CARLOS.

Thou speakest of times that long have passed away.

I, too, have had my visions of a Carlos,

Whose cheek would fire at freedom's glorious name,

But he, alas! has long been in his grave.

He, thou seest here, no longer is that Carlos,

Who took his leave of thee in Alcala,

Who in the fervor of a youthful heart,

Resolved, at some no distant time, to wake

The golden age in Spain! Oh, the conceit,

Though but a child's, was yet divinely fair!

Those dreams are past!

MARQUIS.

Said you, those dreams, my prince!

And were they only dreams?

CARLOS.

Oh, let me weep,

Upon thy bosom weep these burning tears,

My only friend! Not one have I-not one-

In the wide circuit of this earth,-not one

Far as the sceptre of my sire extends,

Far as the navies bear the flag of Spain,

There is no spot-none-none, where I dare yield

An outlet to my tears, save only this.

I charge thee, Roderigo! Oh, by all

The hopes we both do entertain of heaven,

Cast me not off from thee, my friend, my friend!

[POSA bends over him in silent emotion.

Look on me, Posa, as an orphan child,

Found near the throne, and nurtured by thy love.

Indeed, I know not what a father is.

I am a monarch's son. Oh, were it so,

As my heart tells me that it surely is,

That thou from millions hast been chosen out

To comprehend my being; if it be true,

That all-creating nature has designed

In me to reproduce a Roderigo,

And on the morning of our life attuned

Our souls' soft concords to the selfsame key;

If one poor tear, which gives my heart relief,

To thee were dearer than my father's favor--

MARQUIS.

Oh, it is dearer far than all the world!

CARLOS.

I'm fallen so low, have grown so poor withal,

I must recall to thee our childhood's years,-

Must ask thee payment of a debt incurred

When thou and I were scarce to boyhood grown.

Dost thou remember, how we grew together,

Two daring youths, like brothers, side by side?

I had no sorrow but to see myself

Eclipsed by thy bright genius. So I vowed,

Since I might never cope with thee in power,

That I would love thee with excess of love.

Then with a thousand shows of tenderness,

And warm affection, I besieged thy heart,

Which cold and proudly still repulsed them all.

Oft have I stood, and-yet thou sawest it never

Hot bitter tear-drops brimming in mine eyes,

When I have marked thee, passing me unheeded,

Fold to thy bosom youths of humbler birth.

'Why only these?' in anguish, once I asked-

'Am I not kind and good to thee as they?'

But dropping on thy knees, thine answer came,

With an unloving look of cold reserve,

'This is my duty to the monarch's son!'

MARQUIS.

Oh, spare me, dearest prince, nor now recall

Those boyish acts that make me blush for shame.

CARLOS.

I did not merit such disdain from thee-

You might despise me, crush my heart, but never

Alter my love. Three times didst thou repulse

The prince, and thrice he came to thee again,

To beg thy love, and force on thee his own.

At length chance wrought what Carlos never could.

Once we were playing, when thy shuttlecock

Glanced off and struck my aunt, Bohemia's queen,

Full in the face! She thought 'twas with intent,

And all in tears complained unto the king.

The palace youth were summoned on the spot,

And charged to name the culprit. High in wrath

The king vowed vengeance for the deed: 'Although

It were his son, yet still should he be made

A dread example!' I looked around and marked

Thee stand aloof, all trembling with dismay.

Straight I stepped forth; before the royal feet

I flung myself, and cried, ''Twas I who did it;

Now let thine anger fall upon thy son!'

MARQUIS.

Ah, wherefore, prince, remind me?

Вы читаете Don Carlos (play)
Добавить отзыв
ВСЕ ОТЗЫВЫ О КНИГЕ В ИЗБРАННОЕ

1

Вы можете отметить интересные вам фрагменты текста, которые будут доступны по уникальной ссылке в адресной строке браузера.

Отметить Добавить цитату