Semiramis and Other Plays Part 26

Car. You're wrong--so wrong--but this is strange.

O why are we not happy? (Turning to window and gazing out)

Char. (Following her) Because, my cousin, This is not Miramar as we have known it.

The scholar's home, the soldier's fair retreat, The n.o.ble heart's sweet fane and altar spot, But Miramar with great ambition's storm Rolling its thunders 'gainst her peaceful walls!

Max. But to live idly is never to be born.

Shall we sit here at ease when G.o.d has found The work for us? He with his pontiff finger Points to the sea--

Car. (Turning) Sweet Miramar!

If G.o.d points to the sea, why gave he this?

This heaven-spot, this nesting place of love, Hung like a garland 'tween the sea and rocks!

Ah, dear my lord, some curse will follow us Who can desert this peace-embalmed place To seek a glory fairer but in name!

I dare not do it!

Max. (Taking her hands) 'Tis you shall say, my wife.

If to stay here's your wish, that wish is mine, Maybe I've dreamed too much of deeds of good, And visionary feats in that far land; Then let it be your yea or nay, my love.

Car. O leave it not to me, for in a yea My vanity will speak, and in a nay My fear!

Max. A slander on these lips? A kiss Were better! (Kisses her. Enter Marquis Corio)

Cor. The n.o.ble guests approach. Will 't please Your Highnesses a.s.sume your places?

Max. Yea, Or nay, Carlotta?

Mar. O, they come! they come!

Char. (Hastily and earnestly) Nay, if you love your lord! That is a land Of murder, treason, carnage and revolt!

The very air cries out 'go not! go not!'

E'en yon cloud-turbanned peak, that never moves Whate'er the circling stars propound to vex His silent wisdom, warns with forbidding nod!

O n.o.blest cousin--

Car. (In agitation) An empire! Miramar!

(Maximilian takes place centre. A table in front of him covered with maps and papers. Carlotta by him, Count Charles and Lady Maria in their rear. Enter Archduke of Austria, and n.o.bles, who take position at some distance from Maximilian on his right. Enter Belgian Minister, Abbot of Lacroma, Princess of Metternich, Princess Zichy, Countess Kollonitz, and others. They stand at distance to left of Maximilian. Enter the Imperial delegate, Senor Hurbet, and General Fra.s.sart, Napoleon's Adjutant of the Field. The former takes place immediately at Maximilian's right, the latter at left of Carlotta. Marquis Corio at door. Enter the Mexican deputies, Estrada, Berzabal, Negrete, Ruiz, and a dozen others. Estrada, as president of the deputation, makes low salute)

Max. Welcome, my lords, to Miramar!

Est. Hail, Prince, And fairest princess! The grace and hope of morning Be ever on your lives!

Car. Must n.o.ble senors, We give you thanks and greeting.

Max. Your presence here, My lords, would move our hearts although you brought No crown to guerdon welcome.

Est. O, gracious prince, Our tongues but feebly bear the mighty love The land of Montezuma bade us lay Low at your feet. Your starry virtues draw Her prayers and hopes and holiest desires Across the sea in humblest supplication.

We make no weary tale of our misfortunes; They are so great the world is heavy with them, And Mexico means but calamity To every ear.

Max. My dear and honored lords, The heart is granite and the veins are ice That will not stir at your deep miseries.

Est. Ah, sir, this crown is heavy, but you will bear The golden weight as 't were the aureole That seals the saint to G.o.d!

Max. But not without Consent of every subject should I wear it.

Does Mexico send all her hearts with you?

Ruiz. (Spreading paper on table) Read here the proclamation now in force In all our provinces.

Max. And this has been By each a.s.sembly ratified?

Berzabal. Ay, prince!

It is a nation, not these dozen men, That with a million voices prays to you!

Max. From childhood up I've sought to obey my G.o.d, But never dreamed that he would bless my life With such high sanction as I read herein. (Lifting paper) Forgive a tear, my lords.... But we must ask That crowned Europe give a sacred oath To guarantee our empire's permanence.

Archduke.

Brother, I bring the word of Austria, Whose prayers, whose arms, whose subjects' blood are yours, While she has blood or arms to give!

Belgian Minister. For Belgium I speak--the princess' true and royal father, Whose little kingdom measures not his heart!

Senor Hurbet.

And I, my lord, have here the signed oath Of Mightiest France, whose fifty-thousand men Now guard the cradle of the new born peace In Mexico! Read here what he will do.

Max. (Reads) Enough.... My lords, should I accept this crown, 'T would be with holiest expectation To reign in love and peace, but your past struggles Point to a term of danger and much risk Ere our star shines above all factious spite.

Stood I alone I should not hesitate, But here is one more dear than my own life, Whom I must cherish more than my own life, Within whose heart I must find out my answer; And G.o.d be thanked her wisdom beams so true Above the hesitations of my mind That I can love her yea or nay as 't were By Heaven spoke!

Est. Then to your mercy, princess, We now commit our hope.

Car. Most worthy lords, I am so proud that I would wear a crown, So pitying I would weep my heart away For your sad country, and so vain I think The lord that married me might lead you from Rebellion's night to civil-kissing hours; But yet a woman bonded unto love, Not my own mistress. The life bound up with mine Is dearer than the peace of any state, And looking deep into your country's heart I read some cruel marks of history That teach me fear for any precious thing Consigned unto its love.

Est. If ever souls Lay bare to human eyes, read now in ours The loyalty which you will find in every subject!

Ruiz. Be merciful! Earth aches through her rock-ribs With our old woes, and it is you may heal them!

Ber. Pity will teach thee soon to love our land!

Car. My lords, already I love Mexico, And would forego the peace of Miramar,-- All happy days that from the future lean To meet my smiles, as trifles whose light thought Shames this great hour; but when in dream I see My lord beset by foes in foreign land, The help he needs beyond a three-months' sea, My princess pride flags to a peasant fear For one dear life!

Est. Wrong not yourself, your lord, And Mexico, O gentlest lady--

Car. Nay--

Est. Say yea, and our expectant land will feel The thrill of that affirmative across The glad Atlantic! Yea--and France, whose name Is in our hearts as G.o.d's, will bless thy tongue!

Say yea, and n.o.ble England, watchful Spain, Who with great France began the holy work Of blessed liberation will applaud With happy echoes to the guardian skies!

Say yea, and the white spirit of the Church Will take 'neath her soft wings our blood-drenched land, That waits but for that word to hail thy lord Regenerator, king!

Car. My lords, my lords, We are but human! Mayhap we will not keep The love that we have won!

Senor Hur. Fear not, O princess!

Behind your throne, with unretreating sword, Will stand the first great power of all the world!