Don Carlos. Friedrich von Schiller
Чтение книги онлайн.

Читать онлайн книгу Don Carlos - Friedrich von Schiller страница 14

Название: Don Carlos

Автор: Friedrich von Schiller

Издательство: Public Domain

Жанр: Драматургия

Серия:

isbn:

isbn:

СКАЧАТЬ fill

         Deserted and alone.

KING (seemingly struck by this idea, stands in deep thought; after a pause)

                    I am alone!

CARLOS (approaching him with eagerness)

         You have been so till now. Hate me no more,

         And I will love you dearly as a son:

         But hate me now no longer! Oh, how sweet,

         Divinely sweet it is to feel our being

         Reflected in another's beauteous soul;

         To see our joys gladden another's cheek,

         Our pains bring anguish to another's bosom,

         Our sorrows fill another's eye with tears!

         How sweet, how glorious is it, hand in hand,

         With a dear child, in inmost soul beloved,

         To tread once more the rosy paths of youth,

         And dream life's fond illusions o'er again!

         How proud to live through endless centuries

         Immortal in the virtues of a son;

         How sweet to plant what his dear hand shall reap;

         To gather what will yield him rich return,

         And guess how high his thanks will one day rise!

         My father of this early paradise

         Your monks most wisely speak not.

KING (not without emotion)

                           Oh, my son,

         Thou hast condemned thyself in painting thus

         A bliss this heart hath ne'er enjoyed from thee.

CARLOS

         The Omniscient be my judge! You till this hour

         Have still debarred me from your heart, and all

         Participation in your royal cares.

         The heir of Spain has been a very stranger

         In Spanish land – a prisoner in the realm

         Where he must one day rule. Say, was this just,

         Or kind? And often have I blushed for shame,

         And stood with eyes abashed, to learn perchance

         From foreign envoys, or the general rumor,

         Thy courtly doings at Aranjuez.

KING

         Thy blood flows far too hotly in thy veins.

         Thou would'st but ruin all.

CARLOS

                        But try me, father.

         'Tis true my blood flows hotly in my veins.

         Full three-and-twenty years I now have lived,

         And naught achieved for immortality.

         I am aroused – I feel my inward powers —

         My title to the throne arouses me

         From slumber, like an angry creditor;

         And all the misspent hours of early youth,

         Like debts of honor, clamor in mine ears.

         It comes at length, the glorious moment comes

         That claims full interest on the intrusted talent.

         The annals of the world, ancestral fame,

         And glory's echoing trumpet urge me on.

         Now is the blessed hour at length arrived

         That opens wide to me the list of honor.

         My king, my father! dare I utter now

         The suit which led me hither?

KING

                         Still a suit?

         Unfold it.

CARLOS

               The rebellion in Brabant

         Increases to a height – the traitor's madness

         By stern, but prudent, vigor must be met.

         The duke, to quell the wild enthusiasm,

         Invested with the sovereign's power, will lead

         An army into Flanders. Oh, how full

         Of glory is such office! and how suited

         To open wide the temple of renown

         To me, your son! To my hand, then, O king,

         Intrust the army; in thy Flemish lands

         I am well loved, and I will freely gage

         My life for their fidelity and truth.

KING

         Thou speakest like a dreamer. This high office

         Demands a man – and not a stripling's arm.

CARLOS

         It but demands a human being, father:

         And that is what Duke Alva ne'er hath been.

KING

         Terror alone can tie rebellion's hands:

         Humanity were madness. Thy soft soul

         Is tender, son: they'll tremble at the duke.

         Desist from thy request.

CARLOS

                      Despatch me, sire,

         To Flanders with the army – dare rely

         E'en on my tender soul. The name of prince,

         The royal name emblazoned on my standard,

         Conquers where Alva's butchers but dismay.

         Here on my knees I crave it – this the first

         Petition of my life. Trust Flanders to me.

KING (contemplating CARLOS with a piercing look)

         Trust my best army to thy thirst for rule,

         And put a dagger in my murderer's hand!

CARLOS

         Great God! and is this all – is this the fruit

         Of a momentous hour so long desired!

      [After some thought, in a milder tone.

         Oh, speak to me more kindly – send me not

         Thus comfortless away – dismiss me not

         With this afflicting answer, oh, my father!

         Use me more tenderly, indeed, I need it.

         This is the last resource of wild despair —

         It conquers every power of firm resolve

         To beat it as a man – this deep contempt —

         My every suit denied: Let me away —

         Unheard and foiled in all my fondest hopes,

         I take my leave. Now Alva and Domingo

         May proudly sit in triumph where your son

         СКАЧАТЬ