Kitabı oku: «Don Carlos», sayfa 9

SCENE X

The former, ALVA, DOMINGO entering, alarmed, ladies follow.

KING

 
             Now let the queen
   Be led to her apartment; she's unwell.
 

[Exit the QUEEN, attended by her ladies.

ALVA and DOMINGO come forward.

ALVA

 
   The queen in tears, and blood upon her face!
 

KING

 
   Does that surprise the devils who've misled me?
 

ALVA and DOMINGO

 
   We?
 

KING

 
      You have said enough to drive me mad.
   But nothing to convince me.
 

ALVA

 
                  We gave you
   What we ourselves possessed.
 

KING

 
                  May hell reward you!
   I've done what I repent of! Ah! was hers,
   The language of a conscience dark with guilt?
 

MARQUIS POSA (from without)

 
   Say, can I see the king?
 

SCENE XI

The former, MARQUIS POSA.

KING (starts up at the sound of his voice, and advances

 
      some paces to meet him).
                 Ah! here he comes.
   Right welcome, marquis! Duke! I need you now
   No longer. Leave us.
 

[ALVA and DOMINGO look at each other with silent astonishment and retire.

SCENE XII

The KING, and MARQUIS POSA.

MARQUIS

 
             That old soldier, sire,
   Who has faced death, in twenty battles, for you,
   Must hold it thankless to be so dismissed.
 

KING

 
   'Tis thus for you to think – for me to act;
   In a few hours you have been more to me
   Than that man in a lifetime. Nor shall I
   Keep my content a secret. On your brow
   The lustre of my high and royal favor
   Shall shine resplendent – I will make that man
   A mark for envy whom I choose my friend.
 

MARQUIS

 
   What if the veil of dark obscurity
   Were his sole claim to merit such a title?
 

KING

 
   What come you now to tell me?
 

MARQUIS

 
                   As I passed
   Along the antechamber a dread rumor
   Fell on my ear, – it seemed incredible, —
   Of a most angry quarrel – blood – the queen —
 

KING

 
   Come you from her?
 

MARQUIS

 
             I should be horrified
   Were not the rumor false: or should perhaps
   Your majesty meantime have done some act —
   Discoveries of importance I have made,
   Which wholly change the aspect of affairs.
 

KING

 
   How now?
 

MARQUIS

 
        I found an opportunity
   To seize your son's portfolio, with his letters,
   Which, as I hope, may throw some light —
 

[He gives the PRINCE's portfolio to the KING.

KING (looks through it eagerly)

 
                        A letter
   From the emperor, my father. How! a letter
   Of which I ne'er remember to have heard.
      [He reads it through, puts it aside, and goes
      to the other papers.
   A drawing of some fortress – detached thoughts
   From Tacitus – and what is here? The hand
   I surely recognize – it is a lady's.
 

[He reads it attentively, partly to himself, and partly aloud.

 
   "This key – the farthest chamber of the queen's
   Pavilion!" Ha! what's this? "The voice of love, —
   The timid lover – may – a rich reward."
   Satanic treachery! I see it now.
   'Tis she – 'tis her own writing!
 

MARQUIS

 
                    The queen's writing!
   Impossible!
 

KING

 
          The Princess Eboli's.
 

MARQUIS

 
   Then, it was true, what the queen's page confessed,
   Not long since – that he brought this key and letter.
 

KING (grasping the MARQUIS' hand in great emotion)

 
   Marquis! I see that I'm in dreadful hands.
   This woman – I confess it – 'twas this woman
   Forced the queen's casket: and my first suspicions
   Were breathed by her. Who knows how deep the priest
   May be engaged in this? I am deceived
   By cursed villany.
 

MARQUIS

 
   Then it was lucky —
 

KING

 
   Marquis! O marquis! I begin to fear
   I've wronged my wife.
 

MARQUIS

 
               If there exist between
   The prince and queen some secret understandings,
   They are of other import, rest assured,
   Than those they charge her with. I know, for certain,
   The prince's prayer to be despatched to Flanders
   Was by the queen suggested.
 

KING

 
                  I have thought so.
 

MARQUIS

 
   The queen's ambitious. Dare I speak more fully?
   She sees, with some resentment, her high hopes
   All disappointed, and herself shut out
   From share of empire. Your son's youthful ardor
   Offers itself to her far-reaching views,
   Her heart! I doubt if she can love.
 

KING

 
                      Her schemes
   Of policy can never make me tremble.
 

MARQUIS

 
   Whether the Infant loves her – whether we
   Have something worse to fear from him, – are things
   Worthy our deep attention. To these points
   Our strictest vigilance must be directed.
 

KING

 
   You must be pledge for him.
 

MARQUIS

 
                  And if the king
   Esteem me capable of such a task,
   I must entreat it be intrusted to me
   Wholly without conditions.
 

KING

 
                 So it shall.
 

MARQUIS

 
   That in the steps which I may think required,
   I may be thwarted by no coadjutors,
   Whatever name they bear.
 

KING

 
                I pledge my word
   You shall not. You have proved my guardian angel.
   How many thanks I owe you for this service!
 

[LERMA enters – the KING to him.

 
   How did you leave the queen?
 

LERMA

 
                  But scarce recovered
   From her deep swoon.
 

[He looks at the MARQUIS doubtfully, and exit.

MARQUIS (to the KING, after a pause)

 
              One caution yet seems needful.
   The prince may be advised of our design,
   For he has many faithful friends in Ghent,
   And may have partisans among the rebels.
   Fear may incite to desperate resolves;
   Therefore I counsel that some speedy means
   Be taken to prevent this fatal chance.
 

KING

 
   You are quite right – but how?
 

MARQUIS

 
                   Your majesty
   May sign a secret warrant of arrest
   And place it in my hands, to be employed,
   As may seem needful, in the hour of danger.
 

[The KING appears thoughtful.

 
   This step must be a most profound state secret
   Until —
 

KING (going to his desk and writing the warrant of arrest)

 
        The kingdom is at stake, and now
   The pressing danger sanctions urgent measures.
   Here marquis! I need scarcely say – use prudence.
 

MARQUIS (taking the warrant)

 
   'Tis only for the last extremity.
 

KING (laying his hand on the shoulder of the MARQUIS)

 
   Go! Go, dear marquis! Give this bosom peace,
   And bring back slumber to my sleepless pillow.
 

[Exeunt at different sides.

SCENE XIII

A Gallery.

CARLOS entering in extreme agitation, COUNT LERMA meeting him.

CARLOS

 
   I have been seeking you.
 

LERMA

 
                And I your highness.
 

CARLOS

 
   For heaven's sake is it true?
 

LERMA

 
                   What do you mean?
 

CARLOS

 
   That the king drew his dagger, and that she
   Was borne, all bathed in blood, from the apartment?
   Now answer me, by all that's sacred; say,
   What am I to believe? What truth is in it?
 

LERMA

 
   She fainted, and so grazed her skin in falling
   That is the whole.
 

CARLOS

 
             Is there no further danger?
   Count, answer on your honor.
 

LERMA

 
                  For the queen
   No further danger; for yourself, there's much!
 

CARLOS

 
   None for my mother. Then, kind Heaven, I thank thee.
   A dreadful rumor reached me that the king
   Raved against child and mother, and that some
   Dire secret was discovered.
 

LERMA

 
                  And the last
   May possibly be true.
 

CARLOS

 
               Be true! What mean you?
 

LERMA

 
   One warning have I given you, prince, already,
   And that to-day, but you despised it; now
   Perhaps you'll profit better by a second.
 

CARLOS

 
   Explain yourself.
 

LERMA

 
             If I mistake not, prince,
   A few days since I noticed in your hands
   An azure-blue portfolio, worked in velvet
   And chased with gold.
 

CARLOS (with anxiety)

 
               Yes, I had such a one.
 

LERMA

 
   And on the cover, if I recollect, a portrait
   Set in pearls?
 

CARLOS

 
           'Tis right; go on.
 

LERMA

 
   I entered the king's chamber on a sudden,
   And in his hands I marked that same portfolio,
   The Marquis Posa standing by his side.
 

CARLOS (after a short silence of astonishment, hastily)

 
   'Tis false!
 

LERMA (warmly)

 
         Then I'm a traitor!
 

CARLOS (looking steadfastly at him)

 
                    That you are!
 

LERMA

 
   Well, I forgive you.
 

CARLOS (paces the apartment in extreme agitation, at length

 
       stands still before him).
              Has he injured thee?
   What have our guiltless ties of friendship done,
   That with a demon's zeal thou triest to rend them?
 

LERMA

 
   Prince, I respect the grief which renders you
   So far unjust.
 

CARLOS

 
           Heaven shield me from suspicion!
 

LERMA

 
   And I remember, too, the king's own words.
   Just as I entered he addressed the marquis:
   "How many thanks I owe you for this news."
 

CARLOS

 
   Oh, say no more!
 

LERMA

 
            Duke Alva is disgraced!
   The great seal taken from the Prince Ruy Gomez,
   And given to the marquis.
 

CARLOS (lost in deep thought)

 
                 And from me
   Has he concealed all this? And why from me?
 

LERMA

 
   As minister all-powerful, the court
   Looks on him now – as favorite unrivalled!
 

CARLOS

 
   He loved me – loved me greatly: I was dear
   As his own soul is to him. That I know —
   Of that I've had a thousand proofs. But should
   The happiness of millions yield to one?
   Must not his country dearer to him prove
   Than Carlos? One friend only is too few
   For his capacious heart. And not enough
   Is Carlos' happiness to engross his love.
   He offers me a sacrifice to virtue;
   And shall I murmur at him? Now 'tis certain
   I have forever lost him.
 

[He steps aside and covers his face.

LERMA

 
                 Dearest prince!
   How can I serve you?
 

CARLOS (without looking at him)

 
              Get you to the king;
   Go and betray me. I have naught to give.
 

LERMA

 
   Will you then stay and brave the ill that follows?
 

CARLOS (leans on a balustrade and looks forward with a vacant gaze)

 
   I've lost him now, and I am destitute!
 

LERMA (approaching him with sympathizing emotion)

 
   And will you not consult your safety, prince?
 

CARLOS

 
   My safety! Generous man!
 

LERMA:

 
                 And is there, then,
   No other person you should tremble for?
 

CARLOS (starts up)

 
   Heavens! you remind me now. Alas! My mother!
   The letter that I gave him – first refused —
   Then after, gave him!
 

[He paces backwards and forwards with agitation, wringing his hands.

 
               Has she then deserved
   This blow from him? He should have spared her, Lerma.
 

[In a hasty, determined tone.

 
   But I must see her – warn her of her danger —
   I must prepare her, Lerma, dearest Lerma!
   Whom shall I send? Have I no friend remaining?
   Yes! Heaven be praised! I still have one; and now
   The worst is over.
 

[Exit quickly.

LEEMA (follows, and calls after him)

 
   Whither, whither, prince?
 

SCENE XIV

The QUEEN, ALVA, DOMINGO.

ALVA

 
   If we may be permitted, gracious queen —
 

QUEEN

 
   What are your wishes?
 

DOMINGO

 
               A most true regard
   For your high majesty forbids us now
   To watch in careless silence an event
   Pregnant with danger to your royal safety.
 

ALVA

 
   We hasten, by a kind and timely warning,
   To counteract a plot that's laid against you.
 

DOMINGO

 
   And our warm zeal, and our best services,
   To lay before your feet, most gracious queen!
 

QUEEN (looking at them with astonishment)

 
   Most reverend sir, and you, my noble duke,
   You much surprise me. Such sincere attachment,
   In truth, I had not hoped for from Domingo,
   Nor from Duke Alva. Much I value it.
   A plot you mention, menacing my safety —
   Dare I inquire by whom —
 

ALVA

 
   You will beware a certain Marquis Posa
   He has of late been secretly employed
   In the king's service.
 

QUEEN

 
               With delight I hear
   The king has made so excellent a choice.
   Report, long since, has spoken of the marquis
   As a deserving, great, and virtuous man —
   The royal grace was ne'er so well bestowed!
 

DOMINGO

 
   So well bestowed! We think far otherwise.
 

ALVA

 
   It is no secret now, for what designs
   This man has been employed.
 

QUEEN

 
                  How! What designs?
   You put my expectation on the rack.
 

DOMINGO

 
   How long is it since last your majesty
   Opened your casket?
 

QUEEN

 
              Why do you inquire?
 

DOMINGO

 
   Did you not miss some articles of value?
 

QUEEN

 
   Why these suspicions? What I missed was then
   Known to the court! But what of Marquis Posa?
   Say, what connection has all this with him?
 

ALVA

 
   The closest, please your majesty – the prince
   Has lost some papers of importance;
   And they were seen this morning with the king
   After the marquis had an audience of him.
 

QUEEN (after some consideration)

 
   This news is strange indeed – inexplicable
   To find a foe where I could ne'er have dreamed it,
   And two warm friends I knew not I possessed!
 

[Fixing her eyes steadfastly upon them.

 
   And, to speak truth, I had well nigh imputed
   To you the wicked turn my husband served me.
 

ALVA

 
   To us!
 

QUEEN

 
       To you yourselves!
 

DOMINGO

 
                 To me! Duke Alva!
 

QUEEN (her eyes still fastened on them)

 
   I am glad to be so timely made aware
   Of my rash judgment – else had I resolved
   This very day to beg his majesty
   Would bring me face to face with my accusers.
   But I'm contented now. I can appeal
   To the Duke Alva for his testimony.
 

ALVA

 
   For mine? You would not sure do that!
 

QUEEN

 
   Why not?
 

ALVA

 
        'Twould counteract the services we might
   Render in secret to you.
 

QUEEN

 
                How! in secret?
 

[With stern dignity.

 
   I fain would know what secret projects, duke,
   Your sovereign's spouse can have to form with you,
   Or, priest! with you – her husband should not know?
   Think you that I am innocent or guilty?
 

DOMINGO

 
   Strange question!
 

ALVA

 
             Should the monarch prove unjust —
   And at this time —
 

QUEEN

 
   Then I must wait for justice
   Until it come – and they are happiest far
   Whose consciences may calmly wait their right.
 

[Bows to them and exit. DOMINGO and ALVA exeunt on the opposite side.

SCENE XV

Chamber Of PRINCESS EBOLI.

PRINCESS EBOLI. CARLOS immediately after.

EBOLI

 
   Is it then true – the strange intelligence,
   That fills the court with wonder?
 

CARLOS (enters)

 
                     Do not fear
   Princess! I shall be gentle as a child.
 

EBOLI

 
   Prince, this intrusion!
 

CARLOS

 
                Are you angry still?
   Offended still with me —
 

EBOLI

 
                Prince!
 

CARLOS (earnestly)

 
                     Are you angry?
   I pray you answer me.
 

EBOLI

 
               What can this mean?
   You seem, prince, to forget – what would you with me?
 

CARLOS (seizing her hand with warmth)

 
   Dear maiden! Can you hate eternally?
   Can injured love ne'er pardon?
 

EBOLI (disengaging herself)

 
                   Prince! of what
   Would you remind me?
 

CARLOS

 
              Of your kindness, dearest!
   And of my deep ingratitude. Alas,
   Too well I know it! deeply have I wronged thee —
   Wounded thy tender heart, and from thine eyes,
   Thine angel eyes, wrung precious tears, sweet maid!
   But ah! 'tis not repentance leads me hither.
 

EBOLI

 
   Prince! leave me – I —
 

CARLOS

 
               I come to thee, because
   Thou art a maid of gentle soul – because
   I trust thy heart – thy kind and tender heart.
   Think, dearest maiden! think, I have no friend,
   No friend but thee, in all this wretched world —
   Thou who wert once so kind wilt not forever
   Hate me, nor will thy anger prove eternal.
 

EBOLI (turning away her face)

 
   O cease! No more! for heaven's sake! leave me, prince.
 

CARLOS

 
   Let me remind thee of those golden hours —
   Let me remind thee of thy love, sweet maid —
   That love which I so basely have offended!
   Oh, let me now appear to thee again
   As once I was – and as thy heart portrayed me.
   Yet once again, once only, place my image,
   As in days past, before thy tender soul,
   And to that idol make a sacrifice
   Thou canst not make to me.
 

EBOLI

 
                 Oh, Carlos, cease!
   Too cruelly thou sportest with my feelings!
 

CARLOS

 
   Be nobler than thy sex! Forgive an insult!
   Do what no woman e'er has done before thee,
   And what no woman, after thee, can equal.
   I ask of thee an unexampled favor.
   Grant me – upon my knees I ask of thee
   Grant me two moments with the queen, my mother!
 

[He casts himself at her feet.

SCENE XVI

The former. MARQUIS POSA rushes in; behind him two Officers of the Queen's Guard.

MARQUIS (breathless and agitated, rushing between CARLOS and the PRINCESS)

 
   Say, what has he confessed? Believe him not!
 

CARLOS (still on his knees, with loud voice)

 
   By all that's holy —
 

MARQUIS (interrupting him with vehemence)

 
              He is mad! He raves!
   Oh, listen to him not!
 

CARLOS (louder and more urgent)

 
               It is a question
   Of life and death; conduct me to her straight.
 

MARQUIS (dragging the PRINCESS from him by force)

 
   You die, if you but listen.
 

[To one of the officers, showing an order.

 
                  Count of Cordova!
   In the king's name, Prince Carlos is your prisoner.
 

[CARLOS stands bewildered. The PRINCESS utters a cry of horror, and tries to escape. The officers are astounded.

A long and deep pause ensues. The MARQUIS trembles violently, and with difficulty preserves his composure.

[To the PRINCE.

 
   I beg your sword – The Princess Eboli
   Remains —
 

[To the officers.

 
         And you, on peril of your lives,
   Let no one with his highness speak – no person —
   Not e'en yourselves.
 

[He whispers a few words to one officer, then turns to the other.

 
              I hasten, instantly,
   To cast myself before our monarch's feet,
   And justify this step —
 

[To the PRINCE.

 
                And prince! for you —
   Expect me in an hour.
 

[CARLOS permits himself to be led away without any signs of consciousness, except that in passing he casts a languid, dying look on the MARQUIS. The PRINCESS endeavors again to escape; the MARQUIS pulls her back by the arm.

SCENE XVII

PRINCESS EBOLI, MARQUIS POSA.

EBOLI

 
   For Heaven's sake let me leave this place —
 

MARQUIS (leads her forward with dreadful earnestness)

 
                          Thou wretch!
   What has he said to thee?
 

EBOLI

 
                 Oh, leave me! Nothing.
 

MARQUIS (with earnestness; holding her back by force)

 
   How much has he imparted to thee? Here
   No way is left thee to escape. To none
   In this world shalt thou ever tell it.
 

EBOLI (looking at him with terror)

 
   Heavens! What would you do? Would you then murder me?
 

MARQUIS (drawing a dagger)

 
   Yes, that is my resolve. Be speedy!
 

EBOLI

 
                      Mercy!
   What have I then committed?
 

MARQUIS (looking towards heaven, points the dagger to her breast)

 
                  Still there's time —
   The poison has not issued from these lips.
   Dash but the bowl to atoms, all remains
   Still as before! The destinies of Spain
   Against a woman's life!
 

[Remains doubtingly in this position.

EBOLI (having sunk down beside him, looks in his face)

 
                Do not delay —
   Why do you hesitate? I beg no mercy —
   I have deserved to die, and I am ready.
 

MARQUIS (letting his hand drop slowly – after some reflection)

 
   It were as cowardly as barbarous.
   No! God be praised! another way is left.
 

[He lets the dagger fall and hurries out. The PRINCESS hastens out through another door.

SCENE XVIII

A Chamber of the QUEEN.

The QUEEN to the COUNTESS FUENTES.

 
   What means this noisy tumult in the palace?
   Each breath to-day alarms me! Countess! see
   What it portends, and hasten back with speed.
 

[Exit COUNTESS FUENTES – the PRINCESS EBOLI rushes in.

SCENE XIX

The QUEEN, PRINCESS EBOLI.

EBOLI (breathless, pale, and wild, falls before the QUEEN)

 
   Help! Help! O Queen! he's seized!
 

QUEEN

 
                     Who?
 

EBOLI

 
                        He's arrested
   By the king's orders given to Marquis Posa.
 

QUEEN

 
   Who is arrested? Who?
 

EBOLI

 
               The prince!
 

QUEEN

 
                      Thou ravest
 

EBOLI

 
   This moment they are leading him away.
 

QUEEN

 
   And who arrested him?
 

EBOLI

 
               The Marquis Posa.
 

QUEEN

 
   Then heaven be praised! it was the marquis seized him!
 

EBOLI

 
   Can you speak thus, and with such tranquil mien?
   Oh, heavens! you do not know – you cannot think —
 

QUEEN

 
   The cause of his arrest! some trifling error,
   Doubtless arising from his headlong youth!
 

EBOLI

 
   No! no! I know far better. No, my queen!
   Remorseless treachery! There's no help for him.
   He dies!
 

QUEEN

 
        He dies!
 

EBOLI

 
             And I'm his murderer!
 

QUEEN

 
   What! Dies? Thou ravest! Think what thou art saying?
 

EBOLI

 
   And wherefore – wherefore dies he? Had I known
   That it would come to this!
 

QUEEN (takes her affectionately by the hand)

 
                  Oh, dearest princess,
   Your senses are distracted, but collect
   Your wandering spirits, and relate to me
   More calmly, not in images of horror
   That fright my inmost soul, whate'er you know!
   Say, what has happened?
 

EBOLI

 
                Oh, display not, queen,
   Such heavenly condescension! Like hot flames
   This kindness sears my conscience. I'm not worthy
   To view thy purity with eyes profane.
   Oh, crush the wretch, who, agonized by shame,
   Remorse, and self-reproach writhes at thy feet!
 

QUEEN

 
   Unhappy woman! Say, what is thy guilt?
 

EBOLI

 
   Angel of light! Sweet saint! thou little knowest
   The demon who has won thy loving smiles.
   Know her to-day; I was the wretched thief
   Who plundered thee.
 

QUEEN

 
              What! Thou?
 

EBOLI

 
                     And gave thy letters
   Up to the king?
 

QUEEN

 
            What! Thou?
 

EBOLI

 
                   And dared accuse thee!
 

QUEEN

 
   Thou! Couldst thou this?
 

EBOLI

 
                 Revenge and madness – love —
   I hated thee, and loved the prince!
 

QUEEN

 
                      And did
   His love so prompt thee?
 

QUEEN

 
   And who arrested him?
 

EBOLI

 
               I had owned my love,
   But met with no return.
 

QUEEN (after a pause)

 
                Now all's explained!
   Rise up! – you loved him – I have pardoned you
   I have forgotten all. Now, princess, rise.
 

[Holding out her hand to the PRINCESS.

EBOLI

 
   No, no; a foul confession still remains.
   I will not rise, great queen, till I —
 

QUEEN

 
                       Then speak!
   What have I yet to hear?
 

EBOLI

 
                The king! Seduction!
   Oh, now you turn away. And in your eyes
   I read abhorrence. Yes; of that foul crime
   I charged you with, I have myself been guilty.
 

[She presses her burning face to the ground. Exit QUEEN.

A long pause. The COUNTESS OLIVAREZ, after some minutes, comes out of the cabinet, into which the QUEEN entered, and finds the PRINCESS still lying in the above posture. She approaches in silence. On hearing a noise, the latter looks up and becomes like a mad person when she misses the QUEEN.