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 d.u.c.h.ess!

[Exit the d.u.c.h.eSS, the QUEEN gives the PAGE a sign, who thereupon retires.

SCENE IV.

The QUEEN, PRINCESS EBOLI, MARCHIONESS OF MONDECAR, and MARQUIS OF POSA.

QUEEN.

I bid you welcome, sir, to Spanish ground!

MARQUIS.

Ground which I never with so just a pride Hailed for the country of my sires as now.

QUEEN (to the two ladies).

The Marquis Posa, ladies, who at Rheims Coped with my father in the lists, and made My colors thrice victorious; the first That made me feel how proud a thing it was To be the Queen of Spain and Spanish men.

[Turning to the MARQUIS.

When we last parted in the Louvre, Sir, You scarcely dreamed that I should ever be Your hostess in Castile.

MARQUIS.

Most true, my liege!

For at that time I never could have dreamed That France should lose to us the only thing We envied her possessing.

QUEEN.

How, proud Spaniard!

The only thing! And you can venture this-- This to a daughter of the house of Valois!

MARQUIS.

I venture now to say it, gracious queen, Since now you are our own.

QUEEN.

Your journey hither Has led you, as I hear, through France. What news Have you brought with you from my honored mother And from my dearest brothers?

MARQUIS (handing letters).

I left your royal mother sick at heart, Bereft of every joy save only this, To know her daughter happy on the throne Of our imperial Spain.

QUEEN.

Could she be aught But happy in the dear remembrances Of relatives so kind--in the sweet thoughts Of the old time when--Sir, you've visited Full many a court in these your various travels, And seen strange lands and customs manifold; And now, they say, you mean to keep at home A greater prince in your retired domain Than is King Philip on his throne--a freer.

You're a philosopher; but much I doubt If our Madrid will please you. We are so-- So quiet in Madrid.

MARQUIS.

And that is more Than all the rest of Europe has to boast.

QUEEN.

I've heard as much. But all this world's concerns Are well-nigh blotted from my memory.

[To PRINCESS EBOLI.

Princess, methinks I see a hyacinth Yonder in bloom. Wilt bring it to me, sweet?

[The PRINCESS goes towards the palace, the QUEEN softly to the MARQUIS.

I'm much mistaken, sir, or your arrival Has made one heart more happy here at court.

MARQUIS.

I have found a sad one--one that in this world A ray of sunshine----

EBOLI.

As this gentleman Has seen so many countries, he, no doubt, Has much of note to tell us.

MARQUIS.

Doubtless, and To seek adventures is a knight's first duty-- But his most sacred is to shield the fair.

MONDECAR.

From giants! But there are no giants now!