Semiramis and Other Plays Part 47

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 sh.e.l.ls and bayonets. But not To kill. My G.o.d, there's blood enough been shed.

Bid all surrender. Let no more lives be lost.

Farewell, my prince.... Now for a friendly sh.e.l.l!-- 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 n.o.ble 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. G.o.d gives Some moments out of Heaven, and this is one!

(Enter a soldier)

Sol. The Emperor is captured by Escobedo!

Princess S.