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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.

PART THIRD.

SCENE I.

(The Cloisters of the Convent of St. Just, as in Act II.—Night—Moonlight—Elizabethenters slowly, absorbed in thought; she approaches the tomb of Charles V., and kneels down before it.)

Elizabeth.

Thou who didst know the vanities of the world

Will enjoy repose in the tomb,

If heaven still weeps,

Weep for my sorrow,

And carry me weeping to the throne of God.

Carlos will come hither! Yes! May he never forget . . .

That I have vowed to watch o’er his days.

Whatever destiny may follow him, glory will await him.

As for me, my happy days are over!

Farewell, farewell, ye golden dreams, lost hopes!

The bond is broken, and light has turned to darkness!

Farewell, farewell, still youthful years!

Full of sorrows and pains.

The desire of my heart, is the peace of the tomb!

Ye who have known the vanities of the world

Will enjoy the repose in the tomb,

If heaven still weeps, weep for my sorrow,

And carry my tears to the throne of God!

SCENE II.

Don Carlos, Elizabeth

Don Carlos.

’Tis she!

Elizabeth.

One word—one word alone!

To Heaven I recommend the exiled wanderer.

Of thee, naught ask I save that thou

The sad past forget!

Don Carlos.

Aye! stout of heart I’ll be,

But hapless love the living sufferer kills,

E’en before death o’ertakes him!

Elizabeth.

Nay! think thou of Rodrigo!

How nobler far the end for which his life

He sacrificed!

Don Carlos.

May his soul be raised to a sublime and lofty elevation,

(Enthused).

There never was a King so good, and noble as he,

On this earth!

Elizabeth.

The flowers of immortality will gladden his soul.

Don Carlos.

A beauteous dream was mine, but soon it vanished;

Now, in my woe, a funeral pile I see,

The flames of which do tower unto heaven;

The rivers run with blood, the fields are desolate.

The wretched people their hands extend

Tow’rds me, as to their saviour in their day of trouble.

To him I shall go happily, as a failure, or as conqueror,

Applause, or tears, I will have from thy good heart!

Elizabeth! thy heart doth beat ’gainst mine!

But virtue, honor, give me hero’s strength.

And now that all is o’er, and I mine hand

From thine withdraw—thou weep’st!

Elizabeth.

I weep, but do admire thee.

The soul’s bright tears are these—

The tears that women shed for heroes!

Elizabeth and Don Carlos.

(Solemnly).

But in heaven we shall see each other in a better world,

The hour of our future Eternity is ringing;

And up there so close to God we shall find . . .

The desired happiness, long sought on earth!

Farewell for ever! Farewell!

Philip.

(Seizing the Queen by the arm).

Yes! for aye farewell! a double sacrifice is needed!

I, too, a duty must perform!

(To theInquisitor.)

But you?

The Principal Inquisitor.

The Holy Office

Will do its duty likewise!

Elizabeth.

Heaven!

The Principal Inquisitor.

(To the Familiars of the Holy Prayer, pointing toDon Carlos).

Guards! . . .

Don Carlos.

God will avenge me!

His hand will surely o’erthrow

This tribunal of blood!

(AsDon Carlosretreats, defending himself, he approaches the tomb of Charles V. The doors open. AFriarappears, takesDon Carlosto his bosom and wraps him in his cloak.)

The Friar.

The sorrows of earth

Follow us in the cloister;

Heaven only can calm

The storms of the heart.

The Inquisitor.

It is Carlo’s voice! . . .

Four Familiars of the Holy Prayer.

It is Carlo V.!

Philip (frightened).

My father!

Elizabeth.

Oh! heaven!

(Carlo V. drags into the cloisterDon Carloswho has lost his way.)

end of the opera.