KEEP YOUR OWN SECRET

A monologue from the play by Pedro Calderón de la Barca


  • NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from Eight Dramas of Calderon. Trans. Edward Fitzgerald. London: Macmillan & Co., 1906.
  • PRINCE: Don Arias,
    I love Don Cesar with as whole a heart
    As ever. He and I from infancy
    Have grown together; as one single soul
    Our joys and sorrows shared; till finding him
    So wise and true, as to another self
    Myself, and my dominion to boot,
    I did intrust: you are his friend, and surely
    In honouring you I honour him as well.
    Besides, Arias, I know not how it is,
    For some while past a change has come on him;
    I know not what the cause: he is grown sad,
    Neglects his business--if I call to him,
    He hears me not, or answers from the purpose,
    Or in mid answer stops. And, by the way,
    We being on this subject, I would fain,
    Being so much his friend, for both our sakes,
    You would find out what ails and occupies him;
    Tell him from me to use my power as ever,
    Absolute still: that, loving him so well,
    I'd know what makes him so unlike himself;
    That, knowing what it is, I may at least,
    If not relieve his sorrow, share with him.

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