No More Learning

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?