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.

(A large square in front of Nostra Donna d’Atocha. To the right a Church, which is approached by a lofty flight of steps—to the left a Palace; at back another flight of steps leading down to a lower square, in the midst of which rises a funeral pile, the top of which alone is visible. Lofty edifices and distant hills are seen in the distance. The bells are ringing a joyous peal. An immense crowd, with difficulty kept back by the Halbardiers, rushes upon the stage.)

Chorus of People,theChorus of Monkswho lead in the condemned.

Chorus of People.

The joyous day at last hath dawned,

Honor to our most mighty King;

Implicit trust his people place in him,

The world is prostrate at his feet!

Our love will everywhere attend him,

No, never shall that love decrease,

His bright name is the pride of Spain,

His fame will through all ages live!

(A funeral march is heard.)

Chorus of Monks.

(Who cross the stage leading those condemned by the Holy Office).

The day hath dawned, the day of terror!

The tremendous day, the funeral day.

They shall die, they shall die,

Just is the punishment of the Immortal!

But pardon will e’en malediction follow,

If the unhappy sinner but repent

At the last hour!

(Rodrigo, Count de Lerma, Elizabeth, Theobald, Pages, Ladies, Noblemen of the Court, Royal Heralds.—March.—The procession issuing from the palace, including all the corporations of the State, the entire court, the Deputies from all the provinces of the empire, the Grandees of Spain, etc. In the midst of them is seenRodrigo.TheQueenappears, surrounded by the ladies of honor.TheobaldcarriesElizabeth’strain.Pages,etc. The procession draws up in front of the flight of steps leading up to the church).

Chorus of People.

Honor to the King! He shall live in eternity!

The Royal Herald and The Populace.

(In front of the church, the door of which is as yet shut).

The portals of the holy edifice are closed!

Oh mansion of the Lord, thy gates now open.

Time honored sanctuary,

To us our King restore!

(The doors of the church are now thrown open, and disclosePhilipwith the crown on his head, advancing beneath a palanquin, surrounded by Monks. The Noblemen bow low, the populace, etc., kneel. The Grandees remain with their heads covered).

Philip.

Oh people! while placing on my head this crown,

Unto heaven that gave it me I swear,

All heretics with fire and sword to extirpate.

Chorus.

Glory to Philip! glory to be Heaven!

(All silently bow down.Philipdescends the steps of the temple, and after takingElizabeth’shand, is about to proceed on his way.)

(The six Flemish deputies, dressed in brown, with torn garments, suddenly appear, headed byDon Carlos,and throw themselves atPhilip’sfeet.)

Elizabeth (aside).

Carlos here! Oh Heaven!

Rodrigo (aside).

What motive urges him to this?

Philip.

What men are these whom prostrate now I see before me?

Don Carlos.

Envoys are they from Flanders and Brabant,

Thy son doth now present them to the King!

Deputies.

The fatal hour, we trust, hath not yet knelled,

For the thrice wretched Flemings.

A hapless nation now implores thee,

That it may not, for aye, in bondage groan!

If thy softened heart hath suppliant sued,

For peace and mercy ’neath yon sacred dome,

Take pity on us! save our native land!

Oh King, have mercy, for thou hadst thy power from heaven!

Philip.

To heaven ye were faithless,

Faithless were ye to your King.

Flemings I look on ye as naught save rebels!

Guards! remove them from my presence!

Carlos, Elizabeth, Rodrigo, Theobald and the Populace.

Extend o’er them, Oh King, thy fostering hand,

Have pity on the suffering race,

In its death throes it now doth lie,

It soon, alas! must breathe its last.

Six Friars.

Ah! they are infidels,

They have no faith in God,

Rebellious people are they,

They deserve the King’s punishment,

Save our land, Oh, King!

Don Carlos.

’Tis time, Oh King, the Flemish land should live!

Weary am I of dragging on an obscure life,

Unheeded, here in Spain.

If God so will it, thy diadem may one day grace my brow;

Prepare thou, then, a worthy ruler for these Spanish realms,

By meanwhile yielding Flanders and Brabant to me!

Philip.

Rash boy; and dar’st thou ask so great a boon!

Think’st thou that I, with mine own hand,

Will yield to thee the steel,

That shall dispatch the King!

Don Carlos.

Heaven alone our hearts can read,

And heaven alone can judge between us.

Elizabeth.

I tremble!

Rodrigo.

Alas, he is lost!

Don Carlos

(Drawing his sword).

By heaven, I swear,

Oh Flemish people, I’ll thy saviour be!

Chorus.

He hath drawn his sword, and in the King’s own presence!

The infant sure hath lost his reason!

Philip.

What ho, there, guards! disarm him straight!

Ye nobles, who my throne sustain,

His weapon take from him!

How’s this! doth no one stir?

Don Carlos.

We’ll see who dares this mandate to obey!

Who will confront this sword of mine?

(The Notables of Spain draw back in the presence ofDon Carlos.TheKingin a rage takes the sword of the Commander of the Guards, who is standing near him).

Philip.

Disarm him!

Rodrigo (toDon Carlos).

Give me thy sword.

Don Carlos.

Oh heaven! thou! Rodrigo!

(Don Carlosyields up his sword toRodrigo,who, with a bow, presents it to theKing.)

Chorus.

What, he! Posa!

Elizabeth.

He!

Philip.

Marquis! thou’rt now a Duke!

We’ll onward to the fêtes!

(TheKingpursues his way, leading theQueenby the hand, the Court follows them. They all take their places on the seats reserved for them, by the auto-da-fé).

Chorus of People.

The joyous day hath dawned.

All honor to our King;

All faith in him his subjects have,

The world lies prostrate at his feet!

Chorus of Monks.

The day hath dawned,

The day of wrath!

A Voice from Above.

Ye troubled souls, to heaven now wing your flight,

Haste ye to enjoy eternal peace!

Flemish Deputies

(Aside, whilst the fire is kindling).

Can’st thou suffer this, Oh heaven?

Wilt thou not these flames extinguish?

For in thy sacred name this fire is kindled!

Six Friars.

The tremendous day, the deathly day!

Six Deputies.

And in the name of God

The overwhelmed are kindling!

Philip, Six FriarsandChorus.

Glory to heaven!

Six Deputies.

Oh heaven! canst thou endure all this!

(The flames are seen to arise from the stake).

end of the third act.

FOURTH ACT.

PART FIRST