Don Carlos (play)

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?