Don Carlos
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FERIA 'Tis himself.
SCENE IX
The KING. The preceding.
All are alarmed at his appearance, fall back, and let him pass through them. He appears to be in a waking dream, like a sleep-walker. His dress and figure indicate the disorder caused by his late fainting. With slow steps he walks past the GRANDEES and looks at each with a fixed eye, but without recognizing any of them. At last he stands still, wrapped in thought, his eyes fixed on the ground, till the emotions of his mind gradually express themselves in words.
KING Restore me back the dead! Yes, I must have him.DOMINGO (whispering to ALVA) Speak to him, duke.KING He died despising me! Have him again I must, and make him think More nobly of me.ALVA (approaching with fear) Sire!KING (looking round the circle) Who speaks to me! Have you forgotten who I am? Why not Upon your knees, before your king, ye creatures! Am I not still your king? I must command Submission from you. Do you all then slight me Because one man despised me?ALVA Gracious king! No more of him: a new and mightier foe Arises in the bosom of your realm.FERIA Prince Carlos —KING Had a friend who died for him; For him! With me he might have shared an empire. How he looked down upon me! From the throne Kings look not down so proudly. It was plain How vain his conquest made him. His keen sorrow Confessed how great his loss. Man weeps not so For aught that's perishable. Oh, that he might But live again! I'd give my Indies for it! Omnipotence! thou bring'st no comfort to me: Thou canst not stretch thine arm into the grave To rectify one little act, committed With hasty rashness, 'gainst the life of man. The dead return no more. Who dare affirm That I am happy? In the tomb he dwells, Who scorned to flatter me. What care I now For all who live? One spirit, one free being, And one alone, arose in all this age! He died despising me!ALVA Our lives are useless! Spaniards, let's die at once! E'en in the grave This man still robs us of our monarch's heart.KING (sits down, and leans his head on his arm) Oh! had he died for me! I loved him, too, And much. Dear to me was he as a son. In his young mind there brightly rose for me A new and beauteous morning. Who can say What I had destined for him? He to me Was a first love. All Europe may condemn me, Europe may overwhelm me with its curse, But I deserved his thanks.DOMINGO What spell is this?KING And, say, for whom did he desert me thus? A boy, – my son? Oh, no, believe it not! A Posa would not perish for a boy; The scanty flame of friendship could not fill A Posa's heart. It beat for human kind. His passion was the world, and the whole course Of future generations yet unborn. To do them service he secured a throne — And lost it. Such high treason 'gainst mankind Could Posa e'er forgive himself? Oh, no; I know his feelings better. Not that he Carlos preferred to Philip, but the youth — The tender pupil, – to the aged monarch. The father's evening sunbeam could not ripen His novel projects. He reserved for this The young son's orient rays. Oh, 'tis undoubted, They wait for my decease.ALVA And of your thoughts, Read in these letters strongest confirmation.KING 'Tis possible he may miscalculate. I'm still myself. Thanks, Nature, for thy gifts; I feel within my frame the strength of youth; I'll turn their schemes to mockery. His virtue Shall be an empty dream – his death, a fool's. His fall shall crush his friend and age together. We'll test it now – how they can do without me. The world is still for one short evening mine, And this same evening will I so employ, That no reformer yet to cone shall reap Another harvest, in the waste I'll leave, For ten long generations after me. He would have offered me a sacrifice To his new deity – humanity! So on humanity I'll take revenge. And with his puppet I'll at once commence.[To the DUKE ALVA.
What you have now to tell me of the prince, Repeat. What tidings do these letters bring?ALVA These letters, sire, contain the last bequest Of Posa to Prince Carlos.KING (reads the papers, watched by all present. He then lays them aside and walks in silence up and down the room) Summon straight The cardinal inquisitor; and begHe will bestow an hour upon the king, This very night!TAXIS Just on the stroke of two The horses must be ready and prepared, At the Carthusian monastery.ALVA Spies Despatched by me, moreover, have observed Equipments at the convent for a journey, On which the prince's arms were recognized.FERIA And it is rumored that large sums are raised In the queen's name, among the Moorish agents, Destined for Brussels.KING Where is Carlos?ALVA With Posa's body.KING And there are lights as yet Within the queen's apartments?ALVA Everything Is silent there. She has dismissed her maids Far earlier than as yet has been her custom. The Duchess of Arcos, who was last with her, Left her in soundest sleep.[An officer of the Body Guard enters, takes the DUKE OF FERIA aside, and whispers to him. The latter, struck with surprise, turns to DUKE ALVA. The others crowd round him, and a murmuring noise arises.
FERIA, TAXIS, and DOMINGO (at the same time) 'Tis wonderful!KING What is the matter!FERIA News scarce credible!DOMINGO Two soldiers, who have just returned from duty, Report – but – oh, the tale's ridiculous!KING What do they say?ALVA They say, in the left wing Of the queen's palace, that the emperor's ghost Appeared before them, and with solemn gait Passed on. This rumor is confirmed by all The sentinels, who through the whole pavilion Their watches keep. And they, moreover, add, The phantom in the queen's apartment vanished.KING And in what shape appeared it?OFFICER In the robes, The same attire he in Saint Justi wore For the last time, apparelled as a monk.KING A monk! And did the sentries know his person Whilst he was yet alive? They could not else Determine that it was the emperor.OFFICER The sceptre which he bore was evidence It was the emperor.DOMINGO And the story goes He often has been seen in this same dress.KING Did no one speak to him?OFFICER No person dared. The sentries prayed, and let him pass in silence.KING The phantom vanished in the queen's apartments!OFFICER In the queen's antechamber.[General silence.
KING (turns quickly round) What say you?ALVA Sire! we are silent.KING (after some thought, to the OFFICER) Let my guards be ready And under arms, and order all approach To that wing of the palace to be stopped. I fain would have a word with this same ghost.[Exit OFFICER. Enter a PAGE.
PAGE The cardinal inquisitor.KING (to all present) Retire![The CARDINAL INQUISITOR, an old man of ninety, and blind, enters, supported on a staff, and led by two Dominicans. The GRANDEES fall on their knees as he passes, and touch the hem of his garment. He gives them his blessing, and they depart.
SCENE X
The KING and the GRAND INQUISITOR. A long silence.
GRAND INQUISITOR Say, do I stand before the king?KING You do.GRAND INQUISITOR I never thought it would be so again!KING I now renew the scenes of early youth, When Philip sought his sage instructor's counsel.GRAND INQUISITOR Your glorious sire, my pupil, Charles the Fifth, Nor sought or needed counsel at my hands.KING So much happier he! I, cardinal, Am guilty of a murder, and no rest —GRAND INQUISITOR What was the reason for this murder?KING 'Twas A fraud unparalleled —GRAND INQUISITOR I know it all.KING What do you know? Through whom, and since what time?GRAND INQUISITOR For years – what you have only learned since sunset.KING (with astonishment) You know this man then!GRAND INQUISITOR All his life is noted From its commencement to its sudden close, In Santa Casa's holy registers.KING Yet he enjoyed his liberty!GRAND INQUISITOR The chain With which he struggled, but which held him bound, Though long, was firm, nor easy to be severed.KING He has already been beyond the kingdom.GRAND INQUISITOR Where'er he travelled I was at his side.KING (walks backwards and forwards in displeasure) You knew the hands, then, I had fallen into; And yet delayed to warn me!GRAND INQUISITOR This rebuke I pay you back. Why did you not consult us Before you sought the arms of such a man? You knew him: one sole glance unmasked him to you. Why did you rob the office of its victim? Are we thus trifled with! When majesty Can stoop to such concealment, and in secret, Behind our backs, league with our enemies, What must our fate be then? If one be spared What plea can justify the fate of thousands?KING But he, no less, has fallen a sacrifice.GRAND INQUISITOR No; he is murdered – basely, foully murdered. The blood that should so gloriously have flowed To honor us has stained the assassin's hand. What claim had you to touch our sacred rights? He but existed, by our hands to perish. God gave him to this age's exigence, To perish, as a terrible example, And turn high-vaunting reason into shame. Such was my long-laid plan – behold, destroyed In one brief hour, the toil of many years. We are defrauded, and your only gain Is bloody hands.KING Passion impelled me to it. Forgive me.GRAND INQUISITOR Passion! And does royal Philip Thus answer me? Have I alone grown old? [Shaking his head angrily. Passion! Make conscience free within your realms, If you're a slave yourself.KING In things like this I'm but a novice. Bear in patience with me.GRAND INQUISITOR No, I'm ill pleased with you – to see you thus Tarnish the bygone glories of your reign. Where is that Philip, whose unchanging soul, Fixed as the polar star in heaven above, Round its own axis still pursued its course? Is all the memory of preceding years Forever gone? And did the world become New moulded when you stretched your hand to him? Was poison no more poison? Did distinction 'Twixt good and evil, truth and falsehood, vanish? What then is resolution? What is firmness? What is the faith of man, if in one weak, Unguarded hour, the rules of threescore years Dissolve in air, like woman's fickle favor?KING I looked into his eyes. Oh, pardon me This weak relapse into mortality. The world has one less access to your heart; Your eyes are sunk in night.GRAND INQUISITOR What did this man Want with you? What new thing could he adduce, You did not know before? And are you versed So ill with fanatics and innovators? Does the reformer's vaunting language sound So novel to your ears? If the firm edifice Of your conviction totters to mere words, Should you not shudder to subscribe the fate Of many thousand poor, deluded souls Who mount the flaming pile for nothing worse?KING I sought a human being. These Domingos —GRAND INQUISITOR How! human beings! What are they to you? Cyphers to count withal – no more! Alas! And must I now repeat the elements Of kingly knowledge to my gray-haired pupil? An earthly god must learn to bear the want Of what may be denied him. When you whine For sympathy is not the world your equal? What rights should you possess above your equals?KING (throwing himself into a chair) I'm a mere suffering mortal, that I feel; And you demand from me, a wretched creature, What the Creator only can perform.GRAND INQUISITOR No, sire; I am not thus to be deceived. I see you through. You would escape from us. The church's heavy chains pressed hard upon you; You would be free, and claim your independence.[He pauses. The KING is silent.
We are avenged. Be thankful to the church, That checks you with the kindness of a mother. The erring choice you were allowed to make Has proved your punishment. You stand reproved! Now you may turn to us again. And know If I, this day, had not been summoned here, By Heaven above! before to-morrow's sun, You would yourself have stood at my tribunal!KING Forbear this language, priest. Restrain thyself. I'll not endure it from thee. In such tones No tongue shall speak to me.GRAND INQUISITOR Then why, O king Call up the ghost of Samuel? I've anointed Two monarchs to the throne of Spain. I hoped To leave behind a firm-established work. I see the fruit of all my life is lost. Don Philip's hands have shattered what I built. But tell me, sire, wherefore have I been summoned? What do I hear? I am not minded, king, To seek such interviews again.KING But one One service more – the last – and then in peace Depart. Let all the past be now forgotten — Let peace be made between us. We are friends.GRAND INQUISITOR When Philip bends with due humility.KING (after a pause) My son is meditating treason.GRAND INQUISITOR, Well! And what do you resolve?KING On all, or nothing.GRAND INQUISITOR What mean you by this all?KING He must escape, Or die.GRAND INQUISITOR Well, sire! decide.KING And can you not Establish some new creed to justify The bloody murder of one's only son?GRAND INQUISITOR To appease eternal justice God's own Son Expired upon the cross.KING And can you spread This creed throughout all Europe?GRAND INQUISITOR Ay, as far As the true cross is worshipped.KING But I sin — Sin against nature. Canst thou, by thy power, Silence her mighty voice.GRAND INQUISITOR The voice of nature Avails not over faith.KING My right to judge I place within your hands. Can I retrace The step once taken?GRAND INQUISITOR Give him to me!KING My only son! For whom then have I labored?GRAND INQUISITOR For the grave rather than for liberty!KING (rising up) We are agreed. Come with me.GRAND INQUISITOR Monarch! WhitherKING From his own father's hands to take the victim.[Leads him away.
SCENE XI
Queen's Apartment.
CARLOS. The QUEEN. Afterwards the KING and attendants. CARLOS in monk's attire, a mask over his face, which he is just taking off; under his arm a naked sword. It is quite dark. He approaches a door, which is in the act of opening. The QUEEN comes out in her night-dress with a lighted candle. CARLOS falls on one knee before her.
CARLOS Elizabeth!QUEEN (regarding him with silent sorrow) Do we thus meet again?CARLOS 'Tis thus we meet again![A silence.
QUEEN (endeavoring to collect herself) Carlos, arise! We must not now unnerve each other thus. The mighty dead will not be honored now By fruitless tears. Tears are for petty sorrows! He gave himself for thee! With his dear life He purchased thine. And shall this precious blood Flow for a mere delusion of the brain? Oh, Carlos, I have pledged myself for thee. On that assurance did he flee from hence More satisfied. Oh, do not falsify My word.CARLOS (with animation) To him I'll raise a monument Nobler than ever honored proudest monarch, And o'er his dust a paradise shall bloom!QUEEN Thus did I hope to find thee! This was still The mighty purpose of his death. On me Devolves the last fulfilment of his plans, And I will now fulfil my solemn oath. Yet one more legacy your dying friend Bequeathed to me. I pledged my word to him, And wherefore should I now conceal it from you? To me did he resign his Carlos – I Defy suspicion, and no longer tremble Before mankind, but will for once assume The courage of a friend; My heart shall speak. He called our passion – virtue! I believe him, And will my heart no longer —CARLOS Hold, O queen! Long was I sunk in a delusive dream. I loved, but now I am at last awake Forgotten be the past. Here are your letters, — Destroy my own. Fear nothing from my passion, It is extinct. A brighter flame now burns, And purifies my being. All my love Lies buried in the grave. No mortal wish Finds place within this bosom.[After a pause, taking her hand.
I have come To bid farewell to you, and I have learned There is a higher, greater good, my mother, Than to call thee mine own. One rapid night Has winged the tardy progress of my years, And prematurely ripened me to manhood. I have no further business in the world, But to remember him. My harvest now Is ended.[He approaches the QUEEN, who conceals her face.
Mother! will you not reply!QUEEN Carlos! regard not these my tears. I cannot Restrain then. But believe me I admire you.CARLOS Thou wert the only partner of our league And by this name thou shalt remain to me The most beloved object in this world. No other woman can my friendship share, More than she yesterday could win my love. But sacred shall the royal widow be, Should Providence conduct me to the throne.[The KING, accompanied by the GRAND INQUISITOR, appears in the background without being observed.
I hasten to leave Spain, and never more Shall I behold my father in this world. No more I love him. Nature is extinct Within this breast. Be you again his wife — His son's forever lost to him! Return Back to your course of duty – I must speed To liberate a people long oppressed From a fell tyrant's hand. Madrid shall hail Carlos as king, or ne'er behold him more. And now a long and last farewell —[He kisses her.
QUEEN Oh, Carlos! How you exalt me! but I dare not soar To such a height of greatness: – yet I may Contemplate now your noble mind with wonder.CARLOS Am I not firm, Elizabeth? I hold thee Thus in my arms and tremble not. The fear Of instant death had, yesterday, not torn me From this dear spot.[He leaves her.
All that is over now, And I defy my mortal destinies. I've held thee in these arms and wavered not. Hark! Heard you nothing![A clock strikes.
QUEEN Nothing but the bell That tolls the moment of our separation.CARLOS Good night, then, mother! And you shall, from Ghent, Receive a letter, which will first proclaim Our secret enterprise aloud. I go To dare King Philip to an open contest. Henceforth there shall be naught concealed between us! You need not shun the aspect of the world. Be this my last deceit.[About to take up the mask – the KING stands between them.
KING It is thy last.[The QUEEN falls senseless.
CARLOS (hastens to her and supports her in his arms) Is the queen dead? Great heavens!KING (coolly and quietly to the GRAND INQUISITOR) Lord Cardinal! I've done my part. Go now, and do your own.[Exit