 | Don Carlos Prince of Spain |  |
1
ACT the First.
SCENE the First.
A Palace Royal.The Curtain drawn discovers the King and Queen Attended, Don Carlos, the Marquess of Posa; Rui-Gomez, &c. Eboli, Henrietta, Garcia, Attendants, Guards.
King.
Happy the Monarch on whose Brow no Cares
Add weight to the bright Diadem he weares.
Like me in all that he can wish for, blest:
Renown, and Love, The Gentlest calms of rest
And peace, adorn my Brow, enrich my Breast.
To me great Nations Tributary are,
Though whilest my Vast Dominions spreads so far,
Where most I Reign, I must pay homage, here.
[To the Queen.
Approach bright Mistress of my purest vows,
Now show me him that more Religion owes
To Heav'n, or to its Altars more Devoutly bows.
2
So Merchants cast upon some Savage Coast,
Are forc't to see their dearest Treasures lost.
Curse! What's obedience? a false Notion made
[aside.
By Priests, who when they found old Cheats decay'd,
By such new Arts kept up declining Trade.
A Father oh!—
King.
—Why does my Carlos shrowd
His Joy, and when all's Sunshine wear a Cloud?
My Son, thus for thy Glory I provide;
From this Fair Charmer, and our Royal Bride
Shall such a Noble Race of Heroe's spring,
As may adorn the Court when thou art King.
D. Car.
A greater Glory I can never know
Then what already I enjoy in you;
The Brightest Ornaments of Crowns and Powers,
I only can admire, as they are yours.
K.
Heaven! How he stands unmov'd! not the least show
Of Transport.
D. Car.
—Not admire your happiness! I do
As much admire it as I rev'rence you.
Let me express the mighty Joy I feel.
Thus Sir I pay my duty when I kneel.
Kneels to the Queen.
Queen.
How hard it is his Passion to Confine:
I'm sure 'tis so, if I may judge by mine:
[aside.
Alas, my Lord, y'are too obsequious now.
[To Carlos.
D. Carlos.
Oh might I but Enjoy this pleasure still!
Here would I worship, and for ever kneel.
Queen.
For Heav'n my Lord, you know not what you do.
King.
Still there appears disturbance on his brow:
And in his looks an Earnestness I read,
Which from no Common Causes can proceed:
[aside.
I'le probe him deep—
—When when my dearest Joy
[To the Queen.
Shall I the mighty debt of Love defray.
Hence to Loves secret Temples let's retire,
There on his Altars kindle th' Am'rous fire,
Then Phœnix-like Each in the flame expire.
Still he is fixt—
[Looking on D. Carlos.
3
[To R. Gomez.
Yet smile on me my charming Excellence.
Virgins should only fears and blushes show,
But you must lay aside that Title now.
The Doctrine which I preach by Heav'n is good;
Oh! the Impetuous sallyes of my Blood!
Queen.
To what unwelcome Joyes I'm forc't to yield,
Now fate her utmost malice has fulfill'd.
Carlos farewel: for since I must submit—
King.
Now wing'd with rapture let us fly my sweet.
My Son all Troubles from thy breast resigne,
And let thy Father's happiness be thine.
Exeunt K. and Q. attended.
D. C.
What King, what God would not his pow'r forgo,
T'enjoy so much Divinity below?
Did'st Thou behold her Posa—
Posa.
Sir I did.
D. Car.
And is she not a sweet one? such a Bride,
Oh Posa once she was Decreed for mine.
Once I had hopes of Bliss; hadst thou but seen
How blest, how proud I was, if I could get
But leave to lye a prostrate at her feet.
Ev'n with a look I could my pains beguile,
Nay she in pitty too would sometimes smile;
Till at the last my vows successful prov'd,
And one day sighing she confess'd she lov'd,
Oh! then I found no limits to our joy,
With Eyes thus languishing we lookt all day,
So vigorous and strong we darted beams,
Our meeting glances kindled into flames,
Nothing we found that promis'd not delight,
For when rude shades depriv'd us of the light,
As we had gaz'd all day, we dreamt all night;
But after all these Labours undergone,
A cruel Father thus destroys his Son;
In their full height my choicest hopes beguiles,
And robs me of the fruit of all my Toyles
My dearest Posa thou wer't ever kind,
Bring thy best Counsel and direct my mind.
4
R. Go.
Still he is here
My Lord.
D. Car.
—Your business now?
R. Go.
I've with concern beheld your Clouded brow;
Ah! though y'ave lost a Beauty well might make
Your strictness honour, and your duty shake,
Let not a Fathers ills misguide your mind,
But be Obedient, though he's prov'd unkind:
D. Car.
Hence Cynick to dull Slaves thy Morals teach,
I have no leisure now to hear thee Preach;
Still you'l usurp a power o're my will:
R. Go.
Sir you my Service do interpret ill;
Nor need it be so soon forgot, that I
Have been your Guardian from your Infancy,
When to my charge committed, I alone
Instructed you how to expect a Crown;
Taught you Ambition, and Wars noblest Arts,
How to lead Armies, and to Conquer Hearts.
Whilst though but Young,—
You would with pleasure read of Sieges got,
And smile to hear of bloody Battles fought;
And still, though not controul, I may advise,
D. Car.
Alas thy Pride wears a too thin disguise;
Too well I know the Falshood of thy Soul,
Which to my Father render'd me so foul;
That hardly as his Son, a smile I've known,
But always as a Traytor met his frown;
My forward Honour was Ambition call'd,
Or if my friends my early Fame extoll'd,
You dampt my Fathers smiles still as they sprung,
Perswading I repin'd he liv'd too long;
So all my hopes by you were frustrate made,
And rob'd of Sun-shine, wither'd in the shade.
Whilst my good Patriot! you dispos'd the Crown
Out of my reach, to have it in your own:
5
R. Go.
—My Lord,
This accusation is unjust and hard;
The King your Father would not so upbraid
My age, is all my service thus repaid?
But I will hence and let my Master hear
How generously you reward my care,
Who on my just complaint, I doubt not, will
At last redress the Injuries I feel.
[Exit Gomez.
Po.
Alas my Lord you too severely urge
Your Fate, his Interest with the King is large;
Besides, you know he has already seen
The Transports of your passion for the Queen;
The use he may of that advantage make,
You ought at least t'avoid, but for her sake.
D. Car.
Ah! my dear friend, th'ast toucht my tend'rest part,
I never yet learnt the dissembling Art;
Go call him back, tell him that I implore
His pardon; and will nere offend him more:
The Queen! kind Heaven make her thy nearest care:
Oh! fly, o're take him e're he goes too far.
[Exit Posa.
I never yet learnt the dissembling Art;
Go call him back, tell him that I implore
His pardon; and will nere offend him more:
The Queen! kind Heaven make her thy nearest care:
Oh! fly, o're take him e're he goes too far.
How are we bandied up and down by Fate,
By so much more unhappy as w'are great;
A Prince, and heir to Spains great Monarch born,
I'm forc't to Court a Slave whom most I scorn;
Who like a Bramble 'mongst a Cedars boughs,
Vexes his Peace, under whose shade he grows;
Re-enter
R. Gomez
and Posa.
By so much more unhappy as w'are great;
A Prince, and heir to Spains great Monarch born,
I'm forc't to Court a Slave whom most I scorn;
Who like a Bramble 'mongst a Cedars boughs,
Vexes his Peace, under whose shade he grows;
Now he returns, assist me Falshood,—down
Thou Rebel passion—
Thou Rebel passion—
Sir I fear I've done
[To R. Gomez.
You wrong; but if I have you can forgive.
Heaven! can I do this abject thing and live?
Heaven! can I do this abject thing and live?
[aside.
R. Go.
Ah! my good Lord it makes too large amends,
When to his Vassal thus a Prince descends:
Tho it was something rigid, and unkind
T'upbraid your faithful Servant and your friend.
D. Car.
Alas no more: all Jealousies shall cease
Between us two, let there be henceforth Peace;
6
As I to Gomez always will be true:
R. Go.
Stay Sir, and for this mighty favour take
All the return sincerity can make
Blest in you Fathers love, as I'm in yours,
May not one fear disturb your happy hours;
Crown'd with success may all your wishes be,
And you ne're find worse Enemies than me:
[Exeunt Car.
and Posa.
All the return sincerity can make
Blest in you Fathers love, as I'm in yours,
May not one fear disturb your happy hours;
Crown'd with success may all your wishes be,
And you ne're find worse Enemies than me:
Nor spight of all his greatness shall he need
Of too long date, his ruine is decreed;
Spains early hopes of him have been my fears,
'Twas I the charge had of his tender years,
And read in all the Progress of his growth
An untam'd, haughty, hot and furious Youth,
A Will unruly, and a Spirit wild,
At all my precepts still with scorn he smil'd;
Or when by th'power I from his Father had,
Any restraint was on his pleasures laid,
Usher'd with frowns on me his soul would rise,
And threaten future vengeance from his Eyes:
But now to all my fears I bid adieu,
For Prince I'le humble both your Fate and you;
Here comes the Star by whom my course I steer,
[Enter
Eboli.
Of too long date, his ruine is decreed;
Spains early hopes of him have been my fears,
'Twas I the charge had of his tender years,
And read in all the Progress of his growth
An untam'd, haughty, hot and furious Youth,
A Will unruly, and a Spirit wild,
At all my precepts still with scorn he smil'd;
Or when by th'power I from his Father had,
Any restraint was on his pleasures laid,
Usher'd with frowns on me his soul would rise,
And threaten future vengeance from his Eyes:
But now to all my fears I bid adieu,
For Prince I'le humble both your Fate and you;
Here comes the Star by whom my course I steer,
Welcome my Love.—
Eboli.
My Lord why stay you here
Losing the pleasure of this happy night?
When all the Court are melting in delight,
You toyl with the dull bus'ness of the State.
R. Go.
Only my fair one, how to make thee great:
Thou tak'st up all the bus'ness of my heart,
And only to it pleasures canst impart:
Say say, my Goddess, when shall I be blest?
It is an Age since I was happy last.
Eboli.
My Lord I come not hither now to hear
Your love, but offer something to your Ear;
If you have well observ'd, you must have seen
To day some strange disorders in the Queen.
7
Yes such as Youthful Brides do still express,
Impatient Longings for the happiness;
Approaching Joyes will so disturb the Soul,
As Needles alwaies Tremble near the Pole.
Ebol.
Come, Come, my Lord: seem not so blind: too well
I've seen the Wrongs which you from Carlos feel.
And know your Judgment is too good, to loose
Advantage, where you may so safely choose.
Say now if I inform you, how you may
With full Revenge all your past Wrongs repay.
R. Go.
Blest Oracle! speak how it may be done,
My will, my life, my hopes are all thy own.
Eboli.
Hence then and with your strictest cunning try
What of the Queen and Prince you can descry.
Watch every look, each quick, and subtle glance,
Then we'l from all produce such Circumstance
As shall the King's new Jealousie advance.
Nay Sir, I'l try what mighty Love you show:
If you will make me great, begin it now.
How Sir! d'you stand Consid'ring what to do?
R. Go.
No, but methinks I view from hence a King,
A Queen and Prince, three goodly Flowers spring,
Whilst on 'em like a subtle Bee I'l prey,
Till so their Strength and Vertue drawn away,
Unable to recover each shall droop,
Grow pale and fading hang his Wither'd Top,
Then fraught with Thyme Triumphant back I'l come
And unlade all the pretious sweets at home.
[Exit Gomez.
Eboli.
In thy fond policy Blind fool go on,
And make what hast thou canst to be undone,
Whilst I have nobler bus'ness of my own.
Was I bred up in Greatness, have I been
Nurtur'd with glorious hopes to be a Queen?
Made love my study, and with Practic'd Charms
Prepar'd my self to meet a Monarch's Arms?
At last to be Condemn'd to the Embrace
Of one, whom Nature made to her disgrace?
An old Imperfect feeble dotard, who
Can only tell Alas! what he would do?
8
As Jewels that are lost, t'enrich a Tomb?
No, though all hopes are in a husband dead,
Another path to happiness I'l tread,
Elsewhere find Joyes which I'm in him deny'd:
Yet while he can let the slave serve my pride.
Still I'l in pleasure live, In Glory shine:
The gallant Youthful Austria shall be mine.
To him with all my force of Charms I'l move;
Let others toyl for Greatness: whilst I love.
The End of the First Act.
| Don Carlos Prince of Spain | |