The PRINCE OF PARMA, the DUKES OF FERIA and MEDINA
SIDONIA, with other GRANDEES enter—the preceding.

PARMA.
Say, can we see the king?

ALVA.
No!

PARMA.
Who is with him?

FERIA.
The Marquis Posa, doubtless?

ALVA.
Every instant
He is expected here.

PARMA.
This moment we
Arrive from Saragossa. Through Madrid
Terror prevails! Is the announcement true?

Domingo.
Alas, too true!
FERIA.
That he has been arrested
By the marquis!

ALVA.
Yes.

PARMA.
And wherefore? What's the cause?

ALVA.
Wherefore? That no one knows, except the king
And Marquis Posa.

PARMA.
And without the warrant
Of the assembled Cortes of the Realm?

FERIA.
That man shall suffer, who has lent a hand
To infringe the nation's rights.

ALVA.
And so say I!

MEDINA SIDONIA.
And I!
THE OTHER GRANDEES.
And all of us!

ALVA.
Who'll follow me
Into the cabinet? I'll throw myself
Before the monarch's feet.

LERMA
(rushing out of the cabinet).
The Duke of Alva!

DOMINGO.
Then God be praised at last!

LERMA.
When Marquis Posa
Comes, say the king's engaged and he'll be sent for.

DOMINGO
(to LERMA; all the others having gathered round him,
full of anxious expectation).
Count! What has happened? You are pale as death!

LERMA
(hastening away).
Fell villany!
PARMA and FERIA.
What! what!

MEDINA SIDONIA.
How is the king?

DOMINGO
(at the same time).
Fell villany! Explain——

LERMA.
The king shed tears!

DOMINGO.
Shed tears!

ALL
(together with astonishment).
The king shed tears!

      &nbsp       &nbsp[The bell rings in the cabinet, COUNT LERMA hastens in.

DOMINGO.
Count, yet one word.
Pardon! He's gone! We're fettered in amazement.