The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 341

[To the DUKE ALVA.

What you have now to tell me of the prince, Repeat. What tidings do these letters bring?

ALVA.

These letters, sire, contain the last bequest Of Posa to Prince Carlos.

KING (reads the papers, watched by all present. He then lays them aside and walks in silence up and down the room).

Summon straight The cardinal inquisitor; and beg He will bestow an hour upon the king, This very night!

TAXIS.

Just on the stroke of two The horses must be ready and prepared, At the Carthusian monastery.

ALVA.

Spies Despatched by me, moreover, have observed Equipments at the convent for a journey, On which the prince's arms were recognized.

FERIA.

And it is rumored that large sums are raised In the queen's name, among the Moorish agents, Destined for Brussels.

KING.

Where is Carlos?

ALVA.

With Posa's body.

KING.

And there are lights as yet Within the queen's apartments?

ALVA.

Everything Is silent there. She has dismissed her maids Far earlier than as yet has been her custom.

The d.u.c.h.ess of Arcos, who was last with her, Left her in soundest sleep.

[An officer of the Body Guard enters, takes the DUKE OF FERIA aside, and whispers to him. The latter, struck with surprise, turns to DUKE ALVA. The others crowd round him, and a murmuring noise arises.

FERIA, TAXIS, and DOMINGO (at the same time) 'Tis wonderful!

KING.

What is the matter!

FERIA.

News scarce credible!

DOMINGO.

Two soldiers, who have just returned from duty, Report--but--oh, the tale's ridiculous!

KING.

What do they say?

ALVA.

They say, in the left wing Of the queen's palace, that the emperor's ghost Appeared before them, and with solemn gait Pa.s.sed on. This rumor is confirmed by all The sentinels, who through the whole pavilion Their watches keep. And they, moreover, add, The phantom in the queen's apartment vanished.

KING.

And in what shape appeared it?

OFFICER.

In the robes, The same attire he in Saint Justi wore For the last time, apparelled as a monk.

KING.

A monk! And did the sentries know his person Whilst he was yet alive? They could not else Determine that it was the emperor.

OFFICER.

The sceptre which he bore was evidence It was the emperor.

DOMINGO.

And the story goes He often has been seen in this same dress.

KING.

Did no one speak to him?

OFFICER.

No person dared.

The sentries prayed, and let him pa.s.s in silence.

KING.

The phantom vanished in the queen's apartments!

OFFICER.

In the queen's antechamber.

[General silence.

KING (turns quickly round).

What say you?

ALVA.

Sire! we are silent.

KING (after some thought, to the OFFICER).

Let my guards be ready And under arms, and order all approach To that wing of the palace to be stopped.

I fain would have a word with this same ghost.

[Exit OFFICER. Enter a PAGE.

PAGE.

The cardinal inquisitor.

KING (to all present).

Retire!

[The CARDINAL INQUISITOR, an old man of ninety, and blind, enters, supported on a staff, and led by two Dominicans. The GRANDEES fall on their knees as he pa.s.ses, and touch the hem of his garment. He gives them his blessing, and they depart.