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полная версия Don Carlos

Фридрих Шиллер
Don Carlos

SCENE XX

PRINCESS EBOLI, COUNTESS OLIVAREZ.

EBOLI

Heavens! she has left me. I am now undone!

OLIVAREZ (approaching her)

My princess – Eboli!

EBOLI

              I know your business,
   Duchess, and you come hither from the queen,
   To speak my sentence to me; do it quickly.

OLIVAREZ

I am commanded by your majesty
To take your cross and key.

EBOLI (takes from her breast a golden cross, and gives it to the UCHESS)

And but once more
May I not kiss my gracious sovereign's hand?

OLIVAREZ

In holy Mary's convent shall you learn
Your fate, princess.

EBOLI (with a flood of tears)

Alas! then I no more
Shall ever see the queen.

OLIVAREZ (embraces her with her face turned away)

Princess, farewell.

[She goes hastily away. The PRINCESS follows her as far as the door of the cabinet, which is immediately locked after the DUCHESS. She remains a few minutes silent and motionless on her knees before it. She then rises and hastens away, covering her face.

SCENE XXI

QUEEN, MARQUIS POSA.

QUEEN

Ah, marquis, I am glad you're come at last!

MARQUIS (pale, with a disturbed countenance and trembling voice, in solemn, deep agitation, during the whole scene)

And is your majesty alone? Can none
Within the adjoining chamber overhear us?

QUEEN

No one! But why? What news would you impart?

[Looking at him closely, and drawing back alarmed.

   And what has wrought this change in you? Speak, marquis,
   You make me tremble – all your features seem
   So marked with death!

MARQUIS

You know, perhaps, already.

QUEEN

   That Carlos is arrested – and they add,
   By you! Is it then true? From no one else
   Would I believe it but yourself.

MARQUIS

'Tis true.

QUEEN

By you?

MARQUIS

By me?

QUEEN (looks at him for some time doubtingly)

            I still respect your actions
   E'en when I comprehend them not. In this
   Pardon a timid woman! I much fear
   You play a dangerous game.

MARQUIS

And I have lost it.

QUEEN

Merciful heaven!

MARQUIS

Queen, fear not! He is safe,
But I am lost myself.

QUEEN

What do I hear?

MARQUIS

   Who bade me hazard all on one chance throw?
   All? And with rash, foolhardy confidence,
   Sport with the power of heaven? Of bounded mind,
   Man, who is not omniscient, must not dare
   To guide the helm of destiny. 'Tis just!
   But why these thoughts of self. This hour is precious
   As life can be to man: and who can tell
   Whether the parsimonious hand of fate
   May not have measured my last drops of life.

QUEEN

The hand of fate! What means this solemn tone?
I understand these words not – but I shudder.

MARQUIS

   He's saved! no matter at what price – he's saved!
   But only for to-day – a few short hours
   Are his. Oh, let him husband them! This night
   The prince must leave Madrid.

QUEEN

This very night?

MARQUIS

   All measures are prepared. The post will meet him
   At the Carthusian convent, which has served
   So long as an asylum to our friendship.
   Here will he find, in letters of exchange,
   All in the world that fortune gifts me with.
   Should more be wanting, you must e'en supply it.
   In truth, I have within my heart full much
   To unburden to my Carlos – it may chance
   I shall want leisure now to tell him all
   In person – but this evening you will see him,
   And therefore I address myself to you.

QUEEN

   Oh, for my peace of mind, dear marquis, speak!
   Explain yourself more clearly! Do not use
   This dark, and fearful, and mysterious language!
   Say, what has happened?

MARQUIS

                I have yet one thing,
   A matter of importance on my mind:
   In your hands I deposit it. My lot
   Was such as few indeed have e'er enjoyed —
   I loved a prince's son. My heart to one —
   To that one object given – embraced the world!
   I have created in my Carlos' soul,
   A paradise for millions! Oh, my dream
   Was lovely! But the will of Providence
   Has summoned me away, before my hour,
   From this my beauteous work. His Roderigo
   Soon shall be his no more, and friendship's claim
   Will be transferred to love. Here, therefore, here,
   Upon this sacred altar – on the heart
   Of his loved queen – I lay my last bequest
   A precious legacy – he'll find it here,
   When I shall be no more.

[He turns away, his voice choked with grief.

QUEEN

                 This is the language
   Of a dying man – it surely emanates
   But from your blood's excitement – or does sense
   Lie hidden in your language?

MARQUIS (has endeavored to collect himself, and continues in a solemn voice)

                  Tell the prince,
   That he must ever bear in mind the oath
   We swore, in past enthusiastic days,
   Upon the sacred host. I have kept mine —
   I'm true to him till death – 'tis now his turn —

QUEEN

Till death?

MARQUIS

          Oh, bid him realize the dream,
   The glowing vision which our friendship painted,
   Of a new-perfect realm! And let him lay
   The first hand on the rude, unshapened stone.
   Whether he fail or prosper – all alike —
   Let him commence the work. When centuries
   Have rolled away shall Providence again
   Raise to the throne a princely youth like him,
   And animate again a favorite son
   Whose breast shall burn with like enthusiasm.
   Tell him, in manhood, he must still revere
   The dreams of early youth, nor ope the heart
   Of heaven's all-tender flower to canker-worms
   Of boasted reason, – nor be led astray
   When, by the wisdom of the dust, he hears
   Enthusiasm, heavenly-born, blasphemed.
   I have already told him.

QUEEN

Whither, marquis? Whither does all this tend?

MARQUIS

   And tell him further, I lay upon his soul the happiness
   Of man – that with my dying breath I claim,
   Demand it of him – and with justest title.
   I had designed a new, a glorious morn,
   To waken in these kingdoms: for to me
   Philip had opened all his inmost heart —
   Called me his son – bestowed his seals upon me —
   And Alva was no more his counsellor.

[He pauses, and looks at the QUEEN for a few moments in silence.

   You weep! I know those tears, beloved soul!
   Oh, they are tears of joy! – but it is past —
   Forever past! Carlos or I? The choice
   Was prompt and fearful. One of us must perish!
   And I will be that one. Oh, ask no more!

QUEEN

Now, now, at last, I comprehend your meaning,
Unhappy man! What have you done?

MARQUIS

                     Cut off
   Two transient hours of evening to secure
   A long, bright summer-day! I now give up
   The king forever. What were I to the king?
   In such cold soil no rose of mine could bloom;
   In my great friend must Europe's fortune ripen.
   Spain I bequeath to him, still bathed in blood
   From Philip's iron hand. But woe to him,
   Woe to us both, if I have chosen wrong!
   But no – oh, no! I know my Carlos better —
   'Twill never come to pass! – for this, my queen,
   You stand my surety.

[After a silence.

              Yes! I saw his love
   In its first blossom – saw his fatal passion
   Take root in his young heart. I had full power
   To check it; but I did not. The attachment
   Which seemed to me not guilty, I still nourished.
   The world may censure me, but I repent not,
   Nor does my heart accuse me. I saw life
   Where death appeared to others. In a flame
   So hopeless I discerned hope's golden beam.
   I wished to lead him to the excellent —
   To exalt him to the highest point of beauty.
   Mortality denied a model to me,
   And language, words. Then did I bend his views
   To this point only – and my whole endeavor
   Was to explain to him his love.

QUEEN

                    Your friend,
   Marquis! so wholly occupied your mind,
   That for his cause you quite forgot my own —
   Could you suppose that I had thrown aside
   All woman's weaknesses, that you could dare
   Make me his angel, and confide alone
   In virtue for his armor? You forget
   What risks this heart must run, when we ennoble
   Passion with such a beauteous name as this.

MARQUIS

   Yes, in all other women – but in one,
   One only, 'tis not so. For you, I swear it.
   And should you blush to indulge the pure desire
   To call heroic virtue into life?
   Can it affect King Philip, that his works
   Of noblest art, in the Escurial, raise
   Immortal longings in the painter's soul,
   Who stands entranced before them? Do the sounds
   That slumber in the lute, belong alone
   To him who buys the chords? With ear unmoved
   He may preserve his treasure: – he has bought
   The wretched right to shiver it to atoms,
   But not the power to wake its silver tones,
   Or, in the magic of its sounds, dissolve.
   Truth is created for the sage, as beauty
   Is for the feeling heart. They own each other.
   And this belief, no coward prejudice
   Shall make me e'er disclaim. Then promise, queen,
   That you will ever love him. That false shame,
   Or fancied dignity, shall never make you
   Yield to the voice of base dissimulation: —
   That you will love him still, unchanged, forever.
   Promise me this, oh, queen! Here solemnly
   Say, do you promise?

QUEEN

That my heart alone
Shall ever vindicate my love, I promise —

MARQUIS (drawing his hand back)

Now I die satisfied – my work is done.

[He bows to the QUEEN, and is about to go.

QUEEN (follows him with her eyes in silence)

You are then going, marquis, and have not
Told me how soon – and when – we meet again?

MARQUIS (comes back once more, his face turned away)

Yes, we shall surely meet again!

QUEEN

Now, Posa,
I understand you. Why have you done this?

MARQUIS

Carlos or I myself!

QUEEN

              No! no! you rush
   Headlong into a deed you deem, sublime.
   Do not deceive yourself: I know you well:
   Long have you thirsted for it. If your pride
   But have its fill, what matters it to you
   Though thousand hearts should break. Oh! now, at length,
   I comprehend your feelings – 'tis the love
   Of admiration which has won your heart —

MARQUIS (surprised, aside)

No! I was not prepared for this —

QUEEN (after a pause)

Oh, marquis!
Is there no hope of preservation?

MARQUIS

None.

QUEEN

None? Oh, consider well! None possible!
Not e'en by me?

MARQUIS

Not even, queen, by thee.

QUEEN

You but half know me – I have courage, marquis —

MARQUIS

I know it —

QUEEN

And no means of safety?

MARQUIS

None

QUEEN (turning away and covering her face)

Go! Never more shall I respect a man —

MARQUIS (casts himself on his knees before her in evident emotion)

O queen! O heaven! how lovely still is life!

[He starts up and rushes out. The QUEEN retires into her cabinet.

SCENE XXII

DUKE ALVA and DOMINGO walking up and down in silence and separately.

COUNT LERMA comes out of the KING's cabinet, and afterwards DON RAYMOND OF TAXIS, the Postmaster-General.

LERMA

Has not the marquis yet appeared?

ALVA

Not yet.

[LERMA about to re-enter the cabinet.

TAXIS (enters)

Count Lerma! Pray announce me to the king?

LERMA

His majesty cannot be seen.

TAXIS

                  But say
   That I must see him; that my business is
   Of urgent import to his majesty.
   Make haste – it will admit of no delay.

[LERMA enters the cabinet.

ALVA

Dear Taxis, you must learn a little patience —
You cannot see the king.

TAXIS

Not see him! Why?

ALVA

   You should have been considerate, and procured
   Permission from the Marquis Posa first —
   Who keeps both son and father in confinement.

TAXIS

The Marquis Posa! Right – that is the man
From whom I bring this letter.

ALVA

Ah! What letter?

TAXIS

A letter to be forwarded to Brussels.

ALVA (attentively)

To Brussels?

TAXIS

And I bring it to the king.

ALVA

Indeed! to Brussels! Heard you that, Domingo?

DOMINGO (joining them)

Full of suspicion!

TAXIS

And with anxious mien,
And deep embarrassment he gave it to me.

DOMINGO

Embarrassment! To whom is it directed?

TAXIS

The Prince of Orange and Nassau.

ALVA

To William!
There's treason here, Domingo!

DOMINGO

                   Nothing less!
   In truth this letter must, without delay,
   Be laid before the king. A noble service
   You render, worthy man – to be so firm
   In the discharge of duty.

TAXIS

Reverend sir!
'Tis but my duty.

ALVA

But you do it well.

LERMA (coming out of the cabinet, addressing TAXIS)

The king will see you.

[TAXIS goes in.

Is the marquis come?

DOMINGO

He has been sought for everywhere.

ALVA

                     'Tis strange!
   The prince is a state prisoner! And the king
   Knows not the reason why!

DOMINGO

He never came
To explain the business here.

ALVA

What says the king?

LERMA

The king spoke not a word.

[A noise in the cabinet.

ALVA

What noise is that?

TAXIS (coming out of the cabinet)

Count Lerma!

[Both enter.

ALVA (to DOMINGO)

What so deeply can engage them.

DOMINGO

That look of fear! This intercepted letter!
It augurs nothing good.

ALVA

                He sends for Lerma!
   Yet he must know full well that you and I
   Are both in waiting.

DOMINGO

Ah! our day is over!

ALVA

   And am I not the same to whom these doors
   Flew open once? But, ah! how changed is all
   Around me and how strange!

[DOMINGO approaches the cabinet door softly, and remains

listening before it.

ALVA (after a pause)

Hark! All is still
And silent as the grave!' I hear them breathe.

DOMINGO

The double tapestry absorbs the sounds!

ALVA

   Away! there's some one coming. All appears
   So solemn and so still – as if this instant
   Some deep momentous question were decided.

SCENE XXIII

The PRINCE OF PARMA, the DUKES OF FERIA and MEDINA SIDONIA, with other GRANDEES enter – the preceding.

PARMA

Say, can we see the king?

ALVA

No!

PARMA

Who is with him?

FERIA

The Marquis Posa, doubtless?

ALVA

Every instant
He is expected here.

PARMA

              This moment we
   Arrive from Saragossa. Through Madrid
   Terror prevails! Is the announcement true?
   Domingo.
   Alas, too true!

FERIA

That he has been arrested
By the marquis!

ALVA

Yes.

PARMA

And wherefore? What's the cause?

ALVA

Wherefore? That no one knows, except the king
And Marquis Posa.

PARMA

And without the warrant
Of the assembled Cortes of the Realm?

FERIA

That man shall suffer, who has lent a hand
To infringe the nation's rights.

ALVA

And so say I!

MEDINA SIDONIA

And I!

THE OTHER GRANDEES

And all of us!

ALVA

               Who'll follow me
   Into the cabinet? I'll throw myself
   Before the monarch's feet.

LERMA (rushing out of the cabinet)

The Duke of Alva!

DOMINGO

Then God be praised at last!

LERMA

When Marquis Posa
Comes, say the king's engaged and he'll be sent for.

DOMINGO (to LERMA; all the others having gathered round him, full of anxious expectation)

Count! What has happened? You are pale as death!

LERMA (hastening away)

Fell villany!

PARMA and FERIA

What! what!

MEDINA SIDONIA

How is the king?

DOMINGO (at the same time)

Fell villany! Explain —

LERMA

The king shed tears!

DOMINGO

Shed tears!

ALL (together with astonishment)

The king shed tears!

[The bell rings in the cabinet, COUNT LERMA hastens in.

DOMINGO

Count, yet one word.
Pardon! He's gone! We're fettered in amazement.

SCENE XXIV

PRINCESS EBOLI, FERIA, MEDINA SIDONIA, PARMA, DOMINGO, and other grandees.

EBOLI (hurriedly and distractedly)

Where is the king? Where? I must speak with him.

[To FERIA.

Conduct me to him, duke!

FERIA

                The monarch is
   Engaged in urgent business. No one now
   Can be admitted.

EBOLI

Has he signed, as yet,
The fatal sentence? He has been deceived.

DOMINGO (giving her a significant look at a distance)

The Princess Eboli!

EBOLI (going to him)

              What! you here, priest?
   The very man I want! You can confirm
   My testimony!

[She seizes his hand and would drag him into the cabinet.

DOMINGO

I? You rave, princess!

FERIA

Hold back. The king cannot attend you now.

EBOLI

But he must hear me; he must hear the truth
The truth, were he ten times a deity.

EBOLI

Man, tremble at the anger of thy idol.
I have naught left to hazard.

[Attempts to enter the cabinet; ALVA rushes out, his eyes sparkling, triumph in his gait. He hastens to DOMINGO, and embraces him.

ALVA

                   Let each church
   Resound with high To Dennis. Victory
   At length is ours.

DOMINGO

What! Ours?

ALVA (to DOMINGO and the other GRANDEES)

Now to the king.
You shall hereafter hear the sequel from me.

ACT V

SCENE I

A chamber in the royal palace, separated from a large fore-court by an iron-barred gate. Sentinels walking up and down. CARLOS sitting at a table, with his head leaning forward on his arms, as if he were asleep. In the background of the chamber are some officers, confined with him. The MARQUIS POSA enters, unobserved by him, and whispers to the officers, who immediately withdraw. He himself steps close up to CARLOS, and looks at him for a few minutes in silent sorrow. At last he makes a motion which awakens him out of his stupor. CARLOS rises, and seeing the MARQUIS, starts back. He regards him for some time with fixed eyes, and draws his hand over his forehead as if he wished to recollect something.

MARQUIS

Carlos! 'tis I.

CARLOS (gives him his hand)

Comest thou to me again?
'Tis friendly of thee, truly.

MARQUIS

Here I thought
Thou mightest need a friend.

CARLOS

                  Indeed! was that
   Thy real thought? Oh, joy unspeakable!
   Right well I knew thou still wert true to me.

MARQUIS

I have deserved this from thee.

CARLOS

                    Hast thou not?
   And now we understand each other fully,
   It joys my heart. This kindness, this forbearance
   Becomes our noble souls. For should there be
   One rash, unjust demand amongst my wishes,
   Wouldst thou, for that, refuse me what was just?
   Virtue I know may often be severe,
   But never is she cruel and inhuman.
   Oh! it hath cost thee much; full well I know
   How thy kind heart with bitter anguish bled
   As thy hands decked the victim for the altar.

MARQUIS

What meanest thou, Carlos?

CARLOS

                 Thou, thyself, wilt now
   Fulfil the joyous course I should have run.
   Thou wilt bestow on Spain those golden days
   She might have hoped in vain to win from me.
   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 friendship'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 passion?
   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.