in all other women--but in one,
One only, 'tis not so. For you, I swear it.
And should you blush to indulge the pure desire
To call heroic virtue into life?
Can it affect King Philip, that his works
Of noblest art, in the Escurial, raise
Immortal longings in the painter's soul,
Who stands entranced before them? Do the sounds
That slumber in the lute, belong alone
To him who buys the chords? With ear unmoved
He may preserve his treasure:--he has bought
The wretched right to shiver it to atoms,
But not the power to wake its silver tones,
Or, in the magic of its sounds, dissolve.
Truth is created for the sage, as beauty
Is for the feeling heart. They own each other.
And this belief, no coward prejudice
Shall make me e'er disclaim. Then promise, queen,
That you will ever love him. That false shame,
Or fancied dignity, shall never make you
Yield to the voice of base dissimulation:--
That you will love him still, unchanged, forever.
Promise me this, oh, queen! Here solemnly
Say, do you promise?

QUEEN.
That my heart alone
Shall ever vindicate my love, I promise----

MARQUIS (drawing his hand back).
Now I die satisfied--my work is done.

[He bows to the QUEEN, and is about to go.

QUEEN (follows him with her eyes in silence).
You are then going, marquis, and have not
Told me how soon--and when--we meet again?

MARQUIS (comes back once more, his face turned away).
Yes, we shall surely meet again!

QUEEN.
Now, Posa,
I understand you. Why have you done this?

MARQUIS.
Carlos or I myself!

QUEEN.
No! no! you rush
Headlong into a deed you deem, sublime.
Do not deceive yourself: I know you well:
Long have you thirsted for it. If your pride
But have its fill, what matters it to you
Though thousand hearts should break. Oh! now, at length,
I comprehend your feelings--'tis the love
Of admiration which has won your heart----

MARQUIS (surprised, aside).
No! I was not prepared for this----

QUEEN (after a pause).
Oh, marquis!
Is there no hope of preservation?

MARQUIS.
None.

QUEEN.
None? Oh, consider well! None possible!
Not e'en by me?

MARQUIS.
Not even, queen, by thee.

QUEEN.
You but half know me--I have courage, marquis----

MARQUIS.
I know it----

QUEEN.
And no means of safety?

MARQUIS.
None

QUEEN (turning away and covering her face).
Go! Never more shall I respect