Chapter 12
light before dawn. Occasional distant firing of guns. Maximilian comes out of church and walks about plaza.
Max. Carlotta! Where dost thou pray to-night? In all Our fearful scanning of prophetic heavens No swart star showed us this--our separation. Thou wert the all of me, the breath, the soul! Nature conceived thee when her blood was young, And May was in her spirit, but stayed thy birth Till Time had taught her skill in all perfections! ... I will not weep.... Yon stars have memories too, And tell old tales of grandsire suns that shook Their locks and fell ere they were young who now Are eld of all!... (Walks) To lie so low.... O man, Who in the heavens carvest out redemption, Laying thy golden streets in very skies, Making the stars but eyets of thy port, Must thou compact thee to a little earth, Displace some few small tenants of the sod, And find thou 'st room enough?... (Looks up) City of dream! Time's far ghost inn! Eternity's mirage! Desire's dim temple fashioned out of prayer, Builded and jointured by no carpenter But captious Fancy!... O Carlotta, wife! Thou wert my Christian heart! Faith, faith, my God! Death to the unbeliever is to land Upon a coast dumb in the moonless dark, Where no hands wave a welcome, no eyes shine With promise of sweet hours, no voices call The greeting that makes every shore a home. (Listens) My officers! I can not see them yet. (Goes in. Enter Colonel Lopez in close talk with Lieutenant Garza who is disguised as an Imperial officer)
Garza. I'm satisfied.
Lopez. This hill is the key to the city.
Gar. Yes.
Lop. And yours on terms we have considered.
Gar. Here's Escobedo's guarantee. (Gives paper)
Lop. This to my pocket, and Queretaro to the Liberals!
Gar. 'Tis heavy business. You do it lightly, colonel.
Lop. The world's a feather.
Gar. If we but think so.
Lop. At dawn my troops are yours.
Gar. And you command the Empress' regiment.
Lop. Yes. The pick of Maximilian's soldiers.
Gar. One other question. The southern gate--Hist!
Lop. The nuns. (They draw aside and converse. Two nuns come out of convent and cross plaza)
1st Nun. The good Emperor is not out yet. He is often here long before day walking and thinking, 'Tis then, they say, his mind is on the blessed Empress who has gone across the sea to get help for him. By day he never speaks her name, but thinks only of our poor country.
2d Nun. Hark! The enemy's guns! They can not reach us.
1st Nun. Can not? A shell broke here yesterday. The Emperor stood just there.
2d Nun. Holy mother! What did his Majesty do?
1st Nun. He smiled, and said he might have chosen his place better; then moved to the very spot where the ball had burst, as though he hoped another would follow it.
2d Nun. Blessed virgin! Would he die?
1st Nun. I'm sure he would not live. Come, sister. Ah, we have but one loaf this morning.
2d Nun. Let us be glad we can give that,--for many are hungry.
1st Nun. Many are starved--dead.
2d Nun. But the good Emperor! It is so sad to think of him without food.
1st Nun. He will give this to his officers. Yesterday I saw Prince Salm-Salm and the general Miramon each with a bit of white bread that can not be found in all Queretaro outside of our convent.
2d Nun. The good man! Holy Mother bless and keep him! (They go into the Cruz)
Lop. What will you do with Maximilian?
Gar. Make a Liberal of him.
Lop. Ha! How?
Gar. Shoot him!
Lop. Shoot him?
Gar. Yes. The grave's the great republican senate house,--where each man has the floor.
Lop. (Laughing) And you will introduce him!
Gar. Hark!
Lop. The Emperor! Go! (Exit Garza. Enter Maximilian and Prince Salm-Salm)
Max. (Greeting Lopez affectionately) You're early out, my boy.
Lop. Your majesty, I am the officer of the day.
Max. Yes,--I remember. Who was your friend?
Lop. Ramirez, of Dupin's regiment.
Salm. Ramirez! He's much changed if that was he.
Lop. Shall I call him back, your majesty, that the prince may convince himself that his memory of faces is not infallible?
Max. Nay, my trusted two! (Puts an arm about each) Would you might love each other as I love you both. My prince, whose courage is the very heart of my army, and my young hussar, dear for your own sake--dearer still because--she trusted you!
(Blasio, the Emperor's secretary, comes out of the Cruz)
Blasio. Your majesty, I have finished the letters.
Max. Good. There will be no more to write. (Stumbles over something) What's this?
Blasio. A fallen Christ.
Max. You mean a fallen figure of the risen Christ.
Lop. Here is the crown of thorns.
Max. Give it to me. (Holds it meditatively) How well it suits my fortunes!
Salm. Nay--
Max. Ay, better than my golden one. (Gives it to Blasio) Hang it above my bed. My Queretaro crown!
Salm. Do not, your majesty!
Max. (To Blasio) Take it. (Exit Blasio) Why, prince, 'tis something to have won a crown. My first was given me. (Firing and falling of shells)
Salm. I beg you, sire, to move your quarters to a safer station. This is death at any moment!
Max. Death at any moment--(Regretfully) And I have been here sixty days.
Lop. Courage, sire! Marquez will come!
Max. (Eagerly) Has there been news?
Lop. Not yet, your majesty.
Max. Not yet! What does it mean? You heard him take the oath to bring me help or die. 'Twas here he swore--before us all. Vowed to return with troops in fifteen days! Ah, he is dead.
Salm. No, your majesty.
Max. But if he lives?
Salm. He is a traitor.
Max. You heard his oath--
Salm. A traitor's oath!
Lop. He's true, your majesty. His messengers are murdered.
Salm. He's false!
Max. But that means--death.
Salm. Or flight.
Max. Not flight!
(Enter Miramon and Mendez) You're welcome, gentlemen. Your eyes bring news.
Mir. Your majesty, Metz has returned.
Max. At last! News of Marquez! He comes! I know he comes!
Men. O, sire,--
Max. The faithful Metz! Where is he?
Metz. (Entering) Sire! (Kneels)
Max. Rise, sir.
Metz. O pardon me, your majesty! I bring but wintry news.
Max. Marquez--
Metz. Is false.
Max. Oh, no, no, no! He comes! I know he comes!
Metz. He's leagued with Labastida,--for the church Deserts you too.
Max. The church gone with him! No! no! I can't believe it!
Metz. You do not doubt me!
Max. Not you! But in my ear The tale turns miracle! And I must doubt, Though on your tongue 'tis truth!
Metz. 'Tis truth indeed! The troops he was to bring you from the city, He led for his own glory against Diaz, Thinking to make himself the conqueror And president of Mexico.
Max. My troops! What then?
Metz. Porfirio Diaz routed them To the last man. Marquez himself escaped Alone,--fled unattended from the field.
Max. My troops! my troops!... And this is friendship! O God, Give me but enemies!
Salm. Your Majesty--
Max. Who calls me majesty? There's none in me. I am a riven oak whose leaf-light friends Fly with misfortune's Autumn. (Steps away, bowed in grief)
Salm. (Following him) I love you, sire.
Lop. (Eagerly) So do we all! Your majesty, believe us!
Mir. Canst not spare one who have so many true?
Max. Forgive me, friends. This treachery's the night Wherein your hearts of gold beat out like stars!
Lop. My life is yours, my lord!
Max. Thanks, dear Lopez. (Takes his hand) In friendship lies the joy superlative, And nearest Heaven. We touch God's hand whene'er We clasp a friend's. ... But now we must take counsel.
Salm. No, sire, we must take action. Pardon me, But our sole hope of safety lies in flight.
Max. What! Leave the town to sack and ruin? No! Desert the poor inhabitants, so long our friends? And all our wounded, sick and dying? Never!
Salm. But if you stay, my lord, you sacrifice The living with the dying.
Max. Oh, Heaven, Heaven!
Lop. Your Majesty, this counsel is not wise. It is not honor!
Salm. Honor will lead the flight! To stay were crime! Sire, give the order now. At once! The firing to the north has ceased. All night I've reconnoitered. The way is clear For the last time. We'll arm the citizens To cover flight, and in an hour--
Lop. We'll be Attacked on every side! A madman's counsel!
Salm. O, sire, lose not a moment!
Mir. Lopez is right. To fly from death is not dishonor, but who That values honor throws away one chance Of victory?
Salm. There is no chance. Not one! My word is fly, and I'm no coward, sire.
Max. You've led our troops where every track was blood, And in the throat of battle, hand to hand, Have fought with Death! We know you'll dare a fight As far as any man while there's a hope Of victory.
Salm. But I'll not make my folly The captain to defeat.
Lop. 'Tis not defeat! The Liberals are at their fortune's ebb. They're sick with fear, and tremble in their rags.
Mendez. Let's fight it out, my lord!
Max. With starving men?
Lop. We're starving, but our foes are starved. Our ammunition fails, but theirs has failed--
(A shell breaks near them)
Salm. That, sir, unspeaks your words.
Lop. Not so. One shell But tells how few they are, for yesterday They fell in numbers. And to the north, you say, The guns are silent.
Salm. Sire, a moment lost May mean the loss of all.
(Enter Dupin with two prisoners. Lopez goes to meet him)
Dupin. What did you mean by your infernal order to bring these men here? Don't you know old Saint-face won't let them be shot?
Lop. Keep quiet. They are my captives, not yours.
Dup. I've plugged just ninety-eight this week, and it's too bad not to make an even hundred.
Max. (Approaching) Prisoners?
Dup. Deserters, your majesty. They have confessed it. I've brought them here for sentence. Will you have them shot at once, or wait till sunrise?
Max. None shall be shot. Not one. How often must we say it? If things go well here, good; if not, still is my conscience clear of blood. (To deserter) You've been with the enemy?
1st Des. Yes, curse the day! Your pardon, blessed majesty!
Max. How fare our foes?
1st Des. The best of them as bad as the worst with us.
Lop. You note that, prince?
2d Des. We have a little food, but they have none. The country is eaten bare. Diaz is trying to reach them with supplies, but at present there isn't enough meal in ten miles of the army to make an ash-cake.
Lop. More proof for the prince, your majesty.
Max. Their powder fails?
2d Des. Yes, sire. 'T would be all the same if it didn't, for they've hardly strength left to stand on their toes and fire the guns.
Max. Poor fellows!
Lop. You can not doubt, my lord, that we shall win with the next assault.
Mir. Cast fear to the winds, your majesty!
Salm. Who spoke of fear?
Mir. Not I! Fear is the devil's magic-glass He holds before us to swell out our vision, Turn hares to lions, stones a lamb might skip To beetling cliffs that ne'er knew human foot, And slightest obstacles, that do but make The mind's fair exercise and moral zest, To barriers, high as heaven, to success!
Lop. (Sneering) And Juarez' men of rags to glittering armies!
Max. We'll hazard battle.
Salm. I beg your majesty--
Max. We know your courage, prince, for it is writ In many a scar; but you are wrong in this.
Lop. You'll hear no more of flight, my lord?
Max. No more.
Lop. Then I'll to duty, knowing all is well.
(Exit Lopez)
Dupin. (Aside) And I'll go find a breakfast for my little man-eater. (Clapping his weapon) There's never anything to be done around his saintship. (Exit)
Mir. In half an hour?
Max. Yes. The plans will then be ready. (Turns to go in) You, prince, with me. Though I've dismissed your head from service, I still must have your heart. (Goes into church with Salm-Salm)
Mir. (To Mendez) What do you think of it?
Men. Why, sir, I'd rather die fighting than running. And there's a chance for us. The Liberals are beggared. There's hardly a uniform in camp. If Marquez had kept true, we should have saved the empire.
Mir. Don't speak of him! Hell's throne is empty while he's on earth!
(Exeunt Mendez and Mir.)
1st Des. Well, comrade, here's promotion fast enough. We that were prisoners are captains of the field. Lead on!
2d Des. Be sure the Tigre is not around. He's got a long claw. Ugh! I feel shaky yet.
(Exeunt. It grows lighter. Guard comes out of the Cruz and takes station by door. Enter Princess Salm-Salm, Aseffa, and women of Queretaro)
Princess S. (Excitedly) Admit me to the emperor!
Guard. Your pardon. He must not be disturbed.
Princess S. Oh, but he must! The pity of it that he must!
Guard. Nay, madam--
Princess S. Admit us, sir, or I will beat the door!
(Maximilian comes to door)
Max. Some trouble here? The princess! Always welcome!
Princess S. But such unwelcome news, your majesty! You know I've rooms at Senor Barrio's house. I've long suspected him. Last night he lodged Two men whose conference I overheard. All was not clear, but part was clear enough. One of your trusted officers is false, And you to-day--this hour--will be betrayed Unto your foes.
Max. Impossible!
Princess S. O, sire, Be blind no longer. This lady heard the men As I did. There's no doubt!
Lady. 'Tis certain, sire, That they were officers in the Liberal army, And spoke of things that set me all aghast.
Max. Good women, I thank you, but you are deceived. There's not a man about me whose true face Is not the table where fidelity Writes him my own.
Princess S. O, sir, 'tis one whose hand Is in your bosom.
Max. Nay--
Princess S. That much I know, Though I know not his name.
Max. Bold Miramon Is staunch as death. Mendez would in his breast Receive the bullet meant for me. Dupin Has been too cruel to the enemy To hope for life even at treason's price. And Lopez is my own created love, The Empress' guard,--the only Mexic heart I've taken a very brother's to my own.
Princess S. What shall I do? This moment you must fly! Stand not, your majesty! 'T will be too late!
(Prince Salm-Salm comes to door)
Thank God, my husband! His majesty's betrayed! You've never doubted me!
Prince Salm. Betrayed?
Max. No, prince,--
Prince Salm. I'll visit every post!
Princess S. You but lose time.
(The prince hurries out)
Oh God! Oh God!
Max. Sweet princess, be not troubled. There is no cause.
Princess S. Ah, we are lost!
(The bells of the city begin to ring)
Max. You hear? The bells! The enemy has raised the siege! O joyous news!
Princess S. No, no, your majesty. That is the traitor's signal of success. Oh Heaven!
Max. What madness! 'Tis impossible!
Princess S. Those bells proclaim that every Imperial post Is in a Liberal's command. We're lost!
(Enter citizens and soldiers in confusion)
1st Cit. What mean the bells?
2d Cit. That Escobedo's fled!
3d Cit. Marquez has come!
1st Soldier. No, no! The city's taken!
2d Soldier. Juarez is here! The Liberals are on us!
(Confused talking and shouts continue. Re-enter Prince Salm-Salm)
Max. What is it, prince?
Prince Salm. O dearest majesty--
Max. The worst!
P Salm. 'Tis treachery. We are surrounded!
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 shells and bayonets. But not To kill. My God, there's blood enough been shed. Bid all surrender. Let no more lives be lost. Farewell, my prince.... Now for a friendly shell!-- 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 noble 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. God gives Some moments out of Heaven, and this is one!
(Enter a soldier)
Sol. The Emperor is captured by Escobedo!
Princess S. Not killed! not killed! Thank Heaven for that!
Sol. 'Twas strange To see him stand like this (folds his arms) among the shells!
Asef. Now I could pity him, for he must die.
Princess S. Die, woman! Die? You know not who he is! Why all the outraged world would rise and raze This devil's country from the face of earth Were Maximilian slain! Let Juarez dare To harm this son of kings and he will learn His beggar's power is but an infant's breath!
Asef. Good madam, you have been my noble friend. I would not wound you, but would have you know That better men than Maximilian Have died for lesser crimes.
(Enter Juarez with soldiers. Dawn has gradually opened and it is now broad sunlight)
Voices. Juarez! Juarez! El Presidente! El Presidente!
Jua. My men, The town is ours, and with it Mexico. Citizens of Queretaro. I give you back More than your homes,--your liberated country.
Voices. Long live the Republic! Liberty forever!
(Enter Escobedo)
Esc. Your Excellency will see the prisoner?
Jua. The illustrious duke? Ay, bring him here.
Esc. He comes.
(Enter Maximilian under guard)
Jua. Great duke, I grieve that I have cause for joy To see you thus. What wishes would your grace Prefer to us?
Max. I have but one request, Your excellency. If more blood must be spilt, Let it be mine alone.
Jua. We grant it, sir, With two exceptions justice doth demand. Dupin and Miramon must die with you. Dupin, who put to most ignoble death The noblest prisoners of righteous war. Dark Miramon, whose cowardly ambition Has sunk his country in her own dear blood, And would do so again did life permit Him opportunity. And you, my lord, Who signed the foulest, most inhuman law Writ down since Roman Sulla's hand grew cold.
Princess S. O spare him! Spare him, sir! He was deceived By treacherous ministers!
Jua. His ministers Were but his many hands, and for their deeds His heart must answer.
Princess S. O could you know that heart!
Max. Dear lady, peace.
Princess S. Beloved majesty, I speak for her who prays beyond the sea. ... O, sir, you can not mean that he must die! Help me, Aseffa! Help me plead for him! Does not your Rafael live?
Asef. He lives because Ignacio is dead. (Juarez starts) I must be just.
Princess S. What has a woman's heart to do with justice? 'Tis mercy is its heavenly quality!
Jua. Is this thing true? My boy.... Speak, Rafael. ... Tears in your eyes. You need not speak. My boy ... Ignacio.... Unto God I give thee!...
Princess S. 'Tis right That they who would be gods to others' woe Should be proved human by their own.
Jua. (Not hearing her) And this Is what so many hearts have borne since first The Austrian came.
Princess S. O mercy, mercy, sir! By your own woe show pity unto those Whose hearts must bleed if Maximilian dies! Be merciful! These tears of mine are but The first few drops of the unbounded tide That weeping as the sea weeps round the world Shall drink thy hated land if this good man Dies by your word! Be Christ, not man, and spare him!
Juarez. Madam, it is the people and the law Demand this expiation, not Juarez. I grieve to see you on your knees before me, But did each queen of Europe--ay, and king,-- Kneel in your place, I could not spare that life.
(Silence. Sobs. Juarez signs to Escobedo, who leads prisoners away. Dupin's broad hat is pulled low. Miramon steps proudly. At exit Maximilian turns and salutes the people)
Max. Mexicans! Long live Mexico!
(CURTAIN)