полная версия
Фридрих Шиллер
Don Carlos
SCENE X
The former, ALVA, DOMINGO entering, alarmed, ladies follow.
KING
Now let the queen
Be led to her apartment; she's unwell.
[Exit the QUEEN, attended by her ladies.
ALVA and DOMINGO come forward.
ALVA
The queen in tears, and blood upon her face!
KING
Does that surprise the devils who've misled me?
ALVA and DOMINGO
We?
KING
You have said enough to drive me mad.
But nothing to convince me.
ALVA
We gave you
What we ourselves possessed.
KING
May hell reward you!
I've done what I repent of! Ah! was hers,
The language of a conscience dark with guilt?
MARQUIS POSA (from without)
Say, can I see the king?
SCENE XI
The former, MARQUIS POSA.
KING (starts up at the sound of his voice, and advances
some paces to meet him).
Ah! here he comes.
Right welcome, marquis! Duke! I need you now
No longer. Leave us.
[ALVA and DOMINGO look at each other with silent astonishment and retire.
SCENE XII
The KING, and MARQUIS POSA.
MARQUIS
That old soldier, sire,
Who has faced death, in twenty battles, for you,
Must hold it thankless to be so dismissed.
KING
'Tis thus for you to think – for me to act;
In a few hours you have been more to me
Than that man in a lifetime. Nor shall I
Keep my content a secret. On your brow
The lustre of my high and royal favor
Shall shine resplendent – I will make that man
A mark for envy whom I choose my friend.
MARQUIS
What if the veil of dark obscurity
Were his sole claim to merit such a title?
KING
What come you now to tell me?
MARQUIS
As I passed
Along the antechamber a dread rumor
Fell on my ear, – it seemed incredible, —
Of a most angry quarrel – blood – the queen —
KING
Come you from her?
MARQUIS
I should be horrified
Were not the rumor false: or should perhaps
Your majesty meantime have done some act —
Discoveries of importance I have made,
Which wholly change the aspect of affairs.
KING
How now?
MARQUIS
I found an opportunity
To seize your son's portfolio, with his letters,
Which, as I hope, may throw some light —
[He gives the PRINCE's portfolio to the KING.
KING (looks through it eagerly)
A letter
From the emperor, my father. How! a letter
Of which I ne'er remember to have heard.
[He reads it through, puts it aside, and goes
to the other papers.
A drawing of some fortress – detached thoughts
From Tacitus – and what is here? The hand
I surely recognize – it is a lady's.
[He reads it attentively, partly to himself, and partly aloud.
"This key – the farthest chamber of the queen's
Pavilion!" Ha! what's this? "The voice of love, —
The timid lover – may – a rich reward."
Satanic treachery! I see it now.
'Tis she – 'tis her own writing!
MARQUIS
The queen's writing!
Impossible!
KING
The Princess Eboli's.
MARQUIS
Then, it was true, what the queen's page confessed,
Not long since – that he brought this key and letter.
KING (grasping the MARQUIS' hand in great emotion)
Marquis! I see that I'm in dreadful hands.
This woman – I confess it – 'twas this woman
Forced the queen's casket: and my first suspicions
Were breathed by her. Who knows how deep the priest
May be engaged in this? I am deceived
By cursed villany.
MARQUIS
Then it was lucky —
KING
Marquis! O marquis! I begin to fear
I've wronged my wife.
MARQUIS
If there exist between
The prince and queen some secret understandings,
They are of other import, rest assured,
Than those they charge her with. I know, for certain,
The prince's prayer to be despatched to Flanders
Was by the queen suggested.
KING
I have thought so.
MARQUIS
The queen's ambitious. Dare I speak more fully?
She sees, with some resentment, her high hopes
All disappointed, and herself shut out
From share of empire. Your son's youthful ardor
Offers itself to her far-reaching views,
Her heart! I doubt if she can love.
KING
Her schemes
Of policy can never make me tremble.
MARQUIS
Whether the Infant loves her – whether we
Have something worse to fear from him, – are things
Worthy our deep attention. To these points
Our strictest vigilance must be directed.
KING
You must be pledge for him.
MARQUIS
And if the king
Esteem me capable of such a task,
I must entreat it be intrusted to me
Wholly without conditions.
KING
So it shall.
MARQUIS
That in the steps which I may think required,
I may be thwarted by no coadjutors,
Whatever name they bear.
KING
I pledge my word
You shall not. You have proved my guardian angel.
How many thanks I owe you for this service!
[LERMA enters – the KING to him.
How did you leave the queen?
LERMA
But scarce recovered
From her deep swoon.
[He looks at the MARQUIS doubtfully, and exit.
MARQUIS (to the KING, after a pause)
One caution yet seems needful.
The prince may be advised of our design,
For he has many faithful friends in Ghent,
And may have partisans among the rebels.
Fear may incite to desperate resolves;
Therefore I counsel that some speedy means
Be taken to prevent this fatal chance.
KING
You are quite right – but how?
MARQUIS
Your majesty
May sign a secret warrant of arrest
And place it in my hands, to be employed,
As may seem needful, in the hour of danger.
[The KING appears thoughtful.
This step must be a most profound state secret
Until —
KING (going to his desk and writing the warrant of arrest)
The kingdom is at stake, and now
The pressing danger sanctions urgent measures.
Here marquis! I need scarcely say – use prudence.
MARQUIS (taking the warrant)
'Tis only for the last extremity.
KING (laying his hand on the shoulder of the MARQUIS)
Go! Go, dear marquis! Give this bosom peace,
And bring back slumber to my sleepless pillow.
[Exeunt at different sides.
SCENE XIII
A Gallery.
CARLOS entering in extreme agitation, COUNT LERMA meeting him.
CARLOS
I have been seeking you.
LERMA
And I your highness.
CARLOS
For heaven's sake is it true?
LERMA
What do you mean?
CARLOS
That the king drew his dagger, and that she
Was borne, all bathed in blood, from the apartment?
Now answer me, by all that's sacred; say,
What am I to believe? What truth is in it?
LERMA
She fainted, and so grazed her skin in falling
That is the whole.
CARLOS
Is there no further danger?
Count, answer on your honor.
LERMA
For the queen
No further danger; for yourself, there's much!
CARLOS
None for my mother. Then, kind Heaven, I thank thee.
A dreadful rumor reached me that the king
Raved against child and mother, and that some
Dire secret was discovered.
LERMA
And the last
May possibly be true.
CARLOS
Be true! What mean you?
LERMA
One warning have I given you, prince, already,
And that to-day, but you despised it; now
Perhaps you'll profit better by a second.
CARLOS
Explain yourself.
LERMA
If I mistake not, prince,
A few days since I noticed in your hands
An azure-blue portfolio, worked in velvet
And chased with gold.
CARLOS (with anxiety)
Yes, I had such a one.
LERMA
And on the cover, if I recollect, a portrait
Set in pearls?
CARLOS
'Tis right; go on.
LERMA
I entered the king's chamber on a sudden,
And in his hands I marked that same portfolio,
The Marquis Posa standing by his side.
CARLOS (after a short silence of astonishment, hastily)
'Tis false!
LERMA (warmly)
Then I'm a traitor!
CARLOS (looking steadfastly at him)
That you are!
LERMA
Well, I forgive you.
CARLOS (paces the apartment in extreme agitation, at length
stands still before him).
Has he injured thee?
What have our guiltless ties of friendship done,
That with a demon's zeal thou triest to rend them?
LERMA
Prince, I respect the grief which renders you
So far unjust.
CARLOS
Heaven shield me from suspicion!
LERMA
And I remember, too, the king's own words.
Just as I entered he addressed the marquis:
"How many thanks I owe you for this news."
CARLOS
Oh, say no more!
LERMA
Duke Alva is disgraced!
The great seal taken from the Prince Ruy Gomez,
And given to the marquis.
CARLOS (lost in deep thought)
And from me
Has he concealed all this? And why from me?
LERMA
As minister all-powerful, the court
Looks on him now – as favorite unrivalled!
CARLOS
He loved me – loved me greatly: I was dear
As his own soul is to him. That I know —
Of that I've had a thousand proofs. But should
The happiness of millions yield to one?
Must not his country dearer to him prove
Than Carlos? One friend only is too few
For his capacious heart. And not enough
Is Carlos' happiness to engross his love.
He offers me a sacrifice to virtue;
And shall I murmur at him? Now 'tis certain
I have forever lost him.
[He steps aside and covers his face.
LERMA
Dearest prince!
How can I serve you?
CARLOS (without looking at him)
Get you to the king;
Go and betray me. I have naught to give.
LERMA
Will you then stay and brave the ill that follows?
CARLOS (leans on a balustrade and looks forward with a vacant gaze)
I've lost him now, and I am destitute!
LERMA (approaching him with sympathizing emotion)
And will you not consult your safety, prince?
CARLOS
My safety! Generous man!
LERMA:
And is there, then,
No other person you should tremble for?
CARLOS (starts up)
Heavens! you remind me now. Alas! My mother!
The letter that I gave him – first refused —
Then after, gave him!
[He paces backwards and forwards with agitation, wringing his hands.
Has she then deserved
This blow from him? He should have spared her, Lerma.
[In a hasty, determined tone.
But I must see her – warn her of her danger —
I must prepare her, Lerma, dearest Lerma!
Whom shall I send? Have I no friend remaining?
Yes! Heaven be praised! I still have one; and now
The worst is over.
[Exit quickly.
LEEMA (follows, and calls after him)
Whither, whither, prince?
SCENE XIV
The QUEEN, ALVA, DOMINGO.
ALVA
If we may be permitted, gracious queen —
QUEEN
What are your wishes?
DOMINGO
A most true regard
For your high majesty forbids us now
To watch in careless silence an event
Pregnant with danger to your royal safety.
ALVA
We hasten, by a kind and timely warning,
To counteract a plot that's laid against you.
DOMINGO
And our warm zeal, and our best services,
To lay before your feet, most gracious queen!
QUEEN (looking at them with astonishment)
Most reverend sir, and you, my noble duke,
You much surprise me. Such sincere attachment,
In truth, I had not hoped for from Domingo,
Nor from Duke Alva. Much I value it.
A plot you mention, menacing my safety —
Dare I inquire by whom —
ALVA
You will beware a certain Marquis Posa
He has of late been secretly employed
In the king's service.
QUEEN
With delight I hear
The king has made so excellent a choice.
Report, long since, has spoken of the marquis
As a deserving, great, and virtuous man —
The royal grace was ne'er so well bestowed!
DOMINGO
So well bestowed! We think far otherwise.
ALVA
It is no secret now, for what designs
This man has been employed.
QUEEN
How! What designs?
You put my expectation on the rack.
DOMINGO
How long is it since last your majesty
Opened your casket?
QUEEN
Why do you inquire?
DOMINGO
Did you not miss some articles of value?
QUEEN
Why these suspicions? What I missed was then
Known to the court! But what of Marquis Posa?
Say, what connection has all this with him?
ALVA
The closest, please your majesty – the prince
Has lost some papers of importance;
And they were seen this morning with the king
After the marquis had an audience of him.
QUEEN (after some consideration)
This news is strange indeed – inexplicable
To find a foe where I could ne'er have dreamed it,
And two warm friends I knew not I possessed!
[Fixing her eyes steadfastly upon them.
And, to speak truth, I had well nigh imputed
To you the wicked turn my husband served me.
ALVA
To us!
QUEEN
To you yourselves!
DOMINGO
To me! Duke Alva!
QUEEN (her eyes still fastened on them)
I am glad to be so timely made aware
Of my rash judgment – else had I resolved
This very day to beg his majesty
Would bring me face to face with my accusers.
But I'm contented now. I can appeal
To the Duke Alva for his testimony.
ALVA
For mine? You would not sure do that!
QUEEN
Why not?
ALVA
'Twould counteract the services we might
Render in secret to you.
QUEEN
How! in secret?
[With stern dignity.
I fain would know what secret projects, duke,
Your sovereign's spouse can have to form with you,
Or, priest! with you – her husband should not know?
Think you that I am innocent or guilty?
DOMINGO
Strange question!
ALVA
Should the monarch prove unjust —
And at this time —
QUEEN
Then I must wait for justice
Until it come – and they are happiest far
Whose consciences may calmly wait their right.
[Bows to them and exit. DOMINGO and ALVA exeunt on the opposite side.
SCENE XV
Chamber Of PRINCESS EBOLI.
PRINCESS EBOLI. CARLOS immediately after.
EBOLI
Is it then true – the strange intelligence,
That fills the court with wonder?
CARLOS (enters)
Do not fear
Princess! I shall be gentle as a child.
EBOLI
Prince, this intrusion!
CARLOS
Are you angry still?
Offended still with me —
EBOLI
Prince!
CARLOS (earnestly)
Are you angry?
I pray you answer me.
EBOLI
What can this mean?
You seem, prince, to forget – what would you with me?
CARLOS (seizing her hand with warmth)
Dear maiden! Can you hate eternally?
Can injured love ne'er pardon?
EBOLI (disengaging herself)
Prince! of what
Would you remind me?
CARLOS
Of your kindness, dearest!
And of my deep ingratitude. Alas,
Too well I know it! deeply have I wronged thee —
Wounded thy tender heart, and from thine eyes,
Thine angel eyes, wrung precious tears, sweet maid!
But ah! 'tis not repentance leads me hither.
EBOLI
Prince! leave me – I —
CARLOS
I come to thee, because
Thou art a maid of gentle soul – because
I trust thy heart – thy kind and tender heart.
Think, dearest maiden! think, I have no friend,
No friend but thee, in all this wretched world —
Thou who wert once so kind wilt not forever
Hate me, nor will thy anger prove eternal.
EBOLI (turning away her face)
O cease! No more! for heaven's sake! leave me, prince.
CARLOS
Let me remind thee of those golden hours —
Let me remind thee of thy love, sweet maid —
That love which I so basely have offended!
Oh, let me now appear to thee again
As once I was – and as thy heart portrayed me.
Yet once again, once only, place my image,
As in days past, before thy tender soul,
And to that idol make a sacrifice
Thou canst not make to me.
EBOLI
Oh, Carlos, cease!
Too cruelly thou sportest with my feelings!
CARLOS
Be nobler than thy sex! Forgive an insult!
Do what no woman e'er has done before thee,
And what no woman, after thee, can equal.
I ask of thee an unexampled favor.
Grant me – upon my knees I ask of thee
Grant me two moments with the queen, my mother!
[He casts himself at her feet.
SCENE XVI
The former. MARQUIS POSA rushes in; behind him two Officers of the Queen's Guard.
MARQUIS (breathless and agitated, rushing between CARLOS and the PRINCESS)
Say, what has he confessed? Believe him not!
CARLOS (still on his knees, with loud voice)
By all that's holy —
MARQUIS (interrupting him with vehemence)
He is mad! He raves!
Oh, listen to him not!
CARLOS (louder and more urgent)
It is a question
Of life and death; conduct me to her straight.
MARQUIS (dragging the PRINCESS from him by force)
You die, if you but listen.
[To one of the officers, showing an order.
Count of Cordova!
In the king's name, Prince Carlos is your prisoner.
[CARLOS stands bewildered. The PRINCESS utters a cry of horror, and tries to escape. The officers are astounded.
A long and deep pause ensues. The MARQUIS trembles violently, and with difficulty preserves his composure.
[To the PRINCE.
I beg your sword – The Princess Eboli
Remains —
[To the officers.
And you, on peril of your lives,
Let no one with his highness speak – no person —
Not e'en yourselves.
[He whispers a few words to one officer, then turns to the other.
I hasten, instantly,
To cast myself before our monarch's feet,
And justify this step —
[To the PRINCE.
And prince! for you —
Expect me in an hour.
[CARLOS permits himself to be led away without any signs of consciousness, except that in passing he casts a languid, dying look on the MARQUIS. The PRINCESS endeavors again to escape; the MARQUIS pulls her back by the arm.
SCENE XVII
PRINCESS EBOLI, MARQUIS POSA.
EBOLI
For Heaven's sake let me leave this place —
MARQUIS (leads her forward with dreadful earnestness)
Thou wretch!
What has he said to thee?
EBOLI
Oh, leave me! Nothing.
MARQUIS (with earnestness; holding her back by force)
How much has he imparted to thee? Here
No way is left thee to escape. To none
In this world shalt thou ever tell it.
EBOLI (looking at him with terror)
Heavens! What would you do? Would you then murder me?
MARQUIS (drawing a dagger)
Yes, that is my resolve. Be speedy!
EBOLI
Mercy!
What have I then committed?
MARQUIS (looking towards heaven, points the dagger to her breast)
Still there's time —
The poison has not issued from these lips.
Dash but the bowl to atoms, all remains
Still as before! The destinies of Spain
Against a woman's life!
[Remains doubtingly in this position.
EBOLI (having sunk down beside him, looks in his face)
Do not delay —
Why do you hesitate? I beg no mercy —
I have deserved to die, and I am ready.
MARQUIS (letting his hand drop slowly – after some reflection)
It were as cowardly as barbarous.
No! God be praised! another way is left.
[He lets the dagger fall and hurries out. The PRINCESS hastens out through another door.
SCENE XVIII
A Chamber of the QUEEN.
The QUEEN to the COUNTESS FUENTES.
What means this noisy tumult in the palace?
Each breath to-day alarms me! Countess! see
What it portends, and hasten back with speed.
[Exit COUNTESS FUENTES – the PRINCESS EBOLI rushes in.
SCENE XIX
The QUEEN, PRINCESS EBOLI.
EBOLI (breathless, pale, and wild, falls before the QUEEN)
Help! Help! O Queen! he's seized!
QUEEN
Who?
EBOLI
He's arrested
By the king's orders given to Marquis Posa.
QUEEN
Who is arrested? Who?
EBOLI
The prince!
QUEEN
Thou ravest
EBOLI
This moment they are leading him away.
QUEEN
And who arrested him?
EBOLI
The Marquis Posa.
QUEEN
Then heaven be praised! it was the marquis seized him!
EBOLI
Can you speak thus, and with such tranquil mien?
Oh, heavens! you do not know – you cannot think —
QUEEN
The cause of his arrest! some trifling error,
Doubtless arising from his headlong youth!
EBOLI
No! no! I know far better. No, my queen!
Remorseless treachery! There's no help for him.
He dies!
QUEEN
He dies!
EBOLI
And I'm his murderer!
QUEEN
What! Dies? Thou ravest! Think what thou art saying?
EBOLI
And wherefore – wherefore dies he? Had I known
That it would come to this!
QUEEN (takes her affectionately by the hand)
Oh, dearest princess,
Your senses are distracted, but collect
Your wandering spirits, and relate to me
More calmly, not in images of horror
That fright my inmost soul, whate'er you know!
Say, what has happened?
EBOLI
Oh, display not, queen,
Such heavenly condescension! Like hot flames
This kindness sears my conscience. I'm not worthy
To view thy purity with eyes profane.
Oh, crush the wretch, who, agonized by shame,
Remorse, and self-reproach writhes at thy feet!
QUEEN
Unhappy woman! Say, what is thy guilt?
EBOLI
Angel of light! Sweet saint! thou little knowest
The demon who has won thy loving smiles.
Know her to-day; I was the wretched thief
Who plundered thee.
QUEEN
What! Thou?
EBOLI
And gave thy letters
Up to the king?
QUEEN
What! Thou?
EBOLI
And dared accuse thee!
QUEEN
Thou! Couldst thou this?
EBOLI
Revenge and madness – love —
I hated thee, and loved the prince!
QUEEN
And did
His love so prompt thee?
QUEEN
And who arrested him?
EBOLI
I had owned my love,
But met with no return.
QUEEN (after a pause)
Now all's explained!
Rise up! – you loved him – I have pardoned you
I have forgotten all. Now, princess, rise.
[Holding out her hand to the PRINCESS.
EBOLI
No, no; a foul confession still remains.
I will not rise, great queen, till I —
QUEEN
Then speak!
What have I yet to hear?
EBOLI
The king! Seduction!
Oh, now you turn away. And in your eyes
I read abhorrence. Yes; of that foul crime
I charged you with, I have myself been guilty.
[She presses her burning face to the ground. Exit QUEEN.
A long pause. The COUNTESS OLIVAREZ, after some minutes, comes out of the cabinet, into which the QUEEN entered, and finds the PRINCESS still lying in the above posture. She approaches in silence. On hearing a noise, the latter looks up and becomes like a mad person when she misses the QUEEN.
