This is dreadful! Yes, You"re right, my friend. I thank you: I was not Just then myself. To be compelled to silence, And bury in my heart this mighty bliss, Is terrible!
[Taking the PAGE by the hand, and leading him aside.
Now here! What thou hast seen, And what not seen, must be within thy breast Entombed as in the grave. So now depart; I shall not need thy guidance; they must not Surprise us here! Now go.
[The PAGE is about to depart.
Yet hold, a word!
[The PAGE returns. CARLOS lays his hand on his shoulder, and looks him steadily in the face.
A direful secret hast thou in thy keeping, Which, like a poison of terrific power, Shivers the cup that holds it into atoms.
Guard every look of thine, nor let thy head Guess at thy bosom"s secret. Be thou like The senseless speaking-trumpet that receives And echoes back the voice, but hears it not.
Thou art a boy! Be ever so; continue The pranks of youth. My correspondent chose Her messenger of love with prudent skill!
The king will ne"er suspect a serpent here.
PAGE.
And I, my prince, shall feel right proud to know I am one secret richer than the king.
CARLOS.
Vain, foolish boy! "tis this should make thee tremble.
Approach me ever with a cold respect: Ne"er be induced by idle pride to boast How gracious is the prince! No deadlier sin Canst thou commit, my son, than pleasing me.
Whate"er thou hast in future for my ear, Give not to words; intrust not to thy lips, Ne"er on that common high road of the thoughts Permit thy news to travel. Speak with an eye, A finger; I will answer with a look.
The very air, the light, are Philip"s creatures, And the deaf walls around are in his pay.
Some one approaches; fly, we"ll meet again.
[The QUEEN"S chamber opens, and DUKE ALVA comes out.
PAGE.
Be careful, prince, to find the right apartment.
[Exit.
CARLOS.
It is the duke! Fear not, I"ll find the way.
SCENE V.
DON CARLOS. DUDE OF ALVA.
ALVA (meeting him).
Two words, most gracious prince.
CARLOS.
Some other time.
[Going.
ALVA.
The place is not the fittest, I confess; Perhaps your royal highness may be pleased To grant me audience in your private chamber.
CARLOS.
For what? And why not here? Only be brief.
ALVA.
The special object which has brought me hither, Is to return your highness lowly thanks For your good services.
CARLOS.
Thanks to me-- For what? Duke Alva"s thanks!
ALVA.
You scarce had left His majesty, ere I received in form Instructions to depart for Brussels.
CARLOS.
What!
For Brussels!
ALVA.
And to what, most gracious prince, Must I ascribe this favor, but to you-- Your intercession with the king?
CARLOS.
Ob, no!
Not in the least to me; but, duke, you travel, So Heaven be with your grace!
ALVA.
And is this all?
It seems, indeed, most strange! And has your highness No further orders, then, to send to Flanders?
CARLOS.
What should I have?
ALVA.
Not long ago, it seemed, The country"s fate required your presence.
CARLOS.
How?
But yes, you"re right,--it was so formerly; But now this change is better as it is.
ALVA.
I am amazed----
CARLOS.
You are an able general, No one doubts that--envy herself must own it.
For me, I"m but a youth--so thought the king.
CARLOS.