Kitabı oku: «Don Carlos», sayfa 11

SCENE II

DUKE ALVA. The former.

ALVA (approaching the PRINCE with respect, but turning his back on the MARQUIS during the whole scene)

 
   Prince, you are free. Deputed by the king
   I come to tell you so.
 

[CARLOS looks at the MARQUIS with astonishment.

 
      General silence.
               And I, in truth,
   Am fortunate to have this honor first —
 

CARLOS (looking at both with extreme amazement, after a pause, to the DUKE)

 
   I am imprisoned, duke, and set at freedom,
   Unconscious of the cause of one or other.
 

ALVA

 
   As far as I know, prince, 'twas through an error,
   To which the king was driven by a traitor.
 

CARLOS

 
   Then am I here by order of the king?
 

ALVA

 
   Yes, through an error of his majesty.
 

CARLOS

 
   That gives me pain, indeed. But when the king
   Commits an error, 'twould beseem the king,
   Methinks, to remedy the fault in person.
   I am Don Philip's son – and curious eyes
   And slanderous looks are on me. What the king
   Hath done from sense of duty ne'er will I
   Appear to owe to your considerate favor.
   I am prepared to appear before the Cortes,
   And will not take my sword from such a hand.
 

ALVA

 
   The king will never hesitate to grant
   Your highness a request so just. Permit
   That I conduct you to him.
 

CARLOS

 
                 Here I stay
   Until the king or all Madrid shall come
   To lead me from my prison. Take my answer.
 

[ALVA withdraws. He is still seen for some time

 
      lingering in the court and giving orders to the guards.
 

SCENE III

CARLOS and MARQUIS POSA.

CARLOS (after the departure of the DUKE, full of expectation and astonishment, to the MARQUIS)

 
   What means all this? Inform me, Roderigo —
   Art thou not, then, the minister?
 

MARQUIS

 
                     I was,
   As thou canst well perceive —
 

[Going to him with great emotion.

 
                   O Carlos! Now
   I have succeeded – yes – it is accomplished —
   'Tis over now – Omnipotence be praised,
   To whom I owe success.
 

CARLOS

 
               Success! What mean you?
   Thy words perplex me.
 

MARQUIS (takes his hand)

 
              Carlos! thou art saved —
   Art free – but I —
 

[He stops short.

CARLOS

 
             But thou —
 

MARQUIS

 
                   Thus to my breast
   I press thee now, with friendship's fullest right,
   A right I've bought with all I hold most dear.
   How great, how lovely, Carlos, is this moment
   Of self-approving joy?
 

CARLOS

 
               What sudden change
   I mark upon thy features! Proudly now
   Thy bosom heaves, thine eyes dart vivid fire!
 

MARQUIS

 
   We must say farewell, Carlos! Tremble 'not,
   But be a man! And what thou more shalt hear,
   Promise me, not by unavailing sorrow,
   Unworthy of great souls, to aggravate
   The pangs of parting. I am lost to thee,
   Carlos, for many years – fools say forever.
 

[CARLOS withdraws his hand, but makes no reply.

 
   Be thou a man: I've reckoned much on thee —
   I have not even shunned to pass with thee
   This awful hour – which men, in words of fear,
   Have termed the final one. I own it, Carlos,
   I joy to pass it thus. Come let us sit —
   I feel myself grown weary and exhausted.
 

[He approaches CARLOS, who is in a lifeless stupor, and allows himself to be involuntarily drawn down by him.

 
   Where art thou? No reply! I must be brief.
   Upon the day that followed our last meeting
   At the Carthusian monastery the king
   Called me before him. What ensued thou knowest,
   And all Madrid. Thou hast not heard, however,
   Thy secret even then had reached his ears —
   That letters in the queen's possession found
   Had testified against thee. This I learned
   From his own lips – I was his confidant.
 

[He pauses for CARLOS' answer, but he still remains silent.

 
   Yes, Carlos, with my lips I broke my faith —
   Guided the plot myself that worked thy ruin.
   Thy deed spoke trumpet-tongued; to clear thee fully
   'Twas now too late: to frustrate his revenge
   Was all that now remained for me; and so
   I made myself thy enemy to-serve thee
   With fuller power – dost thou not hear me, Carlos,
 

CARLOS

 
   Go on! go on! I hear thee.
 

MARQUIS

 
                 To this point
   I'm guiltless. But the unaccustomed beams
   Of royal favor dazzled me. The rumor,
   As I had well foreseen, soon reached thine ears
   But by mistaken delicacy led,
   And blinded by my vain desire to end
   My enterprise alone, I kept concealed
   From friendship's ear my hazardous design.
   This was my fatal error! Here I failed!
   I know it. My self-confidence was madness.
   Pardon that confidence – 'twas founded, Carlos,
   Upon our friendship's everlasting base.
 

[He pauses. CARLOS passes from torpid silence to violent agitation.

 
   That which I feared befell. Unreal dangers
   Alarmed your mind. The bleeding queen – the tumult
   Within the palace – Lerma's interference —
   And, last of all, my own mysterious silence,
   Conspired to overwhelm thy heart with wonder.
   Thou wavered'st, thought'st me lost; but far too noble
   To doubt thy friend's integrity, thy soul
   Clothed his defection with a robe of honor,
   Nor judged him faithless till it found a motive
   To screen and justify his breach of faith.
   Forsaken by thy only friend – 'twas then
   Thou sought'st the arms of Princess Eboli —
   A demon's arms! 'Twas she betrayed thee, Carlos!
   I saw thee fly to her – a dire foreboding
   Struck on my heart – I followed thee too late!
   Already wert thou prostrate at her feet,
   The dread avowal had escaped thy lips —
   No way was left to save thee.
 

CARLOS

 
                   No! her heart
   Was moved, thou dost mistake, her heart was moved.
 

MARQUIS

 
   Night overspread my mind. No remedy,
   No refuge, no retreat was left to me
   In nature's boundless compass. Blind despair
   Transformed me to a fury – to a tiger —
   I raised my dagger to a woman's breast.
   But in that moment – in that dreadful moment —
   A radiant sunbeam fell upon my soul.
   "Could I mislead the king! Could I succeed
   In making him think me the criminal!
   However improbable, the very guilt
   Will be enough to win the king's belief.
   I'll dare the task – a sudden thunderbolt
   May make the tyrant start – what want I further?
   He stops to think, and Carlos thus gains time
   To fly to Brussels."
 

CARLOS

 
              And hast thou done this?
 

MARQUIS

 
   I have despatched a letter to Prince William,
   Saying I loved the queen, and had escaped
   The king's mistrust in the unjust suspicion
   Which falsely fell on thee – that I had found
   Means, through the monarch's favor, to obtain
   Free access to the queen. I added, further,
   That I was fearful of discovery —
   That thou hadst learned my secret, and hadst sped
   To Princess Eboli, with hopes through her
   To warn the queen – that I had made thee prisoner —
   And now that all seemed lost, I had resolved
   To fly to Brussels. This same letter I —
 

CARLOS (interrupts him, terrified)

 
   Hast surely not intrusted to the post!
   Thou knowest that letters to Brabant and Flanders —
 

MARQUIS

 
   Are given to the king; and as things go
   Taxis would seem to have discharged his duty.
 

CARLOS

 
   Heavens! then I'm lost.
 

MARQUIS

 
                How lost? What meanest thou?
 

CARLOS

 
   And thou, alas! art lost together with me —
   This dreadful fraud my father ne'er will pardon.
 

MARQUIS

 
   This fraud! Thou'rt mad! Who will disclose it to him?
 

CARLOS (regards him with a fixed look)

 
   Who! Dost thou ask? I will myself.
 

MARQUIS

 
                      Thou ravest!
   Stand back —
 

CARLOS

 
          Away! For heaven's sake hold me not.
   While I stay here, he's hiring the assassins.
 

MARQUIS

 
   Then is our time more precious – and we still
   Have much to say.
 

CARLOS

 
             What! Before all is finished?
 

[He makes another effort to go. The MARQUIS holds him by the arm, and looks at him impressively.

MARQUIS

 
   Carlos! was I so scrupulous – so eager —
   When thou, a boy, didst shed thy blood for me?
 

CARLOS (with emotion, and full of admiration)

 
   Kind Providence!
 

MARQUIS

 
            Reserve thyself for Flanders!
   The kingdom is thy destiny – 'tis mine
   To give my life for thee.
 

CARLOS (takes his hand with deep sensibility)

 
                 No, no! he will not,
   Cannot resist a virtue so sublime.
   I will conduct thee to him, and together,
   Arm linked in arm, will we appear before him.
   Then thus will I address him: "Father, see,
   This is the way a friend acts towards his friend."
   Trust me, 'twill move him – it will touch his heart.
   He's not without humanity, – my father.
   Yes, it will move him. With hot tears, his eyes
   Will overflow – and he will pardon us.
 

[A shot is fired through the iron grating. CARLOS leaps up.

 
   Whom was that meant for?
 

MARQUIS (sinking down)

 
                I believe – for me.
   CARLOS (falling to the earth with a loud cry of grief).
   O God of mercy!
 

MARQUIS

 
            He is quick – the king.
   I had hoped – a little longer – Carlos – think
   Of means of flight – dost hear me? – of thy flight.
   Thy mother – knows it all – I can no more.
                        [Dies.
 

[CARLOS remains by the corpse, like one bereft of life.

After some time the KING enters, accompanied by many GRANDEES;

and starts, panic-struck, at the sight. A general and deep silence. The GRANDEES range themselves in a semi-circle round them both, and regard the KING and his SON alternately. The latter continues without any sign of life. The KING regards him in thoughtful silence.

SCENE IV

The KING, CARLOS, the DUKESS ALVA, FERIA, and MEDINA SIDONIA, PRINCE OF PARMA, COUNT LERMA, DOMINGO, and numerous GRANDEES.

KING (in a gentle tone)

 
   Thy prayer hath met a gracious hearing, prince,
   And here I come, with all the noble peers
   Of this my court, to bring thee liberty.
 

[CARLOS raises his eyes and looks around him like one awakened from a dream. His eyes are fixed now on the KING, now on the corpse; he gives no answer.

 
   Receive thy sword again. We've been too rash!
 

[He approaches him, holds out his hand, and assists him to rise.

 
   My son's not in his place; Carlos, arise!
   Come to thy father's arms! His love awaits thee.
 

CARLOS (receives the embrace of the KING without any consciousness. Suddenly recollects himself, pauses and looks fixedly at him)

 
   Thou smell'st of blood – no, I cannot embrace thee!
 

[Pushes his father back. All the GRANDEES are in commotion.

 
      CARLOS to them: —
   Nay, stand not there confounded and amazed! —
   What monstrous action have I done? Defiled
   The anointed of the Lord! Oh, fear me not,
   I would not lay a hand on him. Behold,
   Stamped on his forehead is the damning brand!
   The hand of God hath marked him!
 

KING (about to go quickly)

 
                    Nobles! follow.
 

CARLOS

 
   Whither? You stir not from this spot.
 

[Detaining the KING forcibly with both hands, while with one he manages to seize the sword which the KING has brought with him, and it comes from the scabbard.

KING

 
                       What! Draw
   A sword upon thy father?
 

ALL THE GRANDEES (drawing their swords)

 
                Regicide!
 

CARLOS (holding the KING firmly with one hand, the naked sword in the other)

 
   Put up your swords! What! Think you I am mad?
   I am not so: or you were much to blame
   Thus to remind me, that upon the point
   Of this my sword, his trembling life doth hover.
   I pray you, stand aloof; for souls like mine
   Need soothing. There – hold back! And with the king
   What I have yet to settle touches not
   Your loyalty. See there – his hand is bloody!
   Do you not see it? And now look you here!
 

[Pointing to the corpse.

 
   This hath he done with a well-practised hand.
 

KING (to the GRANDEES, who press anxiously around him)

 
   Retire! Why do you tremble? Are we not
   Father and son? I will yet wait and see
   To what atrocious crime his nature —
 

CARLOS

 
                      Nature
   I know her not. Murder is now the word!
   The bonds of all humanity are severed,
   Thine own hands have dissolved them through the realm.
   Shall I respect a tie which thou hast scorned?
   Oh, see! see here! the foulest deed of blood
   That e'er the world beheld. Is there no God
   That kings, in his creation, work such havoc?
   Is there no God, I ask? Since mother's wombs
   Bore children, one alone – and only one —
   So guiltlessly hath died. And art thou sensible
   What thou hast done? Oh, no! he knows it not:
   Knows not that he has robbed – despoiled the world
   Of a more noble, precious, dearer life
   Than he and all his century can boast.
 

KING (with a tone of softness)

 
   If I have been too hasty, Carlos – thou
   For whom I have thus acted, should at least
   Not call me to account.
 

CARLOS

 
                Is't possible!
   Did you then never guess how dear to me
   Was he who here lies dead? Thou lifeless corpse!
   Instruct him – aid his wisdom, to resolve
   This dark enigma now. He was my friend.
   And would you know why he has perished thus?
   He gave his life for me.
 

KING

 
                Ha? my suspicions!
 

CARLOS

 
   Pardon, thou bleeding corpse, that I profane
   Thy virtue to such ears. But let him blush
   With deep-felt shame, the crafty politician,
   That his gray-headed wisdom was o'erreached,
   E'en by the judgment of a youth. Yes, sire,
   We two were brothers! Bound by nobler bands
   Than nature ties. His whole life's bright career
   Was love. His noble death was love for me.
   E'en in the moment when his brief esteem
   Exalted you, he was my own. And when
   With fascinating tongue he sported with
   Your haughty, giant mind, 'twas your conceit
   To bridle him; but you became yourself
   The pliant tool of his exalted plans.
   That I became a prisoner, my arrest,
   Was his deep friendship's meditated work.
   That letter to Prince William was designed
   To save my life. It was the first deceit
   He ever practised. To insure my safety
   He rushed on death himself, and nobly perished.
   You lavished on him all your favor; yet
   For me he died. Your heart, your confidence,
   You forced upon him. As a toy he held
   Your sceptre and your power; he cast them from him,
   And gave his life for me.
 

[The KING stands motionless, with eyes fixed on the ground;

all the GRANDEES regard him with surprise and alarm.

How could it be

 
   That you gave credit to this strange deceit?
   Meanly indeed he valued you, to try
   By such coarse artifice to win his ends.
   You dared to court his friendship, but gave way
   Before a test so simple. Oh, no! never
   For souls like yours was such a being formed.
   That well he knew himself, when he rejected
   Your crowns, your gifts, your greatness, and yourself.
   This fine-toned lyre broke in your iron hand,
   And you could do no more than murder him.
 

ALVA (never having taken his eyes from the KING, and observing his emotion with uneasiness, approaches him with apprehension)

 
   Keep not this deathlike silence, sire. Look round,
   And speak at least to us.
 

CARLOS

 
                 Once you were not
   Indifferent to him. And deeply once
   You occupied his thoughts. It might have been
   His lot to make you happy. His full heart
   Might have enriched you; with its mere abundance
   An atom of his soul had been enough
   To make a god of you. You've robbed yourself —
   Plundered yourself and me. What could you give,
   To raise again a spirit like to this?
 

[Deep silence. Many of the GRANDEES turn away, or conceal their faces in their mantles.

 
   Oh, ye who stand around with terror dumb,
   And mute surprise, do not condemn the youth
   Who holds this language to the king, his father.
   Look on this corpse. Behold! for me he died.
   If ye have tears – if in your veins flow blood,
   Not molten brass, look here, and blame me not.
 

[He turns to the KING with more self-possession and calmness.

 
   Doubtless you wait the end of this rude scene?
   Here is my sword, for you are still my king.
   Think not I fear your vengeance. Murder me,
   As you have murdered this most noble man.
   My life is forfeit; that I know full well.
   But what is life to me? I here renounce
   All that this world can offer to my hopes.
Seek among strangers for a son. Here lies
   My kingdom.
 

[He sinks down on the corpse, and takes no part in what follows.

A confused tumult and the noise of a crowd is heard in the distance.

All is deep silence round the KING. His eyes scan the circle over, but no one returns his looks.

KING

 
         What! Will no one make reply?
   Each eye upon the ground, each look abashed!
   My sentence is pronounced. I read it here
   Proclaimed in all this lifeless, mute demeanor.
   My vassals have condemned me.
 

[Silence as before. The tumult grows louder. A murmur is heard among the GRANDEES. They exchange embarrassed looks. COUNT LERMA at length gently touches ALVA.

LERMA

 
                   Here's rebellion!
 

ALVA (in a low voice)

 
   I fear it.
 

LERMA

 
   It approaches! They are coming!
 

SCENE V

An officer of the Body Guard. The former.

OFFICER (urgently)

 
   Rebellion! Where's the king?
 

[He makes his way through the crowd up to the KING.

 
                   Madrid's in arms!
   To thousands swelled, the soldiery and people
   Surround the palace; and reports are spread
   That Carlos is a prisoner – that his life
   Is threatened. And the mob demand to see
   Him living, or Madrid will be in flames.
 

THE GRANDEES (with excitement)

 
   Defend the king!
 

ALVA (to the KING, who remains quiet and unmoved)

 
            Fly, sire! your life's in danger.
   As yet we know not who has armed the people.
 

KING (rousing from his stupor, and advancing with dignity among then)

 
   Stands my throne firm, and am I sovereign yet
   Over this empire? No! I'm king no more.
   These cowards weep – moved by a puny boy.
   They only wait the signal to desert me.
   I am betrayed by rebels!
 

ALVA

 
                Dreadful thought!
 

KING

 
   There! fling yourselves before him – down before
   The young, the expectant king; I'm nothing now
   But a forsaken, old, defenceless man!
 

ALVA

 
   Spaniards! is't come to this?
 

[All crowd round the KING, and fall on their knees before him with drawn swords. CARLOS remains alone with the corpse, deserted by all.

KING (tearing off his mantle and throwing it from him)

 
                   There! clothe him now
   With this my royal mantle; and on high
   Bear him in triumph o'er my trampled corpse!
 

[He falls senseless in ALVA's and LERMA's arms.

LERMA

 
   For heaven's sake, help!
 

FERIA

 
                Oh, sad, disastrous chance!
 

LERMA

 
   He faints!
 

ALVA (leaves the KING in LERMA's and FERIA's hands)

 
         Attend his majesty! whilst I
   Make it my aim to tranquillize Madrid.
 

[Exit ALVA. The KING is borne off, attended by all the grandees.

SCENE VI

CARLOS remains behind with the corpse. After a few moments Louis MERCADO appears, looks cautiously round him, and stands a long time silent behind the PRINCE, who does not observe him.

MERCADO

 
   I come, prince, from her majesty the queen.
 

[CARLOS turns away and makes no reply.

 
   My name, Mercado, I'm the queen's physician
   See my credentials.
 

[Shows the PRINCE a signet ring. CARLOS remains still silent.

 
              And the queen desires
   To speak with you to-day – on weighty business.
 

CARLOS

 
   Nothing is weighty in this world to me.
 

MERCADO

 
   A charge the Marquis Posa left with her.
 

CARLOS (looking up quickly)

 
   Indeed! I come this instant.
 

MERCADO

 
                   No, not yet,
   Most gracious prince! you must delay till night.
   Each avenue is watched, the guards are doubled
   You ne'er could reach the palace unperceived;
   You would endanger everything.
 

CARLOS

 
                   And yet —
 

MERCADO

 
   I know one means alone that can avail us.
   'Tis the queen's thought, and she suggests it to you;
   But it is bold, adventurous, and strange!
 

CARLOS

 
   What is it?
 

MERCADO

 
          A report has long prevailed
   That in the secret vaults, beneath the palace,
   At midnight, shrouded in a monk's attire,
   The emperor's departed spirit walks.
   The people still give credit to the tale,
   And the guards watch the post with inward terror.
   Now, if you but determine to assume
   This dress, you may pass freely through the guards,
   Until you reach the chamber of the queen,
   Which this small key will open. Your attire
   Will save you from attack. But on the spot,
   Prince! your decision must be made at once.
   The requisite apparel and the mask
   Are ready in your chamber. I must haste
   And take the queen your answer.
 

CARLOS

 
                    And the hour?
 

MERCADO

 
   It is midnight.
 

CARLOS

 
            Then inform her I will come.
 

[Exit MERCADO.