LITMIR.BIZ

                     Said you, those dreams, my prince!

         And were they only dreams?

                       Oh, let me weep,

         Upon thy bosom weep these burning tears,

         My only friend! Not one have I – not one —

         In the wide circuit of this earth, – not one

         Far as the sceptre of my sire extends,

         Far as the navies bear the flag of Spain,

         There is no spot – none – none, where I dare yield

         An outlet to my tears, save only this.

         I charge thee, Roderigo! Oh, by all

         The hopes we both do entertain of heaven,

         Cast me not off from thee, my friend, my friend!

         Look on me, Posa, as an orphan child,

         Found near the throne, and nurtured by thy love.

         Indeed, I know not what a father is.

         I am a monarch's son. Oh, were it so,

         As my heart tells me that it surely is,

         That thou from millions hast been chosen out

         To comprehend my being; if it be true,

         That all-creating nature has designed

         In me to reproduce a Roderigo,

         And on the morning of our life attuned

         Our souls' soft concords to the selfsame key;

         If one poor tear, which gives my heart relief,

         To thee were dearer than my father's favor —

         Oh, it is dearer far than all the world!

         I'm fallen so low, have grown so poor withal,

         I must recall to thee our childhood's years, —

         Must ask thee payment of a debt incurred

         When thou and I were scarce to boyhood grown.

         Dost thou remember, how we grew together,

         Two daring youths, like brothers, side by side?

         I had no sorrow but to see myself

         Eclipsed by thy bright genius. So I vowed,

         Since I might never cope with thee in power,

         That I would love thee with excess of love.

         Then with a thousand shows of tenderness,

         And warm affection, I besieged thy heart,

         Which cold and proudly still repulsed them all.

         Oft have I stood, and – yet thou sawest it never

         Hot bitter tear-drops brimming in mine eyes,

         When I have marked thee, passing me unheeded,

         Fold to thy bosom youths of humbler birth.

         "Why only these?" in anguish, once I asked —

         "Am I not kind and good to thee as they?"

         But dropping on thy knees, thine answer came,

         With an unloving look of cold reserve,

         "This is my duty to the monarch's son!"

         Oh, spare me, dearest prince, nor now recall

         Those boyish acts that make me blush for shame.

         I did not merit such disdain from thee —

         You might despise me, crush my heart, but never

         Alter my love. Three times didst thou repulse

         The prince, and thrice he came to thee again,

         To beg thy love, and force on thee his own.

         At length chance wrought what Carlos never could.

         Once we were playing, when thy shuttlecock

         Glanced off and struck my aunt, Bohemia's queen,

         Full in the face! She thought 'twas with intent,

         And all in tears complained unto the king.

         The palace youth were summoned on the spot,

         And charged to name the culprit. High in wrath

         The king vowed vengeance for the deed: "Although

         It were his son, yet still should he be made

         A dread example!" I looked around and marked

         Thee stand aloof, all trembling with dismay.

         Straight I stepped forth; before the royal feet

         I flung myself, and cried, "'Twas I who did it;

         Now let thine anger fall upon thy son!"

         Ah, wherefore, prince, remind me?

                           Hear me further!

         Before the face of the assembled court,

         That stood, all pale with pity, round about,

         Thy Carlos was tied up, whipped like a slave;

         I looked on thee, and wept not. Blow rained on blow;

         I gnashed my teeth with pain, yet wept I not!

         My royal blood streamed 'neath the pitiless lash;

         I looked on thee, and wept not. Then you came,

         And fell half-choked with sobs before my feet:

         "Carlos," you cried, "my pride is overcome;

         I will repay thee when thou art a king."

         Carlos, I'll keep my word; my boyhood's vow

         I now as man renew. I will repay thee.

         Some day, perchance, the hour may come —

                               Now! now!

         The hour has come; thou canst repay me all.

         I have sore need of love. A fearful secret

         Burns in my breast; it must – it must be told.

         In thy pale looks my death-doom will I read.

         Listen; be petrified; but answer not.

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