Don Carlos (play)

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.