To whom brought he This offering?—to the boy my son? No—never! I'll ne'er believe it. For a boy dies not A Posa. Friendship's sordid flame fills not A Posa's heart. It stretched itself to embrace Humanity. * * * Not Philip he disdained for Carlos—but The old man to the youth, his hopeful scholar. The father's setting sun could not enlighten His new day's work. The task he but deferred For the son's rising light! _Act V, Scene 9_. An officer enters with the intelligence of the ghost seen in the vault. The king having at length been made to comprehend the new danger, sends for the Grand Inquisitor, and orders the entrances to the vault to be stopped. The ensuing interview of Philip with the aged dignitary, and the humility with which the haughty sovereign receives the rebuke of the church, shows the superstition often attendant upon cruelty. The king informs him of his designs respecting his son, and asks, Canst thou a new belief establish, That shall excuse us a son's bloody death? _Grand Inquisitor_. To appease eternal righteousness, expired The Son of God upon the cross. _King_. Thou wilt Throughout all Europe this opinion spread? _Gr. Inq._ Far as the Cross is honored. _King_. I do violence {713} To nature; her all-powerful voice wilt thou To silence also bring? _Gr. Inq._ Before Belief Avails no voice of nature. _King_. I resign My office as his judge into thy hands. May I do this? _Gr. Inq._ Give him to me. The cold and brief manner in which this arrangement is concluded is appalling. The plot hastens to its catastrophe. In a remote apartment the queen's last meeting with the doomed prince takes place. Our last extract shall be a part of the final scene. _Carlos_. (_sinking on one knee before her_.) Elizabeth! _Queen_. And thus we meet again! _Carlos_. And thus we meet again! _Queen_. Arise; we will not, Carlos, grow weak. Not with unworthy tears Must the great dead be honored. Tears may flow For smaller ills! He offered up himself For you! * * * O, Carlos, I spoke for you. On my security He left this place in joy. Will you my words Make false? _Carlos_. A monument I'll build to him— No king had e'er the like. Above his dust Shall bloom a paradise. _Queen_. So have I wished! That was the mighty meaning of his death! He chose me his last will to execute; I claim the debt of you. I hold you bound To the fulfilment of this oath!