As I passed
Along the antechamber a dread rumor
Fell on my ear,-it seemed incredible,-
Of a most angry quarrel-blood-the queen--
KING.
Come you from her?
MARQUIS.
I should be horrified
Were not the rumor false: or should perhaps
Your majesty meantime have done some act-
Discoveries of importance I have made,
Which wholly change the aspect of affairs.
KING.
How now?
MARQUIS.
I found an opportunity
To seize your son's portfolio, with his letters,
Which, as I hope, may throw some light--
[He gives the PRINCE's portfolio to the KING.
KING (looks through it eagerly).
A letter
From the emperor, my father. How I a letter
Of which I ne'er remember to have heard.
[He reads it through, puts it aside, and goes
to the other papers.
A drawing of some fortress-detached thoughts
From Tacitus-and what is here? The hand
I surely recognize-it is a lady's.
[He reads it attentively, partly to himself,
and partly aloud.
'This key-the farthest chamber of the queen's
Pavilion!' Ha! what's this? 'The voice of love,-
The timid lover-may-a rich reward.'
Satanic treachery! I see it now.
'Tis she-'tis her own writing!
MARQUIS.
The queen's writing!
Impossible!
KING.
The Princess Eboli's.
MARQUIS.
Then, it was true, what the queen's page confessed,
Not long since-that he brought this key and letter.
KING (grasping the MARQUIS' hand in great emotion).
Marquis! I see that I'm in dreadful hands.
This woman-I confess it-'twas this woman
Forced the queen's casket: and my first suspicions
Were breathed by her. Who knows how deep the priest
May be engaged in this? I am deceived
By cursed villany.
MARQUIS.
Then it was lucky--
KING.
Marquis! O marquis! I begin to fear
I've wronged my wife.
MARQUIS.
If there exist between
The prince and queen some secret understandings,
They are of other import, rest assured,
Than those they charge her with. I know, for certain,
The prince's prayer to be despatched to Flanders
Was by the queen suggested.
KING.
I have thought so.
MARQUIS.
The queen's ambitious. Dare I speak more fully?
She sees, with some resentment, her high hopes
All disappointed, and herself shut out
From share of empire. Your son's youthful ardor
Offers itself to her far-reaching views,
Her heart! I doubt if she can love.
KING.
Her schemes
Of policy can never make me tremble.
MARQUIS.
Whether the Infant loves her-whether we
Have something worse to fear from him,-are things
Worthy our deep attention. To these points
Our strictest vigilance must be directed.
KING.
