Don Carlos (play)

SCENE I.

The royal palace at Madrid.

KING PHILIP under a canopy; DUKE ALVA at some distance,

with his head covered; CARLOS.

CARLOS.

The kingdom takes precedence-willingly

Doth Carlos to the minister give place-

He speaks for Spain; I am but of the household.

[Bows and steps backward.

KING.

The duke remains-the Infanta may proceed.

CARLOS (turning to ALVA).

Then must I put it to your honor, sir,

To yield my father for a while to me.

A son, you know, may to a father's ear

Unbosom much, in fulness of his heart,

That not befits a stranger's ear. The king

Shall not be taken from you, sir-I seek

The father only for one little hour.

KING.

Here stands his friend.

CARLOS.

And have I e'er deserved

To think the duke should be a friend of mine?

KING.

Or tried to make him one? I scarce can love

Those sons who choose more wisely than their fathers.

CARLOS.

And can Duke Alva's knightly spirit brook

To look on such a scene? Now, as I live,

I would not play the busy meddler's part,

Who thrusts himself, unasked, 'twixt sire and son,

And there intrudes without a blush, condemned

By his own conscious insignificance,

No, not, by heaven, to win a diadem!

KING (rising, with an angry look at the Prince).

Retire, my lord!

[ALVA goes to the principal door, through which CARLOS

had entered, the KING points to the other.

No, to the cabinet,

Until I call you.