The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 321

KING (embarra.s.sed).

Queen!

QUEEN.

I can bear no more--it is too much!

[Hastening to the door, she falls with her child on the threshold.

KING (running to her a.s.sistance).

Heavens! What is that?

INFANTA (cries out with terror).

She bleeds! My mother bleeds!

[Runs out.

KING (anxiously a.s.sisting her).

Oh, what a fearful accident! You bleed; Do I deserve this cruel punishment?

Rise and collect yourself--rise, they are coming!

They will surprise us! Shall the a.s.sembled court Divert themselves with such a spectacle?

Must I entreat you? Rise.

[She rises, supported by the KING.

SCENE X.

The former, ALVA, DOMINGO entering, alarmed, ladies follow.

KING.

Now let the queen Be led to her apartment; she's unwell.

[Exit the QUEEN, attended by her ladies.

ALVA and DOMINGO come forward.

ALVA.

The queen in tears, and blood upon her face!

KING.

Does that surprise the devils who've misled me?

ALVA and DOMINGO.

We?

KING.

You have said enough to drive me mad.

But nothing to convince me.

ALVA.

We gave you What we ourselves possessed.

KING.

May h.e.l.l reward you!

I've done what I repent of! Ah! was hers, The language of a conscience dark with guilt?

MARQUIS POSA (from without).

Say, can I see the king?

SCENE XI.

The former, MARQUIS POSA.

KING (starts up at the sound of his voice, and advances some paces to meet him).

Ah! here he comes.

Right welcome, marquis! Duke! I need you now No longer. Leave us.

[ALVA and DOMINGO look at each other with silent astonishment and retire.

SCENE XII.

The KING, and MARQUIS POSA.

MARQUIS.

That old soldier, sire, Who has faced death, in twenty battles, for you, Must hold it thankless to be so dismissed.

KING.

'Tis thus for you to think--for me to act; In a few hours you have been more to me Than that man in a lifetime. Nor shall I Keep my content a secret. On your brow The l.u.s.tre of my high and royal favor Shall s.h.i.+ne resplendent--I will make that man A mark for envy whom I choose my friend.

MARQUIS.

What if the veil of dark obscurity Were his sole claim to merit such a t.i.tle?

KING.

What come you now to tell me?

MARQUIS.

As I pa.s.sed Along the antechamber a dread rumor Fell on my ear,--it seemed incredible,-- Of a most angry quarrel--blood--the queen----

KING.

Come you from her?

MARQUIS.

I should be horrified Were not the rumor false: or should perhaps Your majesty meantime have done some act-- Discoveries of importance I have made, Which wholly change the aspect of affairs.

KING.

How now?