due these last remains
Of weakness--can and will--then woe betide
Myself and you, Elizabeth!

QUEEN.
What crime
Have I committed?

KING.
On my own account then
Shall blood be shed.

QUEEN.
And has it come to this?
Oh, Heaven!

KING.
I shall forget myself--I shall
Regard no usage and no voice of nature--
Not e'en the law of nations.

QUEEN.
Oh, how much
I pity you!

KING.
The pity of a harlot!

INFANTA (clinging to her mother in terror).
The king is angry, and my mother weeps.

[KING pushes the child violently from the QUEEN.

QUEEN (with mildness and dignity, but with faltering voice).
This child I must protect from cruelty--
Come with me, daughter.
[Takes her in her arms.
If the king no more
Acknowledge thee--beyond the Pyrenees
I'll call protectors to defend our cause.

[Going.

KING (embarrassed).
Queen!

QUEEN.
I can bear no more--it is too much!

[Hastening to the door, she falls with her child on the threshold.

KING (running to her assistance).
Heavens! What is that?

INFANTA (cries out with terror).
She bleeds! My mother bleeds!

[Runs out.

KING (anxiously assisting her).
Oh, what a fearful accident! You bleed;
Do I deserve this cruel punishment?
Rise and collect yourself--rise, they are coming!
They will surprise us! Shall the assembled court
Divert themselves with such a spectacle?
Must I entreat you? Rise.

[She rises, supported by the KING.

SCENE X.

The former, ALVA, DOMINGO entering, alarmed, ladies follow.

KING.
Now let the queen
Be led to her apartment; she's unwell.

[Exit the QUEEN, attended by her ladies.
ALVA and DOMINGO come forward.

ALVA.
The queen in tears, and blood upon her face!

KING.
Does that surprise the devils who've misled me?

ALVA and DOMINGO.
We?

KING.
You have said enough to drive me mad.
But nothing to convince me.

ALVA.
We gave you
What we ourselves possessed.

KING.
May hell reward you!
I've done what I repent of! Ah! was hers,
The language of a conscience dark with guilt?

MARQUIS POSA (from without).
Say, can I see the king?

SCENE XI.

The former, MARQUIS POSA.

KING (starts up at the sound of his voice, and advances
some paces to meet him).
Ah! here he comes.
Right welcome, marqui