The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 334

I'm lost, forever lost; thou saw'st it clearly.

This fatal love has scattered, and forever, All the bright, early blossoms of my mind.

To all the great, exalted hopes I'm dead.

Chance led thee to the king--or Providence,-- It cost thee but my secret--and at once He was thine own--thou may'st become his angel: But I am lost, though Spain perhaps may flourish.

Well, there is nothing to condemn, if not My own mad blindness. Oh, I should have known That thou art no less great than tender-hearted.

MARQUIS.

No! I foresaw not, I considered not That friends.h.i.+p's generous heart would lead thee on Beyond my worldly prudence. I have erred, My fabric's shattered--I forgot thy heart.

CARLOS.

Yet, if it had been possible to spare Her fate--oh, how intensely I had thanked thee!

Could I not bear the burden by myself?

And why must she be made a second victim?

But now no more, I'll spare thee this reproach.

What is the queen to thee? Say, dost thou love her?

Could thy exalted virtue e'er consult The petty interests of my wretched pa.s.sion?

Oh, pardon me! I was unjust----

MARQUIS.

Thou art so!

But not for this reproach. Deserved I one, I merit all--and then I should not stand Before you as I do.

[He takes out his portfolio.

I have some letters To give you back of those you trusted to me.

CARLOS (looks first at the letters, then at the MARQUIS, in astonishment).

How!

MARQUIS.

I return them now because they may Prove safer in thy custody than mine.

CARLOS.

What meanest thou? Has his majesty not read them?

Have they not been before him?

MARQUIS.

What, these letters!

CARLOS.

Thou didst not show them all, then?

MARQUIS.

Who has said That ever I showed one?

CARLOS (astonished).

Can it be so?

Count Lerma----

MARQUIS.

He! he told thee so! Now all Is clear as day. But who could have foreseen it?

Lerma! Oh, no, he hath not learned to lie.

'Tis true, the king has all the other letters.

CARLOS (looks at him long with speechless astonishment).

But wherefore am I here?

MARQUIS.

For caution's sake, Lest thou should chance, a second time, to make An Eboli thy confidant.

CARLOS (as if waking from a dream).

Ha! Now I see it all--all is explained.

MARQUIS (goes to the door).

Who's there?

SCENE II.

DUKE ALVA. The former.

ALVA (approaching the PRINCE with respect, but turning his back on the MARQUIS during the whole scene).

Prince, you are free. Deputed by the king I come to tell you so.

[CARLOS looks at the MARQUIS with astonishment.

General silence.

And I, in truth, Am fortunate to have this honor first----

CARLOS (looking at both with extreme amazement, after a pause, to the DUKE).

I am imprisoned, duke, and set at freedom, Unconscious of the cause of one or other.

ALVA.

As far as I know, prince, 'twas through an error, To which the king was driven by a traitor.

CARLOS.

Then am I here by order of the king?

ALVA.

Yes, through an error of his majesty.

CARLOS.

That gives me pain, indeed. But when the king Commits an error, 'twould beseem the king, Methinks, to remedy the fault in person.

I am Don Philip's son--and curious eyes And slanderous looks are on me. What the king Hath done from sense of duty ne'er will I Appear to owe to your considerate favor.

I am prepared to appear before the Cortes, And will not take my sword from such a hand.

ALVA.

The king will never hesitate to grant Your highness a request so just. Permit That I conduct you to him.

CARLOS.

Here I stay Until the king or all Madrid shall come To lead me from my prison. Take my answer.