Kitabı oku: «Don Carlos», sayfa 8

ACT IV

SCENE I

The Queen's Apartment.

QUEEN, DUCHESS OLIVAREZ, PRINCESS EBOLI, COUNTESS FUENTES.

QUEEN (to the first lady as she rises)

 
   And so the key has not been found! My casket
   Must be forced open then – and that at once.
 

[She observes PRINCESS EBOLI, who approaches and kisses her hand.

 
   Welcome, dear princess! I rejoice to see you
   So near recovered. But you still look pale.
 

FUENTES (with malice)

 
   The fault of that vile fever which affects
   The nerves so painfully. Is't not, princess?
 

QUEEN

 
   I wished to visit you, dear Eboli,
   But dared not.
 

OLIVAREZ

 
           Oh! the Princess Eboli
   Was not in want of company.
 

QUEEN

 
                  Why, that
   I readily believe, but what's the matter?
   You tremble —
 

PRINCESS

 
           Nothing – nothing, gracious queen.
   Permit me to retire.
 

QUEEN

 
              You hide it from us —
   And are far worse than you would have us think.
   Standing must weary you. Assist her, countess,
   And let her rest awhile upon that seat.
 

PRINCESS (going)

 
   I shall be better in the open air.
 

QUEEN

 
   Attend her, countess. What a sudden illness!
 

[A PAGE enters and speaks to the DUCHESS, who then

 
      addresses the QUEEN.
 

OLIVAREZ

 
   The Marquis Posa waits, your majesty,
   With orders from the king.
 

QUEEN

 
                 Admit him then.
 

[PAGE admits the MARQUIS and exit.

SCENE II

MARQUIS POSA. The former.

The MARQUIS falls on one knee before the QUEEN, who signs to him to rise.

QUEEN

 
   What are my lord's commands? And may I dare
   Thus publicly to hear —
 

MARQUIS

 
                My business is
   In private with your royal majesty.
 

[The ladies retire on a signal from the QUEEN.

SCENE III

The QUEEN, MARQUIS POSA.

QUEEN (full of astonishment)

 
   How! Marquis, dare I trust my eyes? Are you
   Commissioned to me from the king?
 

MARQUIS

 
                     Does this
   Seem such a wonder to your majesty?
   To me 'tis otherwise.
 

QUEEN

 
               The world must sure
   Have wandered from its course! That you and he —
   I must confess —
 

MARQUIS

 
            It does sound somewhat strange —
   But be it so. The present times abound
   In prodigies.
 

QUEEN

 
           But none can equal this.
 

MARQUIS

 
   Suppose I had at last allowed myself
   To be converted, and had weary grown
   Of playing the eccentric at the court
   Of Philip. The eccentric! What is that?
   He who would be of service to mankind
   Must first endeavor to resemble them.
   What end is gained by the vain-glorious garb
   Of the sectarian? Then suppose – for who
   From vanity is so completely free
   As for his creed to seek no proselytes?
   Suppose, I say, I had it in my mind
   To place my own opinions on the throne!
 

QUEEN

 
   No, marquis! no! Not even in jest could I
   Suspect you of so wild a scheme as this;
   No visionary you! to undertake
   What you can ne'er accomplish.
 

MARQUIS

 
                   But that seems
   To be the very point at issue.
 

QUEEN

 
                   What
   I chiefly blame you, marquis, for, and what
   Could well estrange me from you – is —
 

MARQUIS

 
                       Perhaps
   Duplicity!
 

QUEEN

 
         At least – a want of candor.
   Perhaps the king himself has no desire
   You should impart what now you mean to tell me.
 

MARQUIS

 
   No.
 

QUEEN

 
      And can evil means be justified
   By honest ends? And – pardon me the doubt —
   Can your high bearing stoop to such an office?
   I scarce can think it.
 

MARQUIS

 
               Nor, indeed, could I,
   Were my sole purpose to deceive the king.
   'Tis not my wish – I mean to serve him now
   More honestly than he himself commands.
 

QUEEN

 
   'Tis spoken like yourself. Enough of this —
   What would the king?
 

MARQUIS

 
              The king? I can, it seems,
   Retaliate quickly on my rigid judge
   And what I have deferred so long to tell,
   Your majesty, perhaps, would willingly
   Longer defer to hear. But still it must
   Be heard. The king requests your majesty
   Will grant no audience to the ambassador
   Of France to-day. Such were my high commands —
   They're executed.
 

QUEEN

 
             Marquis, is that all
   You have to tell me from him?
 

MARQUIS

 
                   Nearly all
   That justifies me thus to seek your presence.
 

QUEEN

 
   Well, marquis, I'm contented not to hear
   What should, perhaps, remain a secret from me.
 

MARQUIS

 
   True, queen! though were you other than yourself,
   I should inform you straight of certain things —
   Warn you of certain men – but this to you
   Were a vain office. Danger may arise
   And disappear around you, unperceived.
   You will not know it – of too little weight
   To chase the slumber from your angel brow.
   But 'twas not this, in sooth, that brought me hither,
   Prince Carlos —
 

QUEEN

 
            What of him? How have you left him?
 

MARQUIS

 
   E'en as the only wise man of his time,
   In whom it is a crime to worship truth —
   And ready, for his love to risk his life,
   As the wise sage for his. I bring few words —
   But here he is himself.
 

[Giving the QUEEN a letter.

QUEEN (after she has read it)

 
                He says he must
   Speak with me —
 

MARQUIS

 
            So do I.
 

QUEEN

 
                 And will he thus
   Be happy – when he sees with his own eyes,
   That I am wretched?
 

MARQUIS

 
              No; but more resolved,
   More active.
 

QUEEN

 
          How?
 

MARQUIS

 
             Duke Alva is appointed
   To Flanders.
 

QUEEN

 
          Yes, appointed – so I hear.
 

MARQUIS

 
   The king cannot retract: – we know the king.
   This much is clear, the prince must not remain
   Here in Madrid, nor Flanders be abandoned.
 

QUEEN

 
   And can you hinder it?
 

MARQUIS

 
               Perhaps I can,
   But then the means are dangerous as the evil —
   Rash as despair – and yet I know no other.
 

QUEEN

 
   Name them.
 

MARQUIS

 
         To you, and you alone, my queen,
   Will I reveal them; for from you alone,
   Carlos will hear them named without a shudder.
   The name they bear is somewhat harsh.
 

QUEEN

 
                       Rebellion!
 

MARQUIS

 
   He must prove faithless to the king, and fly
   With secrecy to Brussels, where the Flemings
   Wait him with open arms. The Netherlands
   Will rise at his command. Our glorious cause
   From the king's son will gather matchless strength,
   The Spanish throne shall tremble at his arms,
   And what his sire denied him in Madrid,
   That will he willingly concede in Brussels.
 

QUEEN

 
   You've spoken with the king to-day – and yet
   Maintain all this.
 

MARQUIS

 
             Yes, I maintain it all,
   Because I spoke with him.
 

QUEEN (after a pause)

 
                 The daring plan
   Alarms and pleases me. You may be right —
   The thought is bold, and that perhaps enchants me.
   Let it but ripen. Does Prince Carlos know it?
 

MARQUIS

 
   It was my wish that he should hear it first
   From your own lips.
 

QUEEN

 
              The plan is doubtless good,
   But then the prince's youth —
 

MARQUIS

 
                   No disadvantage!
   He there will find the bravest generals
   Of the Emperor Charles – an Egmont and an Orange —
   In battle daring, and in council wise.
 

QUEEN (with vivacity)

 
   True – the design is grand and beautiful!
   The prince must act; I feel it sensibly.
   The part he's doomed to play here in Madrid
   Has bowed me to the dust on his account.
   I promise him the aid of France and Savoy;
   I think with you, lord marquis – he must act —
   But this design needs money —
 

MARQUIS

 
                   It is ready.
 

QUEEN

 
   I, too, know means.
 

MARQUIS

 
              May I then give him hopes
   Of seeing you?
 

QUEEN

 
           I will consider it.
 

MARQUIS

 
   The prince, my queen, is urgent for an answer.
   I promised to procure it.
 

[Presenting his writing tablet to the QUEEN.

 
                 Two short lines
   Will be enough.
 

QUEEN (after she has written)

 
            When do we meet again?
 

MARQUIS

 
   Whene'er you wish.
 

QUEEN

 
             Whene'er I wish it, marquis!
   How can I understand this privilege?
 

MARQUIS

 
   As innocently, queen, as e'er you may.
   But we enjoy it – that is sure enough.
 

QUEEN (interrupting)

 
   How will my heart rejoice should this become
   A refuge for the liberties of Europe,
   And this through him! Count on my silent aid!
 

MARQUIS (with animation)

 
   Right well I knew your heart would understand me.
 

[The DUCHESS OLIVAREZ enters.

QUEEN (coldly to the MARQUIS)

 
   My lord! the king's commands I shall respect
   As law. Assure him of the queen's submission.
 

[She makes a sign to him. Exit MARQUIS.

SCENE IV

A Gallery.

DON CARLOS, COUNT LERMA.

CARLOS

 
   Here we are undisturbed. What would you now
   Impart to me?
 

LERMA

 
           Your highness has a friend
   Here at the court.
 

CARLOS (starting)

 
             A friend! I knew it not!
   But what's your meaning?
 

LERMA

 
                I must sue for pardon
   That I am learned in more than I should know.
   But for your highness' comfort I've received it
   From one I may depend upon – in short,
   I have it from myself.
 

CARLOS

 
               Whom speak you of?
 

LERMA

 
   The Marquis Posa.
 

CARLOS

 
             What!
 

LERMA

 
                And if your highness
   Has trusted to him more of what concerns you
   Than every one should know, as I am led
   To fear —
 

CARLOS

 
         You fear!
 

LERMA

 
              He has been with the king.
 

CARLOS

 
   Indeed!
 

LERMA

 
        Two hours in secret converse too.
 

CARLOS

 
   Indeed!
 

LERMA

 
        The subject was no trifling matter.
 

CARLOS

 
   That I can well believe.
 

LERMA

 
                And several times
   I heard your name.
 

CARLOS

 
             That's no bad sign, I hope.
 

LERMA

 
   And then, this morning, in the king's apartment,
   The queen was spoken of mysteriously.
 

CARLOS (starts back astonished)

 
   Count Lerma!
 

LERMA

 
          When the marquis had retired
   I was commanded to admit his lordship
   In future unannounced.
 

CARLOS

 
               Astonishing!
 

LERMA

 
   And without precedent do I believe,
   Long as I served the king —
 

CARLOS

 
                  'Tis strange, indeed!
   How did you say the queen was spoken of?
 

LERMA (steps back)

 
   No, no, my prince! that were against my duty.
 

CARLOS

 
   'Tis somewhat strange! One secret you impart.
   The other you withhold.
 

LERMA

 
                The first was due
   To you, the other to the king.
 

CARLOS

 
                   You're right.
 

LERMA

 
   And still I've thought you, prince, a man of honor.
 

CARLOS

 
   Then you have judged me truly.
 

LERMA

 
                   But all virtue
   Is spotless till it's tried.
 

CARLOS

 
                  Some stand the trial.
 

LERMA

 
   A powerful monarch's favor is a prize
   Worth seeking for; and this alluring bait
   Has ruined many a virtue.
 

CARLOS

 
                 Truly said!
 

LERMA

 
   And oftentimes 'tis prudent to discover —
   What scarce can longer be concealed.
 

CARLOS

 
                      Yes, prudent
   It may be, but you say you've ever known
   The marquis prove himself a man of honor.
 

LERMA

 
   And if he be so still my fears are harmless,
   And you become a double gainer, prince.
 

[Going.

CARLOS (follows him with emotion, and presses his hand)

 
   Trebly I gain, upright and worthy man,
   I gain another friend, nor lose the one
   Whom I before possessed.
 

[Exit LERMA.

SCENE V

MARQUIS POSA comes through the gallery. CARLOS.

MARQUIS

 
                Carlos! My Carlos!
 

CARLOS

 
   Who calls me? Ah! 'tis thou – I was in haste
   To gain the convent! You will not delay.
 

[Going.

MARQUIS

 
   Hold! for a moment.
 

CARLOS

 
              We may be observed.
 

MARQUIS

 
   No chance of that. 'Tis over now. The queen —
 

CARLOS

 
   You've seen my father.
 

MARQUIS

 
               Yes! he sent for me.
 

CARLOS (full of expectation)

 
   Well!
 

MARQUIS

 
       'Tis all settled – you may see the queen.
 

CARLOS

 
   Yes! but the king! What said the king to you?
 

MARQUIS

 
   Not much. Mere curiosity to learn
   My history. The zeal of unknown friends —
   I know not what. He offered me employment.
 

CARLOS

 
   Which you, of course, rejected?
 

MARQUIS

 
                    Yes, of course
 

CARLOS

 
   How did you separate?
 

MARQUIS

 
               Oh, well enough!
 

CARLOS

 
   And was I mentioned?
 

MARQUIS

 
              Yes; in general terms.
 

[Taking out a pocketbook and giving it to the PRINCE.

 
   See here are two lines written by the queen,
   To-morrow I will settle where and how.
 

CARLOS (reads it carelessly, puts the tablet in his pocket, and is going)

 
   You'll meet me at the prior's?
 

MARQUIS

 
                   Yes! But stay
   Why in such haste? No one is coming hither.
 

CARLOS (with a forced smile)

 
   Have we in truth changed characters? To-day
   You seem so bold and confident.
 

MARQUIS

 
                    To-day —
   Wherefore to-day?
 

CARLOS

 
             What writes the queen to me?
 

MARQUIS

 
   Have you not read this instant?
 

CARLOS

 
                    I? Oh yes.
 

MARQUIS

 
   What is't disturbs you now?
 

CARLOS (reads the tablet again, delighted and fervently)

 
                  Angel of Heaven!
   I will be so, – I will be worthy of thee.
   Love elevates great minds. So come what may,
   Whatever thou commandest, I'll perform.
   She writes that I must hold myself prepared
   For a great enterprise! What can she mean?
   Dost thou not know?
 

MARQUIS

 
              And, Carlos, if I knew,
   Say, art thou now prepared to hear it from me?
 

CARLOS

 
   Have I offended thee? I was distracted.
   Roderigo, pardon me.
 

MARQUIS

 
              Distracted! How?
 

CARLOS

 
   I scarcely know! But may I keep this tablet?
 

MARQUIS

 
   Not so! I came to ask thee for thine own.
 

CARLOS

 
   My tablet! Why?
 

MARQUIS

 
            And whatsoever writings
   You have, unfit to meet a stranger's eye —
   Letters or memorandums, and in short,
   Your whole portfolio.
 

CARLOS

 
               Why?
 

MARQUIS

 
                  That we may be
   Prepared for accidents. Who can prevent
   Surprise? They'll never seek them in my keeping.
   Here, give them to me —
 

CARLOS (uneasy)

 
                Strange! What can it mean?
 

MARQUIS

 
   Be not alarmed! 'Tis nothing of importance
   A mere precaution to prevent surprise.
   You need not be alarmed!
 

CARLOS (gives him the portfolio)

 
                Be careful of it.
 

MARQUIS

 
   Be sure I will.
 

CARLOS (looks at him significantly)

 
            I give thee much, Roderigo!
 

MARQUIS

 
   Not more than I have often had from thee.
   The rest we'll talk of yonder. Now farewell.
 

[Going.

CARLOS (struggling with himself, then calls him back)

 
   Give me my letters back; there's one amongst them
   The queen addressed to me at Alcala,
   When I was sick to death. Still next my heart
   I carry it; to take this letter from me
   Goes to my very soul. But leave me that,
   And take the rest.
 

[He takes it out, and returns the portfolio.

MARQUIS

 
             I yield unwillingly —
   For 'twas that letter which I most required.
 

CARLOS

 
   Farewell!
 

[He goes away slowly, stops a moment at the door, turns back again, and brings him the letter.

 
        You have it there.
 

[His hand trembles, tears start from his eyes, he falls on the neck of the MARQUIS, and presses his face to his bosom.

 
                  Oh, not my father,
   Could do so much, Roderigo! Not my father!
 

[Exit hastily.

SCENE VI

MARQUIS (looks after him with astonishment)

 
   And is this possible! And to this hour
   Have I not known him fully? In his heart
   This blemish has escaped my eye. Distrust
   Of me – his friend! But no, 'tis calumny!
   What hath he done that I accuse him thus
   Of weakest weakness. I myself commit
   The fault I charge on him. What have I done
   Might well surprise him! When hath he displayed
   To his best friend such absolute reserve?
   Carlos, I must afflict thee – there's no help —
   And longer still distress thy noble soul.
   In me the king hath placed his confidence,
   His holiest trust reposed – as in a casket,
   And this reliance calls for gratitude.
   How can disclosure serve thee when my silence
   Brings thee no harm – serves thee, perhaps? Ah! why
   Point to the traveller the impending storm?
   Enough, if I direct its anger past thee!
   And when thou wakest the sky's again serene.
 

[Exit

SCENE VII

The KING's Cabinet.

The KING seated, near him the INFANTA CLARA EUGENIA.

KING (after a deep silence)

 
   No – she is sure my daughter – or can nature
   Thus lie like truth! Yes, that blue eye is mine!
   And I am pictured in thy every feature.
   Child of my love! for such thou art – I fold thee
   Thus to my heart; thou art my blood.
 

[Starts and pauses:

 
                      My blood —
   What's worse to fear? Are not my features his?
 

[Takes the miniature in his hand and looks first at the portrait, then at the mirror opposite; at last he throws it on the ground, rises hastily, and pushes the INFANTA from him.

 
   Away, away! I'm lost in this abyss.
 

SCENE VIII

COUNT LERMA and the KING.

LERMA

 
   Her majesty is in the antechamber.
 

KING

 
   What! Now?
 

LERMA

 
          And begs the favor of an audience.
 

KING

 
   Now! At this unaccustomed hour! Not now —
   I cannot see her yet.
 

LERMA

 
               Here comes the queen.
 

[Exit LERMA.

SCENE IX

The KING, the QUEEN enters, and the INFANTA.

The INFANTA runs to meet the QUEEN and clings to her;

the QUEEN falls at the KING's feet, who is silent, and appears confused and embarrassed.

QUEEN

 
   My lord! My husband! I'm constrained to seek
   Justice before the throne!
 

KING

 
                 What? Justice!
 

QUEEN

 
                          Yes!
   I'm treated with dishonor at the court!
   My casket has been rifled.
 

KING

 
                 What! Your casket?
 

QUEEN

 
   And things I highly value have been plundered.
 

KING

 
   Things that you highly value.
 

QUEEN

 
                   From the meaning
   Which ignorant men's officiousness, perhaps,
   Might give to them —
 

KING

 
              What's this? Officiousness,
   And meaning! How? But rise.
 

QUEEN

 
                   Oh no, my husband!
   Not till you bind yourself by sacred promise,
   By virtue of your own authority,
   To find the offender out, and grant redress,
   Or else dismiss my suite, which hides a thief.
 

KING

 
   But rise! In such a posture! Pray you, rise.
 

QUEEN (rises)

 
   'Tis some one of distinction – I know well;
   My casket held both diamonds and pearls
   Of matchless value, but he only took
   My letters.
 

KING

 
          May I ask —
 

QUEEN

 
                Undoubtedly,
   My husband. They were letters from the prince:
   His miniature as well.
 

KING

 
               From whom?
 

QUEEN

 
                     The prince,
   Your son.
 

KING

 
         To you?
 

QUEEN

 
             Sent by the prince to me.
 

KING

 
   What! From Prince Carlos! Do you tell me that?
 

QUEEN

 
   Why not tell you, my husband?
 

KING

 
                   And not blush.
 

QUEEN

 
   What mean you? You must surely recollect
   The letters Carlos sent me to St. Germains,
   With both courts' full consent. Whether that leave
   Extended to the portrait, or alone
   His hasty hope dictated such a step,
   I cannot now pretend to answer; but
   If even rash, it may at least be pardoned
   For thus much I may be his pledge – that then
   He never thought the gift was for his mother.
      [Observes the agitation of the KING.
   What moves you? What's the matter?
 

INFANTA (who has found the miniature on the ground, and has been playing with it, brings it to the QUEEN)

 
                      Look, dear mother!
   See what a pretty picture!
 

QUEEN

 
                 What then my —
 

[She recognizes the miniature, and remains in speechless astonishment. They both gaze at each other. After a long pause.

 
   In truth, this mode of trying a wife's heart
   Is great and royal, sire! But I should wish
   To ask one question?
 

KING

 
              'Tis for me to question.
 

QUEEN

 
   Let my suspicions spare the innocent.
   And if by your command this theft was done —
 

KING

 
   It was so done!
 

QUEEN

 
            Then I have none to blame,
   And none to pity – other than yourself —
   Since you possess a wife on whom such schemes
   Are thrown away.
 

KING

 
            This language is not new —
   Nor shall you, madam, now again deceive me
   As in the gardens of Aranjuez —
   My queen of angel purity, who then
   So haughtily my accusation spurned —
   I know her better now.
 

QUEEN

 
               What mean you, sire?
 

KING

 
   Madam! thus briefly and without reserve —
   Say is it true? still true, that you conversed
   With no one there? Is really that the truth?
 

QUEEN

 
   I spoke there with the prince.
 

KING

 
                   Then is clear
   As day! So daring! heedless of mine honor!
 

QUEEN

 
   Your honor, sire! If that be now the question,
   A greater honor is, methinks, at stake
   Than Castile ever brought me as a dowry.
 

KING

 
   Why did you then deny the prince's presence?
 

QUEEN

 
   Because I'm not accustomed to be questioned
   Like a delinquent before all your courtiers;
   I never shall deny the truth when asked
   With kindness and respect. Was that the tone
   Your majesty used towards me in Aranjuez?
   Are your assembled grandees the tribunal
   Queens must account to for their private conduct?
   I gave the prince the interview he sought
   With earnest prayer, because, my liege and lord,
   I – the queen – wished and willed it, and because
   I never can admit that formal custom
   Should sit as judge on actions that are guiltless;
   And I concealed it from your majesty
   Because I chose not to contend with you
   About this right in presence of your courtiers.
 

KING

 
   You speak with boldness, madam!
 

QUEEN

 
                    I may add,
   Because the prince, in his own father's heart,
   Scarce finds that kindness he so well deserves.
 

KING

 
   So well deserves!
 

QUEEN

 
             Why, sire! should I conceal it!
   Highly do I esteem him – yes! and love him
   As a most dear relation, who was once
   Deemed worthy of a dearer – tenderer – title.
   I've yet to learn that he, on this account,
   Should be estranged from me beyond all others, —
   Because he once was better loved than they.
   Though your state policy may knit together
   What bands it pleases – 'tis a harder task
   To burst such ties! I will not hate another
   For any one's command – and since I must
   So speak – such dictates I will not endure.
 

KING

 
   Elizabeth! you've seen me in weak moments —
   And their remembrance now emboldens you.
   On that strong influence you now depend,
   Which you have often, with so much success,
   Against my firmness tried. But fear the more
   The power which has seduced me to be weak
   May yet inflame me to some act of madness.
 

QUEEN

 
   What have I done?
 

KING (takes her hand)

 
             If it should prove but so —
   And is it not already? If the full
   Accumulated measure of your guilt
   Become but one breath heavier – should I be
   Deceived —
 

[Lets her hand go.

 
          I can subdue these last remains
   Of weakness – can and will – then woe betide
   Myself and you, Elizabeth!
 

QUEEN

 
                 What crime
   Have I committed?
 

KING

 
             On my own account then
   Shall blood be shed.
 

QUEEN

 
              And has it come to this?
   Oh, Heaven!
 

KING

 
   I shall forget myself – I shall
   Regard no usage and no voice of nature —
   Not e'en the law of nations.
 

QUEEN

 
                  Oh, how much
   I pity you!
 

KING

 
          The pity of a harlot!
 

INFANTA (clinging to her mother in terror)

 
   The king is angry, and my mother weeps.
 

[KING pushes the child violently from the QUEEN.

QUEEN (with mildness and dignity, but with faltering voice)

 
   This child I must protect from cruelty —
   Come with me, daughter.
 

[Takes her in her arms.

 
                If the king no more
   Acknowledge thee – beyond the Pyrenees
   I'll call protectors to defend our cause.
 

[Going.

KING (embarrassed)

 
   Queen!
 

QUEEN

 
       I can bear no more – it is too much!
 

[Hastening to the door, she falls with her child on the threshold.

KING (running to her assistance)

 
   Heavens! What is that?
 

INFANTA (cries out with terror)

 
                She bleeds! My mother bleeds!
 

[Runs out.

KING (anxiously assisting her)

 
   Oh, what a fearful accident! You bleed;
   Do I deserve this cruel punishment?
   Rise and collect yourself – rise, they are coming!
   They will surprise us! Shall the assembled court
   Divert themselves with such a spectacle?
   Must I entreat you? Rise.
 

[She rises, supported by the KING.