The Online Library of Liberty

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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.

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.

PART FIRST.