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 prison ofDon Carlos.An obscure dungeon, in which a few articles of court furniture have been hastily introduced. At back an iron grating, which separates the prison from a court-yard that overlooks it. A stone staircase leads into the court-yard from the upper stories of the edifice.Carlosis seated, his head resting on his hand, buried in thought.Rodrigoenters and speaks aside to some of the officials, who immediately withdraw. He mournfully contemplatesCarlos.At a movement on the part ofRodrigo, Carloslooks up.)

Rodrigo.

’Tis I, my Carlos!

Don Carlos.

(Extending his hand).

Oh Rodrigo, grateful am I

That thou dost seek thy Carlos,

E’en in this dungeon!

Rodrigo.

Beloved Carlos!

Don Carlos.

Thou said’st aright! my very strength forsakes me.

My love for Elizabeth tortures, aye, destroys me!

For the living naught can I do more! But thou,

Thou yet may’st save the oppressed, and end their woes!

Rodrigo.

Ah, ’tis meet thou learn the love I bear thee!

Leave thou at once this hideous tomb!

Happy am I that I once more embrace thee!

Carlos, I’ve saved thee!

Don Carlos.

What say’st thou?

Rodrigo (with emotion).

And now, we must for ever part!

(Don Carlosremains motionless, and contemplatesRodrigoin silent stupefaction).

For me life’s bright days are ended,

We must part to meet no more,

’Till rejoined in heaven again,

Where the faithful peacê obtain.

From thine eyes the tears are starting,

Why, ah! why dost thou sadly weep for me,

Cheer thy heart, cheer thy heart, the breath departing,

The breath departing yields him joy,

Ah, yields him joy who dies for thee.

Don Carlos (trembling).

Why talk’st thou of dying?

Rodrigo.

List! for time grows short indeed;

The avenging thunder on myself I’ve turned,

No longer art thou the dread monarch’s rival.

’Tis I, who am deemed, of Flemish discord, the promoter.

Don Carlos.

Thou! but who will e’er believe—

Rodrigo.

The proofs are incontestible!

Thy secret papers, found in my possession,

Of the rebellion are undoubted evidence.

On this head a price is already set!

(Two men are now seen descending the prison staircase: one of them is dressed in the garb of the Holy Office, the other is armed with an arquebuse. They stop for a moment and point out to one anotherDon CarlosandRodrigo,by whom they are unseen).

Don Carlos.

I’ll to the King thy stratagem reveal!

Rodrigo.

Ah, no! live thou for Flanders’ sake,

Reserve thyself for the great work, which thou, I feel,

Art destined to accomplish.

The golden age will, ’neath thy rule, return,

Destined art thou to reign!

Fated am I to die for thee!

(The bearer of the arquebuse now takes aim atRodrigoand fires.)

Don Carlos (stupefied).

Heavens! he’s done to death! but by whose hand?

Rodrigo (mortally wounded).

Mine own!

The vengeance of a King is seldom long delayed!

(Falls into the arms ofDon Carlos).

Don Carlos.

Great God!

Rodrigo.

Oh Carlos, list!—thy mother at St. Just,

To-morrow will expect thee—she knows all;

Ah! the earth doth totter ’neath my feet—

Thy hand, Oh Carlos!

Joyous I die, for unto Spain I have secured

A saviour. Ah! forget not—thy—dear friend!

Ah! do not forget me!

Thou shouldst have ruled, and I should have died for thee.

Ah! I feel faint. . .give me thine hand. . .

Ah! save Flanders...Carlos, farewell, Ah! ah!

(Rodrigodies.Don Carlosfalls, in despair, on the body ofRodrigo).

PART THIRD.