The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Argument
• Characters
• Don Carlo (italian Language)
• Atto Primo.
• Scena I.
• Scena II.
• Scena III.
• Scena IV.
• Atto Secondo.
• Parte Prima.
• Scena I.
• Scena II.
• Scena III.
• Parte Seconda.
• Scena I.
• Scena II.
• Scene IV.
• Scena V.
• Scena VI.
• Atto Terzo.
• Parte Prima.
• Scena I.
• Parte Seconda.
• Scena I.
• Atto Quarto.
• Parte Prima.
• Scena I.
• Scena II.
• Scena III.
• Scena IV.
• Parte Seconda.
• Scena I.
• Parte Terza.
• Scena I.
• Scena II.
• Don Carlos (english Language)
• Act First.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Act Second.
• Part First.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Part Second
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Act Third.
• Part First.
• Scene I.
• Part Second.
• Scene I.
• Fourth Act.
• Part First
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Part Second.
• Scene I.
• Part Third.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.

PART FIRST.

(The cloister of the convent of San Giusto. On the right an illuminated chapel, in which is seen, through a gilt railing, the tomb of Charles V. On the left, a door leading to the exterior. At back, the inner door of the cloister. A garden with lofty cypress trees. Daybreak.)

SCENE I.

Chorus of Monks (in the chapel).

Charles a mighty Emperor once,

Is naught but dust and ashes now;

His haughty soul now suppliant sues

Before his Maker’s throne.

Monk.

(Kneeling and praying before the tomb).

Vain man! He strove the world to rule,

Forgetting Him who thron’d on high,

Unto the stars their course assigns.

His pride was great, his fault, alas, was impious!

Chorus.

Charles, that mighty Emperor once,

Is naught but dust and ashes now,

His haughty soul now suppliant sues,

Before his Heav’nly Maker’s throne.

Monk.

For God alone is great—if He doth will,

The heavens and earth alike do bow,

O Father, who thine elect dost ever spare,

Have mercy on the sinful man,

May grace and pardon on his soul descend!

For God alone is great, He alone is great.

Chorus.

Oh! God! Thy fury do not descend on his soul.

God alone is great. He alone is great!

(The day slowly downs.Carlos,wan and haggard, is seen wandering beneath the vaulted cloister. He pauses to listen and uncovers his head. A bell is heard. The Chorus of Monks issues from the chapel, crosses the stage, and is lost in the corridors of the cloister.)

SCENE II.

Don Carlos and The Monk.

Carlos.

’Mid the cloisters of St. Just, where my great ancestor,

The mighty Charles, weary of glory and of pomp,

His days did end, I now do seek the calm

For which my tortured heart so vainly sighs;

But e’en amid the cloister’s gloom,

Naught can dispel the thought of her

So cruelly torn from me!

Monk.

(Rising and approachingCarlos).

The woes of this world follow us,

E’en ’mid the cloister’s sacred shade;

In Heaven alone the troubled heart

Can peace enjoy.

(The Monkslowly and solemnly withdraws, passing in front ofCarlos.)

Carlos (drawing back in alarm).

That voice! An icy chill my heart pervades!

Oh, terror! I dreamed the mighty Emperor to see,

Shrouding his purple robes and panoply of gold

Beneath the monkish garb—

’Tis said that in these cloisters he at times appears!

Monk.

(Without—his voice gradually becoming more and more distant).

In heaven alone the troubled heart

True peace can find!

Don Carlos.

That voice . . . my heart trembles . .

O terror! O terror!

SCENE III.

Carlos, Rodrigo.

Rodrigo.

It is he, he, the Infante.

Don Carlos.

Oh, my Rodrigo.

Rodrigo.

Your Highness!

Don Carlos.

Is it you whom I am embracing?

Rodrigo.

Oh, my prince, my lord.

Don Carlos.

Heaven is sending you to me in my sorrow.

Consoling angel!

Rodrigo.

Oh, beloved prince!

The hour is come; the Flemish people call on thee!

Assist them, ’tis thy duty—be thou their saviour.

What is’t I see! Whence this deadly pallor?

A mournful fire doth gleam within thine eyes!

Thou sayest naught—thou sighest, thou’rt sad at heart!

(With an outbreak of tenderness.)

Oh, Carlos! Let me share with thee thy woe!

Don Carlos.

My saviour, my brother, my faithful friend!

Let me weep on thy breast!

Rodrigo.

Pour into my heart thy cruel torture

Thy soul shall not be closed to me, Speak!

Don Carlos.

Dost thou wish it? My sorrow thou shalt know.

And what horrible pain has pierced my heart,

I love. . . a mad love—Elizabeth.

Rodrigo.

Thy mother!

All powerful Heaven!

Carlos.

Thou art deadly pale, thine eye doth seek the ground:

(Desperately.)

Ah! Woe is me! E’en thou, Rodrigo, dost desert me!

Rodrigo.

Nay, Rodrigo loves thee still;

Before Heaven, I swear it!

Thou’rt unhappy! Of naught else think I!

Don Carlos.

O my Rodrigo!

Rodrigo.

My Prince!

Say, has the King thy secret yet discovered?

Carlos.

No!

Rodrigo.

Crave then, leave of him to set out for Flanders;

Curb thou thy throbbing heart—the effort is well worthy of thee

And learn, amid a hapless people,

How a good king should rule.

Carlos.

Brother, I’ll follow thee.

(The sound of a bell is heard).

Rodrigo.

Listen! The gates of the holy sanctuary are about to open!

Hither Philip and the Queen will come!

Carlos.

Elizabeth!

Rodrigo.

Strengthen my weakening spirit,

Serene still shines thy heavenly star!

May Heaven bless me with the virtue of strength

Carlos and Rodrigo.

O Lord, into our souls,

Love and Hope Thou did’st infuse;

Vouchsafe Thou in our hearts to kindle

The love of liberty!

Together we now swear to live.

Together we will die!

Grant that in heaven, as on earth,

We ever may united be!

(Philip,conductingElizabeth,now appears, surrounded by Monks.)

Rodrigo (toDon Carlos).

They are

Carlos.

Oh, terror! At the mere sight of her I tremble!

Rodrigo.

Take courage!

(Rodrigohas retreated a few paces fromCarlos,who bows mournfully and thoughtfully before the King, struggling to overcome his emotion. On seeingCarlos, Elizabethstarts. The King and Queen advance, and approach the chapel wherein is situated the tomb of Charles V., in front of whichPhilipkneels for a few moments with his head uncovered; he then proceeds on his way with the Queen.)

Chorus (without).

Charles that mighty Emperor once,

Is naught but dust and ashes now,

His haughty soul now suppliant sues

Before his heavenly Maker’s throne.

God alone is great.

Carlos.

She is his bride!

Lost! Lost to me forever! Oh, heaven!

Rodrigo.

Come! At my side thy heart will stronger be!

The Friar.

Ah! The peace, the pardon is coming from Heaven.

God alone is great!

Don Carlos and Rodrigo.

(With enthusiasm).

We shall live together, and die together!

It shall be the extreme breath,

It shall be one shout, Liberty!

(Exeunt.)