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• 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 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.)

SCENE I.

(ThePrincess of Eboli, Theobald,theCountess of Aremberg,Ladies of the Queen, Pages, etc. The ladies are sitting on grass banks around the fountain; a Page is playing on a mandolin.)

Chorus of Ladies.

Under the thick, immense fir,

Which gives shade and quiet

Mild defense to the sacred abode,

Let us seek shelter in the shade

From the fierce rays,

That fall upon us from the sky.

Eboli.

Amid these walls the Queen of Spain,

Alone can penetrate.

What say ye, maidens—till day declining,

Shall we the time with song beguile?

Chorus.

Thy wish, O Princess, thou well know’st is ours;

Sing on, we’ll listen to thy strain.

Eboli (toTheobald).

Hand me thy mandolin.

Unite we then, in song, our voices;

We’ll sing the Saracenic song they call “The Veil.”

To Love they say it is propitious!

Theobald and Chorus.

Sing!

the song of the veil.

(ThePageaccompanies it on the mandolin.)

Eboli.

In the lovely garden of a moorish dwelling,

’Mid the shade and perfume,

Of the laurel blossoms,

Stood the fair Almea closely veiled, alone,

Lost in contemplation of a star unknown.

Mohammed, Moorish king, to the garden came.

Said to her, “I love thee, O charming lady,

Come, the king invites thee,

Realm and throne to share.

For the queen ambitious no more do I care. Ah! Ah!

Eboli and Theobald.

Weave then your veils,

O maidens coy,

Whilst in the heavens

The sun shines bright.

But dearer, far dearer to love is a veil,

When the pale stars do glimmer on high!

SCENE II.

(Elizabethissues from the Convent).

Chorus of Ladies.

The Queen!

Eboli (aside).

Some secret sorrow at her heart

Doth sit.

Elizabeth.

(Seating herself near the fountain).

A joyous song did meet mine ear.

(Aside.)

Alas! Flown are the days when my young heart

Their merriment could share!

(Rodrigoappears at back,Theobaldadvances towards him, speaks to him aside for a few moments, and then returns to the Queen, presentingRodrigo.)

Theobald.

The Marquis of Posa, grandee of Spain.

Rodrigo (Bowing to the Queen).

Lady, while in Paris, your august mother,

Did entrust to me a letter for your majesty.

(Rodrigohands the letter to the Queen, and quickly gives her a note, then shows the real letter to the ladies.)

Rodrigo.

(Read, lady! Read, in mercy’s name!)

Behold the royal seal, the fleur-de-lis of gold.

(Elizabeth,astounded, continues for a moment motionless, whileRodrigoapproaches the Princess ofEboli.)

Eboli (toRodrigo).

Pray tell us of the court of France,

The centre of all that’s elegant and refined!

Rodrigo (toEboli).

They talk now of a grand forthcoming tournay,

In which they say the king will take a share.

Elizabeth (looking at letter, aside).

No! I dare not open—if I but I read a line,

I do betray the kingly honor.

Eboli (toRodrigo).

The dames of France ’tis said surpass us all,

In elegance and grace.

Elizabeth.

Ah! why do I tremble?

Rodrigo (toEboli).

In you alone we see combined,

Both grace and beauty.

Eboli (toRodrigo).

’Tis said that at the royal fêtes,

The noble dames of France so beauteous seem.

That naught of mortal mould can equal them.

Elizabeth.

My soul is pure.

And heaven doth read my heart!

Rodrigo (toEboli).

And yet the loveliest dame of all,

Is not among them.

Eboli (toRodrigo).

At the court balls methinks one now may wear

Silks, embroidered o’er with gold.

Elizabeth (aside, reading note.)

“By the memories that unite us,

By the recollection of a past so dear,

Confide, I pray you, in him who bears this letter.—Carlos.”

Rodrigo (toEboli).

It matters little what is worn.

When grace and loveliness like yours do wear it.

Elizabeth (toRodrigo).

Grateful am I—crave now a favor of the Queen!

Rodrigo (eagerly).

I do accept thy offer,—though not for myself the boon

Elizabeth (aside).

My trembling limbs do scarce fulfil their office!

Eboli (toRodrigo).

Who, worthier than thyself, could owe a favor to the Queen!

Elizabeth (aside).

Oh, terror!

Eboli.

Say, now, who?

Elizabeth.

Ah, who?

Rodrigo.

Carlo, sole joy of our affection.

Dwells here in grief from all apart.

No one doth know how this dejection

Withers the bloom of his young heart.

On you alone, lies hope in his sorrow.

That peace and vigor shall come from thee.

Grant him the boon once more to see thee.

Let him return, and saved he’ll be!

Elizabeth (aside).

Poor me, I can hardly stand this,

Great God, to see him again, were to die.

Eboli (aside).

Love has he, love for me?

Why does he hide it from me?

Rodrigo.

Grant him to see thee again,

If he returns, he shall be safe,

If he returns, Carlo shall be saved!

Elizabeth.

(With dignity and firmness toTheobald,who has drawn near).

Haste thee! I am prepared to see my son!

Eboli (aside, agitated).

Perchance he’ll now reveal the secret of his heart!

(Rodrigotakes Princess ofEboliby the hand and retires with her, conversing meanwhile aside.)

SCENE IV.

Elizabeth and Carlos.

(Carlosappears, led byTheobald. Rodrigospeaks aside toTheobald,who enters the convent.Carlosslowly approachesElizabeth,and bows reverently without once daring to raise his eyes.Elizabeth,scarcely able to master her emotion, bidsCarlosapproach.RodrigoandEboliinterchange signs with the Ladies, who withdraw, and gradually disappear among the trees. The Countess of Aremberg and two of the Ladies of Honor remain standing at a short distance. The Countess and the two Ladies cross from shrub to shrub, pluck flowers, and withdraw.)

Carlos (calmly).

I come to crave a favor from my Queen!

She who in the royal heart the first place now doth hold

Alone this favor can obtain for me!

(Gradually increasing in animation).

The air I now do breathe is fatal to me!

My tortured breast it does oppress,

Like to the recollection of a fearful woe!

’Tis meet that I go hence. Obtain me leave

To travel hence to Flanders!

Elizabeth (agitated).

My son!

Carlos (vehemently).

By that name call me not!

Call me as thou wert wont!

(Elizabethis about to withdraw.Carlossuppliantly entreats her to remain.)

Ah! woe is me! I know not what to do!

Ah! pity me! my sufferings are great.

One day of happiness alone was granted me,

And soon, alas! it fled!

(RodrigoandEbolicross the stage, conversing aside.)

Elizabeth.

Prince, if Philip will my prayer but hear,

To Flanders, ere to-morrow’s sun shall set,

As its vice-regent thou shalt quickly hie.

(RodrigoandEbolihave now disappeared.Elizabethmakes a gesture of farewell toDon Carlo,and is about to withdraw.)

Carlos.

Heavens! and has she not a word, a single sigh,

For the lorn wretch who, exiled, leaves the land!

Why do I never hear

Pity in thy heart?

Oh! This soul is oppressed!

In my heart, in my heart, there is coldness

Insane, I cried, I prayed in my delirium

I have turned to the cold marble of the tomb!

Elizabeth (greatly agitated).

Ah! why accuse my heart of coldness!

My silence you should better understand.

Duty’s bright ray before mine eye hath gleamed.

And guided by its light, I’ll on!

My trust I place in God and in mine innocence

Carlos (in despairing accents.)

O treasure lost to me for ever!

The light—the brightness of my life hath fled!

Speak! speak! that I may hear thee once again!

Thy words do cause me more than mortal happiness!

Elizabeth.

All merciful Heaven! may this true heart

Its woes forget and calm once more enjoy;

Carlos farewell—at thy side

This earth a paradise had seemed!

Carlos (delirious).

What voice from heaven of love now speaks?

Elizabeth! Yes, ’tis thou, adored one!

Elizabeth.

O terror! delusion wild is this!

Carlos.

I see thee at my side once more, as on that day!

Ah! all is now bright once more—

The forest its gay green again assumes!

Elizabeth.

He is dying Oh, Heavens! he is dying.

Don Carlos.

Oh! My treasure, is it thou, my sweet love?

Elizabeth.

Great God, just Heaven!

Don Carlos (reviving).

To my tomb, to the slumber of the tomb

Why take me away, unmerciful Heaven?

Elizabeth.

Oh, Carlos, oh, Carlos!

Don Carlos.

Under my foot, shall the abyss open

And may my body by lightning be struck,

I love thee, I love thee, Elizabeth,

(Takes her in his arms.)

To me the world has vanished!

Elizabeth (disengaging herself).

Complete thy work—go, slay thy father!

And with his blood besmeared.

Then lead thy mother to the altar!

Carlos (retreating in alarm).

Ah! woe is me! accurs’d am I!

(He rushes out desperately.)

Elizabeth.

(Falling on her knees).

Heaven has kept watch o’er us!

SCENE V.

(Philip II., Elizabeth, Theobald,theCountess of Aremberg, Rodrigo, Eboli, Chorus, Pages,entering in succession.)

Theobald.

(Entering precipitately from the cloister).

The King!

Philip (toElizabeth).

Why find I thus the Queen alone!

What! not a single lady at thy side!

Ignor’st thou thus my royal rule?

Which of thy ladies should have been with thee!

(TheCountess of Arembergissues trembling from the crowd and stands before the King.)

(To the Countess.)

Countess, to-morrow you’ll to France return.

(The Countessbursts into tears. All contemplate the Queen in surprise.)

Chorus.

And doth he thus insult the Queen!

Elizabeth.

Ah! weep not, dear companion, ah! do not weep.

Let sorrow hence depart.

From Spain thou art now banished,

But not from this fond heart,

With thee, my life’s bright morning

Was passed in joyous glee.

To our dear home returning,

My heart will follow thee, ah!

ChorusandRodrigo.

Take heart, O kindly soul,

Thy grief assuage.

Philip (aside).

What, in my very presence,

The airs of injured worth she dares assume!

(The Queen mournfully tears herself away from the Countess, and withdraws, learning on thePrincess of Eboli.She is followed by the Chorus.)

SCENE VI.

PhilipandRodrigo.

(Rodrigokneels, then approaches the King and covers his head without embarrassment.)

Philip.

(ToRodrigowho is about to leave)

Remain here!

Why hast thou not yet asked to be admitted?

I know how to reward

All my defenders;

Thou hast served, I know,

Faithful to my crown.

Rodrigo.

What can I ever hope from the favor of the King?

Sir, I am satisfied, the law shields me.

Philip.

I love a noble spirit.

Audacity I forgive . . . not always . . .

(Pause.)

Thou hast left the business of war;

A man such as thee, a soldier of high lineage,

Can he remain idle?

Rodrigo.

When Spain shall be in need of a sword,

An avenging hand, worthy of its honor,

Readily will mine shine, stained with blood!

Philip.

I know It . . . . . . but for thee . . . . . . what can I do?

Rodrigo.

Nothing! No . . . . . . nothing for me! But for others . . . . . .

Philip.

What dost thou mean? . . . . . . For others? . . . . . .

Rodrigo.

I shall speak, Sir, if I do not vex thee!

Philip.

Do speak!

Rodrigo.

Sir, from Flanders I have come,

That country once so beautiful,

Now deprived of every light

And like a tomb, is full of horrors!

The orphan without a home,

Goes crying through the streets;

Everything is destroyed by fire,

Banished is pity!

To the eyes it seems

The river is glowing red with running blood;

The mother’s cry is echoing

For the sons who have expired!

Ah! blessed is the Lord,

That has spared me to narrate

This cruel agony,

So it shall be known by the King

Philip.

Only through bloodshed, could I get the peace of the world

Rodrigo.

Horrible, horrible peace! It is the peace of the dead!

Oh King! May it never be said in history!

That thou wert like Nero!

This is the peace thou givest the world?

Such gift awakens terror, untold horror!

The priest an executioner, every soldier a bandit!

The people moan, and die unheard,

And in thine large and desolate empire,

Thou hearest everyone curse Philip, yes, curse him!

Like a redeeming God, the entire globe restore,

Raise thyself to a sublime height, above any other King!

For thou shalt the world gladden, give liberty!

Philip.

Oh! strange dreamer!

Thy thoughts would change, if the heart of man

Thou knew, as Philip knows it!

Do not fear!

Say no more! naught has the King heard . . . . . .

Do not fear!

(Deeply.)

But . . . guard thyself against the Inquisitor!

Rodrigo.

What? . . . . . . Sir! . . . . . .

Philip.

Thou remainest in my royal presence

And naught hast thou yet asked the King?

I want thee near me!

Rodrigo.

No! sir! what I am, I wish to remain!

Philip.

Thou art too haughty!

Has thine glance dared to penetrate my threshold?

From my head burdened by my crown,

Thou canst see the anguish and grief!

Look at my kingdom!

Trouble surrounds it, unfortunate parent!

Still more unfortunate spouse!

Rodrigo.

Sir! What sayest thou? . . . . . .

Philip.

The Queen . . . a suspicion troubles me . . . . . . my son! . . . . . .

Rodrigo (impetuously).

Fearless and pure is his soul!

Philip (with much pain).

Naught under the sky can replace

The contentment he took from me!

(Rodrigoalarmed, looks atPhilip,without answering.)

Their destiny I entrust to thee!

Search into that heart, that a foolish love is reaping!

Always permitted art thou to see the Queen!

Thou who alone art a man, among the human multitude,

I trust myself to thy loyalty!

Rodrigo.

(Aside, with great joy)

An aurora unexpectedly in Heaven!

Philip.

In thy hand!

Rodrigo.

His heart has revealed that which no one could seek!

Philip.

May peace return to me some day!

Rodrigo.

Oh! what a divine dream!

Oh! glorious hope!

Philip (deeply).

Beware of the great Inquisitor!

Beware, beware!

Rodrigo.

Sir!

(The King gives his hand toRodrigo,who kneels and kisses it.)

(The curtain falls rapidly.)

end of the second act.

ACT THIRD.