The KING, and MARQUIS POSA.

MARQUIS.
That old soldier, sire,
Who has faced death, in twenty battles, for you,
Must hold it thankless to be so dismissed.

KING.
'Tis thus for you to think—for me to act;
In a few hours you have been more to me
Than that man in a lifetime. Nor shall I
Keep my content a secret. On your brow
The lustre of my high and royal favor
Shall shine resplendent—I will make that man
A mark for envy whom I choose my friend.

MARQUIS.
What if the veil of dark obscurity
Were his sole claim to merit such a title?

KING.
What come you now to tell me?

MARQUIS.
As I passed
Along the antechamber a dread rumor
Fell on my ear,—it seemed incredible,—
Of a most angry quarrel—blood—the queen——

KING.
Come you from her?

MARQUIS.
I should be horrified
Were not the rumor false: or should perhaps
Your majesty meantime have done some act—
Discoveries of importance I have made,
Which wholly change the aspect of affairs.

KING.
How now?

MARQUIS.
I found an opportunity
To seize your son's portfolio, with his letters,
Which, as I hope, may throw some light——

[He gives the PRINCE's portfolio to the KING.

KING (looks through it eagerly).
A letter
From the emperor, my father. How! a letter
Of which I ne'er remember to have heard.

[He reads it through, puts it aside, and goes
to the other papers.

A drawing of some fortress—detached thoughts
From Tacitus—and what is here? The hand
I surely recognize—it is a lady's.

[He reads it attentively, partly to himself,
and partly aloud.

"This key—the farthest chamber of the queen's
Pavilion!" Ha! what's this? "The voice of love,—
The timid lover—may—a rich reward."
Satanic treachery! I see it now.
'Tis she—'tis her own writing!

MARQUIS.
The queen's writing!
Impossible!

KING.
The Princess Eboli's.

MARQUIS.
Then, it was true, what the queen's page confessed,
Not long since—that he brought this key and letter.

KING (grasping the MARQUIS' hand in great emotion).
Marquis! I see that I'm in dreadful hands.
This woman—I confess it—'twas this woman
Forced the queen's casket: and my first suspicions
Were breathed by her. Who knows how deep the priest
May be engaged in this? I am deceived
By cursed villany.

MARQUIS.
Then it was lucky——

KING.
Marquis! O marquis! I begin to fear
I've wronged my wife.

MARQUIS.
If there exist between
The prince and queen some secret understandings,
They are of other import, rest assured,
Than those they charge her with. I know, for certain,
The prince's prayer to be despatched to Flanders
Was by the queen suggested.

KING.
I have thought so.

MARQUIS.
The queen's ambitious. Dare I speak more fully?
She sees, with some resentment, her high hopes
All disappointed, and herself shut out
From share of empire. Your son's youthful ardor
Offers itself to her far-reaching views,
Her heart! I doubt if she can love.

KING.
Her schemes
Of policy can never make me tremble.

MARQUIS.
Whether the Infant loves her—whether we
Have something worse to fear from him,—are things
Worthy our deep attention. To these points
Our strictest vigilance must be directed.

KING.
You must be pledge for him.

MARQUIS.
And if the king
Esteem me capable of such a task,
I must entreat it be intrusted to me
Wholly without conditions.

KING.
So it shall.

MARQUIS.
That in the steps which I may think required,
I may be thwarted by no coadjutors,
Whatever name they bear.

KING.
I pledge my word
You shall not. You have proved my guardian angel.
How many thanks I owe you for this service!

[LERMA enters—the KING to him.

How did you leave the queen?

LERMA.
But scarce recovered
From her deep swoon.

[He looks at the MARQUIS doubtfully, and exit.

MARQUIS (to the KING, after a pause).
One caution yet seems needful.
The prince may be advised of our design,
For he has many faithful friends in Ghent,
And may have partisans among the rebels.
Fear may incite to desperate resolves;
Therefore I counsel that some speedy means
Be taken to prevent this fatal chance.

KING.
You are quite right—but how?

MARQUIS.
Your majesty
May sign a secret warrant of arrest
And place it in my hands, to be employed,
As may seem needful, in the hour of danger.

[The KING appears thoughtful.

This step must be a most profound state secret
Until——

KING (going to his desk and writing the warrant of arrest).
The kingdom is at stake, and now
The pressing danger sanctions urgent measures.
Here marquis! I need scarcely 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.