Such is, you know, the custom of the court, And I may then remain in my apartment.

DOMINGO.

'Tis well devised! Now the great game is won, And we may bid defiance to all queens!

PRINCESS.

Hark! I am called. I must attend the queen, So fare you well.

[Exit.

SCENE XIII.

ALVA and DOMINGO.

DOMINGO (after a pause, during which he has watched the PRINCESS).

My lord! these roses, and-- Your battles----

ALVA.

And your G.o.d!--why, even so Thus we'll await the lightning that will scathe us!

[Exeunt.

SCENE XIV.

A Carthusian Convent.

DON CARLOS and the PRIOR.

CARLOS (to the PRIOR, as he comes in).

Been here already? I am sorry for it.

PRIOR.

Yes, thrice since morning. 'Tis about an hour Since he went hence.

CARLOS.

But he will sure return.

Has he not left some message?

PRIOR.

Yes; he promised To come again at noon.

CARLOS (going to a window, and looking round the country).

Your convent lies Far from the public road. Yonder are seen The turrets of Madrid--just so--and there The Mansanares flows. The scenery is Exactly to my wish, and all around Is calm and still as secrecy itself.

PRIOR.

Or as the entrance to another world.

CARLOS.

Most worthy sir, to your fidelity And honor, have I now intrusted all I hold most dear and sacred in the world.

No mortal man must know, or even suspect, With whom I here hold secret a.s.signation.

Most weighty reasons prompt me to deny, To all the world, the friend whom I expect, Therefore I choose this convent. Are we safe From traitors and surprise? You recollect What you have sworn.

PRIOR.

Good sir, rely on us.

A king's suspicion cannot pierce the grave, And curious ears haunts only those resorts Where wealth and pa.s.sion dwell--but from these walls The world's forever banished.

CARLOS.

You may think, Perhaps, beneath this seeming fear and caution There lies a guilty conscience?

PRIOR.

I think nothing.

CARLOS.

If you imagine this, most holy father, You err--indeed you err. My secret shuns The sight of man--but not the eye of G.o.d.

PRIOR.

Such things concern us little. This retreat To guilt, and innocence alike, is open, And whether thy designs be good or ill, Thy purpose criminal or virtuous,--that We leave to thee to settle with thy heart.

CARLOS (with warmth).

Our purpose never can disgrace your G.o.d.

'Tis his own n.o.blest work. To you indeed, I may reveal it.

PRIOR.

To what end, I pray?

Forego, dear prince, this needless explanation.

The world and all its troubles have been long Shut from my thoughts--in preparation for My last long journey. Why recall them to me For the brief s.p.a.ce that must precede my death?

'Tis little for salvation that we need-- But the bell rings, and summons me to prayer.

[Exit PRIOR.

SCENE XV.

DON CARLOS; the MARQUIS POSA enters.

CARLOS.

At length once more,--at length----

MARQUIS.

Oh, what a trial For the impatience of a friend! The sun Has risen twice--twice set--since Carlos' fate Has been resolved, and am I only now To learn it: speak,--you're reconciled!

CARLOS.

With whom?

MARQUIS.

The king! And Flanders, too,--its fate is settled!