Don Carlos ( Act 4 Scene 9)

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.
&nbsp       &nbsp[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——

&nbsp       &nbsp[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?

KING.
Madam! thus briefly and without reserve—
Say is it true? still true, that you conversed
With no one there? Is really that the truth?

QUEEN.
I spoke there with the prince.

KING.
Then is clear
As day! So daring! heedless of mine honor!

QUEEN.
Your honor, sire! If that be now the question,
A greater honor is, methinks, at stake
Than Castile ever brought me as a dowry.

KING.
Why did you then deny the prince's presence?

QUEEN.
Because I'm not accustomed to be questioned
Like a delinquent before all your courtiers;
I never shall deny the truth when asked
With kindness and respect. Was that the tone
Your majesty used towards me in Aranjuez?
Are your assembled grandees the tribunal
Queens must account to for their private conduct?
I gave the prince the interview he sought
With earnest prayer, because, my liege and lord,
I—the queen—wished and willed it, and because
I never can admit that formal custom
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——
&nbsp       &nbsp[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.

&nbsp       &nbsp[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.
&nbsp       &nbsp[Takes her in her arms.
If the king no more
Acknowledge thee—beyond the Pyrenees
I'll call protectors to defend our cause.

&nbsp       &nbsp[Going.

KING
(embarrassed).
Queen!

QUEEN.
I can bear no more—it is too much!

&nbsp       &nbsp[Hastening to the door, she falls with her child on the threshold.

KING
(running to her assistance).
Heavens! What is that?

INFANTA
(cries out with terror).
She bleeds! My mother bleeds!

&nbsp       &nbsp[Runs out.

KING
(anxiously assisting her).
Oh, what a fearful accident! You bleed;
Do I deserve this cruel punishment?
Rise and collect yourself—rise, they are coming!
They will surprise us! Shall the assembled court
Divert themselves with such a spectacle?
Must I entreat you? Rise.

&nbsp       &nbsp[She rises, supported by the KING.