CARLOS (with increased vehemence).
Nay, that Is far too harsh--and cruel! She is proud And n.o.ble; well I know her, and fear nothing.
Vain are your efforts to alarm my hopes.
I must speak to my mother.
MARQUIS.
Now? for what?
CARLOS.
Because I"ve nothing more to care for now.
And I must know my fate. Only contrive That I may speak with her.
MARQUIS.
And wilt thou show This letter to her?
CARLOS.
Question me no more, But quickly find the means that I may see her.
MARQUIS (significantly).
Didst thou not tell me that thou lov"st thy mother?
And wouldst thou really show this letter to her?
[CARLOS fixes his eyes on the ground, and remains silent.
I read a something, Carlos, in thy looks Unknown to me before. Thou turn"st thine eyes Away from me. Then it is true, and have I Judged thee aright? Here, let me see that paper.
[CARLOS gives him the letter, and the MARQUIS tears it.
CARLOS.
What! art thou mad?
[Moderating his warmth.
In truth--I must confess it, That letter was of deepest moment to me.
MARQUIS.
So it appeared: on that account I tore it.
[The MARQUIS casts a penetrating look on the PRINCE, who surveys him with doubt and surprise. A long silence.
Now speak to me with candor, Carlos. What Have desecrations of the royal bed To do with thee--thy love? Dost thou fear Philip?
How are a husband"s violated duties Allied with thee and thy audacious hopes?
Has he sinned there, where thou hast placed thy love?
Now then, in truth, I learn to comprehend thee-- How ill till now I"ve understood thy love!
CARLOS.
What dost thou think, Roderigo?
MARQUIS.
Oh, I feel From what it is that I must wean myself.
Once it was otherwise! Yes, once thy soul Was bounteous, rich, and warm, and there was room For a whole world in thy expanded heart.
Those feelings are extinct--all swallowed up In one poor, petty, selfish pa.s.sion. Now Thy heart is withered, dead! No tears last thou For the unhappy fate of wretched Flanders-- No, not another tear. Oh, Carlos! see How poor, how beggarly, thou hast become, Since all thy love has centered in thyself!
CARLOS (flings himself into a chair. After a pause, with scarcely suppressed tears).
Too well I know thou lovest me no more!
MARQUIS.
Not so, my Carlos. Well I understand This fiery pa.s.sion: "tis the misdirection Of feelings pure and n.o.ble in themselves.
The queen belonged to thee: the king, thy father, Despoiled thee of her--yet till now thou hast Been modestly distrustful of thy claims.
Philip, perhaps, was worthy of her! Thou Scarce dared to breathe his sentence in a whisper-- This letter has resolved thy doubts, and proved Thou art the worthier man. With haughty joy Thou saw"st before thee rise the doom that waits On tyranny convicted of a theft, But thou wert proud to be the injured one: Wrongs undeserved great souls can calmly suffer, Yet here thy fancy played thee false: thy pride Was touched with satisfaction, and thy heart Allowed itself to hope: I plainly saw This time, at least, thou didst not know thyself.
CARLOS (with emotion).
Thou"rt wrong, Roderigo; for my thoughts were far Less n.o.ble than thy goodness would persuade me.
MARQUIS.
And am I then e"en here so little known?
See, Carlos, when thou errest, "tis my way, Amid a hundred virtues, still to find That one to which I may impute thy fall.
Now, then, we understand each other better, And thou shalt have an audience of the queen.
CARLOS (falling on his neck).
Oh, how I blush beside thee!
MARQUIS.
Take my word, And leave the rest to me. A wild, bold thought, A happy thought is dawning in my mind; And thou shalt hear it from a fairer mouth, I hasten to the queen. Perhaps to-morrow Thy wish may be achieved. Till then, my Carlos, Forget not this--"That a design conceived Of lofty reason, which involves the fate, The sufferings of mankind, though it be baffled Ten thousand times, should never be abandoned."
Dost hear? Remember Flanders.
CARLOS.
Yes! all, all That thou and virtue bid me not forget.
MARQUIS (going to a window).
The time is up--I hear thy suite approaching.
[They embrace.
Crown prince again, and the va.s.sal.
CARLOS.
Dost thou go Straight to Madrid?
MARQUIS.
Yes, straight.
CARLOS.
Hold! one word more.
How nearly it escaped me! Yet "twas news Of deep importance. "Every letter now Sent to Brabant is opened by the king!"
So be upon thy guard. The royal post Has secret orders.
MARQUIS.
How have you learned this?
CARLOS.
Don Raymond Taxis is my trusty friend.