carcely say--use prudence.

MARQUIS (taking the warrant).
'Tis only for the last extremity.

KING (laying his hand on the shoulder of the MARQUIS).
Go! Go, dear marquis! Give this bosom peace,
And bring back slumber to my sleepless pillow.

[Exeunt at different sides.

SCENE XIII.

A Gallery.

CARLOS entering in extreme agitation, COUNT LERMA
meeting him.

CARLOS.
I have been seeking you.

LERMA.
And I your highness.

CARLOS.
For heaven's sake is it true?

LERMA.
What do you mean?

CARLOS.
That the king drew his dagger, and that she
Was borne, all bathed in blood, from the apartment?
Now answer me, by all that's sacred; say,
What am I to believe? What truth is in it?

LERMA.
She fainted, and so grazed her skin in falling
That is the whole.

CARLOS.
Is there no further danger?
Count, answer on your honor.

LERMA.
For the queen
No further danger; for yourself, there's much!

CARLOS.
None for my mother. Then, kind Heaven, I thank thee.
A dreadful rumor reached me that the king
Raved against child and mother, and that some
Dire secret was discovered.

LERMA.
And the last
May possibly be true.

CARLOS.
Be true! What mean you?

LERMA.
One warning have I given you, prince, already,
And that to-day, but you despised it; now
Perhaps you'll profit better by a second.

CARLOS.
Explain yourself.

LERMA.
If I mistake not, prince,
A few days since I noticed in your hands
An azure-blue portfolio, worked in velvet
And chased with gold.

CARLOS (with anxiety).
Yes, I had such a one.

LERMA.
And on the cover, if I recollect, a portrait
Set in pearls?

CARLOS.
'Tis right; go on.

LERMA.
I entered the king's chamber on a sudden,
And in his hands I marked that same portfolio,
The Marquis Posa standing by his side.

CARLOS (after a short silence of astonishment, hastily).
'Tis false!

LERMA (warmly).
Then I'm a traitor!

CARLOS (looking steadfastly at him).
That you are!

LERMA.
Well, I forgive you.

CARLOS (paces the apartment in extreme agitation, at length
stands still before him).
Has he injured thee?
What have our guiltless ties of friendship done,
That with a demon's zeal thou triest to rend them?

LERMA.
Prince, I respect the grief which renders you
So far unjust.

CARLOS.
Heaven