KING.
Lerma, your speech is fair to soothe the father,
But Alva here will be the monarch's shield--
No more of this.
[Turning to his suite.
Now speed we to Madrid,
Our royal duties summon us. The plague
Of heresy is rife among my people;
Rebellion stalks within my Netherlands--
The times are imminent. We must arrest
These erring spirits by some dread example.
The solemn oath which every Christian king
Hath sworn to keep I will redeem to-morrow.
'Twill be a day of doom unparalleled.
Our court is bidden to the festival.

[He leads off the QUEEN, the rest follow.



SCENE VII.

DON CARLOS (with letters in his hand), and MARQUIS POSA
enter from opposite sides.

CARLOS.
I am resolved--Flanders shall yet be saved:
So runs her suit, and that's enough for me!

MARQUIS.