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.