Don Carlos. Фридрих Шиллер

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       They're fitting up the Plaza Mayor now,

       And we shall have rare bull-fights; and, besides,

       A grand auto da fe is promised us.

       QUEEN.

       Promised? This from my gentle Mondecar!

       MONDECAR.

       Why not? 'Tis only heretics they burn!

       QUEEN.

       I hope my Eboli thinks otherwise!

       EBOLI.

       What, I? I beg your majesty may think me

       As good a Christian as the marchioness.

       QUEEN.

       Alas! I had forgotten where I am—

       No more of this! We were speaking, I think,

       About the country? And methinks this month

       Has flown away with strange rapidity.

       I counted on much pleasure, very much,

       From our retirement here, and yet I have not

       Found that which I expected. Is it thus

       With all our hopes? And yet I cannot say

       One wish of mine is left ungratified.

       OLIVAREZ.

       You have not told us, Princess Eboli,

       If there be hope for Gomez—and if we may

       Expect ere long to greet you as his bride?

       QUEEN.

       True—thank you, duchess, for reminding me!

       [Addressing the PRINCESS.

       I have been asked to urge his suit with you.

       But can I do it? The man whom I reward

       With my sweet Eboli must be a man

       Of noble stamp indeed.

       OLIVAREZ.

       And such he is,

       A man of mark and fairest fame—a man

       Whom our dear monarch signally has graced

       With his most royal favor.

       QUEEN.

       He's happy in

       Such high good fortune; but we fain would know,

       If he can love, and win return of love.

       This Eboli must answer.

       EBOLI (stands speechless and confused, her eyes bent on the ground;

       at last she falls at the QUEEN's feet).

       Gracious queen!

       Have pity on me! Let me—let me not—

       For heaven's sake, let me not be sacrificed.

       QUEEN.

       Be sacrificed! I need no more. Arise!

       'Tis a hard fortune to be sacrificed.

       I do believe you. Rise. And is it long

       Since you rejected Gomez' suit?

       EBOLI.

       Some months—

       Before Prince Carlos came from Alcala.

       QUEEN (starts and looks at her with an inquisitive glance).

       Have you tried well the grounds of your refusal?

       EBOLI (with energy).

       It cannot be, my queen, no, never, never—

       For a thousand reasons, never!

       QUEEN.

       One's enough,

       You do not love him. That suffices me.

       Now let it pass.

       [To her other ladies.

       I have not seen the Infanta

       Yet this morning. Pray bring her, marchioness.

       OLIVAREZ (looking at the clock).

       It is not yet the hour, your majesty.

       QUEEN.

       Not yet the hour for me to be a mother!

       That's somewhat hard. Forget not, then, to tell me

       When the right hour does come.

       [A page enters and whispers to the first lady, who

       thereupon turns to the QUEEN.

       OLIVAREZ.

       The Marquis Posa!

       May it please your majesty.

       QUEEN.

       The Marquis Posa!

       OLIVAREZ.

       He comes from France, and from the Netherlands,

       And craves the honor to present some letters

       Intrusted to him by your royal mother.

       QUEEN.

       Is this allowed?

       OLIVAREZ (hesitating).

       A case so unforeseen

       Is not provided for in my instructions.

       When a Castilian grandee, with despatches

       From foreign courts, shall in her garden find

       The Queen of Spain, and tender them——

       QUEEN.

       Enough! I'll venture, then, on mine own proper peril.

       OLIVAREZ.

       May I, your majesty, withdraw the while?

       QUEEN.

       E'en as you please, good duchess!

       [Exit the DUCHESS, the QUEEN gives the PAGE a sign, who

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