_M. of Posa._ My lord the king--but life too far is gone-- I faint--be mindful of your queen and son. [_Dies._ _King._ The slave in death repents, and warns me. Yes, I shall be very mindful. What are these? [_Takes up the despatches._ For Flanders! with the prince's signet sealed! Here's villany has yet been unrevealed. See, Gomez, practices against my crown; [_Shows them him._ Treason and lust have joined to pull me down. Yet still I stand like a firm sturdy rock, Whilst they but split themselves with their own shock. But I too long delay: give word I come. _Ruy-Gom._ What, ho! within! The king is nigh; make room. [RUY-GOMEZ _draws a curtain, and discovers_ Don JOHN _and the_ Duchess of EBOLI _embracing_. _King._ Now let me, if I can, to fury add, That when I thunder I may strike them dead. [_Looking earnestly on them._ Ha! Gomez! on this truth depends thy life. Why, that's our brother Austria! _Ruy-Gom._ And my wife! Embracing close. Whilst I was busy grown In others' ruins, here I've met my own. Oh! had I perished ere 'twas understood! _King._ This is the nest where lust and falsehood brood. Is it not admirable? [_Exeunt_ Don JOHN _and the_ Duchess of EBOLI _embracing_. _Ruy-Gom._ Oh, sir, yes! Ten thousand devils tear the sorceress! _King._ But they are gone, and my dishonour's near. _Re-enter_ Don CARLOS _and_ QUEEN, _discoursing_; HENRIETTA _and_ Attendants. Look, my incestuous son and wife appear. See, Gomez, how she languishes and dies. 'Sdeath! there are very pulses in her eyes. [Don CARLOS _approaches the_ KING. _Don Car._ In peace, Heaven ever guard the king from harms; In war, success and triumph crown his arms; Till all the nations of the world shall be Humble and prostrate at his feet, like me! [_Kneels._ I hear your fury has my death designed; Though I've deserved the worst, you may be kind: Behold me as your poor unhappy son, And do not spill that blood which is your own! _King._ Yes, when my blood grows tainted, I ne'er doubt But for my health 'tis good to let it out: But thine's a stranger, like thy soul, to me; Or else be cursed thy mother's memory, And doubly cursed be that unhappy night In which I purchased torment with delight! _Don Car._ Thus then I lay aside all rights of blood. [_Rises boldly._