I scarcely know! But may I keep this tablet?
MARQUIS.
Not so! I came to ask thee for thine own.
CARLOS.
My tablet! Why?
MARQUIS.
And whatsoever writings You have, unfit to meet a stranger"s eye-- Letters or memorandums, and in short, Your whole portfolio.
CARLOS.
Why?
MARQUIS.
That we may be Prepared for accidents. Who can prevent Surprise? They"ll never seek them in my keeping.
Here, give them to me----
CARLOS (uneasy).
Strange! What can it mean?
MARQUIS.
Be not alarmed! "Tis nothing of importance A mere precaution to prevent surprise.
You need not be alarmed!
CARLOS (gives him the portfolio).
Be careful of it.
MARQUIS.
Be sure I will.
CARLOS (looks at him significantly).
I give thee much, Roderigo!
MARQUIS.
Not more than I have often had from thee.
The rest we"ll talk of yonder. Now farewell.
[Going.
CARLOS (struggling with himself, then calls him back).
Give me my letters back; there"s one amongst them The queen addressed to me at Alcala, When I was sick to death. Still next my heart I carry it; to take this letter from me Goes to my very soul. But leave me that, And take the rest.
[He takes it out, and returns the portfolio.
MARQUIS.
I yield unwillingly-- For "twas that letter which I most required.
CARLOS.
Farewell!
[He goes away slowly, stops a moment at the door, turns back again, and brings him the letter.
You have it there.
[His hand trembles, tears start from his eyes, he falls on the neck of the MARQUIS, and presses his face to his bosom.
Oh, not my father, Could do so much, Roderigo! Not my father!
[Exit hastily.
SCENE VI.
MARQUIS (looks after him with astonishment).
And is this possible! And to this hour Have I not known him fully? In his heart This blemish has escaped my eye. Distrust Of me--his friend! But no, "tis calumny!
What hath he done that I accuse him thus Of weakest weakness. I myself commit The fault I charge on him. What have I done Might well surprise him! When hath he displayed To his best friend such absolute reserve?
Carlos, I must afflict thee--there"s no help-- And longer still distress thy n.o.ble soul.
In me the king hath placed his confidence, His holiest trust reposed--as in a casket, And this reliance calls for grat.i.tude.
How can disclosure serve thee when my silence Brings thee no harm--serves thee, perhaps? Ah! why Point to the traveller the impending storm?
Enough, if I direct its anger past thee!
And when thou wakest the sky"s again serene.
[Exit.
SCENE VII.
The KING"s Cabinet.
The KING seated, near him the INFANTA CLARA EUGENIA.
KING (after a deep silence).
No--she is sure my daughter--or can nature Thus lie like truth! Yes, that blue eye is mine!
And I am pictured in thy every feature.
Child of my love! for such thou art--I fold thee Thus to my heart; thou art my blood.
[Starts and pauses: My blood-- What"s worse to fear? Are not my features his?
[Takes the miniature in his hand and looks first at the portrait, then at the mirror opposite; at last he throws it on the ground, rises hastily, and pushes the INFANTA from him.
Away, away! I"m lost in this abyss.
SCENE VIII.
COUNT LERMA and the KING.