Part 296 (1/2)

A daring favorite of the king demands My hand--his name Ruy Gomez, Count of Silva, The king consents--the bargain has been struck, And I am sold already to his creature.

CARLOS (with evident emotion).

Sold! you sold! Another bargain, then, Concluded by this royal southern trader!

PRINCESS.

No; but hear all--'tis not enough that I Am sacrificed to cold state policy, A snare is laid to entrap my innocence.

Here is a letter will unmask the saint!

[CARLOS takes the paper, and without reading it listens with impatience to her recital.

Where Shall I find protection, prince? Till now My virtue was defended by my pride, At length----

CARLOS.

At length you yielded! Yielded? No.

For G.o.d's sake say not so!

PRINCESS.

Yielded! to whom?

Poor piteous reasoning. Weak beyond contempt Your haughty minds, who hold a woman's favor, And love's pure joys, as wares to traffic for!

Love is the only treasure on the face Of this wide earth that knows no purchaser Besides itself--love has no price but love.

It is the costly gem, beyond all price, Which I must freely give away, or--bury For ever unenjoyed--like that proud merchant Whom not the wealth of all the rich Rialto Could tempt--a great rebuke to kings! to save From the deep ocean waves his matchless pearl, Too proud to barter it beneath its worth!

CARLOS (aside).

Now, by great heaven, this woman's beautiful.

PRINCESS.

Call it caprice or pride, I ne'er will make Division of my joys. To him, alone, I choose as mine, I give up all forever.

One only sacrifice I make; but that Shall be eternal. One true heart alone My love shall render happy: but that one I'll elevate to G.o.d. The keen delight Of mingling souls--the kiss--the swimming joys Of that delicious hour when lovers meet, The magic power of heavenly beauty--all Are sister colors of a single ray-- Leaves of one single blossom. Shall I tear One petal from this sweet, this lovely flower, With reckless hand, and mar its beauteous chalice?

Shall I degrade the dignity of woman, The masterpiece of the Almighty's hand, To charm the evening of a reveller?

CARLOS.

Incredible! that in Madrid should dwell This matchless creature! and unknown to me Until this day.

PRINCESS.

Long since had I forsaken This court--the world--and in some blest retreat Immured myself; but one tie binds me still Too firmly to existence. Perhaps--alas!

'Tis but a phantom--but 'tis dear to me.

I love--but am not loved in turn.

CARLOS (full of ardor, going towards her).

You are!

As true as G.o.d is throned in heaven! I swear You are--you are unspeakably beloved.

PRINCESS.

You swear it, you!--sure 'twas an angel's voice.

Oh, if you swear it, Carlos, I'll believe it.

Then I am truly loved!

CARLOS (embracing her with tenderness).