MAR. You, you can: who else? To th' people's good Devote the kingly power, which far too long Has struggled for the greatness of the throne. Restore the lost nobility of man. Once more make of the subject what he was, The purpose of the Crown; let no tie bind him, Except his brethren's right, as sacred as His own. And when, given back to self-dependence, Man awakens to the feeling of his worth, And freedom's proud and lofty virtues blossom, Then, Sire, having made _your_ realms the happiest In the Earth, it may become your duty To subdue the realms of others. KING [_after a long pause_]. I have heard you to an end. Not as in common heads, the world is painted In that head of yours: nor will I mete you By the common standard. I am the first To whom your heart has been disclosed: I know this, so believe it. For the sake Of such forbearance; for your having kept Ideas, embraced with such devotion, secret Up to this present moment, for the sake Of that reserve, young man, I will forget That I have learned them, and how I learned them. Arise. The headlong youth I will set right, Not as his sovereign, but as his senior. I will, because I will. So! bane itself, I find, in generous natures may become Ennobled into something better. But Beware my Inquisition! It would grieve me If you— MAR. Would it? would it? KING [_gazing at him, and lost in surprise_]. Such a mortal Till this hour I never saw. No, Marquis! No! You do me wrong. To you I will not Be a Nero, not to you. _All_ happiness Shall not be blighted by me: you yourself Shall be permitted to remain a man Beside me. MAR. [_quickly_] And my fellow-subjects, Sire? Oh, not for _me_, not _my_ cause was I pleading. And your subjects, Sire? KING. You see so clearly How posterity will judge of me; yourself Shall teach it how I treated men so soon As I had found one. MAR. O Sire! in being The most just of kings, at the same instant Be not the most unjust! In your Flanders Are many thousands worthier than I. 'Tis but yourself,—shall I confess it, Sire?— That under this mild form first truly see What freedom is. KING [_with softened earnestness_]. Young man, no more of this. Far differently will you think of men, When you have seen and studied them as I have. Yet our first meeting must not be our last; How shall I try to make you mine? MAR. Sire, let me Continue as I am. What good were it To you, if I like others were corrupted? KING. This pride I will not suffer. From this moment You are in my service. No remonstrance! I will have it so. * * * * *