Princess monologue (Act 2) — Don Carlos: A Play

Prince, but one word! Prince, hear me. He is gone. And this, too, I am doomed to bear--his scorn! And I am left in lonely wretchedness, Rejected and despised! [Sinks down upon a chair. After a pause And yet not so; I'm but displaced--supplanted by some wanton. He loves! of that no longer doubt is left; He has himself confessed it--but my rival-- Who can she be? Happy, thrice happy one! This much stands clear: he loves where he should not. He dreads discovery, and from the king He hides his guilty passion! Why from him Who would so gladly hail it? Or, is it not The father that he dreads so in the parent? When the king's wanton purpose was disclosed, His features glowed with triumph, boundless joy Flashed in his eyes, his rigid virtue fled; Why was it mute in such a cause as this? Why should he triumph? What hath he to gain If Philip to his queen----