Don Carlos. Friedrich von Schiller

Читать онлайн книгу.

Don Carlos - Friedrich von Schiller


Скачать книгу
To be a god. I am not what I was.

         I feel another heaven – another sun

         That was not here before. She loves – she loves me!

      PAGE (leading him forward).

         But this is not the place: prince! you forget.

CARLOS

         The king! My father!

      [His arms sink, he casts a timid look around, then collecting himself.

                     This is dreadful! Yes,

         You're right, my friend. I thank you: I was not

         Just then myself. To be compelled to silence,

         And bury in my heart this mighty bliss,

         Is terrible!

      [Taking the PAGE by the hand, and leading him aside.

                Now here! What thou hast seen,

         And what not seen, must be within thy breast

         Entombed as in the grave. So now depart;

         I shall not need thy guidance; they must not

         Surprise us here! Now go.

      [The PAGE is about to depart.

                       Yet hold, a word!

      [The PAGE returns. CARLOS lays his hand on his shoulder, and looks him steadily in the face.

         A direful secret hast thou in thy keeping,

         Which, like a poison of terrific power,

         Shivers the cup that holds it into atoms.

         Guard every look of thine, nor let thy head

         Guess at thy bosom's secret. Be thou like

         The senseless speaking-trumpet that receives

         And echoes back the voice, but hears it not.

         Thou art a boy! Be ever so; continue

         The pranks of youth. My correspondent chose

         Her messenger of love with prudent skill!

         The king will ne'er suspect a serpent here.

PAGE

         And I, my prince, shall feel right proud to know

         I am one secret richer than the king.

CARLOS

         Vain, foolish boy! 'tis this should make thee tremble.

         Approach me ever with a cold respect:

         Ne'er be induced by idle pride to boast

         How gracious is the prince! No deadlier sin

         Canst thou commit, my son, than pleasing me.

         Whate'er thou hast in future for my ear,

         Give not to words; intrust not to thy lips,

         Ne'er on that common high road of the thoughts

         Permit thy news to travel. Speak with an eye,

         A finger; I will answer with a look.

         The very air, the light, are Philip's creatures,

         And the deaf walls around are in his pay.

         Some one approaches; fly, we'll meet again.

      [The QUEEN'S chamber opens, and DUKE ALVA comes out.

PAGE

         Be careful, prince, to find the right apartment.

      [Exit.

CARLOS

         It is the duke! Fear not, I'll find the way.

      SCENE V

      DON CARLOS. DUDE OF ALVA.

ALVA (meeting him)

         Two words, most gracious prince.

CARLOS

                          Some other time.

      [Going.

ALVA

         The place is not the fittest, I confess;

         Perhaps your royal highness may be pleased

         To grant me audience in your private chamber.

CARLOS

         For what? And why not here? Only be brief.

ALVA

         The special object which has brought me hither,

         Is to return your highness lowly thanks

         For your good services.

CARLOS

                      Thanks to me —

         For what? Duke Alva's thanks!

ALVA

                         You scarce had left

         His majesty, ere I received in form

         Instructions to depart for Brussels.

CARLOS

                            What!

         For Brussels!

ALVA

         And to what, most gracious prince,

         Must I ascribe this favor, but to you —

         Your intercession with the king?

CARLOS

                          Ob, no!

         Not in the least to me; but, duke, you travel,

         So Heaven be with your grace!

ALVA

                         And is this all?

         It seems, indeed, most strange! And has your highness

         No further orders, then, to send to Flanders?

CARLOS

         What should I have?

ALVA

                    Not long ago, it seemed,

         The country's fate required your presence.

CARLOS

                                How?

         But yes, you're right, – it was so formerly;

         But now this change is better as it is.

ALVA

         I am amazed —

CARLOS

                 You are an able general,

         No one doubts that – envy herself must own it.

         For me, I'm but a youth – so thought the king.

CARLOS

         The king was right, quite right. I see it now

         Myself, and am content – and so no more.

         God speed your journey, as you see, just now

         My hands are full, and weighty business presses.

         The rest to-morrow, or whene'er you


Скачать книгу