_King._ Have cause for less! Come nearer; thou art sad, And look'st as thou wouldst tell me that I had. Now, now, I feel it rising up again-- Speak quickly, where is Carlos? where the queen? What, not a word? have my wrongs struck thee dumb? Or art thou swollen and labouring with my doom, Yet darest not let the fatal secret come? _Ruy-Gom._ Heaven great infirmities to age allots: I'm old, and have a thousand doting thoughts. Seek not to know them, sir. _King._ By Heaven! I must. _Ruy-Gom._ Nay, I would not be by compulsion just. _King._ Yet, if without it you refuse, you shall. _Ruy-Gom._ Grant me then one request, I'll tell you all. _King._ Name thy petition, and conclude it done. _Ruy-Gom._ It is, that you would here forgive your son For all his past offences to this hour. _King._ Thou'st almost asked a thing beyond my power; But so much goodness in the request I find, Spite of myself, I'll for thy sake be kind. His pardon's sealed; the secret now declare. _Ruy-Gom._ Alas! 'tis only that I saw him here. _King._ Where? with the queen! Yes, yes, 'tis so, I'm sure; Never were wrongs so great as I endure; So great that they are grown beyond complaint, For half my patience might have made a saint. O woman! monstrous woman! Did I for this into my breast receive The promising, repenting fugitive? But, Gomez, I will throw her back again; And thou shalt see me smile and tear her then. I'll crush her heart, where all the poison lies, Till, when the venom's out, the viper dies, _Ruy-Gom._ They the best method of revenge pursue Who so contrive that it may justice show; Stay till their wrongs appear at such a head That innocence may have no room to plead. Your fury, sir, at least awhile delay; I guess the prince may come again this way: Here I'll withdraw, and watch his privacy. _King._ And when he's fixed, be sure bring word to me; Till then I'll bridle vengeance, and retire, Within my breast suppress this angry fire, Till to my eyes my wrongs themselves display; Then, like a falcon, gently cut my way, And with my pounces seize the unwary prey. [_Exit._ _Re-enter_ Duchess of EBOLI. _D. of Eboli._ I've overheard the business with delight, And find revenge will have a feast to-night. Though thy declining years are in their wane, I can perceive there's youth still in thy brain. Away! the queen is coming hither. [_Exit_ RUY-GOMEZ. _Enter_ QUEEN _with_ Attendants, _and_ HENRIETTA. _Queen._ Now To all felicity a long adieu. Where are you, Eboli? _D. of Eboli._ Madam, I'm here. _Queen._ Oh, how fresh fears assault me everywhere! I hear that Carlos is a prisoner made.