The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 328

What! Thou?

EBOLI.

And gave thy letters Up to the king?

QUEEN.

What! Thou?

EBOLI.

And dared accuse thee!

QUEEN.

Thou! Couldst thou this?

EBOLI.

Revenge and madness--love-- I hated thee, and loved the prince!

QUEEN.

And did His love so prompt thee?

QUEEN.

And who arrested him?

EBOLI.

I had owned my love, But met with no return.

QUEEN (after a pause).

Now all's explained!

Rise up!--you loved him--I have pardoned you I have forgotten all. Now, princess, rise.

[Holding out her hand to the PRINCESS.

EBOLI.

No, no; a foul confession still remains.

I will not rise, great queen, till I----

QUEEN.

Then speak!

What have I yet to hear?

EBOLI.

The king! Seduction!

Oh, now you turn away. And in your eyes I read abhorrence. Yes; of that foul crime I charged you with, I have myself been guilty.

[She presses her burning face to the ground. Exit QUEEN.

A long pause. The COUNTESS OLIVAREZ, after some minutes, comes out of the cabinet, into which the QUEEN entered, and finds the PRINCESS still lying in the above posture. She approaches in silence. On hearing a noise, the latter looks up and becomes like a mad person when she misses the QUEEN.

SCENE XX.

PRINCESS EBOLI, COUNTESS OLIVAREZ.

EBOLI.

Heavens! she has left me. I am now undone!

OLIVAREZ (approaching her).

My princess--Eboli!

EBOLI.

I know your business, d.u.c.h.ess, and you come hither from the queen, To speak my sentence to me; do it quickly.

OLIVAREZ.

I am commanded by your majesty To take your cross and key.

EBOLI (takes from her breast a golden cross, and gives it to the UCHESS).

And but once more May I not kiss my gracious sovereign's hand?

OLIVAREZ.

In holy Mary's convent shall you learn Your fate, princess.

EBOLI (with a flood of tears).

Alas! then I no more Shall ever see the queen.

OLIVAREZ (embraces her with her face turned away).

Princess, farewell.

[She goes hastily away. The PRINCESS follows her as far as the door of the cabinet, which is immediately locked after the d.u.c.h.eSS. She remains a few minutes silent and motionless on her knees before it. She then rises and hastens away, covering her face.

SCENE XXI.

QUEEN, MARQUIS POSA.

QUEEN.

Ah, marquis, I am glad you're come at last!

MARQUIS (pale, with a disturbed countenance and trembling voice, in solemn, deep agitation, during the whole scene).

And is your majesty alone? Can none Within the adjoining chamber overhear us?

QUEEN.

No one! But why? What news would you impart?

[Looking at him closely, and drawing back alarmed.

And what has wrought this change in you? Speak, marquis, You make me tremble--all your features seem So marked with death!

MARQUIS.

You know, perhaps, already.