ALVA.
As I came in I met him with a look of frenzy wild Quitting the chamber; and your majesty Is strangely moved, methinks, and bears the marks Of deep excitement--can it be the theme Of your discourse----
KING.
Concerned the Duke of Alva.
[The KING keeps his eye steadfastly fixed on him.
I"m pleased that Carlos hates my councillors, But I"m disturbed that he despises them.
[ALVA, coloring deeply, is about to speak.
No answer now: propitiate the prince.
ALVA.
Sire!
KING.
Tell me who it was that warned me first Of my son"s dark designs? I listened then To you, and not to him. I will have proof.
And for the future, mark me, Carlos stands Nearer the throne--now duke--you may retire.
[The KING retires into his cabinet. Exit DUKE by another door.
SCENE IV.
The antechamber to the QUEEN"S apartments. DON CARLOS enters in conversation with a PAGE. The attendants retire at his approach.
CARLOS.
For me this letter? And a key! How"s this?
And both delivered with such mystery!
Come nearer, boy:--from whom didst thou receive them?
PAGE (mysteriously).
It seemed to me the lady would be guessed Rather than be described.
CARLOS (starting).
The lady, what!
Who art thou, boy?
[Looking earnestly at the PAGE.
PAGE.
A page that serves the queen.
CARLOS (affrighted, putting his hand to the PAGE"s mouth).
Hold, on your life! I know enough: no more.
[He tears open the letter hastily, and retires to read it; meanwhile DUKE ALVA comes, and pa.s.sing the Prince, goes unperceived by him into the QUEEN"S apartment, CARLOS trembles violently and changes color; when he has read the letter he remains a long time speechless, his eyes steadfastly fixed on it; at last he turns to the PAGE.
She gave you this herself?
PAGE.
With her own hands.
CARLOS.
She gave this letter to you then herself?
Deceive me not: I ne"er have seen her writing, And I must credit thee, if thou canst swear it; But if thy tale be false, confess it straight, Nor put this fraud on me.
PAGE.
This fraud, on whom?
CARLOS (looking once more at the letter, then at the PAGE with doubt and earnestness).
Your parents--are they living? and your father-- Serves he the king? Is he a Spaniard born?
PAGE.
He fell a colonel on St. Quentin"s field, Served in the cavalry of Savoy"s duke-- His name Alonzo, Count of Henarez.
CARLOS (taking his hand, and looking fixedly in his eyes).
The king gave you this letter?
PAGE (with emotion).
Gracious prince, Have I deserved these doubts?
CARLOS (reading the letter).
"This key unlocks The back apartments in the queen"s pavilion, The furthest room lies next a cabinet Wherein no listener"s foot dare penetrate; Here may the voice of love without restraint Confess those tender feelings, which till now The heart with silent looks alone hath spoken.
The timid lover gains an audience here, And sweet reward repays his secret sorrow."
[As if awakening from a reverie.
I am not in a dream, do not rave, This is my right hand, this my sword--and these Are written words. "Tis true--it is no dream.
I am beloved, I feel I am beloved.
[Unable to contain himself, he rushes hastily through the room, and raises his arms to heaven.
PAGE.
Follow me, prince, and I will lead the way.
CARLOS.
Then let me first collect my scattered thoughts.
The alarm of joy still trembles in my bosom.
Did I e"er lift my fondest hopes so high, Or trust my fancy to so bold a flight?
Show me the man can learn thus suddenly To be a G.o.d. I am not what I was.
I feel another heaven--another sun That was not here before. She loves--she loves me!
PAGE (leading him forward).
But this is not the place: prince! you forget.
CARLOS.
The king! My father!
[His arms sink, he casts a timid look around, then collecting himself.