Marquis monologue (Act 4) — Don Carlos: A Play

Cut off Two transient hours of evening to secure A long, bright summer-day! I now give up The king forever. What were I to the king? In such cold soil no rose of mine could bloom; In my great friend must Europe's fortune ripen. Spain I bequeath to him, still bathed in blood From Philip's iron hand. But woe to him, Woe to us both, if I have chosen wrong! But no--oh, no! I know my Carlos better-- 'Twill never come to pass!--for this, my queen, You stand my surety. [After a silence. Yes! I saw his love In its first blossom--saw his fatal passion Take root in his young heart. I had full power To check it; but I did not. The attachment Which seemed to me not guilty, I still nourished. The world may censure me, but I repent not, Nor does my heart accuse me. I saw life Where death appeared to others. In a flame So hopeless I discerned hope's golden beam. I wished to lead him to the excellent-- To exalt him to the highest point of beauty. Mortality denied a model to me, And language, words. Then did I bend his views To this point only--and my whole endeavor Was to explain to him his love.