Don Carlos

SCENE V

DON CARLOS. DUDE OF ALVA.

ALVA (meeting him)

 
   Two words, most gracious prince.
 

CARLOS

 
                    Some other time.
 

[Going.

ALVA

 
   The place is not the fittest, I confess;
   Perhaps your royal highness may be pleased
   To grant me audience in your private chamber.
 

CARLOS

 
   For what? And why not here? Only be brief.
 

ALVA

 
   The special object which has brought me hither,
   Is to return your highness lowly thanks
   For your good services.
 

CARLOS

 
                Thanks to me —
   For what? Duke Alva's thanks!
 

ALVA

 
                   You scarce had left
   His majesty, ere I received in form
   Instructions to depart for Brussels.
 

CARLOS

 
                      What!
   For Brussels!
 

ALVA

 
   And to what, most gracious prince,
   Must I ascribe this favor, but to you —
   Your intercession with the king?
 

CARLOS

 
                    Ob, no!
   Not in the least to me; but, duke, you travel,
   So Heaven be with your grace!
 

ALVA

 
                   And is this all?
   It seems, indeed, most strange! And has your highness
   No further orders, then, to send to Flanders?
 

CARLOS

 
   What should I have?
 

ALVA

 
              Not long ago, it seemed,
   The country's fate required your presence.
 

CARLOS

 
                          How?
   But yes, you're right, – it was so formerly;
   But now this change is better as it is.
 

ALVA

 
   I am amazed —
 

CARLOS

 
           You are an able general,
   No one doubts that – envy herself must own it.
   For me, I'm but a youth – so thought the king.
 

CARLOS

 
   The king was right, quite right. I see it now
   Myself, and am content – and so no more.
   God speed your journey, as you see, just now
   My hands are full, and weighty business presses.
   The rest to-morrow, or whene'er you will,
   Or when you come from Brussels.
 

ALVA

 
                    What is this?
 

CARLOS

 
   The season favors, and your route will lie
   Through Milan, Lorraine, Burgundy, and on
   To Germany! What, Germany? Ay, true,
   In Germany it was – they know you there.
   'Tis April now, May, June, – in July, then,
   Just so! or, at the latest, soon in August, —
   You will arrive in Brussels, and no doubt
   We soon shall hear of your victorious deeds.
   You know the way to win our high esteem,
   And earn the crown of fame.
 

ALVA (significantly)

 
                  Indeed! condemned
   By my own conscious insignificance!
 

CARLOS

 
   You're sensitive, my lord, and with some cause,
   I own it was not fair to use a weapon
   Against your grace you were unskilled to wield.
 

ALVA

 
   Unskilled!
 

CARLOS

 
         'Tis pity I've no leisure now
   To fight this worthy battle fairly out
   But at some other time, we —
 

ALVA

 
                  Prince, we both
   Miscalculate – but still in opposite ways.
   You, for example, overrate your age
   By twenty years, whilst on the other hand,
   I, by as many, underrate it —
 

CARLOS

 
                   Well
 

ALVA

 
   And this suggests the thought, how many nights
   Beside this lovely Lusitanian bride —
   Your mother – would the king right gladly give
   To buy an arm like this, to aid his crown.
   Full well he knows, far easier is the task
   To make a monarch than a monarchy;
   Far easier too, to stock the world with kings
   Than frame an empire for a king to rule.
 

CARLOS

 
   Most true, Duke Alva, yet —
 

ALVA

 
                  And how much blood,
   Your subjects' dearest blood, must flow in streams
   Before two drops could make a king of you.
 

CARLOS

 
   Most true, by heaven! and in two words comprised,
   All that the pride of merit has to urge
   Against the pride of fortune. But the moral —
   Now, Duke Alva!
 

ALVA

 
           Woe to the nursling babe
   Of royalty that mocks the careful hand
   Which fosters it! How calmly it may sleep
   On the soft cushion of our victories!
   The monarch's crown is bright with sparkling gems,
   But no eye sees the wounds that purchased them.
   This sword has given our laws to distant realms,
   Has blazed before the banner of the cross,
   And in these quarters of the globe has traced
   Ensanguined furrows for the seed of faith.
   God was the judge in heaven, and I on earth.
 

CARLOS

 
   God, or the devil – it little matters which;
   Yours was his chosen arm – that stands confessed.
   And now no more of this. Some thoughts there are
   Whereof the memory pains me. I respect
   My father's choice, – my father needs an Alva!
   But that he needs him is not just the point
   I envy in him: a great man you are,
   This may be true, and I well nigh believe it,
   Only I fear your mission is begun
   Some thousand years too soon. Alva, methinks,
   Were just the man to suit the end of time.
   Then when the giant insolence of vice
   Shall have exhausted Heaven's enduring patience,
   And the rich waving harvest of misdeeds
   Stand in full ear, and asks a matchless reaper,
   Then should you fill the post. O God! my paradise!
   My Flanders! But of this I must not think.
   'Tis said you carry with you a full store
   Of sentences of death already signed.
   This shows a prudent foresight! No more need
   To fear your foes' designs, or secret plots:
   Oh, father! ill indeed I've understood thee.
   Calling thee harsh, to save me from a post,
   Where Alva's self alone can fitly shine!
   'Twas an unerring token of your love.
 

ALVA

 
   These words deserve —
 

CARLOS

 
               What!
 

ALVA

 
                  But your birth protects you.
 

CARLOS (seizing his sword)

 
   That calls for blood! Duke, draw your sword!
 

ALVA (slightingly)

 
                           On whom?
 

CARLOS. (pressing upon him)

 
   Draw, or I run you through.
 

ALVA

 
                  Then be it so.
 

[They fight.

SCENE VI

The QUEEN, DON CARLOS, DUKE ALVA.

QUEEN (coming from her room alarmed)

 
   How! naked swords?
 

[To the PRINCE in an indignant and commanding tone.

 
             Prince Carlos!
 

CARLOS (agitated at the QUEEN's look, drops his arm, stands motionless, then rushes to the DUKE, and embraces him)

 
                     Pardon, duke!
   Your pardon, sir! Forget, forgive it all!
 

[Throws himself in silence at the QUEEN'S feet, then rising suddenly, departs in confusion.

ALVA

 
   By heaven, 'tis strange!
 

QUEEN (remains a few moments as if in doubt, then retiring to her apartment)

 
   A word with you, Duke ALVA.
 

[Exit, followed by the DUKE.

SCENE VII

The PRINCESS EBOLI's apartment.

The PRINCESS in a simple, but elegant dress, playing on the lute.

The QUEEN's PAGE enters.

PRINCESS (starting up suddenly)

 
   He comes!
 

PAGE (abruptly)

 
         Are you alone? I wonder much
   He is not here already; but he must
   Be here upon the instant.
 

PRINCESS

 
                 Do you say must!
   Then he will come, this much is certain then.
 

PAGE

 
   He's close upon my steps. You are beloved,
   Adored, and with more passionate regard
   Than mortal ever was, or can be loved.
   Oh! what a scene I witnessed!
 

PRINCESS (impatiently draws him to her)

 
                   Quick, you spoke
   With him! What said he? Tell me straight —
   How did he look? what were his words? And say —
   Did he appear embarrassed or confused
   And did he guess who sent the key to him?
   Be quick! or did he not? He did not guess
   At all, perhaps! or guessed amiss! Come, speak,
   How! not a word to answer me? Oh, fie!
   You never were so dull – so slow before,
   'Tis past all patience.
 

PAGE

 
                Dearest lady, hear me!
   Both key and note I placed within his hands,
   In the queen's antechamber, and he started
   And gazed with wonder when I told him that
   A lady sent me!
 

PRINCESS

 
            Did he start? go on!
   That's excellent. Proceed, what next ensued?
 

PAGE

 
   I would have told him more, but he grew pale,
   And snatched the letter from my hand, and said
   With look of deadly menace, he knew all.
   He read the letter with confusion through,
   And straight began to tremble.
 

PRINCESS

 
                   He knew all!
   He knew it all? Were those his very words?
 

PAGE

 
   He asked me, and again he asked, if you
   With your own hands had given me the letter?
 

PRINCESS

 
   If I? Then did he mention me by name?
 

PAGE

 
   By name! no name he mentioned: there might be
   Listeners, he said, about the palace, who
   Might to the king disclose it.
 

PRINCESS (surprised)

 
                   Said he that?
 

PAGE

 
   He further said, it much concerned the king;
   Deeply concerned – to know of that same letter.
 

PRINCESS

 
   The king! Nay, are you sure you heard him right?
   The king! Was that the very word he used?
 

PAGE

 
   It was. He called it a most perilous secret,
   And warned me to be strictly on my guard,
   Never with word or look to give the king
   Occasion for suspicion.
 

PRINCESS (after a pause, with astonishment)

 
                All agrees!
   It can be nothing else – he must have heard
   The tale – 'tis very strange! Who could have told him,
   I wonder who? The eagle eye of love
   Alone could pierce so far. But tell me further —
   He read the letter.
 

PAGE

 
              Which, he said, conveyed
   Such bliss as made him tremble, and till then
   He had not dared to dream of. As he spoke
   The duke, by evil chance, approached the room,
   And this compelled us —
 

PRINCESS (angrily)

 
                What in all the world
   Could bring the duke to him at such a time?
   What can detain him? Why appears he not?
   See how you've been deceived; how truly blest
   Might he have been already – in the time
   You've taken to describe his wishes to me!
 

PAGE

 
   The duke, I fear —
 

PRINCESS

 
             Again, the duke! What can
   The duke want here? What should a warrior want
   With my soft dreams of happiness? He should
   Have left him there, or sent him from his presence.
   Where is the man may not be treated thus?
   But Carlos seems as little versed in love
   As in a woman's heart – he little knows
   What minutes are. But hark! I hear a step;
   Away, away!
 

[PAGE hastens out.

 
          Where have I laid my lute?
   I must not seem to wait for him. My song
   Shall be a signal to him.
 

SCENE VIII

The PRINCESS, DON CARLOS.

The PRINCESS has thrown herself upon an ottoman, and plays.

CARLOS (rushes in; he recognizes the PRINCESS, and stands thunderstruck)

 
             Gracious Heaven!
   Where am I?
 

PRINCESS (lets her lute fall, and meeting him)

 
   What? Prince Carlos! yes, in truth.
 

CARLOS

 
   Where am I? Senseless error; I have missed
   The right apartment.
 

PRINCESS

 
              With what dexterous skill
   Carlos contrives to hit the very room
   Where ladies sit alone!
 

CARLOS

 
                Your pardon, princess!
   I found – I found the antechamber open.
 

PRINCESS

 
   Can it be possible? I fastened it
   Myself; at least I thought so —
 

CARLOS

 
                    Ay! you thought,
   You only thought so; rest assured you did not.
   You meant to lock it, that I well believe:
   But most assuredly it was not locked.
   A lute's sweet sounds attracted me, some hand
   Touched it with skill; say, was it not a lute?
 

[Looking round inquiringly.

 
   Yes, there it lies, and Heaven can bear me witness
   I love the lute to madness. I became
   All ear, forgot myself in the sweet strain,
   And rushed into the chamber to behold
   The lovely eyes of the divine musician
   Who charmed me with the magic of her tones.
 

PRINCESS

 
   Innocent curiosity, no doubt!
   But it was soon appeased, as I can prove.
      [After a short silence, significantly.
   I must respect the modesty that has,
   To spare a woman's blushes, thus involved
   Itself in so much fiction.
 

CARLOS (with sincerity)

 
                 Nay, I feel
   I but augment my deep embarrassment,
   In vain attempt to extricate myself.
   Excuse me for a part I cannot play.
   In this remote apartment, you perhaps
   Have sought a refuge from the world, to pour
   The inmost wishes of your secret heart
   Remote from man's distracting eye. By me,
   Unhappy that I am, your heavenly dreams
   Are all disturbed, and the atonement now
   Must be my speedy absence.
 

[Going.

PRINCESS (surprised and confused, but immediately recovering herself)

 
                 Oh! that step
   Were cruel, prince, indeed!
 

CARLOS

 
                  Princess, I feel
   What such a look in such a place imports:
   This virtuous embarrassment has claims
   To which my manhood never can be deaf.
   Woe to the wretch whose boldness takes new fire
   From the pure blush of maiden modesty!
   I am a coward when a woman trembles.
 

PRINCESS

 
   Is't possible? – such noble self-control
   In one so young, and he a monarch's son!
   Now, prince, indeed you shall remain with me,
   It is my own request, and you must stay.
   Near such high virtue, every maiden fear
   Takes wing at once; but your appearance here
   Disturbed me in a favorite air, and now
   Your penalty shall be to hear me sing it.
 

CARLOS (sits down near the PRINCESS, not without reluctance)

 
   A penalty delightful as the sin!
   And sooth to say, the subject of the song
   Was so divine, again and yet again
   I'd gladly hear it.
 

PRINCESS

 
              What! you heard it all?
   Nay, that was too bad, prince. It was, I think,
   A song of love.
 

CARLOS

 
            And of successful love,
   If I mistake not – dear delicious theme
   From those most beauteous lips – but scarce so true,
   Methinks, as beautiful.
 

PRINCESS

 
                What! not so true?
   Then do you doubt the tale?
 

CARLOS

 
                  I almost doubt
   That Carlos and the Princess Eboli,
   When they discourse on such a theme as love,
   May not quite understand each other's hearts.
 

[The PRINCESS starts; he observes it, and continues with playful gallantry.

 
   Who would believe those rosy-tinted cheeks
   Concealed a heart torn by the pangs of love.
   Is it within the range of wayward chance
   That the fair Princess Eboli should sigh
   Unheard – unanswered? Love is only known
   By him who hopelessly persists in love.
 

PRINCESS (with all her former vivacity)

 
   Hush! what a dreadful thought! this fate indeed
   Appears to follow you of all mankind,
   Especially to-day.
 

[Taking his hand with insinuating interest.

You are not happy,

 
   Dear prince – you're sad! I know too well you suffer,
   And wherefore, prince? When with such loud appeal
   The world invites you to enjoy its bliss —
   And nature on you pours her bounteous gifts,
   And spreads around you all life's sweetest joys.
   You, a great monarch's son, and more – far more —
   E'en in your cradle with such gifts endowed
   As far eclipsed the splendor of your rank.
   You, who in those strict courts where women rule,
   And pass, without appeal, unerring sentence
   On manly worth and honor, even there
   Find partial judges. You, who with a look
   Can prove victorious, and whose very coldness
   Kindles aflame; and who, when warmed with passion,
   Can make a paradise, and scatter round
   The bliss of heaven, the rapture of the gods.
   The man whom nature has adorned with gifts
   To render thousands happy, gifts which she
   Bestows on few – that such a man as this
   Should know what misery is! Thou, gracious Heaven,
   That gavest him all those blessings, why deny
   Him eyes to see the conquests he has made?
 

CARLOS (who has been lost in absence of mind, suddenly recovers himself by the silence of the PRINCESS, and starts up)

 
   Charming! inimitable! Princess, sing
   That passage, pray, again.
 

PRINCESS (looking at him with astonishment)

 
Where, Carlos, were
   Your thoughts the while?
 

CARLOS (jumps up)

 
   By heaven, you do remind me
   In proper time – I must away – and quickly.
 

PRINCESS (holding him back)

 
   Whither away?
 

CARLOS

 
           Into the open air.
   Nay, do not hold me, princess, for I feel
   As though the world behind me were in flames.
 

PRINCESS (holding him forcibly back)

 
   What troubles you? Whence comes these strange, these wild,
   Unnatural looks? Nay, answer me!
 

[CARLOS stops to reflect, she draws him to the sofa to her.

 
                     Dear Carlos,
   You need repose, your blood is feverish.
   Come, sit by me: dispel these gloomy fancies.
   Ask yourself frankly can your head explain
   The tumult of your heart – and if it can —
   Say, can no knight be found in all the court,
   No lady, generous as fair, to cure you —
   Rather, I should have said, to understand you?
   What, no one?
 

CARLOS (hastily, without thinking)

 
           If the Princess Eboli —
 

PRINCESS (delighted, quickly)

 
   Indeed!
 

CARLOS

 
        Would write a letter for me, a few words
   Of kindly intercession to my father; —
   They say your influence is great.
 

PRINCESS

 
                     Who says so?
 

[Aside.

 
   Ha! was it jealousy that held thee mute!
 

CARLOS

 
   Perchance my story is already public.
   I had a sudden wish to visit Brabant
   Merely to win my spurs – no more. The king,
   Kind soul, is fearful the fatigues of war
   Might spoil my singing!
 

PRINCESS

 
                Prince, you play me false!
   Confess that by this serpent subterfuge
   You would mislead me. Look me in the face,
   Deceitful one! and say would he whose thoughts
   Were only bent on warlike deeds – would he
   E'er stoop so low as, with deceitful hand,
   To steal fair ladies' ribbons when they drop,
   And then – your pardon! hoard them – with such care?
 

[With light action she opens his shirt frill, and seizes a ribbon which is there concealed.

CARLOS (drawing back with amazement)

 
   Nay, princess – that's too much – I am betrayed.
   You're not to be deceived. You are in league
   With spirits and with demons!
 

PRINCESS

 
                   Are you then
   Surprised at this? What will you wager, Carlos
   But I recall some stories to your heart?
   Nay, try it with me; ask whate'er you please,
   And if the triflings of my sportive fancy —
   The sound half-uttered by the air absorbed —
   The smile of joy checked by returning gloom —
   If motions – looks from your own soul concealed
   Have not escaped my notice – judge if I
   Can err when thou wouldst have me understand thee?
 

CARLOS

 
   Why, this is boldly ventured; I accept
   The wager, princess. Then you undertake
   To make discoveries in my secret heart
   Unknown even to myself.
 

PRINCESS (displeased, but earnestly)

 
                Unknown to thee!
   Reflect a moment, prince! Nay, look around;
   This boudoir's not the chamber of the queen,
   Where small deceits are practised with full license.
   You start, a sudden blush o'erspreads your face.
   Who is so bold, so idle, you would ask,
   As to watch Carlos when he deems himself
   From scrutiny secure? Who was it, then,
   At the last palace-ball observed you leave
   The queen, your partner, standing in the dance,
   And join, with eager haste, the neighboring couple,
   To offer to the Princess Eboli
   The hand your royal partner should have claimed?
   An error, prince, his majesty himself,
   Who just then entered the apartment, noticed.
 

CARLOS (with ironical smile)

 
   His majesty? And did he really so?
   Of all men he should not have seen it.
 

PRINCESS

 
   Nor yet that other scene within the chapel,
   Which doubtless Carlos hath long since forgotten.
   Prostrate before the holy Virgin's image,
   You lay in prayer, when suddenly you heard —
   'Twas not your fault – a rustling from behind
   Of ladies' dresses. Then did Philip's son,
   A youth of hero courage, tremble like
   A heretic before the holy office.
   On his pale lips died the half-uttered prayer.
   In ecstasy of passion, prince – the scene
   Was truly touching – for you seized the hand,
   The blessed Virgin's cold and holy hand,
   And showered your burning kisses on the marble.
 

CARLOS

 
   Princess, you wrong me: that was pure devotion!
 

PRINCESS

 
   Indeed! that's quite another thing. Perhaps
   It was the fear of losing, then, at cards,
   When you were seated with the queen and me,
   And you with dexterous skill purloined my glove.
 

[CARLOS starts surprised.

 
   That prompted you to play it for a card?
 

CARLOS

 
   What words are these? O Heaven, what have I done?
 

PRINCESS

 
   Nothing I hope of which you need repent!
   How pleasantly was I surprised to find
   Concealed within the glove a little note,
   Full of the warmest tenderest romance,
 

CARLOS (interrupting her suddenly)

 
   Mere poetry! no more. My fancy teems
   With idle bubbles oft, which break as soon
   As they arise – and this was one of them;
   So, prithee, let us talk of it no more.
 

PRINCESS (leaving him with astonishment, and regarding him for

 
        some time at a distance).
   I am exhausted – all attempts are vain
   To hold this youth. He still eludes my grasp.
      [Remains silent a few moments.
   But stay! Perchance 'tis man's unbounded pride,
   That thus to add a zest to my delight.
   Assumes a mask of timid diffidence.
   'Tis so.
 

[She approaches the PRINCE again, and looks at him doubtingly.

Explain yourself, prince, I entreat you.

 
   For here I stand before a magic casket,
   Which all my keys are powerless to unlock.
 

CARLOS

 
   As I before you stand.
 

PRINCESS (leaves him suddenly, walks a few steps up and down in silence, apparently lost in deep thought. After a pause, gravely and solemnly)

 
               Then thus at last —
   I must resolve to speak, and Carlos, you
   Shall be my judge. Yours is a noble nature,
   You are a prince – a knight – a man of honor.
   I throw myself upon your heart – protect me
   Or if I'm lost beyond redemption's power,
   Give me your tears in pity for my fate.
 

[The PRINCE draws nearer.

 
   A daring favorite of the king demands
   My hand – his name Ruy Gomez, Count of Silva,
   The king consents – the bargain has been struck,
   And I am sold already to his creature.
 

CARLOS (with evident emotion)

 
   Sold! you sold! Another bargain, then,
   Concluded by this royal southern trader!
 

PRINCESS

 
   No; but hear all – 'tis not enough that I
   Am sacrificed to cold state policy,
   A snare is laid to entrap my innocence.
   Here is a letter will unmask the saint!
 

[CARLOS takes the paper, and without reading it listens with impatience to her recital.

 
   Where Shall I find protection, prince? Till now
   My virtue was defended by my pride,
   At length —
 

CARLOS

 
          At length you yielded! Yielded? No.
   For God's sake say not so!
 

PRINCESS

 
                 Yielded! to whom?
   Poor piteous reasoning. Weak beyond contempt
   Your haughty minds, who hold a woman's favor,
   And love's pure joys, as wares to traffic for!
   Love is the only treasure on the face
   Of this wide earth that knows no purchaser
   Besides itself – love has no price but love.
   It is the costly gem, beyond all price,
   Which I must freely give away, or – bury
   For ever unenjoyed – like that proud merchant
   Whom not the wealth of all the rich Rialto
   Could tempt – a great rebuke to kings! to save
   From the deep ocean waves his matchless pearl,
   Too proud to barter it beneath its worth!
 

CARLOS (aside)

 
   Now, by great heaven, this woman's beautiful.
 

PRINCESS

 
   Call it caprice or pride, I ne'er will make
   Division of my joys. To him, alone,
   I choose as mine, I give up all forever.
   One only sacrifice I make; but that
   Shall be eternal. One true heart alone
   My love shall render happy: but that one
   I'll elevate to God. The keen delight
   Of mingling souls – the kiss – the swimming joys
   Of that delicious hour when lovers meet,
   The magic power of heavenly beauty – all
   Are sister colors of a single ray —
   Leaves of one single blossom. Shall I tear
   One petal from this sweet, this lovely flower,
   With reckless hand, and mar its beauteous chalice?
   Shall I degrade the dignity of woman,
   The masterpiece of the Almighty's hand,
   To charm the evening of a reveller?
 

CARLOS

 
   Incredible! that in Madrid should dwell
   This matchless creature! and unknown to me
   Until this day.
 

PRINCESS

 
            Long since had I forsaken
   This court – the world – and in some blest retreat
   Immured myself; but one tie binds me still
   Too firmly to existence. Perhaps – alas!
   'Tis but a phantom – but 'tis dear to me.
   I love – but am not loved in turn.
 

CARLOS (full of ardor, going towards her)

 
                     You are!
   As true as God is throned in heaven! I swear
   You are – you are unspeakably beloved.
 

PRINCESS

 
   You swear it, you! – sure 'twas an angel's voice.
   Oh, if you swear it, Carlos, I'll believe it.
   Then I am truly loved!
 

CARLOS (embracing her with tenderness)

 
               Bewitching maid,
   Thou creature worthy of idolatry
   I stand before thee now all eye, all ear,
   All rapture and delight. What eye hath seen thee —
   Under yon heaven what eye could e'er have seen thee,
   And boast he never loved? What dost thou here
   In Philip's royal court! Thou beauteous angel!
   Here amid monks and all their princely train.
   This is no clime for such a lovely flower —
   They fain would rifle all thy sweets – full well
   I know their hearts. But it shall never be —
   Not whilst I draw life's breath. I fold thee thus
   Within my arms, and in these hands I'll bear thee
   E'en through a hell replete with mocking fiends.
   Let me thy guardian angel prove.
 

PRINCESS (with a countenance full of love)

 
                     O Carlos!
   How little have I known thee! and how richly
   With measureless reward thy heart repays
   The weighty task of – comprehending thee!
      [She takes his hand and is about to kiss it.
 

CARLOS (drawing it back)

 
   Princess! What mean you?
 

PRINCESS (with tenderness and grace, looking at his hand attentively)

 
                 Oh, this beauteous hand!
   How lovely 'tis, and rich! This hand has yet
   Two costly presents to bestow! – a crown —
   And Carlos' heart: – and both these gifts perchance
   Upon one mortal! – both on one – Oh, great
   And godlike gift-almost too much for one!
   How if you share the treasure, prince! A queen
   Knows naught of love – and she who truly loves
   Cares little for a crown! 'Twere better, prince,
   Then to divide the treasure – and at once —
   What says my prince? Have you done so already?
   Have you in truth? And do I know the blest one?
 

CARLOS

 
   Thou shalt. I will unfold myself to thee,
   To thy unspotted innocence, dear maid,
   Thy pure, unblemished nature. In this court
   Thou art the worthiest – first – the only one
   To whom this soul has stood revealed.
   Then, yes! I will not now conceal it – yes,
   I love!
 

PRINCESS

 
        Oh, cruel heart! Does this avowal prove
   So painful to thee? Must I first deserve
   Thy pity – ere I hope to win thy love?
 

CARLOS (starting)

 
   What say'st thou?
 

PRINCESS

 
             So to trifle with me, prince!
   Indeed it was not well – and to deny
   The key —
 

CARLOS

 
         The key! the key! Oh yes, 'tis so!
 

[After a dead silence.

 
   I see it all too plainly! Gracious heaven!
 

[His knees totter, he leans against a chair, and covers his face with his hands. A long silence on both sides.

 
      The PRINCESS screams and falls.
 

PRINCESS

 
   Oh, horrible! What have I done!
 

CARLOS

 
                     Hurled down
   So far from all my heavenly joys! 'Tis dreadful!
 

PRINCESS (hiding her face in the cushion)

 
   Oh, God! What have I said?
 

CARLOS (kneeling before her)

 
                  I am not guilty.
   My passion – an unfortunate mistake —
   By heaven, I am not guilty —
 

PRINCESS (pushing him from her)

 
                  Out of my sight,
   For heaven's sake!
 

CARLOS

 
              No, I will not leave thee thus.
   In this dread anguish leave thee —
 

PRINCESS (pushing him forcibly away)

 
                     Oh, in pity —
   For mercy's sake, away – out of my sight!
   Wouldst thou destroy me? How I hate thy presence!
 

[CARLOS going.

 
   Give, give me back the letter and the key.
   Where is the other letter?
 

CARLOS

 
                  The other letter?
 

PRINCESS

 
   That from the king, to me —
 

CARLOS (terrified)

 
                  From whom?
 

PRINCESS

 
   The one I just now gave you.
 

CARLOS

 
                   From the king!
   To you!
 

PRINCESS

 
   Oh, heavens, how dreadfully have I
   Involved myself! The letter, sir! I must
   Have it again.
 

CARLOS

 
   The letter from the king!
   To you!
 

PRINCESS

 
        The letter! give it, I implore you
   By all that's sacred! give it.
 

CARLOS

 
                    What, the letter
   That will unmask the saint! Is this the letter?
 

PRINCESS

 
   Now I'm undone! Quick, give it me —
 

CARLOS

 
   The letter —
 

PRINCESS (wringing her hands in despair)

 
   What have I done? O dreadful, dire imprudence!
 

CARLOS

 
   This letter comes, then, from the king! Princess,
   That changes all indeed, and quickly, too.
   This letter is beyond all value – priceless!
   All Philip's crowns are worthless, and too poor
   To win it from my hands. I'll keep this letter.
 

PRINCESS (throwing herself prostrate before him as he is going)

 
   Almighty Heaven! then I am lost forever.
 

[Exit CARLOS.