полная версия
Фридрих Шиллер
Don Carlos
ACT IV
SCENE I
The Queen's Apartment.
QUEEN, DUCHESS OLIVAREZ, PRINCESS EBOLI, COUNTESS FUENTES.
QUEEN (to the first lady as she rises)
And so the key has not been found! My casket
Must be forced open then – and that at once.
[She observes PRINCESS EBOLI, who approaches and kisses her hand.
Welcome, dear princess! I rejoice to see you
So near recovered. But you still look pale.
FUENTES (with malice)
The fault of that vile fever which affects
The nerves so painfully. Is't not, princess?
QUEEN
I wished to visit you, dear Eboli,
But dared not.
OLIVAREZ
Oh! the Princess Eboli
Was not in want of company.
QUEEN
Why, that
I readily believe, but what's the matter?
You tremble —
PRINCESS
Nothing – nothing, gracious queen.
Permit me to retire.
QUEEN
You hide it from us —
And are far worse than you would have us think.
Standing must weary you. Assist her, countess,
And let her rest awhile upon that seat.
PRINCESS (going)
I shall be better in the open air.
QUEEN
Attend her, countess. What a sudden illness!
[A PAGE enters and speaks to the DUCHESS, who then
addresses the QUEEN.
OLIVAREZ
The Marquis Posa waits, your majesty,
With orders from the king.
QUEEN
Admit him then.
[PAGE admits the MARQUIS and exit.
SCENE II
MARQUIS POSA. The former.
The MARQUIS falls on one knee before the QUEEN, who signs to him to rise.
QUEEN
What are my lord's commands? And may I dare
Thus publicly to hear —
MARQUIS
My business is
In private with your royal majesty.
[The ladies retire on a signal from the QUEEN.
SCENE III
The QUEEN, MARQUIS POSA.
QUEEN (full of astonishment)
How! Marquis, dare I trust my eyes? Are you
Commissioned to me from the king?
MARQUIS
Does this
Seem such a wonder to your majesty?
To me 'tis otherwise.
QUEEN
The world must sure
Have wandered from its course! That you and he —
I must confess —
MARQUIS
It does sound somewhat strange —
But be it so. The present times abound
In prodigies.
QUEEN
But none can equal this.
MARQUIS
Suppose I had at last allowed myself
To be converted, and had weary grown
Of playing the eccentric at the court
Of Philip. The eccentric! What is that?
He who would be of service to mankind
Must first endeavor to resemble them.
What end is gained by the vain-glorious garb
Of the sectarian? Then suppose – for who
From vanity is so completely free
As for his creed to seek no proselytes?
Suppose, I say, I had it in my mind
To place my own opinions on the throne!
QUEEN
No, marquis! no! Not even in jest could I
Suspect you of so wild a scheme as this;
No visionary you! to undertake
What you can ne'er accomplish.
MARQUIS
But that seems
To be the very point at issue.
QUEEN
What
I chiefly blame you, marquis, for, and what
Could well estrange me from you – is —
MARQUIS
Perhaps
Duplicity!
QUEEN
At least – a want of candor.
Perhaps the king himself has no desire
You should impart what now you mean to tell me.
MARQUIS
No.
QUEEN
And can evil means be justified
By honest ends? And – pardon me the doubt —
Can your high bearing stoop to such an office?
I scarce can think it.
MARQUIS
Nor, indeed, could I,
Were my sole purpose to deceive the king.
'Tis not my wish – I mean to serve him now
More honestly than he himself commands.
QUEEN
'Tis spoken like yourself. Enough of this —
What would the king?
MARQUIS
The king? I can, it seems,
Retaliate quickly on my rigid judge
And what I have deferred so long to tell,
Your majesty, perhaps, would willingly
Longer defer to hear. But still it must
Be heard. The king requests your majesty
Will grant no audience to the ambassador
Of France to-day. Such were my high commands —
They're executed.
QUEEN
Marquis, is that all
You have to tell me from him?
MARQUIS
Nearly all
That justifies me thus to seek your presence.
QUEEN
Well, marquis, I'm contented not to hear
What should, perhaps, remain a secret from me.
MARQUIS
True, queen! though were you other than yourself,
I should inform you straight of certain things —
Warn you of certain men – but this to you
Were a vain office. Danger may arise
And disappear around you, unperceived.
You will not know it – of too little weight
To chase the slumber from your angel brow.
But 'twas not this, in sooth, that brought me hither,
Prince Carlos —
QUEEN
What of him? How have you left him?
MARQUIS
E'en as the only wise man of his time,
In whom it is a crime to worship truth —
And ready, for his love to risk his life,
As the wise sage for his. I bring few words —
But here he is himself.
[Giving the QUEEN a letter.
QUEEN (after she has read it)
He says he must
Speak with me —
MARQUIS
So do I.
QUEEN
And will he thus
Be happy – when he sees with his own eyes,
That I am wretched?
MARQUIS
No; but more resolved,
More active.
QUEEN
How?
MARQUIS
Duke Alva is appointed
To Flanders.
QUEEN
Yes, appointed – so I hear.
MARQUIS
The king cannot retract: – we know the king.
This much is clear, the prince must not remain
Here in Madrid, nor Flanders be abandoned.
QUEEN
And can you hinder it?
MARQUIS
Perhaps I can,
But then the means are dangerous as the evil —
Rash as despair – and yet I know no other.
QUEEN
Name them.
MARQUIS
To you, and you alone, my queen,
Will I reveal them; for from you alone,
Carlos will hear them named without a shudder.
The name they bear is somewhat harsh.
QUEEN
Rebellion!
MARQUIS
He must prove faithless to the king, and fly
With secrecy to Brussels, where the Flemings
Wait him with open arms. The Netherlands
Will rise at his command. Our glorious cause
From the king's son will gather matchless strength,
The Spanish throne shall tremble at his arms,
And what his sire denied him in Madrid,
That will he willingly concede in Brussels.
QUEEN
You've spoken with the king to-day – and yet
Maintain all this.
MARQUIS
Yes, I maintain it all,
Because I spoke with him.
QUEEN (after a pause)
The daring plan
Alarms and pleases me. You may be right —
The thought is bold, and that perhaps enchants me.
Let it but ripen. Does Prince Carlos know it?
MARQUIS
It was my wish that he should hear it first
From your own lips.
QUEEN
The plan is doubtless good,
But then the prince's youth —
MARQUIS
No disadvantage!
He there will find the bravest generals
Of the Emperor Charles – an Egmont and an Orange —
In battle daring, and in council wise.
QUEEN (with vivacity)
True – the design is grand and beautiful!
The prince must act; I feel it sensibly.
The part he's doomed to play here in Madrid
Has bowed me to the dust on his account.
I promise him the aid of France and Savoy;
I think with you, lord marquis – he must act —
But this design needs money —
MARQUIS
It is ready.
QUEEN
I, too, know means.
MARQUIS
May I then give him hopes
Of seeing you?
QUEEN
I will consider it.
MARQUIS
The prince, my queen, is urgent for an answer.
I promised to procure it.
[Presenting his writing tablet to the QUEEN.
Two short lines
Will be enough.
QUEEN (after she has written)
When do we meet again?
MARQUIS
Whene'er you wish.
QUEEN
Whene'er I wish it, marquis!
How can I understand this privilege?
MARQUIS
As innocently, queen, as e'er you may.
But we enjoy it – that is sure enough.
QUEEN (interrupting)
How will my heart rejoice should this become
A refuge for the liberties of Europe,
And this through him! Count on my silent aid!
MARQUIS (with animation)
Right well I knew your heart would understand me.
[The DUCHESS OLIVAREZ enters.
QUEEN (coldly to the MARQUIS)
My lord! the king's commands I shall respect
As law. Assure him of the queen's submission.
[She makes a sign to him. Exit MARQUIS.
SCENE IV
A Gallery.
DON CARLOS, COUNT LERMA.
CARLOS
Here we are undisturbed. What would you now
Impart to me?
LERMA
Your highness has a friend
Here at the court.
CARLOS (starting)
A friend! I knew it not!
But what's your meaning?
LERMA
I must sue for pardon
That I am learned in more than I should know.
But for your highness' comfort I've received it
From one I may depend upon – in short,
I have it from myself.
CARLOS
Whom speak you of?
LERMA
The Marquis Posa.
CARLOS
What!
LERMA
And if your highness
Has trusted to him more of what concerns you
Than every one should know, as I am led
To fear —
CARLOS
You fear!
LERMA
He has been with the king.
CARLOS
Indeed!
LERMA
Two hours in secret converse too.
CARLOS
Indeed!
LERMA
The subject was no trifling matter.
CARLOS
That I can well believe.
LERMA
And several times
I heard your name.
CARLOS
That's no bad sign, I hope.
LERMA
And then, this morning, in the king's apartment,
The queen was spoken of mysteriously.
CARLOS (starts back astonished)
Count Lerma!
LERMA
When the marquis had retired
I was commanded to admit his lordship
In future unannounced.
CARLOS
Astonishing!
LERMA
And without precedent do I believe,
Long as I served the king —
CARLOS
'Tis strange, indeed!
How did you say the queen was spoken of?
LERMA (steps back)
No, no, my prince! that were against my duty.
CARLOS
'Tis somewhat strange! One secret you impart.
The other you withhold.
LERMA
The first was due
To you, the other to the king.
CARLOS
You're right.
LERMA
And still I've thought you, prince, a man of honor.
CARLOS
Then you have judged me truly.
LERMA
But all virtue
Is spotless till it's tried.
CARLOS
Some stand the trial.
LERMA
A powerful monarch's favor is a prize
Worth seeking for; and this alluring bait
Has ruined many a virtue.
CARLOS
Truly said!
LERMA
And oftentimes 'tis prudent to discover —
What scarce can longer be concealed.
CARLOS
Yes, prudent
It may be, but you say you've ever known
The marquis prove himself a man of honor.
LERMA
And if he be so still my fears are harmless,
And you become a double gainer, prince.
[Going.
CARLOS (follows him with emotion, and presses his hand)
Trebly I gain, upright and worthy man,
I gain another friend, nor lose the one
Whom I before possessed.
[Exit LERMA.
SCENE V
MARQUIS POSA comes through the gallery. CARLOS.
MARQUIS
Carlos! My Carlos!
CARLOS
Who calls me? Ah! 'tis thou – I was in haste
To gain the convent! You will not delay.
[Going.
MARQUIS
Hold! for a moment.
CARLOS
We may be observed.
MARQUIS
No chance of that. 'Tis over now. The queen —
CARLOS
You've seen my father.
MARQUIS
Yes! he sent for me.
CARLOS (full of expectation)
Well!
MARQUIS
'Tis all settled – you may see the queen.
CARLOS
Yes! but the king! What said the king to you?
MARQUIS
Not much. Mere curiosity to learn
My history. The zeal of unknown friends —
I know not what. He offered me employment.
CARLOS
Which you, of course, rejected?
MARQUIS
Yes, of course
CARLOS
How did you separate?
MARQUIS
Oh, well enough!
CARLOS
And was I mentioned?
MARQUIS
Yes; in general terms.
[Taking out a pocketbook and giving it to the PRINCE.
See here are two lines written by the queen,
To-morrow I will settle where and how.
CARLOS (reads it carelessly, puts the tablet in his pocket, and is going)
You'll meet me at the prior's?
MARQUIS
Yes! But stay
Why in such haste? No one is coming hither.
CARLOS (with a forced smile)
Have we in truth changed characters? To-day
You seem so bold and confident.
MARQUIS
To-day —
Wherefore to-day?
CARLOS
What writes the queen to me?
MARQUIS
Have you not read this instant?
CARLOS
I? Oh yes.
MARQUIS
What is't disturbs you now?
CARLOS (reads the tablet again, delighted and fervently)
Angel of Heaven!
I will be so, – I will be worthy of thee.
Love elevates great minds. So come what may,
Whatever thou commandest, I'll perform.
She writes that I must hold myself prepared
For a great enterprise! What can she mean?
Dost thou not know?
MARQUIS
And, Carlos, if I knew,
Say, art thou now prepared to hear it from me?
CARLOS
Have I offended thee? I was distracted.
Roderigo, pardon me.
MARQUIS
Distracted! How?
CARLOS
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 noble soul.
In me the king hath placed his confidence,
His holiest trust reposed – as in a casket,
And this reliance calls for gratitude.
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.
LERMA
Her majesty is in the antechamber.
KING
What! Now?
LERMA
And begs the favor of an audience.
KING
Now! At this unaccustomed hour! Not now —
I cannot see her yet.
LERMA
Here comes the queen.
[Exit LERMA.
SCENE IX
The KING, the QUEEN enters, and the INFANTA.
The INFANTA runs to meet the QUEEN and clings to her;
the QUEEN falls at the KING's feet, who is silent, and appears confused and embarrassed.
QUEEN
My lord! My husband! I'm constrained to seek
Justice before the throne!
KING
What? Justice!
QUEEN
Yes!
I'm treated with dishonor at the court!
My casket has been rifled.
KING
What! Your casket?
QUEEN
And things I highly value have been plundered.
KING
Things that you highly value.
QUEEN
From the meaning
Which ignorant men's officiousness, perhaps,
Might give to them —
KING
What's this? Officiousness,
And meaning! How? But rise.
QUEEN
Oh no, my husband!
Not till you bind yourself by sacred promise,
By virtue of your own authority,
To find the offender out, and grant redress,
Or else dismiss my suite, which hides a thief.
KING
But rise! In such a posture! Pray you, rise.
QUEEN (rises)
'Tis some one of distinction – I know well;
My casket held both diamonds and pearls
Of matchless value, but he only took
My letters.
KING
May I ask —
QUEEN
Undoubtedly,
My husband. They were letters from the prince:
His miniature as well.
KING
From whom?
QUEEN
The prince,
Your son.
KING
To you?
QUEEN
Sent by the prince to me.
KING
What! From Prince Carlos! Do you tell me that?
QUEEN
Why not tell you, my husband?
KING
And not blush.
QUEEN
What mean you? You must surely recollect
The letters Carlos sent me to St. Germains,
With both courts' full consent. Whether that leave
Extended to the portrait, or alone
His hasty hope dictated such a step,
I cannot now pretend to answer; but
If even rash, it may at least be pardoned
For thus much I may be his pledge – that then
He never thought the gift was for his mother.
[Observes the agitation of the KING.
What moves you? What's the matter?
INFANTA (who has found the miniature on the ground, and has been playing with it, brings it to the QUEEN)
Look, dear mother!
See what a pretty picture!
QUEEN
What then my —
[She recognizes the miniature, and remains in speechless astonishment. They both gaze at each other. After a long pause.
In truth, this mode of trying a wife's heart
Is great and royal, sire! But I should wish
To ask one question?
KING
'Tis for me to question.
QUEEN
Let my suspicions spare the innocent.
And if by your command this theft was done —
KING
It was so done!
QUEEN
Then I have none to blame,
And none to pity – other than yourself —
Since you possess a wife on whom such schemes
Are thrown away.
KING
This language is not new —
Nor shall you, madam, now again deceive me
As in the gardens of Aranjuez —
My queen of angel purity, who then
So haughtily my accusation spurned —
I know her better now.
QUEEN
What mean you, sire?
KING
Madam! thus briefly and without reserve —
Say is it true? still true, that you conversed
With no one there? Is really that the truth?
QUEEN
I spoke there with the prince.
KING
Then is clear
As day! So daring! heedless of mine honor!
QUEEN
Your honor, sire! If that be now the question,
A greater honor is, methinks, at stake
Than Castile ever brought me as a dowry.
KING
Why did you then deny the prince's presence?
QUEEN
Because I'm not accustomed to be questioned
Like a delinquent before all your courtiers;
I never shall deny the truth when asked
With kindness and respect. Was that the tone
Your majesty used towards me in Aranjuez?
Are your assembled grandees the tribunal
Queens must account to for their private conduct?
I gave the prince the interview he sought
With earnest prayer, because, my liege and lord,
I – the queen – wished and willed it, and because
I never can admit that formal custom
Should sit as judge on actions that are guiltless;
And I concealed it from your majesty
Because I chose not to contend with you
About this right in presence of your courtiers.
KING
You speak with boldness, madam!
QUEEN
I may add,
Because the prince, in his own father's heart,
Scarce finds that kindness he so well deserves.
KING
So well deserves!
QUEEN
Why, sire! should I conceal it!
Highly do I esteem him – yes! and love him
As a most dear relation, who was once
Deemed worthy of a dearer – tenderer – title.
I've yet to learn that he, on this account,
Should be estranged from me beyond all others, —
Because he once was better loved than they.
Though your state policy may knit together
What bands it pleases – 'tis a harder task
To burst such ties! I will not hate another
For any one's command – and since I must
So speak – such dictates I will not endure.
KING
Elizabeth! you've seen me in weak moments —
And their remembrance now emboldens you.
On that strong influence you now depend,
Which you have often, with so much success,
Against my firmness tried. But fear the more
The power which has seduced me to be weak
May yet inflame me to some act of madness.
QUEEN
What have I done?
KING (takes her hand)
If it should prove but so —
And is it not already? If the full
Accumulated measure of your guilt
Become but one breath heavier – should I be
Deceived —
[Lets her hand go.
I can subdue these last remains
Of weakness – can and will – then woe betide
Myself and you, Elizabeth!
QUEEN
What crime
Have I committed?
KING
On my own account then
Shall blood be shed.
QUEEN
And has it come to this?
Oh, Heaven!
KING
I shall forget myself – I shall
Regard no usage and no voice of nature —
Not e'en the law of nations.
QUEEN
Oh, how much
I pity you!
KING
The pity of a harlot!
INFANTA (clinging to her mother in terror)
The king is angry, and my mother weeps.
[KING pushes the child violently from the QUEEN.
QUEEN (with mildness and dignity, but with faltering voice)
This child I must protect from cruelty —
Come with me, daughter.
[Takes her in her arms.
If the king no more
Acknowledge thee – beyond the Pyrenees
I'll call protectors to defend our cause.
[Going.
KING (embarrassed)
Queen!
QUEEN
I can bear no more – it is too much!
[Hastening to the door, she falls with her child on the threshold.
KING (running to her assistance)
Heavens! What is that?
INFANTA (cries out with terror)
She bleeds! My mother bleeds!
[Runs out.
KING (anxiously assisting her)
Oh, what a fearful accident! You bleed;
Do I deserve this cruel punishment?
Rise and collect yourself – rise, they are coming!
They will surprise us! Shall the assembled court
Divert themselves with such a spectacle?
Must I entreat you? Rise.
[She rises, supported by the KING.
