frankness -The letter is suppositions and the charges are too much at variance one with another: either the Prince has attempted an impious parricide with his own hand, and in that case to what purpose the foolish contract with the rebellious Batavians, to what purpose the French aids, to what purpose the dividing with them the paternal heritage? wherefore his own kingdom dismembered ?-But if he hoped by these latter impious means to make for himself a destiny more mild wherefore attempt the dreadful parricide; why thus attempt it? to undertake so much and to stop short in the midst, by what persuaded? If he had attempted it in such a manner I should hold him more than criminal-mad-he knows that in defence of the king, persons (not friendly to himself) keep watch continually with emulation, who derive from thence lustre, gold, and power; hast thou seen that thy son was fleeing, al perhaps thou Last not seen him but with the eyes of others--Let him come, let him be heard, let him bring forward his reasons that he shall not make any attempt upon thee (these days) I swear meantime, I swear it upon my head-in what not sufficient-upon my honor; of which neither the king nor Heaven itself, which has the disposal of every thing is master, now what shall I say of the impiety with which feigned. godliness has dared to condemu him the words of holy indignation I shall sayvhat avails it that I should say, that under a most sacred veil always called Religion such persons have cloaked wicked designs then artfully mixing up personal objects with celestial, attempt to make it, moreover the minister of horrible deception and of blood-who does not know? I shall say indeed that the Prince, as a youth, has ever shown himself of a humane heart and deep feelings agreeable to his pleasing aspect, and that he has grown up the sweet hope of his father from his most tender years, and thou saidst it, and every one believed it, I further believe for man can never arrive at the height of wickedness all at once! 1 shall say to so many repeated outrages he never opposed any thing but patience, silence and tears-It is true that tears are yet frequently crimes-and persons have drawn anger from the tears of others. Ah thou art a father, do not be angry but commiserate his griefthat he is not guilty, but much unhappy; but were he a thousand times more guilty than every one here proclaims him, a father never can, nor ought to condemn his son to death.

Phil.-Pity at length I find in one of you, and pity I followAb, I am a father, and yield to paternal affections-my kingdom, myself, all I abandon to the sovereign disposal and inscrutable will of Heaven. Perhaps Charles may be the minister of anger from on high, let my kingdom rather perish, let Philip rather perish, but let my son live! I acquit him already.

Gomes-Dost thou regard thyself then as above the law -To what purpose call us hither? Thou could'st easily have broken the law without us; let him be absolved, but if one day pity should happen. to be fatal to thee

Per. In truth pity may be fatal since I see pity most un

wonted arise. But whatever may be the event, this is not a council in which I dare seat myself longer-Fame is still dear to me, but life is not! The world shall know that I would not dip my hands in innocent blood-let him remain here who wishes it, I however raise my prayers to Heaven, the truth is fully known to Heaven ---but what do I say ?---only to Heaven. It I turn an attentive look around me don't I see that each one fully knows the truth. that every one is silent about it, and that to hear it and speak it has been for a long time a capital crime here.

Phi.---To whom dost thou speak.

Per.---To the father of Charles.
Phi---And to thy king-

Leo.---Thou art the father of Charles; and who does not see in thee the anguish of an afflicted parent. But thou art the father of thy subjects too, and these hold in estimation the name of thy sop, as much as he disregards it.---The Prince is only one, they are num berless persons---he being saved, the others remain in peril; he is guilty and all the others are innocent, alt thou uncertain between (the alternative of) saving one or all.

Phi.---Let not the dagger be plunged with repeated blows into my heart, cease ye---oh 1 have not strength to bear you any longer, let a new council be assembled, free from any presence, and let the priests also sit in it, in whom wordly affections are silent---let the truth be displayed in the midst of them and may the truth alone be heard-Go then aid determine! my presence now may too much injure the right or perhaps may impose too heavy a charge upon my firmness.

1

SCENE VI.

Phil.-Oh how many traitors are there? can Peres be so audacious? ah_no————But in truth what discerument, what impetuous pride! has a soul of this character been born when I reign? and has it life while I reign?

ACT IV-SCENE 1.

Char.-Oh darkness; much more appropriate to this horrible palace, than the bright day; how much thy return pleases me, not that during thy continuance 1 place my griet in repose; but I do not at least behold so many vile and wicked countenances. To speak to me here in the name of Isabella desires the faithful Elvira; what will she say to me; Oh what silence; in the midst of remorse, among turbid cares, and guilty suspicions, does placid slumber descend to possess the eyes of traitors and tyrants: that (sleep) which ever shuns the oppressed innocent? but watching is no hardship to me, I divert myself with my thoughts, and with the dear image of every beauty and every virtue. It is grateful to me to return here

where I saw her, and heard words which-alas, were life and death to me at one and the same timeah; yes, from that latal moment I fancied myself somewhat less unhappy, but more guilty than I was whence then ises in me fear wingled with horror. İs it apprehension the due penalty of crime? Penalty? what crime have I ever committed; I was not silent and who could ever conceal in silence such inteuse love---people are approaching. It must be Elvira -But no what great noise do I hear, what persons are coming? what blazes of light; armed men to me? away traitors!

SCENE II.

Philip, Charles and Soldiers with arms and torches.

Char.---Oh Heaven, is my father preceded by so many swords? Phil.---At night, alone in these apartments, armed, what doest thou? what thinkest thou? whither bearest thou thy uncertain steps -speak.

Char.And what shall I say, the arms which I snatched up at the approach of armed insolent brigands, fall from me at thy paternal aspect; art thou their leader? Thou a father;---dispose of ine as thou pleasest. But tell me is there need that you should use pretended reason; and of what description ---Ah father pretended reas sons are unworthy of a king---But excuses are still more unworthy of me.

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Phil.---Audacity possesses thee, audacity which is ever the com panion of the greatest guilt-thou makest of feigned respect an infamous cloak to thy faithless, ambitions and atrocious mind; thou dost not even excuse thyself; Better is it that thou shouldest open a thorough passage for thy rage; disgorge now the deadly poison which thou shuttest up in thy beartaudaciously oh braggart confess all thy wicked intentions worthy of thy self.

Chár.---What ought I to confess? spare, ob father superfluous insults, give me every punishment that is most cruel; it will be just it it's agreeable to thee.

Phil.At this premature age, Oh how hast thou arrived at this most eminent degree of perfidy; when hast thou learned the art of iniquity that though caught by your king in this honible crime. thou dost not even change countenance.

Char.---Where have I learned? Born in thy palace.

Phil.--Thou wast so, miscreant, for my misery and shame.

Char.---And why delayest thou any longer to repair that shame, why not make thyself happy in shedding the blood of thine own

Phil.---Thou my son?

Char.---But what have I done?

Phil.---Do you ask me that?---dost thou ask that of me ?---does

not remorse then scourge thee?---Ah no, already it is a long time that thou hast not known such a thing or the only thing which thon feelest for not having not having accomplished a father's murder. Char.---A Father's murder; what do I hear? I a parricide; thou dost not believe it thyself! what proof, or information, or suspicion.

Phil.---Information, proof, certainty, I derive all from thy male

volence.

Chur---Do not alas, urge me to the savage excess of over stepping the awful barrier which the laws, Heaven, and nature bave placed between the subject and king, between the son and father.

Phil.---Thou hast already for a long time passed it with sacriligious feet: what do I say, thou hast been ever a stranger to it--lay aside the lofty sentiments of rigid virtue which ill become thee, speak such as thou art; disclose likewise thy many treasons płojected and already accomplished. Go on now, what fearest thou? Is it that I shall be less great or you less wicked. If thou speakest the truth and hidest nothing then you may hope, but if thou refusest to speak or concealest,--- Tremble.

Char.--I speak the truth thou forcest me to it, I know myself too well, therefore I cannot fear, and I know thee too well, there fore I have no hope, do thon recall that unlucky gift, my life which is thine. But my honor is my own, thou canst not take it, or hast thou given it should be most guilty if meanness should persuade me to confess myself guilty, thou shalt see me breathe my last breath here; prepare for me a protracted cruel and opprobrious death, death has nothing which can avail to debase me; thee only not myself, I pity, O Father.

Phi.-Audacious! darest thou in such a manner to give an account of thy misdeeds to thy Sovereign!

Char.-An account, than hatest me, behold my only crime,thou art blood on-thirsty that is my only excuse. Thy only right is absolute sovereignty.

Phil.-Guards arrest him, there.

Char. This is the only answer of a tyrannical king, behold I resign my arms to chains. Behold I bare my breast to the sword, wherefore delay. Is it only to-day thou hast begun to be cruel, thy sign is already day by day traced in the dark character of blood.

Phil.-Let him be taken from my eyes; let him be shut up in the darkest dungeon of the adjoining fortress. Woe it any of you feel pity for him!

Char-Do not fear that, Prince, thy ministers are equal to thyself in cruelty.

Phil. Let him be dragged by force from my presence, by

main force.

SCENE III.

Isabella and Philip.

Isa.-Oh! Heaven? what do I behold! alas.

Phi.-What ails thee madam ?

Isa.-I heard the whole palace mournfully resounding in every direction with melancholy cries.

Phi.—Thou heardest melancholy sounds it is true.

Isa.---Did I not see the prince dragged by force from thy presence.

Phi.-Thou didst see well, it was the same.

Isa.---Thy son ?

Phi.---Does my consort grow pale and tremble at seeing him

dragged away.

暴

Isa.--I do temble?

Phi. And thou hadst good reason that thon trembledst, it is no

slight proof to me of thy affection for thy consort; thou trembledst, but let thy heart be reassured, the danger is vanished.

Isa.---Danger! and what?

Phi.—Greas danger did I run, but nevertheless my life is secure. Isa.-Thy life!

Phi.-To thee so dear and necessary, is in safety.

Isa.-But the traitor?

Phi. He shall have the merited punishment of treason. Fear not any more that I shall ever again open my heart to weak pity for him; that time has passed away, now I shall listen to the dreadful cry of justice only.

Isa.---But what, what plot?

Phi,--- Heaven, perhaps the plot was not contrived against me alone, to him who desires the blood of a father if he hates his step-mother equally with his father, the blood of a step-mother will not appear anything.

Isa.Against me? what sayest thou alas, the prince!

Phi.---Ungrateful he forgets thy, no less than my many favors. But do thou turn to thyself and live happy, confide to me alone the impartial care of securing thy peace with my own.

SCENE IV.

Tsa.---Oh words, O looks, with great difficulty do I recover my senses, what did he say may he have spoken perhaps of my love. But no it remains shut in the very depth of niy heart, and those eyes flashing eager and fixed upon me, alas, he spoke them of steps