________________________________________________
_ ACT IV SCENE I
Scene I: Queretaro. Plaza La Cruz before church and convent. Grey
light before dawn. Occasional distant firing of guns. Maximilian
comes out of church and walks about plaza.
Max.
Carlotta! Where dost thou pray to-night? In all
Our fearful scanning of prophetic heavens
No swart star showed us this--our separation.
Thou wert the all of me, the breath, the soul!
Nature conceived thee when her blood was young,
And May was in her spirit, but stayed thy birth
Till Time had taught her skill in all perfections!
... I will not weep.... Yon stars have memories too,
And tell old tales of grandsire suns that shook
Their locks and fell ere they were young who now
Are eld of all!... (Walks) To lie so low.... O man,
Who in the heavens carvest out redemption,
Laying thy golden streets in very skies,
Making the stars but eyets of thy port,
Must thou compact thee to a little earth,
Displace some few small tenants of the sod,
And find thou 'st room enough?...
(Looks up)
City of dream!
Time's far ghost inn! Eternity's mirage!
Desire's dim temple fashioned out of prayer,
Builded and jointured by no carpenter
But captious Fancy!... O Carlotta, wife!
Thou wert my Christian heart! Faith, faith, my God!
Death to the unbeliever is to land
Upon a coast dumb in the moonless dark,
Where no hands wave a welcome, no eyes shine
With promise of sweet hours, no voices call
The greeting that makes every shore a home.
(Listens)
My officers! I can not see them yet.
(Goes in. Enter Colonel Lopez in close talk with Lieutenant
Garza who is disguised as an Imperial officer)
Garza.
I'm satisfied.
Lopez.
This hill is the key to the city.
Gar.
Yes.
Lop.
And yours on terms we have considered.
Gar.
Here's Escobedo's guarantee. (Gives paper)
Lop.
This to my pocket, and Queretaro to the Liberals!
Gar.
'Tis heavy business. You do it lightly, colonel.
Lop.
The world's a feather.
Gar.
If we but think so.
Lop.
At dawn my troops are yours.
Gar.
And you command the Empress' regiment.
Lop.
Yes. The pick of Maximilian's soldiers.
Gar.
One other question. The southern gate--Hist!
Lop.
The nuns.
(They draw aside and converse. Two nuns come out
of convent and cross plaza)
1st Nun.
The good Emperor is not out yet. He is often here long
before day walking and thinking, 'Tis then, they say, his
mind is on the blessed Empress who has gone across the sea
to get help for him. By day he never speaks her name, but
thinks only of our poor country.
2d Nun.
Hark! The enemy's guns! They can not reach us.
1st Nun.
Can not? A shell broke here yesterday. The Emperor stood
just there.
2d Nun.
Holy mother! What did his Majesty do?
1st Nun.
He smiled, and said he might have chosen his place
better; then moved to the very spot where the ball had
burst, as though he hoped another would follow it.
2d Nun.
Blessed virgin! Would he die?
1st Nun.
I'm sure he would not live. Come, sister. Ah, we have
but one loaf this morning.
2d Nun.
Let us be glad we can give that,--for many are hungry.
1st Nun.
Many are starved--dead.
2d Nun.
But the good Emperor! It is so sad to think of him
without food.
1st Nun.
He will give this to his officers. Yesterday I saw
Prince Salm-Salm and the general Miramon each with a bit
of white bread that can not be found in all Queretaro
outside of our convent.
2d Nun.
The good man! Holy Mother bless and keep him!
(They go into the Cruz)
Lop.
What will you do with Maximilian?
Gar.
Make a Liberal of him.
Lop.
Ha! How?
Gar.
Shoot him!
Lop.
Shoot him?
Gar.
Yes. The grave's the great republican senate
house,--where each man has the floor.
Lop.
(Laughing)
And you will introduce him!
Gar.
Hark!
Lop.
The Emperor! Go!
(Exit Garza. Enter Maximilian and Prince Salm-Salm)
Max.
(Greeting Lopez affectionately)
You're early out, my boy.
Lop.
Your majesty, I am the officer of the day.
Max.
Yes,--I remember. Who was your friend?
Lop.
Ramirez, of Dupin's regiment.
Salm.
Ramirez! He's much changed if that was he.
Lop.
Shall I call him back, your majesty, that the prince may
convince himself that his memory of faces is not
infallible?
Max.
Nay, my trusted two!
(Puts an arm about each)
Would you might love each other as I love you both.
My prince, whose courage is the very heart of my
army, and my young hussar, dear for your own
sake--dearer still because--she trusted you!
(Blasio, the Emperor's secretary, comes out of the Cruz)
Blasio.
Your majesty, I have finished the letters.
Max.
Good. There will be no more to write.
(Stumbles over something)
What's this?
Blasio.
A fallen Christ.
Max.
You mean a fallen figure of the risen Christ.
Lop.
Here is the crown of thorns.
Max.
Give it to me.
(Holds it meditatively)
How well it suits my fortunes!
Salm.
Nay--
Max.
Ay, better than my golden one.
(Gives it to Blasio)
Hang it above my bed. My Queretaro crown!
Salm.
Do not, your majesty!
Max.
(To Blasio)
Take it.
(Exit Blasio)
Why, prince, 'tis something to have
won a crown. My first was given me.
(Firing and falling of shells)
Salm.
I beg you, sire, to move your quarters to a safer station.
This is death at any moment!
Max.
Death at any moment--
(Regretfully)
And I have been here sixty days.
Lop.
Courage, sire! Marquez will come!
Max.
(Eagerly)
Has there been news?
Lop.
Not yet, your majesty.
Max.
Not yet! What does it mean? You heard him take the oath to
bring me help or die. 'Twas here he swore--before us all.
Vowed to return with troops in fifteen days! Ah, he is
dead.
Salm.
No, your majesty.
Max.
But if he lives?
Salm.
He is a traitor.
Max.
You heard his oath--
Salm.
A traitor's oath!
Lop.
He's true, your majesty. His messengers are murdered.
Salm.
He's false!
Max.
But that means--death.
Salm.
Or flight.
Max.
Not flight!
(Enter Miramon and Mendez) You're welcome,
gentlemen. Your eyes bring news.
Mir.
Your majesty, Metz has returned.
Max.
At last!
News of Marquez! He comes! I know he comes!
Men.
O, sire,--
Max.
The faithful Metz! Where is he?
Metz.
(Entering)
Sire! (Kneels)
Max.
Rise, sir.
Metz.
O pardon me, your majesty!
I bring but wintry news.
Max.
Marquez--
Metz.
Is false.
Max.
Oh, no, no, no! He comes! I know he comes!
Metz.
He's leagued with Labastida,--for the church
Deserts you too.
Max.
The church gone with him! No! no! I can't believe it!
Metz.
You do not doubt me!
Max.
Not you! But in my ear
The tale turns miracle! And I must doubt,
Though on your tongue 'tis truth!
Metz.
'Tis truth indeed!
The troops he was to bring you from the city,
He led for his own glory against Diaz,
Thinking to make himself the conqueror
And president of Mexico.
Max.
My troops!
What then?
Metz.
Porfirio Diaz routed them
To the last man. Marquez himself escaped
Alone,--fled unattended from the field.
Max.
My troops! my troops!... And this is friendship! O God,
Give me but enemies!
Salm.
Your Majesty--
Max.
Who calls me majesty? There's none in me.
I am a riven oak whose leaf-light friends
Fly with misfortune's Autumn.
(Steps away, bowed in grief)
Salm.
(Following him)
I love you, sire.
Lop.
(Eagerly)
So do we all! Your majesty, believe us!
Mir.
Canst not spare one who have so many true?
Max.
Forgive me, friends. This treachery's the night
Wherein your hearts of gold beat out like stars!
Lop.
My life is yours, my lord!
Max.
Thanks, dear Lopez.
(Takes his hand)
In friendship lies the joy superlative,
And nearest Heaven. We touch God's hand whene'er
We clasp a friend's.
... But now we must take counsel.
Salm.
No, sire, we must take action. Pardon me,
But our sole hope of safety lies in flight.
Max.
What! Leave the town to sack and ruin? No!
Desert the poor inhabitants, so long our friends?
And all our wounded, sick and dying? Never!
Salm.
But if you stay, my lord, you sacrifice
The living with the dying.
Max.
Oh, Heaven, Heaven!
Lop.
Your Majesty, this counsel is not wise.
It is not honor!
Salm.
Honor will lead the flight!
To stay were crime! Sire, give the order now.
At once! The firing to the north has ceased.
All night I've reconnoitered. The way is clear
For the last time. We'll arm the citizens
To cover flight, and in an hour--
Lop.
We'll be
Attacked on every side! A madman's counsel!
Salm.
O, sire, lose not a moment!
Mir.
Lopez is right.
To fly from death is not dishonor, but who
That values honor throws away one chance
Of victory?
Salm.
There is no chance. Not one!
My word is fly, and I'm no coward, sire.
Max.
You've led our troops where every track was blood,
And in the throat of battle, hand to hand,
Have fought with Death! We know you'll dare a fight
As far as any man while there's a hope
Of victory.
Salm.
But I'll not make my folly
The captain to defeat.
Lop.
'Tis not defeat!
The Liberals are at their fortune's ebb.
They're sick with fear, and tremble in their rags.
Mendez.
Let's fight it out, my lord!
Max.
With starving men?
Lop.
We're starving, but our foes are starved.
Our ammunition fails, but theirs has failed--
(A shell breaks near them)
Salm.
That, sir, unspeaks your words.
Lop.
Not so. One shell
But tells how few they are, for yesterday
They fell in numbers. And to the north, you say,
The guns are silent.
Salm.
Sire, a moment lost
May mean the loss of all.
(Enter Dupin with two prisoners. Lopez goes to meet him)
Dupin.
What did you mean by your infernal order to bring these
men here? Don't you know old Saint-face won't
let them be shot?
Lop.
Keep quiet. They are my captives, not yours.
Dup.
I've plugged just ninety-eight this week, and it's too bad
not to make an even hundred.
Max.
(Approaching)
Prisoners?
Dup.
Deserters, your majesty. They have confessed it. I've
brought them here for sentence. Will you have
them shot at once, or wait till sunrise?
Max.
None shall be shot. Not one. How often must we say it? If
things go well here, good; if not, still is my conscience
clear of blood.
(To deserter)
You've been with the enemy?
1st Des.
Yes, curse the day! Your pardon, blessed majesty!
Max.
How fare our foes?
1st Des.
The best of them as bad as the worst with us.
Lop.
You note that, prince?
2d Des.
We have a little food, but they have none. The country
is eaten bare. Diaz is trying to reach them with supplies,
but at present there isn't enough meal in ten miles of the
army to make an ash-cake.
Lop.
More proof for the prince, your majesty.
Max.
Their powder fails?
2d Des.
Yes, sire. 'T would be all the same if it didn't, for
they've hardly strength left to stand on their toes and
fire the guns.
Max.
Poor fellows!
Lop.
You can not doubt, my lord, that we
shall win with the next assault.
Mir.
Cast fear to the winds, your majesty!
Salm.
Who spoke of fear?
Mir.
Not I! Fear is the devil's magic-glass
He holds before us to swell out our vision,
Turn hares to lions, stones a lamb might skip
To beetling cliffs that ne'er knew human foot,
And slightest obstacles, that do but make
The mind's fair exercise and moral zest,
To barriers, high as heaven, to success!
Lop.
(Sneering)
And Juarez' men of rags to glittering armies!
Max.
We'll hazard battle.
Salm.
I beg your majesty--
Max.
We know your courage, prince, for it is writ
In many a scar; but you are wrong in this.
Lop.
You'll hear no more of flight, my lord?
Max.
No more.
Lop.
Then I'll to duty, knowing all is well.
(Exit Lopez)
Dupin.
(Aside)
And I'll go find a breakfast for my little
man-eater. (Clapping his weapon) There's never anything to
be done around his saintship. (Exit)
Mir.
In half an hour?
Max.
Yes. The plans will then be ready. (Turns to go in) You,
prince, with me. Though I've dismissed your head from
service, I still must have your heart. (Goes into church
with Salm-Salm)
Mir.
(To Mendez)
What do you think of it?
Men.
Why, sir, I'd rather die fighting than running.
And there's a chance for us. The Liberals are beggared.
There's hardly a uniform in camp. If Marquez had kept
true, we should have saved the empire.
Mir.
Don't speak of him! Hell's throne is empty
while he's on earth!
(Exeunt Mendez and Mir.)
1st Des.
Well, comrade, here's promotion fast enough. We that
were prisoners are captains of the field. Lead on!
2d Des.
Be sure the Tigre is not around. He's got a long claw.
Ugh! I feel shaky yet.
(Exeunt. It grows lighter. Guard comes out of the Cruz and
takes station by door. Enter Princess Salm-Salm, Aseffa,
and women of Queretaro)
Princess S.
(Excitedly)
Admit me to the emperor!
Guard.
Your pardon.
He must not be disturbed.
Princess S.
Oh, but he must!
The pity of it that he must!
Guard.
Nay, madam--
Princess S.
Admit us, sir, or I will beat the door!
(Maximilian comes to door)
Max.
Some trouble here? The princess! Always welcome!
Princess S.
But such unwelcome news, your majesty!
You know I've rooms at Senor Barrio's house.
I've long suspected him. Last night he lodged
Two men whose conference I overheard.
All was not clear, but part was clear enough.
One of your trusted officers is false,
And you to-day--this hour--will be betrayed
Unto your foes.
Max.
Impossible!
Princess S.
O, sire,
Be blind no longer. This lady heard the men
As I did. There's no doubt!
Lady.
'Tis certain, sire,
That they were officers in the Liberal army,
And spoke of things that set me all aghast.
Max.
Good women, I thank you, but you are deceived.
There's not a man about me whose true face
Is not the table where fidelity
Writes him my own.
Princess S.
O, sir, 'tis one whose hand
Is in your bosom.
Max.
Nay--
Princess S.
That much I know,
Though I know not his name.
Max.
Bold Miramon
Is staunch as death. Mendez would in his breast
Receive the bullet meant for me. Dupin
Has been too cruel to the enemy
To hope for life even at treason's price.
And Lopez is my own created love,
The Empress' guard,--the only Mexic heart
I've taken a very brother's to my own.
Princess S.
What shall I do? This moment you must fly!
Stand not, your majesty! 'T will be too late!
(Prince Salm-Salm comes to door)
Thank God, my husband! His majesty's betrayed!
You've never doubted me!
Prince Salm.
Betrayed?
Max.
No, prince,--
Prince Salm.
I'll visit every post!
Princess S.
You but lose time.
(The prince hurries out)
Oh God! Oh God!
Max.
Sweet princess, be not troubled.
There is no cause.
Princess S.
Ah, we are lost!
(The bells of the city begin to ring)
Max.
You hear?
The bells! The enemy has raised the siege!
O joyous news!
Princess S.
No, no, your majesty.
That is the traitor's signal of success.
Oh Heaven!
Max.
What madness! 'Tis impossible!
Princess S.
Those bells proclaim that every Imperial post
Is in a Liberal's command. We're lost!
(Enter citizens and soldiers in confusion)
1st Cit.
What mean the bells?
2d Cit.
That Escobedo's fled!
3d Cit.
Marquez has come!
1st Soldier.
No, no! The city's taken!
2d Soldier.
Juarez is here! The Liberals are on us!
(Confused talking and shouts continue. Re-enter
Prince Salm-Salm)
Max.
What is it, prince?
Prince Salm.
O dearest majesty--
Max.
The worst!
P Salm.
'Tis treachery. We are surrounded!
Max.
Those bells--
P Salm.
Ring out the enemy's success.
Each post is captained by a Liberal.
Max.
(Calmly to princess)
Forgive me. You were right.
(To Prince Salm-Salm) Who is the traitor?
P Salm.
Ask not, I beg you.
Max.
His name!
P Salm.
Lopez.
Max.
Lopez?
(Staggers)
Unsay that word--and take my crown!
P Salm.
O, would
I could, your majesty! It is too true!
Max.
Lopez! Carlotta's chosen officer!
And heaped with favors high enough to make
A pyramid to faith!... Is this the world,
Or some strange fancy spinning in my eyes?
P Salm.
My dearest liege--
Max.
Who would not leave a life
Where such things be, though death were sleep eternal?
... Lead me 'mong shells and bayonets. But not
To kill. My God, there's blood enough been shed.
Bid all surrender. Let no more lives be lost.
Farewell, my prince.... Now for a friendly shell!--
Just here!
(Striking his heart, rushes out)
Princess S.
O save him! I am safe! Go! go! (Exit Salm-Salm)
1st Woman.
We shall all be butchered!
Aseffa.
Juarez is no butcher.
2d Woman.
'Tis Escobedo leads,--and many have bled by him.
Aseffa.
Be not afraid. I know the Liberals.
Voices.
They come! they come!
(Miramon and Dupin rush in)
Mir.
Where is the Emperor?
Dup.
Emperor dunce-cap! We must look to our own skins.
(Enter a score of ragged Liberals led by Rafael.
Aseffa stares at him, speechless)
Mir.
Too late for that!
Raf.
You are our prisoners.
(Liberals take Dupin and Miramon)
Soldiers.
Shoot them! Shoot them! Miramon and Dupin!
The butchers! The dogs!
Raf.
Hold! You are soldiers! Not murderers!
Dup.
(To soldiers)
You rags and bones! Go wash and eat before
you touch a gentleman!
Sol.
You'll not be so nice to-morrow when the worms are at you!
Asef.
Raphael!
(Flies to him)
Raf.
You here! O blessed fortune! My love! my love!
Asef.
O, is it true? You are alive! Alive!
I too am resurrected, for I was dead,
Slain with the news that you were murdered!
Raf.
I've news too bitter for so sweet a moment.
Ignacio bribed my guard--stood in my place--
And died.
Asef.
(Recoiling)
You let him die for you?
Raf.
No, no!
He carefully deceived me. I thought he planned
His own escape with mine.
Asef.
O noble friend!...
Juarez! He knows?
Raf.
Not yet.
Asef.
What grief for that
Great heart!... But you are here--my Rafael!
Raf.
By all these kisses--yes!
Asef.
These are your lips--
Your eyes--your hands--alive! I hear your heart!
Your arms are round me, yet this is the earth!
My country and my husband safe!
Raf.
God gives
Some moments out of Heaven, and this is one!
(Enter a soldier)
Sol.
The Emperor is captured by Escobedo!
Princess S.
Not killed! not killed! Thank Heaven for that!
Sol.
'Twas strange
To see him stand like this
(folds his arms)
among the shells!
Asef.
Now I could pity him, for he must die.
Princess S.
Die, woman! Die? You know not who he is!
Why all the outraged world would rise and raze
This devil's country from the face of earth
Were Maximilian slain! Let Juarez dare
To harm this son of kings and he will learn
His beggar's power is but an infant's breath!
Asef.
Good madam, you have been my noble friend.
I would not wound you, but would have you know
That better men than Maximilian
Have died for lesser crimes.
(Enter Juarez with soldiers. Dawn has
gradually opened and it is now broad sunlight)
Voices.
Juarez! Juarez!
El Presidente! El Presidente!
Jua.
My men,
The town is ours, and with it Mexico.
Citizens of Queretaro. I give you back
More than your homes,--your liberated country.
Voices.
Long live the Republic! Liberty forever!
(Enter Escobedo)
Esc.
Your Excellency will see the prisoner?
Jua.
The illustrious duke? Ay, bring him here.
Esc.
He comes.
(Enter Maximilian under guard)
Jua.
Great duke, I grieve that I have cause for joy
To see you thus. What wishes would your grace
Prefer to us?
Max.
I have but one request,
Your excellency. If more blood must be spilt,
Let it be mine alone.
Jua.
We grant it, sir,
With two exceptions justice doth demand.
Dupin and Miramon must die with you.
Dupin, who put to most ignoble death
The noblest prisoners of righteous war.
Dark Miramon, whose cowardly ambition
Has sunk his country in her own dear blood,
And would do so again did life permit
Him opportunity. And you, my lord,
Who signed the foulest, most inhuman law
Writ down since Roman Sulla's hand grew cold.
Princess S.
O spare him! Spare him, sir! He was deceived
By treacherous ministers!
Jua.
His ministers
Were but his many hands, and for their deeds
His heart must answer.
Princess S.
O could you know that heart!
Max.
Dear lady, peace.
Princess S.
Beloved majesty,
I speak for her who prays beyond the sea.
... O, sir, you can not mean that he must die!
Help me, Aseffa! Help me plead for him!
Does not your Rafael live?
Asef.
He lives because
Ignacio is dead. (Juarez starts) I must be just.
Princess S.
What has a woman's heart to do with justice?
'Tis mercy is its heavenly quality!
Jua.
Is this thing true? My boy.... Speak, Rafael.
... Tears in your eyes. You need not speak. My boy ...
Ignacio.... Unto God I give thee!...
Princess S.
'Tis right
That they who would be gods to others' woe
Should be proved human by their own.
Jua.
(Not hearing her)
And this
Is what so many hearts have borne since first
The Austrian came.
Princess S.
O mercy, mercy, sir!
By your own woe show pity unto those
Whose hearts must bleed if Maximilian dies!
Be merciful! These tears of mine are but
The first few drops of the unbounded tide
That weeping as the sea weeps round the world
Shall drink thy hated land if this good man
Dies by your word! Be Christ, not man, and spare him!
Juarez.
Madam, it is the people and the law
Demand this expiation, not Juarez.
I grieve to see you on your knees before me,
But did each queen of Europe--ay, and king,--
Kneel in your place, I could not spare that life.
(Silence. Sobs. Juarez signs to Escobedo, who leads
prisoners away. Dupin's broad hat is pulled low. Miramon
steps proudly. At exit Maximilian turns and salutes the
people)
Max.
Mexicans! Long live Mexico!
(CURTAIN) _
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