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ngs become a king. [_He approaches him boldly, fixing on him firm and glowing looks._ Oh, could the eloquence of all the millions, Who participate in this great moment, Hover on my lips, and raise into a flame That gleam that kindles in your eyes! Give up this false idolatry of self, Which makes your brothers nothing! Be to us A pattern of the Everlasting and the True! Never, never, did a mortal hold so much, To use it so divinely. All the kings Of Europe reverence the name of Spain: Go on in front of all the kings of Europe! One movement of your pen, and new-created Is the Earth. Say but, Let there be freedom! [_Throwing himself at his feet._ KING [_surprised, turning his face away, then again towards Posa_]. Singular enthusiast! Yet--rise--I-- MAR. Look round and view God's lordly universe: On Freedom it is founded, and how rich Is it with Freedom! He, the great Creator, Has giv'n the very worm its sev'ral dewdrop; Ev'n in the mouldering spaces of Decay, He leaves Free-will the pleasures of a choice. This world of _yours_! how narrow and how poor! The rustling of a leaf alarms the lord Of Christendom. You quake at every virtue; He, not to mar the glorious form of Freedom, Suffers that the hideous hosts of Evil Should run riot in his fair Creation. Him the maker we behold not; calm He veils himself in everlasting laws, Which and not Him the sceptic seeing exclaims, 'Wherefore a God? The World itself is God.' And never did a Christian's adoration So praise him as this sceptic's blasphemy. KING. And such a model you would undertake, On Earth, in my domains to imitate? MAR. You, you can: who else? To th' people's good Devote the kingly power, which far too long Has struggled for the greatness of the throne. Restore the lost nobility of man. Once more make of the subject what he was, The purpose of the Crown; let no tie bind him, Except his brethren's right, as sacred as His own. And when, given back to self-dependence, Man awakens to the feeling of his worth, And freedom's proud and lofty virtues blossom, Then, Sire, having made _your_ realms the happiest In the Earth, it may become your duty To subdue the realms of others. KING [_after a long pause_]. I have heard you to an end. Not as in common heads, the world is painted In that head of yours: nor will I mete you By the common standard. I am the first To whom your heart has been disclosed: I know
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