Chapter 13

Lou. Succeed or fail! However men may run The goal is marked. Yet will we race with Fate In forgone match. Some free of foot and hand, Some stumbling with huge empires on our backs Less certain than the overburdened ant Housing a winter crumb.... Victoire!

(Enter Secretary)

Sec. My lord.

Lou. If any dispatch from the West arrives Bring it at once.

Sec. Yes, sire. (Exit)

Lou. America! Thou strange, new power where each man is a king, I have obeyed thy will. Pulled down my empire, Built up that France might the Atlantic stride And stand firm-footed in two worlds. This slap Upon the cheek imperial insults All monarchy, yet Europe shrugs and smiles, When she should blush to ruddy rage of war. ... The West must go ... but here I'll be supreme. Austria and Prussia I urge again to conflict, And promise aid to each, but in my dream They both are doomed and France shall reign alone.

(Enter Chamberlain)

Chamb. Your majesty, the Marechal Bazaine.

Lou. Bazaine! Admit him.

(Exit Chamberlain)

'Tis penance night with us, And this man is the mirror of our conscience, Showing its foulest spots.

(Enter Bazaine)

Baz. Sire, I salute you. Now Paris is the star that all eyes seek. The Exposition draws the world to you, Who glitter here as you were made for heaven.

Lou. Ay, Here we would shine that none may see our star I' the West grow dark!... Now Maximilian?

Baz. He will be shot.

Lou. No jests! I ask you, sir, What terms he may arrange for freedom.

Baz. None.

Lou. You speak not to a fool.

Baz. I trust not, sire.

Lou. You know the Mexicans. Tell me the truth.

Baz. I know the Mexicans. He will be shot.

Lou. God, no! That noble man!

Baz. Pray, sir, what fate Had you in mind for Maximilian When finding him too true to Mexico For your proud aims, you sent such covered word To one Bazaine he could but read therein A revolution and the Emperor's fall?

Lou. I would have spared his life.

Baz. (Taking out paper) Then what means this? (Reads) 'France weeps no death that brings her better fortune.'

Lou. You'd spy a warrant in the alphabet Did you but wish to find one! Think you that Meant--death?

Baz. (Closer) I know it.

Lou. What dare you?

Baz. Anything-- With this safe in my pocket. (Puts up paper)

Lou. Beware, Bazaine!

Baz. When one so mighty as your Majesty Is my protector?

Lou. You--

(Enter Chamberlain)

Chamb. The Count von Ostein Beseeches word with you.

Lou. He's welcome to it.

(Exit Chamberlain)

Adieu, le marechal.

Baz. My lord--

Lou. Adieu, Le marechal. (Exit Bazaine)

Prussia's ambassador. Now for our role of cheat and crowned dissembler. O for a throne where Truth might keep her head!

(Enter the Prussian Minister)

Welcome, my lord.

Prus. Most gracious majesty, The foreign ministers have come in body To speak congratulations and confirm The triumph of the Exposition.

Lou. They have our truest thanks. But first, my lord, A word in private with you. Is 't Prussia's wish That we withhold our aid from Mexico?

Prus. A question, sire. You know that Austria threatens. Is France in this the friend or enemy To Prussia? There's not an inch of middle ground To stand on. If our foe, then pour your strength To Mexico. If friend, keep it at home, Ready for Prussia's need.

Lou. To be your friend May cost some blood to France.

Prus. I've heard it said The left bank of the Rhine is a fair country, And worth a little blood.

Lou. Enough, my lord. Let Prussia know she has a friend in France, And with your sanction cover our retreat From Mexico.

(Enter Chamberlain)

Chamb. Pardon, your majesty. The Empress of Mexico begs audience.

Lou. Carlotta? No!

Chamb. She presses urgently To enter.

Lou. Here?... We sent our word to her At Miramar!... And yet--she comes--she's here. ... Admit the deputation, and summon, too, Our Empress.

Chamb. The Empress comes. (Enter Eugenie attended. Exit Chamberlain. Enter guards)

Eug. I hear the ministers Have come to us with state congratulations, And though unbidden, I'll not leave my chair-- The co-seat of imperial dignity-- Vacant at such a time.

Lou. Welcome, Eugenie. We were about to summon you.

Eug. Thanks even For tardy courtesy.

Lou. But we have more Than compliments to hear. Carlotta waits Our audience.

Eug. Carlotta! I can not see her! (Rises)

Lou. Nay, it was you first cast ambitious eye To Mexico. Now see the end.

Eug. My lord--

Lou. Be seated, madam.

Eug. You command me, sir?

Lou. We do.

Eug. (Going) Come, ladies!

Lou. (To guards) Let no one pass out!

Eug. France, sir, shall know this outrage!

Lou. When you wish To make it known.

(Enter ambassadors, Austrian, Russian, Italian, Belgian, and others)

Rus. Most glorious Majesty!

Belg. Mighty France!

It. Italy's savior!

Aus. Christendom's king!

Lou. I thank you, my good lords; but we're too sad To smile at compliments; Carlotta comes To beg our power to uphold her throne, Though Heaven has decreed her empire's fall. We ask you hear our open clear defence, And help set forth our duty, that the Empress May see our wisdom through our tears.

It. We'll lend Your Majesty what voice we can.

Lou. I thank you. (Aside to Austrian) My lord, a word. The Prussian talons creep Toward Austria. France is your friend.

Aus. O, sire!

Lou. If you would have her strong pray that no sword Of hers be lost in Mexico.

Aus. I will, My lord.

(Enter Carlotta, attended by Count Charles, Count de Bombelles, her priest, and women. She goes to Louis and would kneel. He takes her hand)

Lou. An Empress must not kneel.

Car. I'm still An Empress, sir?

Lou. Once to have worn a crown Is always to be queen.

Car. Sire, mock me not. Didst mean no more than that?

Lou. Lady, you come To beg your empire?

Car. I do not beg, Napoleon. I come to ask you keep your sacred oath, But do not make a beggar of me, sir, Who was a princess in my cradle.

Lou. Nay, Royal Carlotta, if beggar here must be, See one in us who sue your gentle patience. While strength was ours to give we gave it you, But now is France grown needy of her troops, With Europe surging to a conflict round her.

Car. My lord--

Lou. America turns baying on us. Should we make war on one who twice o'ercame Our island neighbors when she was but child To what she now is grown?

Prus. Your majesty, 'T would be a folly for a clown, not king.

Car. America? Easier to stop her now Than it will be when she wears Mexico Like sword at her right side. Austria, Prussia, Strike you no more at neighbor throats, but come And win a fight for God. Napoleon, come! There lies a world that's worth the price of war. Whose swelling breasts pour milk of paradise, Whose marble mountains wait the carver's hand, Whose valley arms ne'er tire with Ceres' load, Whose crownless head awaits the diadem That but divine, ancestral dignity May fix imperishably upon it! A bride For blessed Rome! And will you give her up To ravishers? To enemies of the Church? To unclean hands ne'er dipped in holy chrism?

Aus. The time's not ripe for our united swords To ransom her.

Car. The time is always ripe For a good deed. Napoleon, you will come! And though you fail, failure will be majestic. Withdraw like frightened schoolboy and you make Your throne a penance stool whereon you sit For laughter of the nations. But come, and though You fail, when time has brought America To her full, greedy strength, these scornful kings Will then unite in desperate endeavor To give your great conception form and face, And at your tomb they'll lift their shaken crowns And beg a pardon from your heart of dust!

Prus. (Aside) He'll yield to her!... Most noble lady, we--

Car. I speak, sir, to Napoleon.

Lou. What help Can Austria give?

Aus. Sire, she has many troubles. The clouds of war threat her with scarlet flood, And little strength has she to spare abroad When foes besiege at home.

Car. And Austria's chief Is Maximilian's brother! It was not so That day at Miramar when three proud crowns Took oath to serve him in an hour like this. Austria powerless! And Belgium--dead. But France--Ah, France, she will prove noble, loyal To God and honor!

Lou. My honor, dearest lady, Permits me not to risk my country's life That you may wear a crown in Mexico. I can not save your empire.

Car. Then let it fall, But save--my husband's life!

(Astonishment and silence)

Lou. You speak but madly. America has sent us guaranties She will demand that Maximilian Be held but as a prisoner of war. The Mexicans dare not proceed against him Contrary to the mighty government That is sole friend unto their scarce born state.

Car. America demands with paper words That can be torn and laughed at. Would she save him? Let her demand his life with cannon turned Upon his murderers. Then, sire, I'll trust To their obedience. Till then I'll plead With you. All hope is here.

Lou. Not so, dear lady. Italy, Austria, and your Belgium, Have sent their ablest counsel to defend him.

Car. Troops, troops, my lord, not wordy men of law, Are his sole need. Should God send angels there He'd choose but those who bear the flaming sword. ... Here, here, my lords! Look here! His guaranties, In his own hand set down! Here he vows faith To Maximilian--and to Heaven! Hear! 'I, Louis Napoleon, take solemn oath Upon the honor of a man and king--' Shall I go on, my lord? Have you forgot? Then let my tongue be as a burning pen To write it new upon your heart!

Lou. No! no! In God's name, no!

Aus. Dear lady, this is torture.

Car. Torture for you?--for him? Then what is it For me, my lord?

Prus. Wouldst have his majesty False to his country to be true to you?

Aus. The oath he took was, by the courtesy Of nations, subject to the change that time Visits on countries as on men.

Car. You'd win His sword from me that you may use it! Sirs, He plays you 'gainst each other as the eagle Sets ospreys in contention over prey That he may filch the prize!

Lou. Carlotta!

Car. Be warned! He'll know no ease till in your capitals He has re-crowned the great Napoleon!

Lou. Nay--

Car. Stop me not! Here you shall stand as bare To these men's eyes as you do to my own!

Lou. My lords, you will not let her troubled mind Weaken your trust in me?

Prus. Your majesty, We know you noble.

Car. Noble! Napoleon, This wondrous city is aflame with joy, The blazing fires now dart aloft and write In golden light your name upon the skies, But in your heart will burn a torch of hell Unquenchable, if you deny me aid!

Lou. Dear madam, pray believe that I am helpless.

Car. You are as strong as France, Eugenie, help me! If e'er you held a dear head on your breast-- You have!--for you've both son and husband! Ah, I have no child. My lord is all to me. O put your two in one and you will know What now I plead for! By the kisses dropped Upon your baby's cheek, and by the hope That you will see him grow up at your side, Another self with heart-strings round your own, I pray you, lady, soften that stone heart! I kneel to you, an empress though my crown Has fallen, as yours I pray will not, And at your footstool beg my husband's life!

(Eugenie rises)

By your child's love, I beg you for one word! Help me, Eugenie, or the day will come When you will know a crown is but a band Of metal cold, and one warm kiss more dear Than all such circling glory! When you will grow Mad with the longing but to touch the hand Now lies in yours as it would never part, Strain for the face whose beauty fed you once Until your madness builds it out of air To gaze with sweet unhuman pity on you Yet come not near for kisses! O, even now I look through sealed up time unto a night When sleep will fly from your woe-drownéd eyes, And you will cry to Heaven for blessed death To lead you from the midnight desolation! Eugenie, save thyself! For thy own sake Show pity unto me, and in that hour Receive the mercy that thou now dost give!

Eug. (Going) Help me! I'm ill! (Her women assist her out)

Car. Gone! Gone? And yet a woman! Ah, there's a God will suffer not this wrong! ... Napoleon--

Lou. Nay, madam, we've said all. I can not cast my country into war. You but fatigue yourself.

Car. O Heaven! Fatigue! Canst think of that when Maximilian Is facing bayonets for honor's sake?

Lou. Believe me, he is safe!

Car. I tell you no! To-day the guns from Mont Valerien Pealed out your glory! Your arm was in the arm Of Prussia's monarch, and Waterloo forgot! You laughed with Austria's chief, as though the duke Of Reichstadt were not dead! The bloody snows Of Moscow melt in Alexander's smile! Edward's in France, St. Helena's a myth! And all the world is trooping here to feed Your monstrous vanity! But let the morn Bring news of Maximilian's death, These kings will shudder from you as from plague, The conscious earth refuse your feet a base For shame to bear you! Then will begin your fall. Down, down you'll creep to an unpitied death, And winds that shriek around your exile bed Will cry me prophetess!

Lou. (After a silence) Your audience Is over. Pray go and rest. You need much sleep.

Car. A woman sleeps not till her heart is safe. My eyes shall not be closed till I've your answer.

Lou. You have it, lady, and we beg you leave us.

Car. Leave! leave! O sir, it is a lie I hear! (Falls at his feet) You did not say it! See! I kiss your feet! O sir--

Lou. (Withdrawing) You put us to discourtesy. Since you will not withdraw, we leave you.

Car. (Leaping up) Coward! Then, Louis Napoleon, Emperor of France! Thou art a murderer, and I have kissed The devil's hoof! (Exit Napoleon)

(Carlotta stands dazed, looking after Napoleon. Puts her hand over her eyes. Count Charles goes to her)

Char. Dear madam, come with me. (She looks about bewildered)

One of her women. Your majesty, We pray you come.

Car. (Strangely) Yes--yes-- I'll go. Away!

(Exit with her attendants)

Aus. A gloomy business, truly.

Prus. 'T has wrought upon me.

(Re-enter Napoleon)

Lou. My lords, believe me grateful for your help In this most wretched business.

(Enter Secretary)

Sec. A dispatch, sire, from Mexico.

Lou. We'll hear it. All here should share this news with me.

Sec. 'Tis short, Your majesty.

Lou. The sooner read. We wait.

Sec. (Reads) 'By order of Juarez, the Austrian duke, Ferdinand Maximilian, has been shot.'

(Silence. Napoleon groans)

It. It can't be true!

Bel. 'Tis false! I'll not believe it!

Prus. Grieve not, your Majesty. This is a mock Dispatch.

Aus. A noble archduke! Bound by ties Of blood and love to every court of Europe! Believe this not, my lord!

Sec. Your Majesty, This second message from America Confirms the other.

Lou. 'Tis true! My God, 'tis true!

It. Carlotta! Who will tell her?

Lou. None shall do it! She must not know.

Rus. Pardon me, sire, she must.

Lou. Then his death bullet has not stopped its flight. 'T will end but in her heart.

(Re-enter Count Charles. Napoleon silently gives him the despatch, which he reads with great agitation)

Char. (To himself) O terrible! And yet No news to me--to me.

Lou. You'll tell her, sir?

Char. There is no need, my lord. Her reason's fled. She's mad.

Bel. 'Tis Heaven's mercy!

It. Unhappy woman!

Char. She is not wild, but gentle, and thinks, my lord, You've granted her request.

Lou. Noble Carlotta! My lords, forbear awhile. I'd be alone.

It. God grant you rest.

(All go out but Napoleon)

Lou. These kings I've called here to a dance must lead A funeral. What can I say to them? To Austria--his brother! England--his own cousin! To Belgium--_her_ brother! Spain-- O, all The _world_, that loved him!... An Emperor--and shot.

(Musical procession passes in street. Shouts of 'Vive l'empereur! Vive l'empereur!')

He too heard shouts like those--saw fires ascend To write his triumph--ay--and he is cold-- Quite cold--shot dead.... Carlotta! prophetess! I feel--I know--thy oracle's from God!

(Falls at the foot of the imperial chair)

(CURTAIN)