_Queen._ If e'er you loved me, you would this forbear; It is a language which I dare not hear. My heart and faith become your father's right, All other passions I must now forget. _Don Car._ Can then a crown and majesty dispense Upon your heart such mighty influence, That I must be for ever banished thence? Had I been raised to all the heights of power, In triumph crowned the world's great emperor, Of all its riches, all its state possessed, Yet you should still have governed in my breast. _Queen._ In vain on her you obligations lay, Who wants not will, but power to repay. _Hen._ Yet had you Henrietta's heart, you would At least strive to afford him all you could. [_Aside._ _Don Car._ Oh! say not you want power; you may with one Kind look pay doubly all I've undergone. And knew you but the innocence I bear, How pure, how spotless all my wishes are, You would not scruple to supply my want, When all I ask you may so safely grant. _Queen._ I know not what to grant; too well I find That still at least I cannot be unkind. _Don Car._ Afford me then that little which I crave. _Queen._ You shall not want what I may let you have. [_Gives her hand, sighing._ _Don Car._ Like one That sees a heap of gems before him cast, Thence to choose any that may please him best; From the rich treasure whilst I choice should make, Dazzled with all, I know not where to take. I would be rich-- _Queen._ Nay, you too far encroach; I fear I have already given too much. [_Turns from him._ _Don Car._ Oh, take not back again the appearing bliss: How difficult's the path to happiness! Whilst up the precipice we climb with pain, One little slip throws us quite down again. Stay, madam, though you nothing more can give Than just enough to keep a wretch alive, At least remember how I've loved-- _Queen._ I will. _Don Car._ That was so kind, that I must beg more still; Let me love on: it is a very poor And easy grant, yet I'll request no more. _Queen._ Do you believe that you can love retain, And not expect to be beloved again? _Don Car._ Yes, I will love, and think I'm happy too, So long as I can find that you are so; All my disquiets banish from my breast; I will endeavour to do so at least. [_Sighing deeply._ Or, if I can't my miseries outwear, They never more shall come to offend your ear. _Queen._ Love then, brave prince, whilst I'll thy love admire; [_Gives her hand, which_ Don CARLOS _during_ _all this speech kisses eagerly_.