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Queen. Alas, the prince! There to my mind appears Something that in me moves unusual fears. Away, Henrietta—[Offers to go.

Don Car. Why would you be gone? Is Carlos' sight ungrateful to you grown? If 'tis, speak: in obedience I'll retire.

Queen. No, you may speak, but must advance no nigher.

Don Car. Must I then at that awful distance sue, As our forefathers were compelled to do, When they petitions made at that great shrine, Where none but the high priest might enter in? Let me approach; I've nothing for your ear, But what's so pure it might be offered there.

Queen. Too long 'tis dangerous for me here to stay: If you must speak, proceed: what would you say?

[Don Carlos kneels.

Nay, this strange ceremony pray give o'er.

Don Car. Was I ne'er in this posture seen before? Ah! can your cruel heart so soon resign All sense of these sad sufferings of mine? To your more just remembrance, if you can, Recall how fate seemed kindly to ordain That once you should be mine; which I believed: Though now, alas! I find I was deceived.

Queen. Then, sir, you should your fate, not me upbraid.

Don Car. I will not say you've broke the vows you made; Only implore you would not quite forget The wretch you've oft seen dying at your feet; And now no other favour begs to have, Than such kind pity as becomes your slave. For 'midst your highest joys, without a crime, At least you now and then may think of him.

Queen. If e'er you loved me, you would this forbear; It is a language which I dare not hear. My heart and faith become your father's right, All other passions I must now forget.

Don Car. Can then a crown and majesty dispense Upon your heart such mighty influence, That I must be for ever banished thence? Had I been raised to all the heights of power, In triumph crowned the world's great emperor, Of all its riches, all its state possessed, Yet you should still have governed in my breast.

Queen. In vain on her you obligations lay, Who wants not will, but power to repay.

Hen. Yet had you Henrietta's heart, you would At least strive to afford him all you could. [Aside.

Don Car. Oh! say not you want power; you may with one Kind look pay doubly all I've undergone. And knew you but the innocence I bear, How pure, how spotless all my wishes are, You would not scruple to supply my want, When all I ask you may so safely grant.

Queen. I know not what to grant; too well I find That still at least I cannot be unkind.

Don Car. Afford me then that little which I crave.

Queen. You shall not want what I may let you have.

[Gives her hand, sighing.

Don Car. Like one That sees a heap of gems before him cast, Thence to choose any that may please him best; From the rich treasure whilst I choice should make, Dazzled with all, I know not where to take. I would be rich—

Queen. Nay, you too far encroach; I fear I have already given too much. [Turns from him.

Don Car. Oh, take not back again the appearing bliss: How difficult's the path to happiness! Whilst up the precipice we climb with pain, One little slip throws us quite down again. Stay, madam, though you nothing more can give Than just enough to keep a wretch alive, At least remember how I've loved—

Queen. I will.

Don Car. That was so kind, that I must beg more still; Let me love on: it is a very poor And easy grant, yet I'll request no more.

Queen. Do you believe that you can love retain, And not expect to be beloved again?

Don Car. Yes, I will love, and think I'm happy too, So long as I can find that you are so; All my disquiets banish from my breast; I will endeavour to do so at least. [Sighing deeply. Or, if I can't my miseries outwear, They never more shall come to offend your ear.

Queen. Love then, brave prince, whilst I'll thy love admire;

[Gives her hand, which Don Carlos during all this speech kisses eagerly.

Yet keep the flame so pure, such chaste desire,

That without spot hereafter we above

May meet, when we shall come all soul, all love.

Till when—Oh! whither am I run astray?

I grow too weak, and must no longer stay:

For should I, the soft charm so strong would grow,

I find that I shall want the power to go.

[Exeunt Queen and Henrietta.

Don Car. Oh, sweet— If such transport be in a taste so small, How blest must he be that possesses all! Where am I, Posa? Where's the queen?

[Standing amazed.

M. of Posa. My lord, A while some respite to your heart afford: The queen's retired—

Don Car. Retired! And did she then Just show me Heaven, to shut it in again? This little ease augments my pain the more; For now I'm more impatient than before, And have discovered riches make me mad.

M. of Posa. But since those treasures are not to be had, You should correct desires that drive you on Beyond that duty which becomes a son. No longer let the tyrant love invade; The brave may by themselves be happy made. You to your father now must all resign.

Don Car. But ere he robbed me of her, she was mine. To be my friend is all thou hast to do, For half my miseries thou canst not know. Make myself happy! Bid the damned do so; Who in sad flames must be for ever tossed, Yet still in view of the loved Heaven they've lost. [Exeunt.



Thomas Otway

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