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 I.

(The Queen’s Gardens at Madrid. An enclosed grove. At back, beneath a verdant arch, a statue, with a fountain. Night.)

Chorusbehind the scenes, thenElizabeth, Eboliand theQueen’sladies. During theChorus,masked gallants are seen passing, followed byCavaliers.Ballet of theQueen.

Carlos.

(ReadingEboli’snote).

“At midnight,

In the gardens of the Queen,

’Neath the laurel tree, by the fountain’s side.”

’Tis midnight! methinks I hear

The murmur of the neighboring fountain.

Elizabeth! my own heart’s treasure,

O come! O come!

(Ebolienters, veiled and disguised).

(ToEboli,whom he believes to be the Queen.)

Is’t thou, my own heart’s idol,

Who ’midst the flowers dost appear?

Is’t thou? My enraptured soul

Its grief forgets.

O thou! my only source of happiness,

At last I may address thee!

O thou! the cause of all mine anguish,

Is’t thou! my life, my only love!

Eboli (aside).

How ardent is his love—no bliss can mine exceed!

Loved, loved am I!

Don Carlos.

The universe let us forget, thee alone, dear, I desire!

I think no longer of the past, nor of the future!

I love thee, I love thee!

Eboli.

May love . . . . . thy heart . . . . . to my heart, . . . . . .

Thy heart . . . . . . forever unite!

Don Carlos.

The universe let us forget, life, heaven itself!

I love thee, I love thee.

Eboli.

Oh! joy supreme!

(Removes the mask.)

Carlos (dismayed, aside).

Heaven! ’tis not the Queen!

Eboli.

Alas! What sudden thought hath rendered thee thus pale and speechless?

Thy tongue is silent! Some spectre sure

Hath risen betwixt us!

Doubt’st thou the heart that beats for thee alone?

(Silence.)

(Passionately.)

Know’st thou not the myriad perils that surround thee?

O’er thy devoted head the thunder cloud

May of a sudden burst, and fell thee to the earth!

Don Carlos.

Right well I know the ills that do environ me;

O’er this devoted head indeed, the thunder cloud

May of a sudden burst, and fell me to the earth!

Eboli.

I heard thy father and Di Posa

Speak earnestly respecting thee.

Don Carlos.

Rodrigo!

Eboli.

But I can save thee—for I love thee!

Don Carlos.

What mystery doth this portend?

Eboli (anxiously).

Ah, Carlos!

Don Carlos.

An angel’s heart indeed is thine!

But ne’er can I thy love return;

We’ll deem we’ve dreamt a wondrous dream,

On this bright summer night, amid these fragrant groves.

Eboli.

A dream! Oh, heaven! The burning words

Were to another’s ear addressed!

What lightning flash the mystery illumes!

Thou lov’st the Queen!—

Don Carlos (astounded).

Pity!

Rodrigo.

What has he said? He is delirious, do not trust him . . . . . .

He is infatuated!

Eboli.

I in his heart have read his love, and now I know . . . . . .

It was a folly.

Rodrigo (harshly).

What does it mean?

Eboli.

I know all!

Rodrigo.

What does it mean, unhappy woman?

Beware! I am . . . . . .

Eboli.

I am aware that thou art friendly with the King.

I am an enemy, formidable, and powerful;

I know thy power, thou knowest not mine!

Rodrigo.

What meanest thou?

Eboli.

Nothing!

(Deeply and in a low voice toRodrigo.)

From my power vainly thou stealest,

Thy fate is in this hand.

Rodrigo (toEboli).

Thou must speak, and reveal to us

Whatever intent has drawn thee here.

Eboli.

I feel like a revengeful tiger,

Who has been wounded in the heart

Rodrigo.

The fury of Heaven shall fall upon thee,

Protector of the innocents!

Don Carlos.

I have been foolish! Oh cruel destiny!

A mother’s name I have stained!

God only knows

If I am innocent.

Eboli.

Ah! my heart thou hast pierced,

This offense calls for revenge,

From my power vainly thou stealest,

Thy fate is in this hand.

Rodrigo.

Thou must speak, and reveal to us

Whatever intent has drawn thee here.

Eboli (bitterly).

And I . . . that trembled in her presence!

She wished these foolish news

Of celestial power to disguise her heart,

To sip with pleasure the cup of love.

Ah! to my belief she has been bold!

Rodrigo.

(Drawing out his dagger).

Thow wilt die here.

Don Carlos.

(Holding him back).

Rodrigo!

Rodrigo.

The venom still drops from those cursed lips!

Don Carlos (toRodrigo).

Rodrigo, restrain thy heart!

Eboli.

Why dost thou delay in striking?

Rodrigo.

No . . .

Eboli.

Do not delay!

Rodrigo.

No.

Eboli.

Why dost thou delay?

Rodrigo.

(Throwing away the dagger).

I still have hope!

God shall inspire me.

Eboli.

Tremble, tremble, recreant son,

Soon my vengeance thou shalt know.

Tremble! lest the very earth

Should yawn to engulf thee!

Don Carlos.

She all doth know! Ah, woe is me!

My tortured heart all strength hath lost.

She all doth know! Would that the earth

Would yawn indeed, and straight engulf me!

Rodrigo (toEboli).

Breathe not a word; respect his grief,

Or dread the wrath of outraged heaven!

Breathe not a word, lest straight the earth

Should yawn to engulf thee!

(Eboliwithdraws indignantly).

Carlos, shouldst thou perchance important letters have,

Or papers that aught of secret do contain,

Confide them unto me.

Don Carlos (hesitating).

To thee! the favorite of the King!

Rodrigo.

Dost thou suspect me, then?

Don Carlos.

No; my only hope art thou.

This heart that e’er has loved thee

Can ne’er be closed against thee.

In thee all confidence I place;

These papers I now hand to thee.

Rodrigo.

Thou safely may’st confide in me.

Don Carlos.

My every hope in thee is centred!

(They fall into each other’s arms.)

PART SECOND.