Marquis De Posa Monologue from Don Carlos: A Play

From Don Carlos: A Play by Friedrich Schiller

male · defiant · 1:16 min

I cannot be the servant of a prince. [The KING looks at him with astonishment. I will not cheat the buyer. Should you deem Me worthy of your service, you prescribe A course of duty for me; you command My arm in battle and my head in council. Then, not my actions, but the applause they meet At court becomes their object. But for me Virtue possesses an intrinsic worth. I would, myself, create that happiness A monarch, with my hand, would seek to plant, And duty's task would prove an inward joy, And be my willing choice. Say, like you this? And in your own creation could you hear A new creator? For I ne'er could stoop To be the chisel where I fain would be-- The sculptor's self. I dearly love mankind, My gracious liege, but in a monarchy I dare not love another than myself.

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