The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 326

Of your kindness, dearest!

And of my deep ingrat.i.tude. Alas, Too well I know it! deeply have I wronged thee-- Wounded thy tender heart, and from thine eyes, Thine angel eyes, wrung precious tears, sweet maid!

But ah! 'tis not repentance leads me hither.

EBOLI.

Prince! leave me--I----

CARLOS.

I come to thee, because Thou art a maid of gentle soul--because I trust thy heart--thy kind and tender heart.

Think, dearest maiden! think, I have no friend, No friend but thee, in all this wretched world-- Thou who wert once so kind wilt not forever Hate me, nor will thy anger prove eternal.

EBOLI (turning away her face).

O cease! No more! for heaven's sake! leave me, prince.

CARLOS.

Let me remind thee of those golden hours-- Let me remind thee of thy love, sweet maid-- That love which I so basely have offended!

Oh, let me now appear to thee again As once I was--and as thy heart portrayed me.

Yet once again, once only, place my image, As in days past, before thy tender soul, And to that idol make a sacrifice Thou canst not make to me.

EBOLI.

Oh, Carlos, cease!

Too cruelly thou sportest with my feelings!

CARLOS.

Be n.o.bler than thy s.e.x! Forgive an insult!

Do what no woman e'er has done before thee, And what no woman, after thee, can equal.

I ask of thee an unexampled favor.

Grant me--upon my knees I ask of thee Grant me two moments with the queen, my mother!

[He casts himself at her feet.

SCENE XVI.

The former. MARQUIS POSA rushes in; behind him two Officers of the Queen's Guard.

MARQUIS (breathless and agitated, rus.h.i.+ng between CARLOS and the PRINCESS).

Say, what has he confessed? Believe him not!

CARLOS (still on his knees, with loud voice).

By all that's holy----

MARQUIS (interrupting him with vehemence).

He is mad! He raves!

Oh, listen to him not!

CARLOS (louder and more urgent).

It is a question Of life and death; conduct me to her straight.

MARQUIS (dragging the PRINCESS from him by force).

You die, if you but listen.

[To one of the officers, showing an order.

Count of Cordova!

In the king's name, Prince Carlos is your prisoner.

[CARLOS stands bewildered. The PRINCESS utters a cry of horror, and tries to escape. The officers are astounded.

A long and deep pause ensues. The MARQUIS trembles violently, and with difficulty preserves his composure.

[To the PRINCE.

I beg your sword--The Princess Eboli Remains---- [To the officers.

And you, on peril of your lives, Let no one with his highness speak--no person-- Not e'en yourselves.

[He whispers a few words to one officer, then turns to the other.

I hasten, instantly, To cast myself before our monarch's feet, And justify this step---- [To the PRINCE.

And prince! for you-- Expect me in an hour.

[CARLOS permits himself to be led away without any signs of consciousness, except that in pa.s.sing he casts a languid, dying look on the MARQUIS. The PRINCESS endeavors again to escape; the MARQUIS pulls her back by the arm.

SCENE XVII.

PRINCESS EBOLI, MARQUIS POSA.

EBOLI.

For Heaven's sake let me leave this place----

MARQUIS (leads her forward with dreadful earnestness).

Thou wretch!

What has he said to thee?

EBOLI.

Oh, leave me! Nothing.

MARQUIS (with earnestness; holding her back by force).

How much has he imparted to thee? Here No way is left thee to escape. To none In this world shalt thou ever tell it.

EBOLI (looking at him with terror).

Heavens! What would you do? Would you then murder me?

MARQUIS (drawing a dagger).

Yes, that is my resolve. Be speedy!

EBOLI.

Mercy!

What have I then committed?

MARQUIS (looking towards heaven, points the dagger to her breast).

Still there's time-- The poison has not issued from these lips.

Dash but the bowl to atoms, all remains Still as before! The destinies of Spain Against a woman's life!