GUARD: Don Carlos, Prince of Spain.
DON CARLOS: Your Highness. You are a vision.
ELIZABETH: And you a charmer, I see.
DON CARLOS: Well, I've heard you've dismissed suitors before they've even spoken, but now I know the stories were missing a vital piece.
ELIZABETH: And what is that?
DON CARLOS: That the men had been rendered speechless by your beauty. Did they stand before you, slack-jawed, nothing but a trap for flies?
ELIZABETH: Amusing. Most men don't speak to me in such a familiar tone.
DON CARLOS: Well, that's the goal, is it not? To familiarize ourselves with one another? Tell me this, Elizabeth, great Protestant queen, would you ever consider marriage to a Catholic prince?
ELIZABETH: Aren't you to the point? Catholic, Protestant. In truth, I see no difference. There is one Christian God, the rest are just bickering clerics, jockeying for advantage. The only advantage I care about is England. What can Spain offer my country?
DON CARLOS: Is all of the silver and gold of the New World advantage enough?
ELIZABETH: I should think so. But it makes me wonder, what advantage do you see in me?
DON CARLOS: In truth? You are a queen, and as your husband, I would become king. I'd like a crown. I'm tired of waiting for my father's.
ELIZABETH: So any queen would meet your needs? I hear the queen of Scotland is in need of a husband soon.
DON CARLOS: Many queens might meet my needs, but only you meet my desires. Shall we begin negotiations?
ELIZABETH: I'll consider it. Would you care to extend your stay at court in the meantime?
DON CARLOS: I'd enjoy that immensely.
