Part 5
Max. (Reads) Enough.... My lords, should I accept this crown, 'T would be with holiest expectation To reign in love and peace, but your past struggles Point to a term of danger and much risk Ere our star shines above all factious spite. Stood I alone I should not hesitate, But here is one more dear than my own life, Whom I must cherish more than my own life, Within whose heart I must find out my answer; And God be thanked her wisdom beams so true Above the hesitations of my mind That I can love her yea or nay as 't were By Heaven spoke!
Est. Then to your mercy, princess, We now commit our hope.
Car. Most worthy lords, I am so proud that I would wear a crown, So pitying I would weep my heart away For your sad country, and so vain I think The lord that married me might lead you from Rebellion's night to civil-kissing hours; But yet a woman bonded unto love, Not my own mistress. The life bound up with mine Is dearer than the peace of any state, And looking deep into your country's heart I read some cruel marks of history That teach me fear for any precious thing Consigned unto its love.
Est. If ever souls Lay bare to human eyes, read now in ours The loyalty which you will find in every subject!
Ruiz. Be merciful! Earth aches through her rock-ribs With our old woes, and it is you may heal them!
Ber. Pity will teach thee soon to love our land!
Car. My lords, already I love Mexico, And would forego the peace of Miramar,-- All happy days that from the future lean To meet my smiles, as trifles whose light thought Shames this great hour; but when in dream I see My lord beset by foes in foreign land, The help he needs beyond a three-months' sea, My princess pride flags to a peasant fear For one dear life!
Est. Wrong not yourself, your lord, And Mexico, O gentlest lady--
Car. Nay--
Est. Say yea, and our expectant land will feel The thrill of that affirmative across The glad Atlantic! Yea--and France, whose name Is in our hearts as God's, will bless thy tongue! Say yea, and noble England, watchful Spain, Who with great France began the holy work Of blessed liberation will applaud With happy echoes to the guardian skies! Say yea, and the white spirit of the Church Will take 'neath her soft wings our blood-drenched land, That waits but for that word to hail thy lord Regenerator, king!
Car. My lords, my lords, We are but human! Mayhap we will not keep The love that we have won!
Senor Hur. Fear not, O princess! Behind your throne, with unretreating sword, Will stand the first great power of all the world! Thus speak I for the emperor of France!
Princess Metternich. (Advancing) I for the empress! Eugenie bade me speak Her heart out here, and hail thee sister empress! To ask when your young empire blooms above The lily of old France, and lures the East To pour her golden heart into your port, And ocean blossoms with your argosies, You'll still remember that she loved you when You were but princess and no farther ruled Then stretch the gardens of small Miramar!
Car. O generous Eugenie! But the fear--
Abbot of Lacroma. To speak of fear in this is to doubt God! He does not bless in vain a noble prince With such rare qualities as crown the mind Of Maximilian! 'Tis for some purpose rare He rounds such excellence with highest birth And puts a sword of power in his hand! From over seas unto your very feet A nation comes to choose from all the world One made by Heaven to be its sovereign lord, Cool hearts of passion in his amity, Make bitter eyes forget their ancient hate, And proudest knees bow with old enemies In worship of his star beneficent! There pale and crushed Peace Shall take the color of the living rose, Hearing the voice of his protecting love That comes to lift her beauty from the dust And on that ground volcanic nobly build Her temple indestructible! There shall his kingly mind find outward means To write sublimity upon the world, And like old Egypt speak in pyramids To nations unbegot in dream of Time! And can you shock the hour with hesitation? Ask all the waiting world,--ay, even God, To pause and count the heart-beats of a woman?
Car. (Devoutly, with uplifted hands and eyes) Forgive me, Heaven, that I doubted thee!
(Takes Maximilian's hands, turns with great dignity to the deputies, and speaks solemnly)
Senors, we'll wear the crown of Mexico.
(Silence. The abbot of Lacroma advances; Carlotta and Maximilian drop to their knees as he extends his arms above them in blessing)
Scene II: A camp in the mountains of Mexico. Night. Aseffa preparing food by a fire. She goes aside, listens, and returns.
Asef. O Mexico, thou traitress unto love, Wilt trample every heart that's true to thee?
(Listens. Enter Miguel and Lerdo, very ragged and gaunt) Miguel! Lerdo! Rafael not come? Where did you leave him?
Lerdo. Nowhere, Senora.
Asef. Oh!
Mig. Don't flutter, little bird. We mean that he left us. He set off as fresh as the morning to make the circuit of another mountain while we could barely creep up to camp.
Asef. You are hungry! I'll give you Rafael's supper!
Ler. Hungry? No! I've had two biscuits since yesterday, and sixty miles isn't far to go on that.
Mig. And as much good air and water as a soldier need want!
Asef. Here! Take it. 'Tis good. Indeed it is!
Mig. Smoking meat! Ha! Who brought it? Has the Holy Virgin been in camp?
Asef. No, but I've been down to the valley.
Ler. You?
Asef. Yes,--and I've a little gold left, too!
(Showing purse)
Mig. You paid five pesos for that dish!
Asef. A good guesser would double the price.
Mig. And for Rafael's supper! No, I can go two more days yet. (Puts food aside)
Asef. But you shall not. Come, eat! I'll feed you then, and you don't want Juarez' soldiers to be turned into babies, do you?
Mig. I'll yield! In fact, there's an orator within that speaks with a most convincing pinch. (They eat)
Asef. (Watching) Poor fellows! They'll not leave him a mouthful!
Ler. Where is the general?
Asef. (Pointing up the hill) Asleep. Have you news?
Ler. None to bring good dreams. Let him sleep.
Mig. Lord, a meal a day like this and I could drive the whole French army into the sea! (Rising) Now if these rags could be turned back to their first fortunes, I'd be Don Miguel de Tejada again! You wouldn't think that these tags and tatters had waltzed with the president's niece at the capital, would you now?
Asef. You must let me mend your clothes as I do Rafael's.
Mig. Faith, Senora, you would have to begin too many months back. No, I'll hang out my banners as a knight of liberty should, and be Don Miguel de Tejada still. Asleep, my Lerdo? A good example, too. (Lies down) Good-night, Senora the Blessed!
Asef. Good-night, Don Miguel de Tejada! (The soldiers sleep. She waits and listens. Runs aside and looks down the valley)
Asef. Rafael! (Steps approach. Enter Rafael)
Raf. (Embracing her) Here's Heaven for the weary!
Asef. So tired? And I have nothing for you! (Looks toward soldiers) They were so hungry.
Raf. They're welcome to it. (Kissing her) Here is my banquet,--my feast of beauty and my wine of love!
(Staggers to a rock and sits feebly)
Asef. Oh! You've been so far!--too far!
Raf. We rode all day, but made no terms for food. The people are afraid. Whoever gives us bread forfeits his life and home.
Asef. I bought some meat of a poor woman to-day. She needed the money.
Raf. And if the Imperials find her out they'll murder her and set her hut in flames!
Asef. Oh! What shall we do?
Raf. We are an army. We'll do as armies do. Take food where we can find it.
Asef. O, Rafael!
Raf. Yes, love, we'll play the robber to fill the mouth of Liberty,--she's fed too long on thistles.
Asef. She's a stern mistress, Rafael.
Raf. But sweeter, love, Her harshest frown that summer smiles of kings! O, I reproach her not, even when I see My dearest friends lie dying in her name! A bed of stones is soft enough for me If she but rock to sleep,--a crust to-day, To-morrow none, and at her board I'm fed. But when I look on you, my traitor blood Flies from her service. Oh, to see these hands That plucked no beauty ruder than the rose, So meanly laboring in the basest needs! Your gentle body resting on cold earth, Glad of a blanket 'tween you and the sod, While in your bed the foreign robber sleeps! This shakes my loyalty till I could hate The fair, unspotted cause my sword is drawn in!
Asef. Stop, Rafael! O thank God these hands have known That blessed of all fortunes,--to toil for love! These eyes that sought for but a face more fair, A flower more sweet, have found the stars that rise Where Truth and Courage wander in the night! In southern vales maybe we'll hear again The morning birds sing at our bowered windows, But we will not forget the nobler song Now borne by winds about these mountain peaks,-- The song of man made free!
Raf. We'll not forget. But will that sweet day come? Tell me, Aseffa, You who are half a sibyl,--shall we go down That valley to our home?
Asef. 'Tis not to gain Our father's halls, and sit 'neath fig and vine, We hide and starve and stagger in these hills, But to keep noble the last hour of life, That Death who gathers it may read thereon The seal immortal of approving God.
Raf. Yes--dear Aseffa--but--(Faints)
Asef. Rafael! Rafael! Ah dying! O my prating virtue's gone! I care for naught but that my love shall live! O, Liberty, wilt spare me this one life? ... Ho! Miguel! Up!
Mig. Hey! What! Senora!... Ah!
Lerdo. What's here?
Asef. There's wine in the general's tent! Rafael! My love, my love, look up!... O Mexico, With all thy veins of gold thou art not worth One dear drop of his blood!
(Enter General Trevino)
Trev. What's this new grief? Not Rafael!... He faints. 'Tis hunger ... hunger. Miguel! Lerdo! Bear him to my tent. Give him what food you find there. First the wine!
(Soldiers go out with Rafael. Aseffa follows. As she passes the general she drops to her knees and kisses his hands)
Trev. (Alone) Starvation now or plunder. We'll quarter where We can.... A horseman! If 'tis Ignacio We shall have news.
(Enter Ignacio, from riding)
Ig. Who's here?
Trev. Ignacio?
Ig. (Saluting) Your pardon, sir!
Trev. You're from the capital?
Ig. Three days ago I left the city. I've slept On horseback since.
Trev. Your news!
Ig. We fight an empire. The Austrian is crowned.
Trev. Impossible! Where are our people? Salas? and LeVal?
Ig. They shouted at his welcome. At Vera Cruz Began the unholy pageantry, that showed As Christ had come again and all men knew him! Each province drained its beauty by the way; The mules that drew him caught the vanity And picked their steps on flowers.
Trev. Tell me no more. O Gratitude, thou hast no home on earth! Twelve months did Juarez rule, and in twelve months Did what no man can do but God is with him! He healed contention's wounds, set up new schools, Released the land from priestcraft's ancient grip, Rebuilt our credit, destroyed by Miramon, The robber president, who bonded the land To France, then set the sword of Europe 'gainst us Because we could not pay the unjust debt From treasuries that his own hands had emptied. O, 'twas a crime too big for Heaven's eye, And so God let it pass! France could not know-- But our own people knew--how Juarez toiled To shape the nation to his noble thought!
Ig. Yes--yes--they knew!
Trev. We'll break our swords, my boy. We have no country.
Ig. Is my uncle yet In Texas?
Trev. Ay, and we will go to him. ... Ungrateful ground that casts all goodness from it, And sucks a gilded poison!
(Enter Rafael, Aseffa, Miguel, Lerdo, and others of the camp)
Raf. (To Trevino) Sir, you will miss Your breakfast, but I pledge my sword you'll have To-morrow's supper!... Ignacio!
Ig. You here, My Rafael! (They embrace) Aseffa too!
Asef. Dear friend! (They greet affectionately)
Raf. And Maximilian is crowned?
Ig. Yes ... crowned.
Raf. You saw him?
Ig. In the cathedral, with the empress.
Asef. The empress?
Raf. What looks he like? This Austrian duke That with a stolen crown mocks majesty!
Ig. He looks like majesty, and yet is graced With Nature's gentlest stamp; his countenance Takes beauty from his smile; his smile, one thinks, Takes sweetness from a heart that has its own Nobility from heaven.
Trev. An enemy Well praised!
Asef. The empress? She bewitched you too?
(Ignacio is silent)
Come, sir! The truth of her!
Ig. The truth? Go ask The angels. They've tongues for such sweet purpose.
Trev. What! Ignacio turned squire o' the empire?
Ig. No. But I can read a holy woman's face, Though she by some strange counterfeit of truth Would put an empress' foot upon our necks.
Asef. What is she like?
Ig. Like nothing but herself. She is not gentle, for gentleness is but Rude servant to that quality in her; Gracious she's not, for grace herself doth serve A poor handmaiden to her excellence; Nor beautiful, for Beauty asks her name To wear but that and know her own no more.
(In the silence that follows a rider rushes up and dismounts)
Messenger. Where is the general, Trevino?
Trev. Here.
Mess. Juarez approaches. (Saluting)
Trev. Juarez! Call up the camp! Light all the beacons! Juarez! Build up the fires!
Shouts. Juarez! Juarez! Hurrah! El presidente!
Trev. We'll let him know the hearts he left i' the hills Still beat with loyal blood!
Shouts. Juarez! Juarez! (Enter Juarez. Silence)
Jua. Trevino!
Trev. Your Excellency! (They embrace) You've heard?
Jua. I know. Now monarchy has spread her gilded sails, And from the East comes like another sun To blind our eyes with wonder of a crown While shackling us by hand and foot to earth. But from these mountains will arise a queen, The figure grey of ancient Liberty, Mourning and wronged, but with the unpaling star Of God's own favor set upon her brow: These two shall meet--and that mock sun go down!
Trev. You still have hope when Mexico deserts us?
Jua. Dost read your country in the smile she shows Her conqueror? She has a heart beneath! Ay, sir, did she not prove it at Puebla? Where dead fell on the dead with gun in hand Still pointed to the French! Where, hope once lost, And the enemy pouring through the shattered gates, Our men blew up their city and themselves To keep their souls free from Napoleon! These men have brothers left, and sons, And _they are Mexico_!
Soldiers. El presidente! Liberty and Juarez!
A soldier. (Waving his sword) We'll be revenged, Or spill more blood than hell can drink!
Soldiers. Down with the empire! Death to Maximilian!
Jua. No, not revenge,--but justice. That's enough. We've but to wait--and strike. Yon mists now spread Their fair illusion o'er the eternal mountains 'Till 't seems they are the world, and the great hills Are naught. But by to-morrow's noon-sun see Their fortunes faded as a dream of night, While the rock peak looks up as if to say From the foundation of the world I am! So will this glamour o'er our godly cause Pass as a breath, while all the world shall read Our right and title to unbonded life In our free bosoms founded and God-set!
A soldier. We'll die for freedom!
Jua. Die? That's the one thing We can not do. We may lie down in graves, But from our living dust will spring new challenge To make in noble minds continual war Until our race be righted!
Trev. Many fly From our misfortunes. Amaldo and LeVal--
Jua. Call 't not misfortune that teaches us our friends. Now are we sifted and the chaff is known! ... LeVal! ... But Diaz is true?
Trev. On yonder mountain His fires make answer for him.
Jua. (Looking into distance) Forgive me, comrade! I know you true, and sooner will yon moon Make her last change and fall than you change once From the full circle of a complete man.... (Turns and sees Ignacio) My nephew here?
Ig. Just from the capital.
Jua. Where you must back again. Rafael, too! Both my young soldiers! My right arm and my left,-- Though which is which I know not. Ignacio, You saw the Austrian? No matter. He's but The drift-piece of a rotten monarchy That thinks to graft upon the living tree Of our new-sprung republic! We'll shake him off As a June oak a spray of winter wreck, Nor ever know he clung upon our boughs!
Ig. The church is powerful yet, and seeks to join Her cause with his.
Jua. The church? Say not the church, But mockers in Christ's name, who steal the land And drain its fruitage into Satan's purse, Keeping the poor a race of hopeless slaves Who worship their own shackles! O, Ignorance, Thou art the great slave-master! Thy very chains Are vital and beget themselves; and he Who strikes them seems the monster of the earth To the poor serf who thinks it is himself That bleeds! The church be with our foe, with us Be God, we'll ask no more. Hear me, my men! The great republic of the North's our friend. When her own war is done you'll hear her speak To France in cannon tones that will make quake Napoleon on his throne! That great mock-god. Who seeks to free all men that he may fit Their necks to his own yoke! (With growing intensity) That adder who Would coil about the world! That serpent scruffed With white deceit and low ambition's slime, That crept into the garden of my dream And cankered bud and root, nursed by my toil, Fed with my dearest blood! Ay, he will quake, And cry for mercy to a stony Heaven Whose pity drops long since were drained upon The woe that he hath made! Ay, he--
Trev. (Touching him) But now, My friend?
Jua. (Composed) You're right. No more of that. Nephew!
Ig. Here, sir!
Jua. Your place will be the capital. We must have eyes there, and a heart to serve us. This hour set out. Here are instructions. (Gives papers)
Trev. Sir, He's had no rest.
Jua. True ... true....
Ig. And need none when Juarez commands.
Jua. (Taking his hand) Thou'rt still my son. My house Will not fall down when I no longer prop it.
Raf. May I not beg this office, sir?
Trev. Send him! His heart is in the hills, and he'll come back. Ignacio's yet unanchored. Trust him not To high tides of a court.
Jua. I trust them both. But my own blood I know. (To Ig.) Kneel for the oath.
(Ignacio kneels. Murmurs around, then silence. Juarez takes a crucifix from his bosom and holds it over Ignacio)
Jua. By this true image of the bleeding Christ, May you be damned to everlasting fire, Nor prayers of saints lift up your soul from hell, If you prove false in what you undertake This night for Mexico!
Ig. By Christ's own blood. I swear, and may that blood be powerless To save me from the damned if I prove false!
Jua. The stars that hold The witness angels of the Lord have heard Thy oath.
Ig. (Rising and looking up) Let them record it.
Asef. (Fearfully) Ah!
Trev. (Holding out a brand) The brand!
Jua. Not that!
Ig. (Baring his arm) I choose it!
(Trevino quickly brands his arm with a cross. Juarez, too late, dashes the brand from his hand)
Ig. (Throwing up his arm) Sealed to the cause!
(Hurries to go)
Jua. My boy! (Ignacio returns for Juarez' embrace)
Ig. (Going) Liberty and Juarez!
Soldiers. Juarez! Liberty and Juarez!
(All but Juarez follow Ignatius out, cheering)
Hurrah! hurrah!
(Juarez draws his grey mantle about him and stands silent. The fires die down. The moon clouds. He looks up invoking)
Jua. Spirit of Montezuma, be thou here And on thy son drop wisdom out of Heaven, That these thy children he may lead to peace, And this thy country give again to him Who set his iron in the earth and said "Man, make thy weapon; there shall be no slaves!"
(CURTAIN)
ACT II.
Scene I: Palace of Chapultapec. Hall adjoining ball room. Gaily dressed women, and men in glittering official costumes passing doors. Marquez and Mejia talking.
Mar. You've caught Trevino!
Mejia. Rafael Mendorez too.
Mar. Still better. You'll have them shot at once?
Mejia. They've too many friends. I must have the emperor's warrant.
Mar. He will sign the decree to-night.
Mejia. The Lord be thanked! I'm tired of risking life and men taking prisoners that his majesty may have the pleasure of pardoning them.
Mar. If he signs the decree he will be sure to reserve the right to pardon. You must try my method.
Mejia. And that?
Mar. Shoot on the spot, and report no captures.
(Enter from the ball room Maximilian, Marshal Bazaine, General Miramon, and Count Charles)
Mir. Your majesty will sign the law to-night?
Max. These men wear the brave name of soldiers; fight Beneath a flag, and claim the rights of war.
Baz. They borrow war's fair name to kill and plunder!
Max. It was my dream when I took up this crown To claim each subject of the land my own.
Mir. And so you may, your majesty. 'Tis true. These men are subjects to no law or nation; They are not Mexico's; they are not God's; But from the heavenly and the human pale They have outbarred themselves. Our honest land Has cast them out as venom to her health! Nurse not this canker in your realm, my lord!
Max. I do not know ... but here's my head and heart,
(Touching Prince Salm-Salm and Count Charles)
And they may answer. Prince, what do you say?
Prince Salm. As friend and soldier to your majesty, I must advise the passage of the law.
Max. You, Charles?
Char. My lord, if as you say, these men Fight 'neath a flag, and for supposed rights, You violate the law of noble nations In sentencing to death the prisoners Of recognized war.
Baz. (Sneering) Sir, recognized?
Char. Does not the United States still call Juarez The president of Mexico?
Baz. Why, count, You'd best consult those books of yours again! Juarez has fled and given up his cause. These men are robbers! Your majesty will sign?
Max. Forgive me, friends, if I again say no.
Mir. Your majesty, 'tis we should ask your pardon For having failed to lustre as we should This seeming-dark decree,--so wise, so just, And as undoubtedly your duteous act As though some stern necessity of the stars Enjoined it.
Max. (Uneasily) Press it not now. The people wait.
(All but Marquez go into ballroom)