Chapter 14

alone.

Mar. Here they went out together--arm in arm,-- Sweet, healing spirits to a bleeding land. Down yonder terrace to the sea they passed,-- He unto death, and she--to--(Sighs deeply)

Car. (Without) Cousin!

Mar. Ah!

(Turns smiling to greet Carlotta who enters carrying flowers)

So early out? What treasures have you there?

Car. The sweetest flowers that ever peeped up head. They grow along the path in that dear wood Where Maximilian took me gypsying When we grew weary of the world.

Mar. I'm sure That was not often.

Car. True. We loved too well Our work among the people to hide ourselves In little corners of delight. But oh, those times! How he would catch me as I ran and say His little wild-girl with her flower crown Was dearer than his princess ermine-gowned. And so I'll wreathe these buds into my hair, And meet him as he loved me best.

(Goes to edge of the balcony and looks to sea)

To-day! This blessed, beauteous day our eyes shall see him!

(Drops flowers in trance of happiness)

Mar. Sweet Empress--

Car. Empress? No! To-day I am His little wild-girl with her wreath of flowers. O, I must make my crown! Now, now, how careless!

(Picks up flowers, sits and weaves them)

You see this flower?

Mar. 'Tis very beautiful. What is it?

Car. I've seen it only in our wood. Maximilian says it grows but for my hair. (Sings)

In a young, sweet hour of Spring I sat 'neath an old tree to sing Of love, only love! The little brook took up my tune And to his soft green banks did croon, The green grass rippled to the tree And every leaf shook melody Of love, only love! And then the birds that flitted by Told it the clouds that told the sky, And all the world to song did start With what I sang but to my heart! Ay, all the world sang back to me A little maiden 'neath a tree Of love, only love!

(Puts down flowers and goes to Lady Maria)

Ah, cousin, do you think he'll be delayed?

Mar. Dear madam, I fear me so.

Car. These ships! these ships! How slow their wings when they do bear our loved ones! The wandering treasures of our empty arms! The western waters must have sirens too, And will not let him pass.

Mar. Indeed they would not, Did they but know what majesty is in him.

Car. (Embracing her) O help me love him, dear. My heart's too small.

(Enter Count Charles)

Char. A message.

Car. Oh! a message! I do not want A message.

Char. The admiral of the port has word The Emperor's ship's delayed.

Car. Why, we'll not weep.... 'Tis but a day.... (Goes forward, looking out) To-morrow, then--to-morrow! (To Lady Maria) Why do you weep? A day's not worth a tear. See, I can smile!... But my poor flowers will fade. I plucked them all.... No more grow by the path.... (Suddenly) Cousin, why wear you black?

Mar. (Confused) I--madam--I--

Car. Such sable hues for this so rosy day? Go dress your body like our happy hearts! Dost think a coffin comes across the sea? A coffin--(Shudders) Go! I can not bear this black!

(Exit Lady Maria)

I am displeased. Have I not reason, Charles? 'Twas very wrong of her to dress in black When Maximilian comes. I will go in. I'm tired--but I am very happy. Ah! (Exit)

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, God, remember When once I am in hell, 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 noble 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 God 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 God! 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 noble 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 noble! Oh, he turns--he turns--his breast Is to the weapons! Now they fire! He falls! His face! (Gives a wild cry) Oh God! 'tis Maximilian!

(Falls forward on her face)

(CURTAIN)

THE POET