANDEES range themselves in a semi-circle round them both, and regard the KING and his SON alternately. The latter continues without any sign of life. The KING regards him in thoughtful silence.
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 awakened from a dream. His eyes are fixed now on the KING, now on the corpse; 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——
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.
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 him pass through them. He appears to be in a waking dream, like a sleep-walker. His dress and figure indicate the disorder caused by his late fainting. With slow steps he walks past the GRANDEES and looks at each with a fixed eye, but without recognizing any of them. At last he stands still, wrapped in thought, his eyes fixed on the ground, till the emotions of his mind gradually express themselves 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 fall on their knees as he passes, and touch the hem of his garment. He gives 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——
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?
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.