audience.Let me not be disgraced. Oh, strike me not
With this most deadly wound – nor lay me bare
To sneering insolence of menial taunts!
"That strangers riot on your bounty, whilst
Carlos, your son, may supplicate in vain."
And as a pledge that you would have me honored,
Despatch me straight to Flanders with the army.
Urge thy request no farther – as thou wouldst
Avoid the king's displeasure.
I must brave
My king's displeasure, and prefer my suit
Once more, it is the last. Trust Flanders to me!
I must away from Spain. To linger here
Is to draw breath beneath the headsman's axe:
The air lies heavy on me in Madrid
Like murder on a guilty soul – a change,
An instant change of clime alone can cure me.
If you would save my life, despatch me straight
Without delay to Flanders.
Invalids,
Like thee, my son – need not be tended close,
And ever watched by the physician's eye —
Thou stayest in Spain – the duke will go to Flanders.
Assist me, ye good angels!
Hold, what mean
Those looks so wild?
Father, do you abide
Immovably by this determination?
It was the king's.
Then my commission's done.
[Exit in violent emotion.
SCENE III
King, sunk in gloomy contemplation, walks a few steps up and down; Alva approaches with embarrassment.
Hold yourself ready to depart for Brussels
Upon a moment's notice.
All is prepared, my liege.
And your credentials
Lie ready sealed within my cabinet, —
Meanwhile obtain an audience of the queen,
And bid the prince farewell.
As I came in
I met him with a look of frenzy wild
Quitting the chamber; and your majesty
Is strangely moved, methinks, and bears the marks
Of deep excitement – can it be the theme
Of your discourse —
Concerned the Duke of Alva.
[The KING keeps his eye steadfastly fixed on him.
I'm pleased that Carlos hates my councillors,
But I'm disturbed that he despises them.
[ALVA, coloring deeply, is about to speak.
No answer now: propitiate the prince.
Sire!
Tell me who it was that warned me first
Of my son's dark designs? I listened then
To you, and not to him. I will have proof.
And for the future, mark me, Carlos stands
Nearer the throne – now duke – you may retire.
[The KING retires into his cabinet. Exit DUKE by another door.
SCENE IV
The antechamber to the QUEEN'S apartments. DON CARLOS enters in conversation with a PAGE. The attendants retire at his approach.
For me this letter? And a key! How's this?
And both delivered with such mystery!
Come nearer, boy: – from whom didst thou receive them?
It seemed to me the lady would be guessed
Rather than be described.
The lady, what!
Who art thou, boy?
[Looking earnestly at the PAGE.
A page that serves the queen.
Hold, on your life! I know enough: no more.
[He tears open the letter hastily, and retires to read it; meanwhile DUKE ALVA comes, and passing the Prince, goes unperceived by him into the QUEEN'S apartment, CARLOS trembles violently and changes color; when he has read the letter he remains a long time speechless, his eyes steadfastly fixed on it; at last he turns to the PAGE.
She gave you this herself?
With her own hands.
She gave this letter to you then herself?
Deceive me not: I ne'er have seen her writing,
And I must credit thee, if thou canst swear it;
But if thy tale be false, confess it straight,
Nor put this fraud on me.
This fraud, on whom?
Your parents – are they living? and your father —
Serves he the king? Is he a Spaniard born?
He fell a colonel on St. Quentin's field,
Served
