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 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.)