Scene II
The same apartment in Count Rodolph's palace. He is
seated by a table writing. Enter Theresa.
Theresa
When does Alvino die?
Count Rodolph
He dies at three.
Theresa
Where is Don Carlos?
Count Rodolph
He is free again.
Theresa
He should be free. He is a noble soul.
Count Rodolph
You talk of soul. Leoni has the soul—
She is All Soul!
Theresa
Does she remain with him?
Count Rodolph
She does.
Theresa
Think you she will die with him?
Count Rodolph
She will. Why should she live? She has no friends.
And living friendless is but living death.
Theresa
To die, you know, is terrible to all.
I question much if she will have the nerve.
Count Rodolph
A woman's spirit can do any thing
I almost wish he had not been condemned,
Or that he could be pardoned for her sake.
Theresa
That would not do. Then he would kill us all.
No, he must die! There must be no reprieve!
(Exit.)
Enter Don Carlos
Don Carlos
Count Rodolph, is Alvino dead?
Count Rodolph
Not yet.
Don Carlos
When does he die?
Count Rodolph
At three.
Don Carlos
Thou liest—he lives!
Count Rodolph
What do you mean?
Don Carlos
I mean he shall not die!
Not while this arm has power to wield this sword!
Count Rodolph
No power can save his life. He dies at three!
Don Carlos
Then say thy prayers. Thou shalt not live an hour!
Count Rodolph
Are you insane?
Don Carlos
Insane as sanity
Can make a man—distracted for my friend!
His life is in thy power—he must be saved!
Count Rodolph
My power? I cannot save his life!
Don Carlos
Then you
Can die!
Count Rodolph
I am astonished at this talk.
Don Carlos
Astonished? Did you ever love your friend?
Would you not die to save thy friend? Then die!
He is thy friend—yes, everybody's friend.
Count Rodolph
How can I save his life?
Don Carlos
Do you not know?
Give me the keys!
Count Rodolph
I have no keys.
Don Carlos
Then write me his reprieve.
Count Rodolph
I have no power to grant you his reprieve!
Don Carlos
Then sign the Duke's name to it.
Count Rodolph
Forge his name?
Then I shall die for forgery!
Don Carlos
Better that,
Then die so suddenly—so unprepared!
Count Rodolph
(Writing.)
Well, if it must be done—it must be done.
(Giving Don Carlos the paper.)
Don Carlos
Then by the Gods, he lives—he lives again!
(Exit.)
Count Rodolph
By Heavens, there is some mystery in this,
And I must leave the city for my life!
(Exit.)
