Rebellion! Where"s the king?

[He makes his way through the crowd up to the KING.

Madrid"s in arms!

To thousands swelled, the soldiery and people Surround the palace; and reports are spread That Carlos is a prisoner--that his life Is threatened. And the mob demand to see Him living, or Madrid will be in flames.

THE GRANDEES (with excitement).

Defend the king!

ALVA (to the KING, who remains quiet and unmoved).

Fly, sire! your life"s in danger.

As yet we know not who has armed the people.

KING (rousing from his stupor, and advancing with dignity among then).

Stands my throne firm, and am I sovereign yet Over this empire? No! I"m king no more.

These cowards weep--moved by a puny boy.

They only wait the signal to desert me.

I am betrayed by rebels!

ALVA.

Dreadful thought!

KING.

There! fling yourselves before him--down before The young, the expectant king; I"m nothing now But a forsaken, old, defenceless man!

ALVA.

Spaniards! is"t come to this?

[All crowd round the KING, and fall on their knees before him with drawn swords. CARLOS remains alone with the corpse, deserted by all.

KING (tearing off his mantle and throwing it from him).

There! clothe him now With this my royal mantle; and on high Bear him in triumph o"er my trampled corpse!

[He falls senseless in ALVA"s and LERMA"s arms.

LERMA.

For heaven"s sake, help!

FERIA.

Oh, sad, disastrous chance!

LERMA.

He faints!

ALVA (leaves the KING in LERMA"s and FERIA"s hands).

Attend his majesty! whilst I Make it my aim to tranquillize Madrid.

[Exit ALVA. The KING is borne off, attended by all the grandees.

SCENE VI.

CARLOS remains behind with the corpse. After a few moments Louis MERCADO appears, looks cautiously round him, and stands a long time silent behind the PRINCE, who does not observe him.

MERCADO.

I come, prince, from her majesty the queen.

[CARLOS turns away and makes no reply.

My name, Mercado, I"m the queen"s physician See my credentials.

[Shows the PRINCE a signet ring. CARLOS remains still silent.

And the queen desires To speak with you to-day--on weighty business.

CARLOS.

Nothing is weighty in this world to me.

MERCADO.

A charge the Marquis Posa left with her.

CARLOS (looking up quickly).

Indeed! I come this instant.

MERCADO.

No, not yet, Most gracious prince! you must delay till night.

Each avenue is watched, the guards are doubled You ne"er could reach the palace unperceived; You would endanger everything.

CARLOS.

And yet----

MERCADO.

I know one means alone that can avail us.

"Tis the queen"s thought, and she suggests it to you; But it is bold, adventurous, and strange!

CARLOS.

What is it?

MERCADO.

A report has long prevailed That in the secret vaults, beneath the palace, At midnight, shrouded in a monk"s attire, The emperor"s departed spirit walks.

The people still give credit to the tale, And the guards watch the post with inward terror.

Now, if you but determine to a.s.sume This dress, you may pa.s.s freely through the guards, Until you reach the chamber of the queen, Which this small key will open. Your attire Will save you from attack. But on the spot, Prince! your decision must be made at once.

The requisite apparel and the mask Are ready in your chamber. I must haste And take the queen your answer.

CARLOS.

And the hour?

MERCADO.

It is midnight.

CARLOS.

Then inform her I will come.

[Exit MERCADO.