KING. Might! You may. Speak freely to your sovereign—your friend—and tell me what it is that weighs upon your mind.
SONG—KARL
Dared these lips my sad story impart,
What relief it would give to my heart!
Though the scenes of past years as they rise,
Bring the dews of remorse to my eyes,
Yet, oh hear me, and ever conceal
What in agony now I reveal!—
KING.
Speak freely, Karl—
KARL.
And behold, while I throw off the mask!
Ah, no, no, no, no, no—
I shrink in despair from the task!
In the page of my life there appears
A sad passage that's written in tears!
Could but that be erased, I would give
All the remnant of days I may live:
yet the cause of the cloud on my brow
I have never disclosed until now—
KING.
Say on, Karl—
KARL.
Here behold!—It is branded in flame!
Ah, no, no, no, no, no—
I shrink in despair from my shame! [KARL rushes out.
KING.
There's a mystery about that fellow that I can not understand.—Whom have we here?
Oh, the English traveller who is in such a good humor with my manufactory, and who
has such strange notions respecting me. Good—good!
[Draws his cloak about him and retires.
(Enter WEDGEWOOD.)