CARLOS. Vain, foolish boy! 'tis this should make thee tremble. Approach me ever with a cold respect: Ne'er be induced by idle pride to boast How gracious is the prince! No deadlier sin Canst thou commit, my son, than pleasing me. Whate'er thou hast in future for my ear, Give not to words; intrust not to thy lips, Ne'er on that common high road of the thoughts Permit thy news to travel. Speak with an eye, A finger; I will answer with a look. The very air, the light, are Philip's creatures, And the deaf walls around are in his pay. Some one approaches; fly, we'll meet again. [The QUEEN'S chamber opens, and DUKE ALVA comes out. PAGE. Be careful, prince, to find the right apartment. [Exit. CARLOS. It is the duke! Fear not, I'll find the way. SCENE V. DON CARLOS. DUDE OF ALVA. ALVA (meeting him). Two words, most gracious prince. CARLOS. Some other time. [Going. ALVA. The place is not the fittest, I confess; Perhaps your royal highness may be pleased To grant me audience in your private chamber. CARLOS. For what? And why not here? Only be brief. ALVA. The special object which has brought me hither, Is to return your highness lowly thanks For your good services. CARLOS. Thanks to me-- For what? Duke Alva's thanks! ALVA. You scarce had left His majesty, ere I received in form Instructions to depart for Brussels. CARLOS. What! For Brussels! ALVA. And to what, most gracious prince, Must I ascribe this favor, but to you-- Your intercession with the king? CARLOS. Ob, no! Not in the least to me; but, duke, you travel, So Heaven be with your grace! ALVA. And is this all? It seems, indeed, most strange! And has your highness No further orders, then, to send to Flanders? CARLOS. What should I have? ALVA. Not long ago, it seemed, The country's fate required your presence. CARLOS. How? But yes, you're right,--it was so formerly; But now this change is better as it is. ALVA. I am amazed---- CARLOS. You are an able general, No one doubts that--envy herself must own it. For me, I'm but a youth--so thought the king. CARLOS. The king was right, quite right. I see it now Myself, and am content--and so no more. God speed your journey, as you see, just now My hands are full, and weighty business presses. The rest to-morrow, or whene'er you will, Or when you come from Brussels. ALVA. What is this? CARLOS. The season favors, and your route will lie Through Milan, Lorraine, Burgundy, and on To Germany! What, Germany? Ay, true, In Germany it was--they know you there. 'Tis April now, May, June,--in July, then, Just so! or, at the latest, soon in August,-- You will arrive in Brussels, and no doubt We soon shall hear of your victorious deeds. You know the way to win our high esteem, And earn the crown of fame.