Part 7

Car. It must be signed ... it must ... (Sees Ignacio)

Ig. O, little finger casements, do you mourn Your pretty tenants lost?--five rose-sweet nuns That pray at one white shrine! (Kisses glove)

Car. (Advancing) I hope, my friend, She's worthy of your noble love.

Ig. O, madam, In her doth Heaven on earth make sweet beginning. And aspirations tend her from the skies.

Car. And she is beautiful as good?

Ig. O, fair As olden marble walking down to us. Or that immortal Helen on whose lip Poets still feed the dream that's never fed!

Car. She must be fair indeed. I hope she loves As much as she's beloved.

Ig. Nay, she dreams not Of my poor worship.

Car. You must tell her, sir.

Ig. With her I have no tongue, and can not woo. To see her is to think in hurrying dreams That move about some new desire of God. Nay, she's the picture finished, vision complete, That perfect stands where dream no farther goes And shuts the gates to prophecy!

Car. Would you But woo her thus you'd win her, never fear! We women would be beautiful, and love The tongue that makes us so. Go, talk to her As you have talked to me.

Ig. 'Tis not the same. There's something in your smile inviteth speech. Were she but you then would I kneel and say, (kneels) O rest me 'neath the heaven of your eye That gathers blessings as the sun his dews To give again to earth, and let your heart Throb once with pity sweeter than the love That other women give, and yet be dumb, That this sweet moment's balm may wrap my heart Till death bids it be still. O, love me not, But on my head lay thy madonna hand, And bless me as a mother would her child Who goes to death in going from her eyes!

Car. (Laying her hand on his head) And I will bless thee, too, as she would do, True knight of love, gentle Ignacio! And yet I hope you will ask more of her, And she will grant it.

Ig. (Rising) More is too much. Farewell. I leave the court to-night,--but go content,-- Ay, happy! (Exit)

Car. He leaves the court!... What a strange youth! But very true and noble, and well deserves The fairest woman's love. (Picks up glove dropped by Ignacio) He's lost her glove. I'll send it after him. (Calls attendant) Andorro!... Ah! It is my own! Yes ... yes ... the same ... here is-- My own indeed!... And that is why he leaves The court!... Poor youth! (She drops glove. Enter Andorro) Ignacio just passed out. He dropped this glove. His lady's favor maybe. I'm sure 'tis prized. Haste, take it after him.

And. (Picks up glove) Your pleasure, royal madam! (Going)

Car. No--that way.

(Exit Andorro)

... Unhappy boy!... I'm glad I sent the glove.

(Enter Maximilian and ministers)

Car. (Going to him and taking his arm) 'Tis signed?

Max. 'Tis signed, my love. Come, friends! This act Of wisdom passed gives me a lighter heart!

(All but Marquez go into ballroom)

Mar. The great death-warrant's signed. Ere its black list Be full, there'll be an emperor on the roll!

(National music. Dancers seen through doors, the emperor and empress among them)

(CURTAIN)

ACT III.

Scene I: Before the Imperial Theatre. Brilliant lights. Crowd confusedly assembled. All talking.

Shouts. Long live the Empire!

Citizen. O you mob, you puppet throat, that whistles as you're squeezed!

A Mob Orator. My friends, to-day we gloriously celebrate the birthday of the most glorious empire--

Cit. Long live the Republic! Hail to Juarez!

Voices. To dungeon with him! The traitor! Tear him to pieces!

(Guards dash upon citizen and drag him off)

1st Officer. Don't tell me the Republic is dead when a man is willing to die just to give one shout for it.

2d Officer. Three-fourths of the Mexicans have hearts of that color. But the Empire stands. Miramon is a miracle. How does he manage it?

1st Off. He understands the use of the bayonet. As our friend over the water says, you can do anything with bayonets but sit on them.

2d Off. Isn't this a rabble? Motley's the only wear in Maximilian's court. He might succeed in running this country if so many people hadn't come along to help him do it. You ask a French question and you get a Dutch answer. You give an order in Prussian and it's obeyed in Irish,--

Voices. He comes! Make way! Make way! Hail to Maximilian!

Chief Guard. Back, all of you! The Emperor will greet you yonder! We've orders to clear the plaza! Back! Back! His carriage stops! Go, get your places! Out! out!

(Guards drive mob out)

1st Guard. If all the Empire's birthdays are to be like this I hope it will never come of age. It's work, I tell you! I'm dripping like a squeezed cloud!

2d Guard. If it had pleased the Empire to spend a little of the money it has wasted to-day for the widows and orphans it has made--

1st Guard. Sh! We're paid for our muscle, not our opinions. (Shouts outside)

2d Guard. And the mob is paid for its lungs!

1st Guard. Yes. Miramon sees to that.

2d Guard. Only the Emperor's carriage approaches the door?

1st Guard. None but his.

2d Guard. If I were he I wouldn't make such a glittering show of myself in that Milan carriage--all gold and silver and tortoise shell, and an angel at every corner--while there are so many hearts breaking in sound of it.

1st Guard. Ph! He knows nothing of the breaking hearts! Miramon sees to that.

2d Guard. He'll have to know soon, or Juarez will tell him in the capital.

1st Guard. Not a word! On your life! (Shouts without) Here they are! By Jesu! The fools have taken the mules from the carriage and draw it themselves! Now I wonder how much a head Miramon pays for that!

(Enter rabble of shouting citizens drawing carriage in which sit the Emperor and Empress. They are followed by a brilliant party of ladies and gentlemen. General and Madam Miramon, Princess de Varela, Prince and Princess Zichy, Prince and Princess Salm-Salm, Lopez, Count Charles, Marquez, Archbishop Labastida, Estrada, Berzabal, and others)

Max. (To citizens) My friends, though I protest against this honor, I thank you from my heart for such kind proof Of your affection. (Alights)

Voices. Long live Maximilian!

One of the rabble, awkward and ignorant. Long live the President of the Empire!

Max. (Smiling) I've no objection to that title, friend, but I fear it would be criticised in Europe.

(Crowd passes out shouting and dragging carriage)

Max. (To Carlotta, as he looks at theatre) A noble building! Fair and magnificent!

Car. How yonder gardens gleam beneath the lights Like some soft dream of worlds we do not know!

Max. And all is yours, my sweet,--all planned by you! O love, you shall be mistress of a land The fairest ever smiled up to the sun! What say you, Charles? Does not this hour repay Even the sacrifice of Miramar?

Car. (Smiling) Nay, he longs still for the old nooks and books.

Char. Let me admit it. This mistress Pleasure, sir, Though she is fair is not so wondrous fair As goddess Knowledge. Beautiful as bride To her lord's eye is she to worshippers, Who seek and woo her till she yieldeth up Her locked virginity--the Truth!

Max. (Affectionately) Ay, Charles, Get knowledge if thou canst, and yet despair not, For none so poor but virtue may be his; And though your knowledge is earth's silver key That opens man's and nature's heart, 'Tis golden virtue opens Heaven and shows The God among his stars.... But, come, dear friends! Pleasure is a true goddess too. We'll show Her fair respect.

(All go into theatre but Charles, who drops back unnoticed)

Char. He constantly unmasks me And knows it not. Knowledge! 'Tis withered leaves Amid a world of dewy boughs! Knowledge! To one school will I go--one book I'll read, The school of love, the page of woman's eye, And I'll know more than sages and divines Who study stars and Scripture!... 'For none so poor but virtue may be his' O noble soul, had I been true to thee I now could open thy deceived eyes. Crime seals my lips. I can but pray This empire built on blood may stand. We are The creatures of our deeds, more bound to them Than slave to master, for the terms of service Are fast indentured in the soul and know No razure!... But I will find Aseffa! Then, Though sin should set a darkness on my life To draw each night out to a winter's length That constant storms from sallow leaf to green, Still love's sweet lamp shall light me! In my heart 'T will be as day!

(Enter Aseffa veiled, her dress covered with a black cloak. An attendant following. She tries to cross over to side entrance of theatre. A guard stops her)

Asef. I am a singer.

Guard. Show Your pass.

Asef. Here, sir.

(Guard signs for her to pass on. She sees Charles and stops. Steps before him, throwing back her veil)

Asef. You swore to save him!

Char. You! Aseffa! Blest--

Asef. You swore it!

Char. And would have died To keep my oath could I have kept it dying.

Asef. The Emperor refused you? (He bows his head) Demon! Oh!

(Turns to go, moaning)

Char. (Aside) I lose her!... Stay! Is there no hope for grief?

Asef. Not mine! Can you not read it here?

Char. Too well. Thy sorrow is a veil through which thy beauty Burns like a shrouded sun.

Asef. You pity me?

Char. As Heaven knows!

Asef. Then you will help me, sir?

Char. I'll give my life to do it!

Asef. Ah, you will? Then get me access to the Emperor.

Char. O sweet Aseffa, you ask a miracle, And I am sadly mortal.

Asef. I knew! I knew! My misery is your plaything!

Char. His ministers So hedge him with their care--

Asef. O spare excuse! But I shall see him, sir! Ay, face to face!

Char. Why would you see him? He can not call the dead.

Asef. The dead! Thou hast but daggers for me! Ah!

Char. Aseffa--

Asef. Yes, I'll see him! What think you? Should I go shouting 'murderer' through that hall, Would he arise and answer to his name?

Char. You're mad, Aseffa!

Asef. Thank Heaven I am! 'T would be The shame of woman to know all that I know And not be mad!

Char. You must not go in there.

Asef. (Fiercely) Must not! (Suddenly calm) Nay, sir! Why see, I go to sing A welcome to the noble Emperor. (Throws back her cloak) As this dark cloak now hides my gay apparel, So shall my gay demeanor hide my woe.

Char. You would not harm the Emperor?

Asef. No need! Yon moon is worshipped for her borrowed gold, Though charred and cold without a leaf to dower Her black sterility. So Maximilian. Napoleon's favor is the sun that gilds His worthless crown. But now the French are going--

Char. What?

Asef. Ah! The French are going.

Char. No!

Asef. And Maximilian shall fade to air, Unheeded as the moon no eye could find Without her sun!

Char. But hearts can live and love Though Maximilian falls.

Asef. Can live--and love! You torture me!

Char. Forgive me. But the share Must rip the glebe before the corn may spring.

Asef. What do you mean, cold Austrian?

Char. Austrian! No! Your southern sun has poured into my veins A life that makes me new! I feel as you Those throbs that shake the stars until they fall Into the heart and make it heaven! My lips Can move toward lips as haste rose-gloried clouds To swoon into the sun!

Asef. Ah, yes--I know-- You told me that you loved. But why say this To one who has lost all?

Char. I'd have you learn That you must live, Aseffa, and life for you Means love. Your eyes, your lips, your hands, your hair, Like coiled sweetness of the night, and all Your swaying, melting body, gather love As roses gather smiles, as waves draw down The heart-flood of the moon and hold it deep And trembling.

Asef. Sir, your roses, waves, and smiles, Are poet-nothings. You play with them as shells, Stirring chance colors for an idle eye. It is your way of saying, is it not, That I shall love again?

Char. You must! you must!

Asef. Such words are like bright raindrops falling in Another world. They glitter, but I hear No sound, grief has so closed my ears. Take back Your comfort. You would be kind, but noble count, You talk of what a man can never know,-- A woman's sorrow for a husband loved. So high no height can reach it, so great and deep The sea can not embrace it, and yet her heart Can hold it all. O strangest of all love, That makes her rather stoop in beggar rags To kiss the happy dust where his foot pressed Than from a throne lean down to give her lips Unto a kneeling king!

Char. Aseffa, grief Is not for you. You must--you must be happy! The shy and tender Dawn creeps up in fear That Night has laid some blight upon the world, But finding all is well, steps forth, and lo! Out of her courage the great sun is born. So doth the heart look outward after grief To find the world all dark, but nay, the light Is more of heaven than it was before, Because a face is shining from the clouds. You dim your loved one's eyes in paradise With your earth-tears. He mourns your splendor paled,-- Though 't must be beautiful to the last tint, As sunset clouds that bear the heart of day Into the night.

Asef. You but offend my grief. Sir, keep your flattery for her you love!

Char. I flatter thee? It is not possible! Who dares to add fire to the sun, or bring The Spring a flower? Be angry if you will. The morning's eye is not more glorious Rising above a storm! I flatter thee! When but to praise thee as thou art would put A blush on Poesy that ne'er has rhymed As I would speak! E'en thy defects would make Another fair, and were they merchantable Women would buy thy faults to adorn themselves! O, sweet--

Asef. (Shrinking in horror) What do you mean?

Char. (Seizing her hands) You know! O, all my life has been but dreams of you, And when I saw you first, my love!--my love!-- As lightning makes the midnight landscape speak The language of the day, your beauty flashed O'er all my years and made their meaning clear! 'Twas you made sweet the song of every bird, 'Twas you I found in every book I loved, 'Twas you that gave a soul to every star! I can not speak it! Kiss me once--but once-- And you will understand!

Asef. What thing is this? It is not man, for man respecteth sorrow, Nor brute, for it doth speak!

Char. O look not down! Thou canst not guard thee! Every silken sweep Of thine eyes' soft defence but whets assault! You shall not go! You are the element In which I breathe! Go from me and I fall A lifeless thing! Aseffa, pity me! 'Tis I who die, not you! (Drops her hands and kneels) O blame me not That I must worship here--

Asef. Ah, Rafael, I'll live an hour to pray this wrong away Before I meet thine eyes! (Goes. Charles grasps her cloak) Beast! Claw me not!

(Goes in. Charles gazes after her in a bewildered way. Tries to steady himself, and goes into theatre by main entrance)

(CURTAIN)

Scene II: Within the theatre. Gay decorations. Part of stage shown, on which chorus is assembled. The Emperor and Empress in royal box. Imperial cabinet and friends in boxes adjoining. Part of pit shown, filled with brightly dressed people.

Max. (To Carlotta) O, this is welcome! Are you not happy now? There's not a wrinkle on these smiling brows Where discontent may write her annals dark! My empire now is fixed, and strength and love Are gathering to my side. I can not put My hand out but 'tis clasped by some new friend.

Car. And true?

Max. And true. You are too fearful, sweet.

Car. And you too trustful.

Max. Nay, we can not trust Too much. Brutus spoke noblest when he said 'My heart doth joy that yet in all my life I found no man but he was true to me.' And I would hope as much.

Car. (Aside) None, none are true! Even I am false who fear to speak my fears And ease his own when I should quicken them!

(Chorus from stage)

Hail, ye royal pair, O hail! Like two souls within one star May your heavenly light ne'er fail. Empress and great Emperor!

Hail to thee who ruleth mild As the manger-cradled child! Hail to her who long may be Guardian of us and thee!

Hail, O hail, ye pair divine! As two souls within one star May your light forever shine, Empress and great Emperor!

(Estrada appears on stage in front of chorus)

Est. Great Majesties, forgive our feeble welcome. We are in all things spotted and imperfect Save in affection for your Highnesses.

Max. (Rising) No, no! My friend--and friends--had you not hearts That turn to virtue as the flowers to sun, We had not made such progress to an hour When all the Empire wears the smile of peace, And we may rest like Love with folded arms Round his desire.

Est. 'Tis you have led us, sire. Pardon this mockery of what we'd do To celebrate this day had we but means. We shout thy name, but not above the clouds; We send up fires, but lightnings higher reach: We have adorned the city and ourselves, But India and the sea keep back the pearls We would pour here!

Max. Enough--and more, my friends. O, far too much! None mourn now but the gods Who are made indigent by this display Of wealth and joy!

Est. (Making low obeisance) We thank your majesty. This land shall e'er be called the happy land, And he who rules it--

Asef. (Stepping wildly from chorus) Prince of Murderers! The happy land! O land where widows' cries Choke Heaven, and mothers' tears make each new day A flood!

Mir. Guards there! Take her away! The guards!

Max. No! Let her stay! We'll answer her!

Mir. My lord--

Max. Madam, we seek your country's love.

Asef. How do you seek it? By killing her dear sons! Setting your tigers loose among her children! Mejia from your very breast makes fire On patriot virtue! Dupin wets his teeth By day and night in infant and mother's blood! Maximilian, In brave Trevino's name, Salazar's name, In name of all as noble and as dear To Mexico as they, who daily die Beneath their country's flag the death of dogs, Shot down by your black law--signed by your hand-- In name of him as dear to me as thou To that proud woman who shall know what 'tis To clasp a ghost where throbbed her living love,-- I tell thee--die!

(Leaps from stage to Emperor's box attempting to stab him. As she leaps Carlotta springs before the Emperor)

Car. This heart--not that!

(Aseffa drops her dagger and stands bewildered. An officer seizes her. Utter confusion in theatre. Maximilian goes onto the stage. Silence)

Max. My friends,-- All you who love me see me here unhurt, And you who love me not, if any's here,

(Cries of "none, none!")

Take aim now as you will.

(Cries of "No! no! no! no!")

A Voice. Long live the Emperor! Maximilian!

Max. Then if you love me, friends, I beg you'll leave This place of song and go to the Cathedral. There pray for me to Him who spared my life, And, if you will, pray that He yet may spare it To work His will and yours.

(Crowd goes out silently)

Mar. (To Labastida) That was well done.

Lab. Sincerity is once a diplomat.

Car. (To Princess Salm-Salm) Princess, take this poor creature to your care.

(Officer releases Aseffa, who goes out as in a dream with Prince and Princess Salm-Salm and several ladies)

Mar. (Approaching Maximilian) Your Majesty, let me congratulate-- Ill, sire?

Max. Sick, sick, O sick of compliments! If I've a friend here let me hear the truth! What did that creature mean? The truth, I say! (Silence) You, Miramon? Lopez? (Silence) Trevino's dead?

Lop. He is.

Max. And Rafael Mendorez?

Lop. Dead. The woman is his widow.

Max. Oh!... And this! (Taking out message) This from Dupin! 'All quiet in Savarro.' It means--

Lop. The town is ashes.

Max. O God! O God! You ministers! Ay, ministers of hell! Didst think ye served the devil?

Est. O, my lord--

Max. No friend! Not one! Charles! Charles! you must have known! These foreign hearts have their excuse, but you-- The tower of confidence between us two, Built part by part by faithful mason hours, Is shaken to atoms!

Char. I will build it o'er!

Max. First will the wind-strewn rose upgather all Her petals from the dust, and cheek by cheek, Hang them new-smiling on the nodding bough!

Mir. Your Majesty, what we have done was done To save our country and your beloved life. Your noble heart was blind to your great danger, And 'twas our duty and our work of love To save you from your fatal tenderness.

Lop. (Kneeling) O gracious sovereign, had I but known You did not know, I would have dared the wrath Of all the court, and spoken to you but truth!

Max. (Lifting him up) And 'twas your tongue at last that broke the silence, I must forgive you.

Mar. By your necessity, Your Majesty, we may all hope for pardon. Juarez, encouraged by the United States, Is roused again to war. We have appealed For compromise and terms of friendly union, But his one answer for us all is--death! Yet are we faithful to you, sire.

Max. O Heaven! What poisonous opiate have you fed me with And called it peace? But war is not the worst! Oh, Miramon, did you not swear to me All prisoners taken by that cruel law Should be reported day or night to me That I might pardon or remit their sentence?

Mir. O, sir, you knew not your extremity, Nor could you know it though we told it you, The hearts of Mexicans once turned to hate Are far too deep for sincere eyes to pierce. But I thank God we knew the danger, sire, And struck the serpent raised even at your life. When you, all gentleness, could not have given The necessary blow. Ay, God be thanked, although You cast me from your heart. 'T will be my comfort To know I served you better than you dreamed. And 'tis the penalty of over-love To suffer by the hand that (kneels and kisses Maximilian's hand) it would kiss!

Max. Must I forgive him, Heaven?

Lab. Ay, sir, you must, For his deceit was but the greater truth That served your blind necessity.

Est. O, sir, Do not desert us! If now the Empire falls 'Tis death to all that have been true to you. Juarez will give no quarter to your friends.

Max. The Liberals advance?

Mar. Each day they're nearer; And towns and provinces fall by the way.