Semiramis and Other Plays Part 54

Char. O wounded heart! Thus every day she hopes, And every day begins her hope anew.

It is my penance now to watch her sorrow, To guard perfection's wreck in her sad body, And hear the name of Maximilian fall Each moment from her lips. O, G.o.d, remember When once I am in h.e.l.l, I've suffered here!

(Re-enter Carlotta)

Car. I can not stay away. This is my place.

Here will I catch the first light on his sail.

O Charles, dear Charles, to-morrow we shall see him!

Look in his n.o.ble eyes,--ah me, what eyes!

Dost not remember? Talk of him, cousin.

It brings him faster to me. My heart! my heart!

This waiting breaks it though 'tis but a day!

An hour that keeps him from me lengthens like The drawn out ages 'tween the ends of time!

But oh, to-morrow! Let me think of that!

Then will the small globe of mine eye contain The wide and complete world of my desires!

... Have you forgot Aseffa? You do not speak; But you have not forgot. She said--Oh, cruel!-- That he, my Maximilian, should lie cold While yet my arms were warm and reaching for him.

How could she say it? But you stood by him--you-- His faithful friend. You knew 't would ne'er be true!

... Do you remember, Charles, the winter day He climbed to Valtelina's ice-bound huts To bear the starving people food?

Char. Yes--yes!

'Tis my sole virtue to remember his!

Car. And when the flooding Ambro left her banks, Rolling a very sea o'er farm and town, Who was the first to ride the dangerous waves, A rescuing angel saving man and child?

Char. 'Twas Maximilian!

Car. Yes, our Maximilian.

I feared the Mexicans would take his life.

Was not that foolish, cousin? I should have known G.o.d could not spare him from His world. Hast heard The men of Licio tell how he was first To bring them aid when all their silkworms died And silence struck the looms that gave them food?

This man will say 'I have a son alive Because of Maximilian!' And that will say 'I have a daughter now to tend my age, Because the Lombard governor brought bread Unto her cradle.'... And he is coming back.

... Beautiful Miramar! We'll never leave thee, Though stars should beckon to a golden world!

To-morrow he'll come! Maximilian!

(Holds out her arms toward the sea, looking radiantly into distance)

Charles!

(Turns suddenly, laying her hand on his arm) Look! What men are those? Do you not see them?

Char. There's nothing, cousin,--nothing but the sea.

Car. Oh, look! They wear the Mexican dress!

Char. Come in, Sweet princess!

Car. Ah yes, they're Mexicans.

Char. Come!

You've had some fever. 'Tis a sick-room vision.

Car. No, no! I'm well! Ah, never in such health!

I see like G.o.d! O look! A score of them!

Moving but silent as death! Where are they marching?

The sun gleams on their guns! O see, Charles, see!

There is a prisoner! Poor man! poor man!

I can not see his face. He walks most sadly,-- And proudly too! An upright soul, I know!

Char. Dear cousin, come away!

Car. He's humbly dressed, And but for that I'd think he might be royal, Ah, royal as Maximilian! O Charles, I am so glad he's safe upon the sea!

Safe--safe--and coming to me!

Char. (Most pleadingly) Come, wait within, Dear princess! Come!

Car. I will not leave him! No!

The poor, sad prisoner! Those cruel weapons!

I fear--I fear--he is condemned to die.

... Perhaps he has a wife. Ah me, I pray not.

Then would be tears! He is a n.o.ble man,-- But still his face is from me.... They reach the field.

The soldiers halt and lift their guns. O how they gleam!

... I can not see.... Why is the face so dim?

Will no one save him? Let us pray for him!

We can do that! Down on our knees and pray!

O men, men, men! What sin beneath the sun Can give excuse for such a deed as this?

O, Heaven, are you looking too? A man So n.o.ble! Oh, he turns--he turns--his breast Is to the weapons! Now they fire! He falls!

His face! (Gives a wild cry) Oh G.o.d! 'tis Maximilian!

(Falls forward on her face)

(CURTAIN)

THE POET

ACT I.

SCENE 1. Helen's room, Truelord house, New York.

ACT II.

SCENE 1. Exterior of Clemm cottage, near Richmond.

ACT III.

SCENE 1. Interior of Clemm cottage.