QUEEN. Now, Posa, I understand you. Why have you done this? MARQUIS. Carlos or I myself! QUEEN. No! no! you rush Headlong into a deed you deem, sublime. Do not deceive yourself: I know you well: Long have you thirsted for it. If your pride But have its fill, what matters it to you Though thousand hearts should break. Oh! now, at length, I comprehend your feelings--'tis the love Of admiration which has won your heart---- MARQUIS (surprised, aside). No! I was not prepared for this---- QUEEN (after a pause). Oh, marquis! Is there no hope of preservation? MARQUIS. None. QUEEN. None? Oh, consider well! None possible! Not e'en by me? MARQUIS. Not even, queen, by thee. QUEEN. You but half know me--I have courage, marquis---- MARQUIS. I know it---- QUEEN. And no means of safety? MARQUIS. None QUEEN (turning away and covering her face). Go! Never more shall I respect a man---- MARQUIS (casts himself on his knees before her in evident emotion). O queen! O heaven! how lovely still is life! [He starts up and rushes out. The QUEEN retires into her cabinet. SCENE XXII. DUKE ALVA and DOMINGO walking up and down in silence and separately. COUNT LERMA comes out of the KING's cabinet, and afterwards DON RAYMOND OF TAXIS, the Postmaster-General. LERMA. Has not the marquis yet appeared? ALVA. Not yet. [LERMA about to re-enter the cabinet. TAXIS (enters). Count Lerma! Pray announce me to the king? LERMA. His majesty cannot be seen. TAXIS. But say That I must see him; that my business is Of urgent import to his majesty. Make haste--it will admit of no delay. [LERMA enters the cabinet. ALVA. Dear Taxis, you must learn a little patience-- You cannot see the king. TAXIS. Not see him! Why? ALVA. You should have been considerate, and procured Permission from the Marquis Posa first-- Who keeps both son and father in confinement. TAXIS. The Marquis Posa! Right--that is the man From whom I bring this letter. ALVA. Ah! What letter? TAXIS. A letter to be forwarded to Brussels. ALVA (attentively). To Brussels? TAXIS. And I bring it to the king. ALVA. Indeed! to Brussels! Heard you that, Domingo? DOMINGO (joining them). Full of suspicion! TAXIS. And with anxious mien, And deep embarrassment he gave it to me. DOMINGO. Embarrassment! To whom is it directed? TAXIS. The Prince of Orange and Nassau. ALVA. To William! There's treason here, Domingo! DOMINGO. Nothing less! In truth this letter must, without delay, Be laid before the king. A noble service You render, worthy man--to be so firm In the discharge of duty. TAXIS. Reverend sir! 'Tis but my duty. ALVA. But you do it well.