Semiramis and Other Plays Part 41

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 G.o.d 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, G.o.d 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.

Berz. Without you, sir, our cause will die in blood, And Mexico be but a grave for those Who've loved and served you!

Mar. The United States has ranked Full sixty thousand men on our frontiers,-- But we have France--

Max. I am awake! At last!

From now no man shall risk his life for me But I take equal chance with him! Ah, this Is war, not murder!

Mar. You will lead our troops?

Max. I will.

Mar. Then Mexico is saved! The way To win the southern hearts is but to trust them.

Leave at your capital the foreign troops And lead your native soldiers 'gainst the foe!

Car. (Aside) No! Never! Never! Alone with those dark hearts!

(Enter Marshal Bazaine with envoy from France, Comte de St. Sueveur, Marquis de Gallifet, and General Castlenau)

Baz. My lord, we bring new messages from France.

Gen. Cast.

Your majesty, we beg your gracious pardon For this unseemly pressure.

Max. You have it, sir.

What says Napoleon?

Cast. He greets you, sire, with my unworthy tongue, And sends this letter. (Maximilian reads)

Max. My eyes, I think, turn wizards And conjure 'gainst the truth that must be here.

For I read false. (Puzzled) What does he mean? Not this--

Baz. My lord, my letters make the import clear.

I have instructions here to counsel you To make immediate abdication.

Max. No!

Car. What? Abdication?

Baz. Ay! That is the word.

Car. A word for fear and weakness, not for strength, And Maximilian is as strong as France While great Napoleon respects his oath!

His troops are ours--

Baz. Nay, princess--

Mir. (Fiercely) Her Majesty!

Baz. (Sneers) You prize the feather when the cap is lost?

(To the Empress) Pardon a slipping tongue, your Majesty.

Those troops you speak of go with me to France.

Such is my order--such the firm demand Of the United States.

Car. Is France a province Of the United States? Napoleon Page, lackey, footboy to America?

Is she an Empire, he an Emperor?

Or have we dreamed he is Napoleon?

Max. (Recovered from his bewilderment) Withdraw his troops! He can not--dare not do it!

'T would blister history's page to set it down, And 'tis his burning wish to be the star Of human chronicles. I'll not believe it, Though all my senses brand confirming yea Upon my mind. O shout it in my ears, And let me see the troops go marching out, Still I'll believe it is my eyes and ears That mutiny, not France turned traitor!

Baz. Your Majesty, you must believe the truth, And make you ready for a swift departure.

'T will not be safe here let a moon go by.

Max. If danger's here, then here I stay to share it.

Dost think I'll leave my friends to die alone While I by flight dishonor Majesty?

Baz. 'Tis death to stay. You would not be so mad.

Mir. Hail to our new-born king! New-born thou art Unto our love. Nay, we did love before, But now we'll wors.h.i.+p thee.

Car. Napoleon!

You shall not do this monstrous thing! You shall not!

Baz. The crown of France doth ask consent of none.

Car. I'll go to him and say such words that from His shame-marked brow his outraged crown will fall In horror. I will go! Take out the troops, Bazaine. Ay, take them out! He will be glad To send them back and purchase with his blood Redemption from such shame. He'll empty France To do it! I will go. But I'll not kneel.

A thousand years my blood has run through kings, And he's the _third_ Napoleon!

(Sinks, exhausted with emotion. Ladies attend her)