CARLOS (interrupting her suddenly).
Mere poetry! no more. My fancy teems
With idle bubbles oft, which break as soon
As they arise-and this was one of them;
So, prithee, let us talk of it no more.
PRINCESS (leaving him with astonishment, and regarding him for
some time at a distance).
I am exhausted-all attempts are vain
To hold this youth. He still eludes my grasp.
[Remains silent a few moments.
But stay! Perchance 'tis man's unbounded pride,
That thus to add a zest to my delight.
Assumes a mask of timid diffidence.
'Tis so.
[She approaches the PRINCE again, and looks at him doubtingly.
Explain yourself, prince, I entreat you.
For here I stand before a magic casket,
Which all my keys are powerless to unlock.
CARLOS.
As I before you stand.
PRINCESS (leaves him suddenly, walks a few steps up and down in silence,
apparently lost in deep thought. After a pause, gravely and solemnly).
Then thus at last-
I must resolve to speak, and Carlos, you
Shall be my judge. Yours is a noble nature,
You are a prince-a knight-a man of honor.
I throw myself upon your heart-protect me
Or if I'm lost beyond redemption's power,
Give me your tears in pity for my fate.
[The PRINCE draws nearer.
A daring favorite of the king demands
My hand-his name Ruy Gomez, Count of Silva,
The king consents-the bargain has been struck,
And I am sold already to his creature.
CARLOS (with evident emotion).
Sold! you sold! Another bargain, then,
Concluded by this royal southern trader!
PRINCESS.
No; but hear all-'tis not enough that I
Am sacrificed to cold state policy,
A snare is laid to entrap my innocence.
Here is a letter will unmask the saint!
[CARLOS takes the paper, and without reading it listens
with impatience to her recital.
Where Shall I find protection, prince? Till now
My virtue was defended by my pride,
At length--
CARLOS.
At length you yielded! Yielded? No.
For God's sake say not so!
PRINCESS.
Yielded! to whom?
Poor piteous reasoning. Weak beyond contempt
Your haughty minds, who hold a woman's favor,
And love's pure joys, as wares to traffic for!
Love is the only treasure on the face
Of this wide earth that knows no purchaser
Besides itself-love has no price but love.
It is the costly gem, beyond all price,
Which I must freely give away, or-bury
For ever unenjoyed-like that proud merchant
Whom not the wealth of all the rich Rialto
Could tempt-a great rebuke to kings! to save
From the deep ocean waves his matchless pearl,
Too proud to barter it beneath its worth!
CARLOS (aside).
Now, by great heaven, this woman's beautiful.
PRINCESS.
Call it caprice or pride, I ne'er will make
Division of my joys. To him, alone,
I choose as mine, I give up all forever.
One only sacrifice I make; but that
Shall be eternal. One true heart alone
My love shall render happy: but that one
I'll elevate to God. The keen delight
Of mingling souls-the kiss-the swimming joys
Of that delicious hour when lovers meet,
The magic power of heavenly beauty-all
Are sister colors of a single ray-
Leaves of one single blossom. Shall I tear
One petal from this sweet, this lovely flower,
With reckless hand, and mar its beauteous chalice?
Shall I degrade the dignity of woman,
The masterpiece of the Almighty's hand,
To charm the evening of a reveller?
CARLOS.
Incredible! that in Madrid should dwell
This matchless creature! and unknown to me
Until this day.
PRINCESS.
Long since had I forsaken
This court-the world-and in some blest retreat
Immured myself; but one tie binds me still
Too firmly to existence. Perhaps-alas!
'Tis but a phantom-but 'tis dear to me.
I love-but am not loved in turn.
CARLOS (full of ardor, going towards her).
You are!
As true as God is throned in heaven! I swear
You are-you are unspeakably beloved.
PRINCESS.
You swear it, you!-sure 'twas an angel's voice.
Oh, if you swear it, Carlos, I'll believe it.
Then I am truly loved!
CARLOS (embracing her with tenderness).
Bewitching maid,
Thou creature worthy of idolatry
I stand before thee now all eye, all ear,
All rapture and delight. What eye hath seen thee-
Under yon heaven what eye could e'er have seen thee,
And boast he never loved? What dost thou here
In Philip's royal court! Thou beauteous angel!
Here amid monks and all their princely train.
This is no clime for such a lovely flower-
They fain would rifle all thy sweets-full well
I know their hearts. But it shall never be-
Not whilst I draw life's breath. I fold thee thus
Within my arms, and in these hands I'll bear thee
E'en through a hell replete with mocking fiends.
Let me thy guardian angel prove.
PRINCESS (with a countenance full of love).
O Carlos!
How little have I known thee! and how richly
With measureless reward thy heart repays
The weighty task of-comprehending thee!
[She takes his hand and is about to kiss it.
CARLOS (drawing it back).
Princess! What mean you?
PRINCESS (with tenderness and grace, looking at his hand attentively).
Oh, this beauteous hand!
How lovely 'tis, and rich! This hand has yet
Two costly presents to bestow!-a crown-
And Carlos' heart:-and both these gifts perchance
Upon one mortal!-both on one-Oh, great
And godlike gift-almost too much for one!
How if you share the treasure, prince! A queen
Knows naught of love-and she who truly loves
Cares little for a crown! 'Twere better, prince,
Then to divide the treasure-and at once-
What says my prince? Have you done so already?
Have you in truth? And do I know the blest one?
CARLOS.
Thou shalt. I will unfold myself to thee,
To thy unspotted innocence, dear maid,
Thy pure, unblemished nature. In this court
Thou art the worthiest-first-the only one
To whom this soul has stood revealed.
Then, yes! I will not now conceal it-yes,
I love!
PRINCESS.
Oh, cruel heart! Does this avowal prove
So painful to thee? Must I first deserve
Thy pity-ere I hope to win thy love?
CARLOS (starting).
What say'st thou?
PRINCESS.
So to trifle with me, prince!
Indeed it was not well-and to deny
The key--
CARLOS.
The key! the key! Oh yes, 'tis so!
[After a dead silence.
I see it all too plainly! Gracious heaven!
[His knees totter, he leans against a chair, and covers
his face with his hands. A long silence on both sides.
The PRINCESS screams and falls.