The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Vi Part 65

MANRIQUE. That is enough!

So in the royal name I now dissolve This parliament. Ye are dismissed. But list Ye to my wish and my advice: Return Ye not at once unto your homes, but wait Ye rather, round about, till it appears Whether the King will take the task we leave, Or we must still perform it in his name.

(_To_ GARCERAN.)

However, you, in princely service skilled, If spying be your office 'mongst us here, I beg you tell your King what I advised, And that th' estates in truth have been dissolved, But yet are ready to unite for deeds.

GARCERAN. Then once again, before you all, I say No tort have I in this mad escapade.

As it was chance that brought me from the camp, So chanced it that the King selected me To guard this maiden from the people's rage; And what with warning, reason, argument, A man may do to ward off ill, although 'Twas fruitless, I admit,--that have I tried.

I should deserve your scorn were this not so.

And Dona Clara, doubly destined mine, By parents both and by my wish as well, You need not hang your n.o.ble head, for though Unworthy of you--never worthy,--I Not less am worthy now than e'er before.

I stand before you here and swear: 'Tis so.

MANRIQUE. If this is so, and thou art still a man, Be a Castilian now and join with us To serve thy country's cause as we it serve.

Thou art acquainted in the castle there; The captain opes the gates if thou demand.

Perhaps we soon shall need to enter thus, If deaf the King, our n.o.ble lord.

GARCERAN. No word Against the King, my master!

MANRIQUE. Thine the choice!

But follow for the nonce these other lords, The outcome may be better than we think.

[_Servant entering from the left._]

SERVANT. His Majesty, the King!

MANRIQUE (_to the estates, pointing to the middle door_).

This way--withdraw!

(_To the servants._)

And ye, arrange these chairs along the wall.

Naught shall remind him that we gathered here

QUEEN (_who has stepped down from the throne_).

My knees are trembling, yet there's none to aid.

MANRIQUE. Virtue abode with strength in days of yore, But latterly, estranged, they separate.

Strength stayed with youth--where she was wont to be-- And virtue fled to gray and ancient heads.

Here, take my arm! Though tottering the step, And strength be lacking,--virtue still abides.

[_He leads the _QUEEN _off at the right. The estates, with _GARCERAN,_ have gone out through the centre door. The_ KING _comes from the left, behind him his page._]

KING. The sorrel, say you, limps? The pace was fast, But I no further need shall have of him.

So to Toledo, pray you, have him led, Where rest will soon restore him. I, myself, Will at my spouse's side, in her own coach Return from here, in sight of all the folk, That what they see they may believe, and know That discord and dissension are removed.

[_The page goes._]

I am alone. Does no one come to meet?

Naught but bare walls and silent furniture!

It is but recently that they have met.

And oh, these empty chairs much louder speak Than those who sat upon them e'er have done!

What use to chew the bitter cud of thought?

I must begin to remedy the ill.

Here goes the way to where my wife doth dwell.-- I'll enter on this most unwelcome path.

[_He approaches the side door at the right._]

What, barred the door? Hallo, in there! The King It is, who's master in this house! For me There is no lock, no door to shut me out.

[_A waiting-woman enters through the door._]

KING. Ye bar yourselves?

WAITING WOMAN. The Queen, your Majesty--

(_As the _KING _is about to enter rapidly._)

The inner door she, too, herself, has locked.

KING. I will not force my way. Announce to her That I am back, and this my summons is-- Say, rather, my request--as now I say.

[_Exit waiting-woman._]

KING (_standing opposite the throne_).

Thou lofty seat, o'ertopping others all, Grant that we may no lower be than thou, And even unexalted by these steps We yet may hold just measure of the good.

_Enter the _QUEEN.

KING (_going toward her with outstretched hands_).

I greet thee, Leonore!

QUEEN. Be welcome, thou!

KING. And not thy hand?

QUEEN. I'm glad to see thee here.

KING. And not thy hand?

QUEEN (_bursting into tears_).

O help me, gracious G.o.d!

KING. This hand is not pest-stricken, Leonore, Go I to battle, as I ought and must, It will be smeared and drenched with hostile blood; Pure water will remove the noisome slime, And for thy "welcome" I shall bring it pure.