Part 311 (1/2)

Our creeds, my liege, are one.

[A pause.

I am misunderstood. I feared as much.

You see the veil torn by my hand aside From all the mysteries of majesty.

Who can a.s.sure you I shall still regard As sacred that which ceases to alarm me?

I may seem dangerous, because I think Above myself. I am not so, my liege; My wishes lie corroding here. The rage [Laying his hand on his breast.

For innovation, which but serves to increase The heavy weight of chains it cannot break, Shall never fire my blood! The world is yet Unripe for my ideal; and I live A citizen of ages yet to come.

But does a fancied picture break your rest?

A breach of yours destroys it.

KING.

Say, am I The first to whom your views are known?

MARQUIS.

You are.

KING (rises, walks a few paces and then stops opposite the MARQUIS--aside).

This tone, at least, is new; but flattery Exhausts itself. And men of talent still Disdain to imitate. So let us test Its opposite for once. Why should I not?

There is a charm in novelty. Should we Be so agreed, I will bethink me now Of some new state employment, in whose duties Your powerful mind----

MARQUIS.

Sire, I perceive how small, How mean, your notions are of manly worth.

Suspecting, in an honest man's discourse, Naught but a flatterer's artifice--methinks I can explain the cause of this your error.

Mankind compel you to it. With free choice They have disclaimed their true n.o.bility, Lowered themselves to their degraded state.

Before man's inward worth, as from a phantom, They fly in terror--and contented with Their poverty, they ornament their chains With slavish prudence; and they call it virtue To bear them with a show of resignation.

Thus did you find the world, and thus it was By your great father handed o'er to you.

In this debased connection--how could you Respect mankind?

KING.

Your words contain some truth.

MARQUIS.

Alas! that when from the Creator's hand You took mankind, and moulded him to suit Your own ideas, making yourself the G.o.d Of this new creature, you should overlook That you yourself remained a human being-- A very man, as from G.o.d's hands you came.

Still did you feel a mortal's wants and pains.

You needed sympathy; but to a G.o.d One can but sacrifice, and pray, and tremble-- Wretched exchange! Perversion most unblest Of sacred nature! Once degrade mankind, And make him but a thing to play upon, Who then can share the harmony with you?

KING (aside).

By heaven, he moves me!

MARQUIS.

But this sacrifice To you is valueless. You thus become A thing apart, a species of your own.

This is the price you pay for being a G.o.d; 'Twere dreadful were it not so, and if you Gained nothing by the misery of millions!

And if the very freedom you destroyed Were the sole blessing that could make you happy.

Dismiss me, sire, I pray you; for my theme Bears me too far; my heart is full; too strong The charm, to stand before the only man To whom I may reveal it.

[The COUNT LERMA enters, and whispers a few words to the KING, who signs him to withdraw, and continues sitting in his former posture.

KING (to the MARQUIS, after LERMA is gone).