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.

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.)

PART SECOND

(A smiling landscape situated near the Gate of the Convent of St. Just. A fountain, mossy banks, etc. Plantations of orange trees, pines, etc. In the horizon are seen the blue mountains of Estremadura. At the back, to the right, the door of the Convent, which is approached by a flight of steps.)