Part 4
Khos. Ay, for so thou art! Be now thyself! Thy peace alone I plead! I can bear all but thy unhappiness! For love--true love--forgets itself and makes But one prayer unto Heaven--prayer for the good Of the beloved!
Sem. Thou wouldst not share my throne?
Khos. Thy throne?
Sem. Ay, so I said.
Khos. I care not for it, But since 'tis thine, I could not be a man Worthy thyself and take a place beneath thee. I'd be thy husband, and I know thou'rt not A woman to look down and love!
Sem. O theft In argument! To make my monarch soul Speak from thy mouth against me!
Khos. Not against thee! To beg thee yield to love is but to plead Thy greater cause! Ah, days will come to thee When all the maiden in thy heart will rise And drown the queen's! Thou canst not call me back! To-morrow is the battle! O, I lied To say thou wert ambitious and ungentle--
Sem. No, thou didst not! 'Tis true! I am--
Khos. No, no! I'll prove it is not so! See here--the dove-- That nestles at your breast! Why is it here?
Sem. Because I was a woman once--and dreamed On foolish, woman things! (Frees bird from her bosom) Fly! fly! And as I pluck thee out I pluck away All thought of mortal love, and stand alone Beneath Assyria's crown!
Khos. (Gazes at her in despair) Then I'll be gone!
Sem. You've pleaded well, but my domains are broad, And might give tongue to wilder eloquence Without love's sweet excuse!
Khos. No more! I go!
(Moves off, left. Near exit, turns)
I lead my father's troops!
Sem. I lead my own!
(Exit Khosrove. She looks after him without moving until he passes out of sight. The moonlight is less bright. Her dove flies over her head. She starts and looks after it. The bird alights. She watches it eagerly and waits. It circles about her, then darts to her bosom. With an exultant moan she clasps it to her breast)
(CURTAIN)
ACT IV.
Scene: Within Husak's tent. Husak, Khosrove, Armenian lords and soldiers.
Husak. Bring in the widow!
(Exeunt officers)
Now, my son, thou'lt see Assyria at thy feet. Ay, she who scorned To match her crown with thine, shall low as earth Cry up for favor!
Khos. Sir, I would not see it!
Hus. Still in that humor? Well, I promise thee She shall have mercy.
Khos. Mercy, father?
Hus. Ay.
Khos. What wilt thou grant?
Hus. Ask of thy heart,
(Khosrove is about to speak) Peace, boy! For once we'll be a father, not a soldier! Wait!
(Khosrove kneels and kisses his father's hand as Semiramis enters between guards. She is robed and crowned, her arms fettered with golden chains, and holds herself proudly, not looking at Husak. She turns to Khosrove, who watches her eagerly)
Sem. We meet again. Wert thou upon the field? I saw thee not. Perchance thy father thought 'T were wise to find his health and lead his troops Lest _Love_ should blunt thy sword!
Hus. By Bel, his sword Was sharp enough to find the heart of Sumbat,-- Your general!
Sem. Sumbat slain! (Turns to Khosrove) and slain by you!
Khos. I had my choice--to slay him or to die.
Sem. (With bitter scorn) And did the love that makes one prayer to Heaven Rule in that choice?
Hus. These taunts, Semiramis--
Khos. Nay, father, she has cause to use me so.
Sem. Oh, you confess you played with me! Then, heart, In with thy scorn for this outbraves thy own!
(Turns away, folding her chained hands on her breast, and stands as if she would speak no more)
Hus. You make no suit for mercy?
Sem. (Turning to him) What! from thee? Who kill your captives ere your tent is struck, Nor spare a guard to drive them from the field?
Hus. I grant what I would ask--death before serfdom! You'd keep them for your dogs and slaves!
Sem. And when Am I to die? Why breach thy custom now?
Hus. We like your spirit, but push not so far, Or we shall break the bounds we've set ourselves. Have you not found us gracious to your rank? You look not like a prisoner!
Sem. No thanks For that! This robe and crown, these chains of gold Are compliments that Husak pays himself, Proclaiming him a royal victory, Though not a royal victor!
Hus. What! Dar'st fling Into my face that the Armenian kings Rule unanointed? Dost think that I would sue To Nineveh or Babylon for leave To take my kingly emblems from their hands? But thou--thou shalt owe thine to me! I wear No proud insignia of the gods, and yet My hands shall strip and clothe thee as I will!
(Tears off her robe and crown)
Khos. Father!
Hus. By sun and moon--
Khos. O, sir--
Hus. Her pride Insults my mercy, but I'll keep my word. Take these. (Gives him the robe and crown) Now, woman, learn that Husak--ay, Husak, the Fierce, can pity fallen glory! Stand forth, my son! Look, captive, on this prince! A man not made to sue to less than gods! Make him thy husband-king, and from his hands Receive thy purple and remount thy throne!
(All are astonished. Khosrove shrinks back in shame, which Semiramis misunderstands)
Sem. Methinks this lover makes no ardent suit, King Husak! Why, the sun has not twice set Since he did swear me dearer than my crown, And now the crown's too much if my poor self Must burden it!
(Khosrove kneels before her, holding up the crown)
Hus. Rise, sir! You give, not sue!
(Semiramis looks down on Khosrove, then turns to Husak)
Sem. Thank, thanks, Old man, for making me once more myself! For by the blood that storms through all my veins I know I'm still a queen! Now all the pride That lives in my lost crown, and all the scorn Should meet thy fawning suit, be in my words,-- I do refuse your son! Assyria Shall owe her throne to none!
(Khosrove springs up, trampling the robe)
Hus. Now thou wilt rise! A prince who might have gone with gods to wive Nor bated them in choice! This to my face! I, Husak, fawn on woman! Out with her! Drag her to death! To instant death! Out! out!
(Guards approach Semiramis)
Khos. To _instant_ death?
Hus. (Looks searchingly at him.) Ha! ha! Not yet! She's thine! Choose thy revenge! Have now thy will!
Khos. Thou'lt grant it?
Hus. Ay, ay, whate'er thou wouldst!
Khos. She is thy captive.
Hus. I make her thine! My conqueror's right I yield To thee!
Khos. Dost swear it?
Hus. Doubt me not! I swear!
Khos. By Belus' star?
Hus. By Belus' star, whose beams Are death to breakers of an oath! We ask This crown--no more. (Takes crown from Khosrove's hand) You pause. Stand not, my son. Thy vengeance waits. Do what thou wilt with her, We'll question not.
(Khosrove strikes off the chains of Semiramis)
Khos. Go free to Nineveh.
(Husak stands in amazed silence, then understands and burns with speechless anger. At last he speaks slowly with intense wrath)
Hus. All madmen in my kingdom die! Bind him!
(Guards bind Khosrove)
Sem. Die? No! O, sir, you would not slay your son?
Hus. This loathsome thing is not my flesh!
Sem. Thy son!
Hus. We have no son. Armenia has no heir. Bear him away!
Sem. (Holding out her hands) My chains! Dost think I'll owe My life to him? Thou know'st not yet my pride! Bind me and set him free!
Hus. (Thunderingly) No! Husak breaks No oath! We're not a god as Nineveh, And bold to mock at Heaven!
Khos. (To Semiramis) I knew the price, And chose to pay it. 'Tis my wish. Farewell!
(Guards bear him out)
Hus. (To Semiramis) Go free to Nineveh!
Sem. No! O, kill me!
Hus. Nay, go! But go alone--on foot--and through A hostile country!
Sem. Ah!
Hus. That subject who Shall give thee food or drink dies in the act! Proclaim it, all!... Come, friends, we've not yet held The feast of victory. The slighted gods Will snatch away their favor if we long Delay our revels. Though we'll miss one face,
(Suppresses a groan)
We'll know this much--there'll be no traitor there!
(All leave the tent but Semiramis)
Sem. Alone ... on foot ... and through a hostile country! I'll overtake thee, Khosrove, ere thou 'st reached Thy throne among the stars! Thou goest from love, And wilt look back and weep from every cloud; I on thy track shall pause not till our wings Stir the same air and lock in kisses flying! ... So pay my scorn? How then hadst loved if heart Had brought to heart its swelling measure? Then Our rosy hours had been the pick of time, And hung a flower 'mong withered centuries When every age had brought its reckoning in! O, why will we, some cubits high, pluck at The sun and moon, when we have that within Makes us the soul and centre of Heaven itself? Ambition, thou hast played away my crown And life. That I forgive thee, but not this-- Thou 'st robbed me of the memory of his kiss. ... Go, world! The conqueror's trump that closed my ears Unto the angel in a lover's voice Dies to a moan that fills but one lone heart. And soon 'tis silent. Ah, though woman build Her house of glory to the kissing skies, And the proud sun her golden rafters lay, And on her turrets pause discoursing gods, Let her not dare forget the stanchion truth-- Immortal writ in every mortal face-- "Thou art the wife and mother of the world!"
(Sees Khosrove's cloak upon the floor, and kneels by it, taking it in her hands)
My Khosrove!... Methought a god struck off my chains So strong and fair he seemed, yet strove to hide The beauty of his act, as might a star Shrink in its own sweet light!
(Buries her face in the folds of the cloak)
O, noble prince, I might have kissed thy lips and not thy garment!
(Rises and wraps the cloak about her. Spurns with her foot her own robe which has been left trampled)
Thou purple rag, lie there! Love's vesture shall Enfold me as I go!
(Starts out) Alone ... on foot ... But I've not far to journey. Foes are kind.... The first one met ... well, I will thank him!... Cries? It is the feast. A man may feast who had-- But has no son!... (Startled) 'Tis not the feast!... I know That noise confused--hoarse shouts--shrieks--pawing steeds-- And rumbling chariots! Those are the tones Of battle! O, the bloody work! 'Tis war! Did it delight me once?... Assyrian cries! My troops! my troops! They've rallied! How they cheer! What brave heart leads them on?
(Cries come nearer)
Poor creatures, they Would save me knowing not I died with Khosrove. I will not live--
(The rear of the tent is torn away by an onslaught. Assyrian troops enter, led by Artavan)
Art. Semiramis!
Sem. My brother! You live!
Art. And you!
Sem. Praise Heaven there is one Will comfort my sad kingdom!
Art. Nay, all's well! The death of Ninus freed me from my prison; I gathered troops and pushed hard after you, To hear you had been taken; then I planned This rescue. Thank great Belus, I'm in time!
Sem. In time? Nay, thou'rt too late!
Art. Too late? When thou Dost live?
Sem. I live? No! Thou'rt deceived!
Art. O Heaven! ... She's dazed! Her troubles have bewildered her. All's well, my sister! Husak has been taken. Thy crown itself is in our hands ... The crown!
(A soldier hands it to him)
You see 'tis safe. (She takes it idly)
Sem. A crown. For such a thing Wouldst give thy Sola?
Art. She is dear to me, But ay, by Heaven, I would!
Sem. You would? I know A greater thing than this.
Art. What, sister?
Sem. (Letting the crown fall) Love.
Art. O, she is crazed! This is some evil work! Bring in the captive Husak! He shall speak!
Sem. O, brother, once I thought thy love was truest That ever husband gave to wife, but now It showeth dark against my lover's truth!
Art. Semiramis ... sweet sister ... What dost mean? ... I'll know the cause of this! Call in the prince With Husak!
Sem. Prince?
Art. Ay ... Khosrove, whom we found In chains--I know not why--and I unbound him, Recalling how he saved my life,--but now I'll know what thou hast suffered at his hands!
Sem. You found him bound? I can not hear--or see!
Art. She swoons--she dies--O, true, we are too late!
Sem. No, brother, thou'rt in time! I live! I live! I am Semiramis! Give me my crown! Now this small circlet seems to me the world, And it is mine--to wear--or give away! Is 't not, good friends?
Voices. Ay, 'tis!
(Enter soldiers with Husak and Khosrove, Husak in fetters)
Sem. King Husak, hear! Assyria and Armenia should be friends, Joining true hands to bring a happy peace O'er all the East. And in that dearest hope I free thee. (Unbinds him) But thy son, the prince, must be Again my prisoner.
Hus. O, queen, I've spent One childless hour, and rather would I die Than know another. Take my life for his.
Art. Dost thou forget, Semiramis, that once He saved thy brother?
Sem. I remember all, But will not change his doom. He must be bound, Nor from my fetters may he go alive. These are his chains--(Putting her arms about his neck) his prison deathless love, And here I pray that he will wear this crown, And hold with me the great Assyrian throne! ... (calls) My chariot!
Khos. My queen! my queen!
Sem. Wilt thou Consent?
Khos. (Kisses her lips) I answer here.
(The royal chariot appears, rear. They step in)
Sem. (Giving the reins to Khosrove) To Nineveh!
(CURTAIN)
CARLOTTA
ACT I.
SCENE 1. Miramar. SCENE 2. In the mountains of Mexico.
ACT II.
SCENE 1. Chapultapec.
ACT III.
SCENE 1. Before the Imperial Theatre. SCENE 2. Within the theatre.
ACT IV.
SCENE 1. Queretaro.
ACT V.
SCENE 1. The Tuileries. SCENE 2. Miramar.
CHARACTERS
MAXIMILIAN, Emperor of Mexico CARLOTTA, Empress of Mexico LOUIS NAPOLEON, Emperor of France EUGENIE, Empress of France BENITO JUAREZ, President of Mexico IGNACIO, nephew to Juarez RAFAEL MENDORES, friend of Ignacio ASEFFA, wife of Rafael TREVINO, ESCOBEDO, GARZA, officers in the Liberal Army MIRAMON, leader of the Imperial party MARSHAL BAZAINE, head of the French Army in Mexico MARQUEZ, MEJIA, MENDEZ, DUPIN, LOPEZ, of the Imperial army ABBOT of Lacroma ARCHBISHOP LABASTIDA, head of the Mexican church PRINCE SALM-SALM, friend and officer of Maximilian PRINCE ZICHY, RUIZ, BERZABAL, ESTRADA, Mexican nobles LADY MARIA, sister to Count Charles PRINCESS SALM-SALM PRINCESS ZICHY PRINCESS METTERNICH SENOR HURBET, GENERAL CASTLENAU, MARQUIS DE GALLIFET, in the service of Louis Napoleon AUSTRIAN, BELGIAN, PRUSSIAN, and other foreign ministers at the court of Napoleon III.
Imperial soldiers, Liberal soldiers, guards, rabble, ladies of honor, officers of the court, etc., etc.
CARLOTTA
ACT I.
Scene I: Reception hall, castle of Miramar, near Trieste. Enter Count Charles, book in hand.
Char. Ah, books must be put by for swords, I wot, When this wild journey to the West begins. 'Tis change enough! O shifting, shuffling life! Come, Shakespeare, magic mason, build me worlds That never shake however winds may blow, Founded on dream imperishable! (Sits and reads. Enter Lady Maria)
Mar. Charles! Not reading! Dost know what day it is?
Char. Ay, sister! A day to make a scholar tremble, and hug His books in fever of farewell.
Mar. Didst see The splendid carriages glittering up the drive? And O, so many!
Char. They have arrived?
Mar. Arrived! Why, all the Mexican deputies, arrayed Like their own sunsets,--the ambassadors From Austria, Belgium, France,--the princesses, And countesses, now in the guest-room wait The stroke of twelve to enter! 'Tis nearly time, And you sit here! Put by your Englishman! Come, put him by, I say! He's dead; we live. He's had his due and passed.
Char. Nay, his account Is writ forever current. His book of praise Time closes not, but waits some language new To enter it, and at his monument Fame yet stands carving.
Mar. (Taking book and closing it) So! She's time enough! We've other work. (Gently) Is not the princess sad?
Char. I pray her heavy tears, weighing like stones, Will hold her back from sea!
Mar. Hush, Charles! She comes!
(Enter Carlotta, richly dressed)
Car. Ah, cousins, trimming now your smiles to greet The deputies?
Char. Nay, calling up our tears To grace farewell to Miramar!
Car. No tears! We'll think but of an empire and a crown, Not Miramar!
(Enter Maximilian, dressed in the uniform of Vice-Admiral of the Austrian navy)
Max. An empire and a crown? At last I am out-rivalled in your heart!
Car. Nay, nay, thou know'st, my lord, thou art my empire! Grant me so much as now I look upon And I'm as rich as Jove with Saturn's sceptre New-swinging o'er the world!
Char. Then you risk much For an unstable throne.
Car. Not risk!
Char. The men Who've governed Mexico, for the most part, Have paid their heads for it.
Mar. O, Charles!
Char. 'Tis true.
Car. Our safety is in the Emperor of France. He's the strong angel in this noble scheme!
Char. Safety in him? Nay, madam, by my soul, The lightest smile that breaks upon his lips, As though a breeze but touched there, hides a plot May hang our hearts with lead!
Car. How you misjudge him! In Paris when he pledged his faith to us His eyes more than his words assured his heart Unto our cause. I trust him, yea, I trust him!
Char. There is a woman on the throne of France! She is the Eve to this slow-blooded Adam, Dutch-born Napoleon, and holdeth up The globe as 't were an apple for his hand. She builds mock images of dreams that died On Helena's lone rock, and teaches him They are not ghosts of dream but dream indeed! Mexico, burning with gold and sunset's fire, Pouring the crimson of internal strife, To her is but a jewel in crude bed She'd have you pick and polish for her crown!
Car. Had you but heard her sweet devoted voice Pleading with us for sake of the true Church To finish now this great emprise begun, You would believe her holy.
Char. If she is holy, And if Napoleon be true in this, Then is he God's perfection of a man, And she earth's sole and sainted paragon! But wait--O wait and see ere you risk life And honor!
Car. You're wrong--so wrong--but this is strange. O why are we not happy? (Turning to window and gazing out)
Char. (Following her) Because, my cousin, This is not Miramar as we have known it. The scholar's home, the soldier's fair retreat, The noble heart's sweet fane and altar spot, But Miramar with great ambition's storm Rolling its thunders 'gainst her peaceful walls!
Max. But to live idly is never to be born. Shall we sit here at ease when God has found The work for us? He with his pontiff finger Points to the sea--
Car. (Turning) Sweet Miramar! If God points to the sea, why gave he this? This heaven-spot, this nesting place of love, Hung like a garland 'tween the sea and rocks! Ah, dear my lord, some curse will follow us Who can desert this peace-embalmed place To seek a glory fairer but in name! I dare not do it!
Max. (Taking her hands) 'Tis you shall say, my wife. If to stay here's your wish, that wish is mine, Maybe I've dreamed too much of deeds of good, And visionary feats in that far land; Then let it be your yea or nay, my love.
Car. O leave it not to me, for in a yea My vanity will speak, and in a nay My fear!
Max. A slander on these lips? A kiss Were better! (Kisses her. Enter Marquis Corio)
Cor. The noble guests approach. Will 't please Your Highnesses assume your places?
Max. Yea, Or nay, Carlotta?
Mar. O, they come! they come!
Char. (Hastily and earnestly) Nay, if you love your lord! That is a land Of murder, treason, carnage and revolt! The very air cries out 'go not! go not!' E'en yon cloud-turbanned peak, that never moves Whate'er the circling stars propound to vex His silent wisdom, warns with forbidding nod! O noblest cousin--
Car. (In agitation) An empire! Miramar!
(Maximilian takes place centre. A table in front of him covered with maps and papers. Carlotta by him, Count Charles and Lady Maria in their rear. Enter Archduke of Austria, and nobles, who take position at some distance from Maximilian on his right. Enter Belgian Minister, Abbot of Lacroma, Princess of Metternich, Princess Zichy, Countess Kollonitz, and others. They stand at distance to left of Maximilian. Enter the Imperial delegate, Senor Hurbet, and General Frassart, Napoleon's Adjutant of the Field. The former takes place immediately at Maximilian's right, the latter at left of Carlotta. Marquis Corio at door. Enter the Mexican deputies, Estrada, Berzabal, Negrete, Ruiz, and a dozen others. Estrada, as president of the deputation, makes low salute)
Max. Welcome, my lords, to Miramar!
Est. Hail, Prince, And fairest princess! The grace and hope of morning Be ever on your lives!
Car. Must noble senors, We give you thanks and greeting.
Max. Your presence here, My lords, would move our hearts although you brought No crown to guerdon welcome.
Est. O, gracious prince, Our tongues but feebly bear the mighty love The land of Montezuma bade us lay Low at your feet. Your starry virtues draw Her prayers and hopes and holiest desires Across the sea in humblest supplication. We make no weary tale of our misfortunes; They are so great the world is heavy with them, And Mexico means but calamity To every ear.
Max. My dear and honored lords, The heart is granite and the veins are ice That will not stir at your deep miseries.
Est. Ah, sir, this crown is heavy, but you will bear The golden weight as 't were the aureole That seals the saint to God!
Max. But not without Consent of every subject should I wear it. Does Mexico send all her hearts with you?
Ruiz. (Spreading paper on table) Read here the proclamation now in force In all our provinces.
Max. And this has been By each assembly ratified?
Berzabal. Ay, prince! It is a nation, not these dozen men, That with a million voices prays to you!
Max. From childhood up I've sought to obey my God, But never dreamed that he would bless my life With such high sanction as I read herein. (Lifting paper) Forgive a tear, my lords.... But we must ask That crowned Europe give a sacred oath To guarantee our empire's permanence.
Archduke. Brother, I bring the word of Austria, Whose prayers, whose arms, whose subjects' blood are yours, While she has blood or arms to give!
Belgian Minister. For Belgium I speak--the princess' true and royal father, Whose little kingdom measures not his heart!
Senor Hurbet. And I, my lord, have here the signed oath Of Mightiest France, whose fifty-thousand men Now guard the cradle of the new born peace In Mexico! Read here what he will do.