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 forget—what would you with me?
CARLOS (seizing her hand with warmth).
Dear maiden! Can you hate eternally?
Can injured love ne'er pardon?
EBOLI (disengaging herself).
Prince! of what
Would you remind me?
CARLOS.
Of your kindness, dearest!
And of my deep ingratitude. Alas,
Too well I know it! deeply have I wronged thee—
Wounded thy tender heart, and from thine eyes,
Thine angel eyes, wrung precious tears, sweet maid!
But ah! 'tis not repentance leads me hither.
EBOLI.
Prince! leave me—I——
CARLOS.
I come to thee, because
Thou art a maid of gentle soul—because
I trust thy heart—thy kind and tender heart.
Think, dearest maiden! think, I have no friend,
No friend but thee, in all this wretched world—
Thou who wert once so kind wilt not forever
Hate me, nor will thy anger prove eternal.
EBOLI (turning away her face).
O cease! No more! for heaven's sake! leave me, prince.
CARLOS.
Let me remind thee of those golden hours—
Let me remind thee of thy love, sweet maid—
That love which I so basely have offended!
Oh, let me now appear to thee again
As once I was—and as thy heart portrayed me.
Yet once again, once only, place my image,
As in days past, before thy tender soul,
And to that idol make a sacrifice
Thou canst not make to me.
EBOLI.
Oh, Carlos, cease!
Too cruelly thou sportest with my feelings!
CARLOS.
Be nobler than thy sex! Forgive an insult!
Do what no woman e'er has done before thee,
And what no woman, after thee, can equal.
I ask of thee an unexampled favor.
Grant me—upon my knees I ask of thee
Grant me two moments with the queen, my mother!
[He casts himself at her feet.
SCENE XVI.
The former. MARQUIS POSA rushes in; behind him two
Officers of the Queen's Guard.
MARQUIS (breathless and agitated, rushing between CARLOS and
the PRINCESS).
Say, what has he confessed? Believe him not!
CARLOS (still on his knees, with loud voice).
By all that's holy——
MARQUIS (interrupting him with vehemence).
He is mad! He raves!
Oh, listen to him not!
CARLOS (louder and more urgent).
It is a question
Of life and death; conduct me to her straight.
MARQUIS (dragging the PRINCESS from him by force).
You die, if you but listen.
[To one of the officers, showing an order.
Count of Cordova!
In the king's name, Prince Carlos is your prisoner.
[CARLOS stands bewildered. The PRINCESS utters a cry of
horror, and tries to escape. The officers are astounded.
A long and deep pause ensues. The MARQUIS trembles violently,
and with difficulty preserves his composure.
[To the PRINCE.
I beg your sword—The Princess Eboli
Remains——
[To the officers.
And you, on peril of your lives,
Let no one with his highness speak—no person—
Not e'en yourselves.
[He whispers a few words to one officer, then turns to the other.
I hasten, instantly,
To cast myself before our monarch's feet,
And justify this step——
[To the PRINCE.
And prince! for you—
Expect me in an hour.
[CARLOS permits himself to be led away without any signs of consciousness, except that in passing he casts a languid, dying look on the MARQUIS. The PRINCESS endeavors again to escape; the MARQUIS pulls her back by the arm.
SCENE XVII.
PRINCESS EBOLI, MARQUIS POSA.
EBOLI.
For Heaven's sake let me leave this place——
MARQUIS (leads her forward with dreadful earnestness).
Thou wretch!
What has he said to thee?
EBOLI.
Oh, leave me! Nothing.
MARQUIS (with earnestness; holding her back by force).
How much has he imparted to thee? Here
No way is left thee to escape. To none
In this world shalt thou ever tell it.
EBOLI (looking at him with terror).
Heavens! What would you do? Would you then murder me?
MARQUIS (drawing a dagger).
Yes, that is my resolve. Be speedy!
EBOLI.
Mercy!
What have I then committed?
MARQUIS (looking towards heaven, points the dagger to her breast).
Still there's time—
The poison has not issued from these lips.
Dash but the bowl to atoms, all remains
Still as before! The destinies of Spain
Against a woman's life!
[Remains doubtingly in this position.
EBOLI (having sunk down beside him, looks in his face).
Do not delay—
Why do you hesitate? I beg no mercy—
I have deserved to die, and I am ready.
MARQUIS (letting his hand drop slowly—after some reflection).
It were as cowardly as barbarous.
No! God be praised! another way is left.
[He lets the dagger fall and hurries out. The PRINCESS
hastens out through another door.
SCENE XVIII.
A Chamber of the QUEEN.
The QUEEN to the COUNTESS FUENTES.
What means this noisy tumult in the palace?
Each breath to-day alarms me! Countess! see
What it portends, and hasten back with speed.
[Exit COUNTESS FUENTES—the PRINCESS EBOLI rushes in.
SCENE XIX.
The QUEEN, PRINCESS EBOLI.
EBOLI (breathless, pale, and wild, falls before the QUEEN).
Help! Help! O Queen! he's seized!
QUEEN.
Who?
EBOLI.
He's arrested
By the king's orders given to Marquis Posa.
QUEEN.
Who is arrested? Who?
EBOLI.
The prince!
QUEEN.
Thou ravest
EBOLI.
This moment they are leading him away.
QUEEN.
And who arrested him?
EBOLI.
The Marquis Posa.
QUEEN.
Then heaven be praised! it was the marquis seized him!
EBOLI.
Can you speak thus, and with such tranquil mien?
Oh, heavens! you do not know—you cannot think——
QUEEN.
The cause of his arrest! some trifling error,
Doubtless arising from his headlong youth!
EBOLI.
No! no! I know far better. No, my queen!
Remorseless treachery! There's no help for him.
He dies!
QUEEN.
He dies!
EBOLI.
And I'm his murderer!
QUEEN.
What! Dies? Thou ravest! Think what thou art saying?
EBOLI.
And wherefore—wherefore dies he? Had I known
That it would come to this!
QUEEN (takes her affectionately by the hand).
Oh, dearest princess,
Your senses are distracted, but collect
Your wandering spirits, and relate to me
More calmly, not in images of horror
That fright my inmost soul, whate'er you know!
Say, what has happened?
EBOLI.
Oh, display not, queen,
Such heavenly condescension! Like hot flames
This kindness sears my conscience. I'm not worthy
To view thy purity with eyes profane.
Oh, crush the wretch, who, agonized by shame,
Remorse, and self-reproach writhes at thy feet!
QUEEN.
Unhappy woman! Say, what is thy guilt?
EBOLI.
Angel of light! Sweet saint! thou little knowest
The demon who has won thy loving smiles.
Know her to-day; I was the wretched thief
Who plundered thee.
QUEEN.
What! Thou?
EBOLI.
And gave thy letters
Up to the king?
QUEEN.
What! Thou?
EBOLI.
And dared accuse thee!
QUEEN.
Thou! Couldst thou this?
EBOLI.
Revenge and madness—love—
I hated thee, and loved the prince!
QUEEN.
And did
His love so prompt thee?
QUEEN.
And who arrested him?
EBOLI.
I had owned my love,
But met with no return.
QUEEN (after a pause).
Now all's explained!
Rise up!—you loved him—I have pardoned you
I have forgotten all. Now, princess, rise.
[Holding out her hand to the PRINCESS.
EBOLI.
No, no; a foul confession still remains.
I will not rise, great queen, till I——
QUEEN.
Then speak!
What have I yet to hear?
EBOLI.
The king! Seduction!
Oh, now you turn away. And in your eyes
I read abhorrence. Yes; of that foul crime
I charged you with, I have myself been guilty.
[She presses her burning face to the ground. Exit QUEEN. A long pause. The COUNTESS OLIVAREZ, after some minutes, comes out of the cabinet, into which the QUEEN entered, and finds the PRINCESS still lying in the above posture. She approaches in silence. On hearing a noise, the latter looks up and becomes like a mad person when she misses the QUEEN.
SCENE XX.
PRINCESS EBOLI, COUNTESS OLIVAREZ.
EBOLI.
Heavens! she has left me. I am now undone!
OLIVAREZ (approaching her).
My princess—Eboli!
EBOLI.
I know your business,
Duchess, and you come hither from the queen,
To speak my sentence to me; do it quickly.
OLIVAREZ.
I am commanded by your majesty
To take your cross and key.
EBOLI (takes from her breast a golden cross, and gives it to the UCHESS).
And but once more
May I not kiss my gracious sovereign's hand?
OLIVAREZ.
In holy Mary's convent shall you learn
Your fate, princess.
EBOLI (with a flood of tears).
Alas! then I no more
Shall ever see the queen.
OLIVAREZ (embraces her with her face turned away).
Princess, farewell.
[She goes hastily away. The PRINCESS follows her as far as the door of the cabinet, which is immediately locked after the DUCHESS. She remains a few minutes silent and motionless on her knees before it. She then rises and hastens away, covering her face.
SCENE XXI.
QUEEN, MARQUIS POSA.
QUEEN.
Ah, marquis, I am glad you're come at last!
MARQUIS (pale, with a disturbed countenance and trembling voice,
in solemn, deep agitation, during the whole scene).
And is your majesty alone? Can none
Within the adjoining chamber overhear us?
QUEEN.
No one! But why? What news would you impart?
[Looking at him closely, and drawing back alarmed.
And what has wrought this change in you? Speak, marquis,
You make me tremble—all your features seem
So marked with death!
MARQUIS.
You know, perhaps, already.
QUEEN.
That Carlos is arrested—and they add,
By you! Is it then true? From no one else
Would I believe it but yourself.
MARQUIS.
'Tis true.
QUEEN.
By you?
MARQUIS.
By me?
QUEEN (looks at him for some time doubtingly).
I still respect your actions
E'en when I comprehend them not. In this
Pardon a timid woman! I much fear
You play a dangerous game.
MARQUIS.
And I have lost it.
QUEEN.
Merciful heaven!
MARQUIS.
Queen, fear not! He is safe,
But I am lost myself.
QUEEN.
What do I hear?
MARQUIS.
Who bade me hazard all on one chance throw?
All? And with rash, foolhardy confidence,
Sport with the power of heaven? Of bounded mind,
Man, who is not omniscient, must not dare
To guide the helm of destiny. 'Tis just!
But why these thoughts of self. This hour is precious
As life can be to man: and who can tell
Whether the parsimonious hand of fate
May not have measured my last drops of life.
QUEEN.
The hand of fate! What means this solemn tone?
I understand these words not—but I shudder.
MARQUIS.
He's saved! no matter at what price—he's saved!
But only for to-day—a few short hours
Are his. Oh, let him husband them! This night
The prince must leave Madrid.
QUEEN.
This very night?
MARQUIS.
All measures are prepared. The post will meet him
At the Carthusian convent, which has served
So long as an asylum to our friendship.
Here will he find, in letters of exchange,
All in the world that fortune gifts me with.
Should more be wanting, you must e'en supply it.
In truth, I have within my heart full much
To unburden to my Carlos—it may chance
I shall want leisure now to tell him all
In person—but this evening you will see him,
And therefore I address myself to you.
QUEEN.
Oh, for my peace of mind, dear marquis, speak!
Explain yourself more clearly! Do not use
This dark, and fearful, and mysterious language!
Say, what has happened?
MARQUIS.
I have yet one thing,
A matter of importance on my mind:
In your hands I deposit it. My lot
Was such as few indeed have e'er enjoyed—
I loved a prince's son. My heart to one—
To that one object given.—embraced the world!
I have created in my Carlos' soul,
A paradise for millions! Oh, my dream
Was lovely! But the will of Providence
Has summoned me away, before my hour,
From this my beauteous work. His Roderigo
Soon shall be his no more, and friendship's claim
Will be transferred to love. Here, therefore, here,
Upon this sacred altar—on the heart
Of his loved queen—I lay my last bequest
A precious legacy—he'll find it here,
When I shall be no more.
[He turns away, his voice choked with grief.
QUEEN.
This is the language
Of a dying man—it surely emanates
But from your blood's excitement—or does sense
Lie hidden in your language?
MARQUIS (has endeavored to collect himself, and continues
in a solemn voice).
Tell the prince,
That he must ever bear in mind the oath
We swore, in past enthusiastic days,
Upon the sacred host. I have kept mine—
I'm true to him till death—'tis now his turn——
QUEEN.
Till death?
MARQUIS.
Oh, bid him realize the dream,
The glowing vision which our friendship painted,
Of a new-perfect realm! And let him lay
The first hand on the rude, unshapened stone.
Whether he fail or prosper—all alike—
Let him commence the work. When centuries
Have rolled away shall Providence again
Raise to the throne a princely youth like him,
And animate again a favorite son
Whose breast shall burn with like enthusiasm.
Tell him, in manhood, he must still revere
The dreams of early youth, nor ope the heart
Of heaven's all-tender flower to canker-worms
Of boasted reason,—nor be led astray
When, by the wisdom of the dust, he hears
Enthusiasm, heavenly-born, blasphemed.
I have already told him.
QUEEN.
Whither, marquis? Whither does all this tend?
MARQUIS.
And tell him further, I lay upon his soul the happiness
Of man—that with my dying breath I claim,
Demand it of him—and with justest title.
I had designed a new, a glorious morn,
To waken in these kingdoms: for to me
Philip had opened all his inmost heart—
Called me his son—bestowed his seals upon me—
And Alva was no more his counsellor.
[He pauses, and looks at the QUEEN for a few moments in silence.
You weep! I know those tears, beloved soul!
Oh, they are tears of joy!—but it is past—
Forever past! Carlos or I? The choice
Was prompt and fearful. One of us must perish!
And I will be that one. Oh, ask no more!
QUEEN.
Now, now, at last, I comprehend your meaning,
Unhappy man! What have you done?
MARQUIS.
Cut off
Two transient hours of evening to secure
A long, bright summer-day! I now give up
The king forever. What were I to the king?
In such cold soil no rose of mine could bloom;
In my great friend must Europe's fortune ripen.
Spain I bequeath to him, still bathed in blood
From Philip's iron hand. But woe to him,
Woe to us both, if I have chosen wrong!
But no—oh, no! I know my Carlos better—
'Twill never come to pass!—for this, my queen,
You stand my surety.
[After a silence.
Yes! I saw his love
In its first blossom—saw his fatal passion
Take root in his young heart. I had full power
To check it; but I did not. The attachment
Which seemed to me not guilty, I still nourished.
The world may censure me, but I repent not,
Nor does my heart accuse me. I saw life
Where death appeared to others. In a flame
So hopeless I discerned hope's golden beam.
I wished to lead him to the excellent—
To exalt him to the highest point of beauty.
Mortality denied a model to me,
And language, words. Then did I bend his views
To this point only—and my whole endeavor
Was to explain to him his love.
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 aside
All woman's weaknesses, that you could dare
Make me his angel, and confide alone
In virtue for his armor? You forget
What risks this heart must run, when we ennoble
Passion 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 desire
To call heroic virtue into life?
Can it affect King Philip, that his works
Of noblest art, in the Escurial, raise
Immortal longings in the painter's soul,
Who stands entranced before them? Do the sounds
That slumber in the lute, belong alone
To him who buys the chords? With ear unmoved
He may preserve his treasure:—he has bought
The 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 beauty
Is for the feeling heart. They own each other.
And this belief, no coward prejudice
Shall make me e'er disclaim. Then promise, queen,
That you will ever love him. That false shame,
Or fancied dignity, shall never make you
Yield to the voice of base dissimulation:—
That you will love him still, unchanged, forever.
Promise me this, oh, queen! Here solemnly
Say, do you promise?
QUEEN.
That my heart alone
Shall 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 not
Told 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 rush
Headlong into a deed you deem, sublime.
Do not deceive yourself: I know you well:
Long have you thirsted for it. If your pride
But have its fill, what matters it to you
Though thousand hearts should break. Oh! now, at length,
I comprehend your feelings—'tis the love
Of 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.
SCENE XXII.
DUKE ALVA and DOMINGO walking up and down in silence and separately.
COUNT LERMA comes out of the KING's cabinet, and afterwards DON
RAYMOND 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 say
That I must see him; that my business is
Of 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 procured
Permission from the Marquis Posa first—
Who keeps both son and father in confinement.
TAXIS.
The Marquis Posa! Right—that is the man
From 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 service
You render, worthy man—to be so firm
In 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 king
Knows not the reason why!
DOMINGO.
He never came
To 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 I
Are both in waiting.
DOMINGO.
Ah! our day is over!
ALVA.
And am I not the same to whom these doors
Flew open once? But, ah! how changed is all
Around me and how strange!
[DOMINGO approaches the cabinet door softly, and remains
listening before it.
ALVA (after a pause).
Hark! All is still
And silent as the grave!' I hear them breathe.
DOMINGO.
The double tapestry absorbs the sounds!
ALVA.
Away! there's some one coming. All appears
So solemn and so still—as if this instant
Some deep momentous question were decided.
SCENE XXIII.
The PRINCE OF PARMA, the DUKES OF FERIA and MEDINA
SIDONIA, 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 instant
He is expected here.
PARMA.
This moment we
Arrive from Saragossa. Through Madrid
Terror prevails! Is the announcement true?
Domingo.
Alas, too true!
FERIA.
That he has been arrested
By the marquis!
ALVA.
Yes.
PARMA.
And wherefore? What's the cause?
ALVA.
Wherefore? That no one knows, except the king
And Marquis Posa.
PARMA.
And without the warrant
Of the assembled Cortes of the Realm?
FERIA.
That man shall suffer, who has lent a hand
To 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 me
Into the cabinet? I'll throw myself
Before the monarch's feet.
LERMA (rushing out of the cabinet).
The Duke of Alva!
DOMINGO.
Then God be praised at last!
LERMA.
When Marquis Posa
Comes, 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.
SCENE XXIV.
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 is
Engaged in urgent business. No one now
Can 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 confirm
My 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 truth
The 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 eyes
sparkling, triumph in his gait. He hastens to DOMINGO,
and embraces him.
ALVA.
Let each church
Resound with high To Dennis. Victory
At 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.