you,
That when I found a man, I could respect him.

MARQUIS.
Oh, let not the most just of kings at once
Be the most unjust! In your realm of Flanders
There are a thousand better men than I.
But you--sire! may I dare to say so much--
For the first time, perhaps, see liberty
In milder form portrayed.

KING (with gentle severity).
No more of this,
Young man! You would, I know, think otherwise
Had you but learned to understand mankind
As I. But truly--I would not this meeting
Should prove our last. How can I hope to win you?

MARQUIS.
Pray leave me as I am. What value, sire,
Should I be to you were you to corrupt me?

KING.
This pride I will not bear. From this day forth
I hold you in my service. No remonstrance--
For I will have it so.
[After a pause.
But how is this?
What would I now? Was it not truth I wished?
But here is something more. Marquis, so far
You've learned to know me as a king; but yet
You know me not as man--
[The MARQUIS seems to meditate.
I understand you--
Were I the most unfortunate of fathers,
Yet as a husband may I not be blest?

MARQUIS.
If the possession of a hopeful son,
And a most lovely spouse, confer a claim
On mortal to assume that title, sire,
In both respects, you are supremely blest.

KING (with a serious look).
That am I not--and never, till this hour,
Have I so deeply felt that I am not so.

[Contemplating the MARQUIS with a look of melancholy.

MARQUIS.
The prince possesses a right noble mind.
I ne'er have known him otherwise.

KING.
I have
The treasure he has robbed me of, no crown
Can e'er requite. So virtuous a queen!

MARQUIS.
Who dare assert it, sire?

KING.
The world! and scandal!
And I myself! Here lie the damning proofs
Of doubtless guilt--and others, too, exist,
From which I fear the worst. But still 'tis hard
To trust one proof alone. Who brings the charge?
And oh! if this were possible--that she,
The queen, so foully could pollute her honor,
Then how much easier were it to believe
An Eboli may be a slanderer!
Does not that priest detest my son and her?
And can I doubt that Alva broods revenge?
My wife has higher worth than all together.

MARQUIS.
And there exists besides in woman's soul
A treasure, sire, beyond all outward show,
Above the reach of slander--female virtue!

KING.
Marquis! those thoughts are mine. It costs too much
To sink so low a