[They retire; the other GRANDEES approach, and kneeling, hand their papers to the KING. He looks over them rapidly, and hands them to DUKE ALVA.

Duke, let these be laid Before me in the council. Who waits further?

[No one answers.

How comes it that amidst my train of n.o.bles The Marquis Posa ne"er appears? I know This Marquis Posa served me with distinction.

Does he still live? Why is he not among you?

LERMA.

The chevalier is just returned from travel, Completed through all Europe. He is now Here in Madrid, and waits a public day To cast himself before his sovereign"s feet.

ALVA.

The Marquis Posa? Right, he is the same Bold Knight of Malta, sire, of whom renown Proclaims this gallant deed. Upon a summons Of the Grand Master, all the valiant knights a.s.sembled in their island, at that time Besieged by Soliman. This n.o.ble youth, Scarce numbering eighteen summers, straightway fled From Alcala, where he pursued his studies, And suddenly arrived at La Valette.

"This Cross," he said, "was bought for me; and now To prove I"m worthy of it." He was one Of forty knights who held St. Elmo"s Castle, At midday, "gainst Piali, Ulucciali, And Mustapha, and Ha.s.sem; the a.s.sault Being thrice repeated. When the castle fell, And all the valiant knights were killed around him, He plunged into the ocean, and alone Reached La Valette in safety. Two months after The foe deserts the island, and the knight Returned to end his interrupted studies.

FERIA.

It was the Marquis Posa, too, who crushed The dread conspiracy in Catalonia; And by his marked activity preserved That powerful province to the Spanish crown.

KING.

I am amazed! What sort of man is this Who can deserve so highly, yet awake No pang of envy in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of three Who speak his praise? The character he owns Must be of n.o.ble stamp indeed, or else A very blank. I"m curious to behold This wondrous man.

[To DUKE ALVA.

Conduct him to the council When ma.s.s is over.

[Exit DUKE. The KING calls FERIA.

And do you preside Here in my place.

[Exit.

FERIA.

The king is kind to-day.

MEDIA SIDONIA.

Call him a G.o.d! So he has proved to me!

FERIA.

You well deserve your fortune, admiral!

You have my warmest wishes.

ONE OF THE GRANDEES.

Sir, and mine.

A SECOND.

And also mine.

A THIRD.

My heart exults with joy-- So excellent a general!

THE FIRST.

The king Showed you no kindness, "twas your strict desert.

LERMA (to MEDINA SIDONIA, taking leave).

Oh, how two little words have made your fortune!

[Exeunt all.

SCENE VIII.

The KING"s Cabinet.

MARQUIS POSA and DUKE ALVA.

MARQUIS (as he enters).

Does he want me? What me? Impossible!

You must mistake the name. What can he want With me?

ALVA.

To know you.

MARQUIS.

Curiosity!

No more; I regret the precious minutes That I must lose: time pa.s.ses swiftly by.

ALVA.

I now commend you to your lucky stars.

The king is in your hands. Employ this moment To your own best advantage; for, remember, If it is lost, you are alone to blame.

SCENE IX.

The MARQUIS alone.

MARQUIS.

Duke, "tis well spoken! Turn to good account The moment which presents itself but once!

Truly this courtier reads a useful lesson If not in his sense good, at least in mine.

[Walks a few steps backwards and forwards.

How came I here? Is it caprice or chance That shows me now my image in this mirror?

Why, out of millions, should it picture me-- The most unlikely--and present my form To the king"s memory? Was this but chance?

Perhaps "twas something more!--what else is chance But the rude stone which from the sculptor"s hand Receives its life? Chance comes from Providence, And man must mould it to his own designs.

What the king wants with me but little matters; I know the business I shall have with him.

Were but one spark of truth with boldness flung Into the despot"s soul, how fruitful "twere In the kind hand of Providence; and so What first appeared capricious act of chalice, May be designed for some momentous end.

Whate"er it be, I"ll act on this belief.

[He takes a few turns in the room, and stands at last in tranquil contemplation before a painting. The KING appears in the neighboring room, where he gives some orders. He then enters and stands motionless at the door, and contemplates the MARQUIS for some time without being observed.