_Marquis_. You hope to end, as you have now begun! {709} Hope to retard the change o'er Christendom Already ripe—the universal spring, The world to bring again to pristine childhood. You will, alone throughout all Europe, throw Yourself against the wheel of a world's fate, Which unimpeded in full course doth roll. Again, You, who would fain plant for eternity, Sow death! A work thus forced can ne'er endure Beyond its maker's breath! Although the king listens without anger to such declamation, he soon after coldly dismisses the subject, and expressing a wish to engage the disinterested Posa in his service, sounds him upon the subject of Carlos and the queen. The Marquis is silent at Philip's first allusion to his domestic troubles. _King_. I understand you. Yet if among all fathers I must be The most unhappy—as a husband, may I not Call myself blest? _Marquis of Posa_. If the possession of A hopeful son, a wife most virtuous, Can give a mortal right to be thus deemed, You are most blest in both. _King_. No—I am not! And that I am not—have I never felt So deeply as even now! _Marquis of Posa_. The prince is noble And good. I never found him otherwise. _King_. But I have. What he hath despoiled me of, No sceptre can restore—a noble queen—— _Marquis of Posa_. Who dares to say so, Sire? _King_. Who? Calumny! The world! Myself! Here lie the proofs that both Condemn, incontrovertibly—and others Are close at hand, which make me fear the worst. Yet, Marquis, it is sad if I believe Only one side! Who is't accuses her? If _she_ could e'er be thought to stoop so low, So deeply to imbrue her soul in crime, How readily may I believe, in sooth, An Eboli can slander!—And the priest, Doth he not hate my son—and her? Duke Alba— Know I not that he meditates revenge? My wife is worth them all. * * * * * To fall into such crime, as they do charge Upon the queen, costs much. So easily, As they would fain persuade me, is not broken The holy tie of honor. Men I know, Marquis—and such a man I long have lacked. You are noble and free-hearted—know mankind— And therefore have I chosen you.