Semiramis and Other Plays Part 27

Thus speak I for the emperor of France!

Princess Metternich. (Advancing) I for the empress! Eugenie bade me speak Her heart out here, and hail thee sister empress!

To ask when your young empire blooms above The lily of old France, and lures the East To pour her golden heart into your port, And ocean blossoms with your argosies, You'll still remember that she loved you when You were but princess and no farther ruled Then stretch the gardens of small Miramar!

Car. O generous Eugenie! But the fear--

Abbot of Lacroma.

To speak of fear in this is to doubt G.o.d!

He does not bless in vain a n.o.ble prince With such rare qualities as crown the mind Of Maximilian! 'Tis for some purpose rare He rounds such excellence with highest birth And puts a sword of power in his hand!

From over seas unto your very feet A nation comes to choose from all the world One made by Heaven to be its sovereign lord, Cool hearts of pa.s.sion in his amity, Make bitter eyes forget their ancient hate, And proudest knees bow with old enemies In worship of his star beneficent!

There pale and crushed Peace Shall take the color of the living rose, Hearing the voice of his protecting love That comes to lift her beauty from the dust And on that ground volcanic n.o.bly build Her temple indestructible!

There shall his kingly mind find outward means To write sublimity upon the world, And like old Egypt speak in pyramids To nations unbegot in dream of Time!

And can you shock the hour with hesitation?

Ask all the waiting world,--ay, even G.o.d, To pause and count the heart-beats of a woman?

Car. (Devoutly, with uplifted hands and eyes) Forgive me, Heaven, that I doubted thee!

(Takes Maximilian's hands, turns with great dignity to the deputies, and speaks solemnly)

Senors, we'll wear the crown of Mexico.

(Silence. The abbot of Lacroma advances; Carlotta and Maximilian drop to their knees as he extends his arms above them in blessing)

Scene II: A camp in the mountains of Mexico. Night. Aseffa preparing food by a fire. She goes aside, listens, and returns.

Asef. O Mexico, thou traitress unto love, Wilt trample every heart that's true to thee?

(Listens. Enter Miguel and Lerdo, very ragged and gaunt) Miguel! Lerdo! Rafael not come? Where did you leave him?

Lerdo. Nowhere, Senora.

Asef. Oh!

Mig. Don't flutter, little bird. We mean that he left us. He set off as fresh as the morning to make the circuit of another mountain while we could barely creep up to camp.

Asef. You are hungry! I'll give you Rafael's supper!

Ler. Hungry? No! I've had two biscuits since yesterday, and sixty miles isn't far to go on that.

Mig. And as much good air and water as a soldier need want!

Asef. Here! Take it. 'Tis good. Indeed it is!

Mig. Smoking meat! Ha! Who brought it? Has the Holy Virgin been in camp?

Asef. No, but I've been down to the valley.

Ler. You?

Asef. Yes,--and I've a little gold left, too!

(Showing purse)

Mig. You paid five pesos for that dish!

Asef. A good guesser would double the price.

Mig. And for Rafael's supper! No, I can go two more days yet.

(Puts food aside)

Asef. But you shall not. Come, eat! I'll feed you then, and you don't want Juarez' soldiers to be turned into babies, do you?

Mig. I'll yield! In fact, there's an orator within that speaks with a most convincing pinch. (They eat)

Asef. (Watching) Poor fellows! They'll not leave him a mouthful!

Ler. Where is the general?

Asef. (Pointing up the hill) Asleep. Have you news?

Ler. None to bring good dreams. Let him sleep.

Mig. Lord, a meal a day like this and I could drive the whole French army into the sea! (Rising) Now if these rags could be turned back to their first fortunes, I'd be Don Miguel de Tejada again! You wouldn't think that these tags and tatters had waltzed with the president's niece at the capital, would you now?

Asef. You must let me mend your clothes as I do Rafael's.

Mig. Faith, Senora, you would have to begin too many months back. No, I'll hang out my banners as a knight of liberty should, and be Don Miguel de Tejada still. Asleep, my Lerdo? A good example, too. (Lies down) Good-night, Senora the Blessed!

Asef. Good-night, Don Miguel de Tejada! (The soldiers sleep. She waits and listens. Runs aside and looks down the valley)

Asef. Rafael! (Steps approach. Enter Rafael)

Raf. (Embracing her) Here's Heaven for the weary!

Asef. So tired? And I have nothing for you! (Looks toward soldiers) They were so hungry.

Raf. They're welcome to it. (Kissing her) Here is my banquet,--my feast of beauty and my wine of love!

(Staggers to a rock and sits feebly)

Asef. Oh! You've been so far!--too far!

Raf. We rode all day, but made no terms for food. The people are afraid. Whoever gives us bread forfeits his life and home.

Asef. I bought some meat of a poor woman to-day. She needed the money.

Raf. And if the Imperials find her out they'll murder her and set her hut in flames!