Friedrich Schiller - Don Carlos (Act 5 Scene 7) lyrics

CARLOS and COUNT LERMA. LERMA. Save yourself, prince! The king's enraged against you. Your liberty, if not your life's in danger! Ask me no further—I have stolen away To give you warning—fly this very instant! CARLOS. Heaven will protect me! LERMA. As the queen observed To me, this moment, you must leave Madrid This very day, and fly to Brussels, prince. Postpone it not, I pray you. The commotion Favors your flight. The queen, with this design, Has raised it. No one will presume so far As to lay hand on you. Swift steeds await you At the Carthusian convent, and behold, Here are your weapons, should you be attacked.   [LERMA gives him a dagger and pistols. CARLOS. Thanks, thanks, Count Lerma! LERMA. This day's sad event Has moved my inmost soul! No faithful friend Will ever love like him. No patriot breathes But weeps for you. More now I dare not say. CARLOS. Count Lerma! he who's gone considered you A man of honor. LERMA. Farewell, prince, again! Success attend you! Happier times will come— But I shall be no more. Receive my homage!   [Falls on one knee. CARLOS (endeavors to prevent him, with much emotion). Not so—not so, count! I am too much moved— I would not be unmanned! LERMA (kissing his hand with feeling). My children's king! To die for you will be their privilege! It is not mine, alas! But in those children Remember me! Return in peace to Spain. May you on Philip's throne feel as a man, For you have learned to suffer! Undertake No bloody deed against your father, prince! Philip compelled his father to yield up The throne to him; and this same Philip now Trembles at his own son. Think, prince, of that And may Heaven prosper and direct your path!   [Exit quickly. CARLOS about to hasten away by another side,    but turns rapidly round, and throws himself down before the copse,    which he again folds in his arms. He then hurries from the room.