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?
