And thou, alas! art lost together with me-- This dreadful fraud my father ne"er will pardon.
MARQUIS.
This fraud! Thou"rt mad! Who will disclose it to him?
CARLOS (regards him with a fixed look).
Who! Dost thou ask? I will myself.
MARQUIS.
Thou ravest!
Stand back----
CARLOS.
Away! For heaven"s sake hold me not.
While I stay here, he"s hiring the a.s.sa.s.sins.
MARQUIS.
Then is our time more precious--and we still Have much to say.
CARLOS.
What! Before all is finished?
[He makes another effort to go. The MARQUIS holds him by the arm, and looks at him impressively.
MARQUIS.
Carlos! was I so scrupulous--so eager-- When thou, a boy, didst shed thy blood for me?
CARLOS (with emotion, and full of admiration).
Kind Providence!
MARQUIS.
Reserve thyself for Flanders!
The kingdom is thy destiny--"tis mine To give my life for thee.
CARLOS (takes his hand with deep sensibility).
No, no! he will not, Cannot resist a virtue so sublime.
I will conduct thee to him, and together, Arm linked in arm, will we appear before him.
Then thus will I address him: "Father, see, This is the way a friend acts towards his friend."
Trust me, "twill move him--it will touch his heart.
He"s not without humanity,--my father.
Yes, it will move him. With hot tears, his eyes Will overflow--and he will pardon us.
[A shot is fired through the iron grating. CARLOS leaps up.
Whom was that meant for?
MARQUIS (sinking down).
I believe--for me.
CARLOS (falling to the earth with a loud cry of grief).
O G.o.d of mercy!
MARQUIS.
He is quick--the king.
I had hoped--a little longer--Carlos--think Of means of flight--dost hear me?--of thy flight.
Thy mother--knows it all--I can no more.
[Dies.
[CARLOS remains by the corpse, like one bereft of life.
After some time the KING enters, accompanied by many GRANDEES; and starts, panic-struck, at the sight. A general and deep silence. The GRANDEES range themselves in a semi-circle round them both, and regard the KING and his SON alternately. The latter continues without any sign of life. The KING regards him in thoughtful silence.
SCENE IV.
The KING, CARLOS, the DUKESS ALVA, FERIA, and MEDINA SIDONIA, PRINCE OF PARMA, COUNT LERMA, DOMINGO, and numerous GRANDEES.
KING (in a gentle tone).
Thy prayer hath met a gracious hearing, prince, And here I come, with all the n.o.ble peers Of this my court, to bring thee liberty.
[CARLOS raises his eyes and looks around him like one awakened from a dream. His eyes are fixed now on the KING, now on the corpse; he gives no answer.
Receive thy sword again. We"ve been too rash!
[He approaches him, holds out his hand, and a.s.sists him to rise.
My son"s not in his place; Carlos, arise!
Come to thy father"s arms! His love awaits thee.
CARLOS (receives the embrace of the KING without any consciousness.
Suddenly recollects himself, pauses and looks fixedly at him).
Thou smell"st of blood--no, I cannot embrace thee!
[Pushes his father back. All the GRANDEES are in commotion.
CARLOS to them:--
Nay, stand not there confounded and amazed!-- What monstrous action have I done? Defiled The anointed of the Lord! Oh, fear me not, I would not lay a hand on him. Behold, Stamped on his forehead is the d.a.m.ning brand!
The hand of G.o.d hath marked him!
KING (about to go quickly).
n.o.bles! follow.
CARLOS.
Whither? You stir not from this spot.
[Detaining the KING forcibly with both hands, while with one he manages to seize the sword which the KING has brought with him, and it comes from the scabbard.
KING.
What! Draw A sword upon thy father?