Semiramis and Other Plays Part 35

(Lopez enters and comes up to the Emperor)

Lop. (Handing him a slip of paper) Your majesty, the Empress sends you this.

(Maximilian reads aside:) 'Sign the decree.'

Max. (Aside) What has she heard?

Dup. (At a distance, in rear of Maximilian, folds his hands meekly on his breast and whistles softly)

'When we sacked the summer palace at Pekin!' (Mimics) 'As yet we have not reconciled the matter with our conscience.' Does he think he can govern Mexico with a prayer-book? Put him in his cradle and sing by-lo-baby!

Max. (To Miramon, who has spoken to him) There's only one left to oppose it--Charles.

Mir. My lord, you'd set a scholar's word against A general's in matters of the field?

The count's opinion, born within a closet, Would die in open air but for your nursing.

Max. Come, Count, defend your cause.

Char. My cause, my lord?

Max. You are but one against the government.

Canst talk above so big a head? If not, I fear we'll pa.s.s this law of blood. Come, come!

Be eloquent! My heart would have you win!

Char. (Very pale and hesitating) Your majesty--I beg--

Max. Goes it so deep To your good heart?

Mir. My lord--

Max. Forgive me, Charles, For pressing you so much. We'll rest to-night.

To-morrow there'll be time.

Char. (Hastily) No! Not to-morrow!

Sign the decree! Sign it to-night!

(Maximilian looks with the greatest astonishment at his now flushed face and eager manner, then thinks he understands)

Max. Ah, Charles, This tender heart of yours will kill you yet.

No more of this. I'll keep you at your books.

Char. (Recovering, proceeds with suavity, completely sold to his desire) My mind has cleared with deeper thought, my lord, Discord, the ancients tell us, was at first So small a gnat did give her birth, but grew So great her feet o'erturned proud cities while Her head upset the G.o.ds in council. So this Small trouble may o'ercast your destiny-- And is 't not better, sir, to pa.s.s a law, However dreaded, 'gainst the rebel few Than that the nation trusted to your care Should be broad cursed with civil slaughter?

Max. Better?

If such a danger threatens 'tis a crime Not to forfend it!

(Enter Marquez and Archbishop Labastida)

Lab. Gracious sovereign!

Max. Most reverend father, you would counsel us?

Lab. We would, your majesty. If yet the wish Of Heaven has power over you; and Christ Be your most high example, you will prove A careful guardian to your trusting people, And crush this villainous and robber race Now preying on the true and innocent, Swelling each day more poisonous and foul!

Max. We are decided. Are we not, good Charles?

Mar. (Hastily) Nay, sire--

Max. We are decided--to pa.s.s this law.

Convinced that 'tis the honest course.

(All surprised and relieved but Ignacio, who starts with horror)

Ig. My G.o.d!

Mir. Blest majesty, we thank you!

Lab. You do but set Your name where Heaven's seal already shines.

Ig. The seal of h.e.l.l! O n.o.blest man that breathes This corrupt air, take back that word of death Ere it is stamped in black upon your soul!

Mir. (After a silence) An Aztec, sire, and nephew to Juarez.

Max. You think that is a sin? Among our friends Are many whose nearest kinsmen n.o.bly served The lost Republic. Hear us, Ignacio.

This law is subject to a firm condition: Each officer shall make report to us, And every captive who deserves not death Shall have our pardon.

Ig. Then, you'll pardon two Now at Savarro, Trevino and Mendorez, Both doomed to die at sunrise!

Mir. Ravagers!

Brigands! Ay, murderers!

Ig. No! Patriots!

Soldiers! And martyrs if they die! My lord, If they have plundered, 'twas to feed an army; If they have killed,--that is the aim of war.

They are your foes, but n.o.ble ones,--and men, Not creatures to be caught in traps and shot Like beasts!

Max. We'll look to this. Marquez, at once Send a dispatch commanding they be held As prisoners of war until we've time To examine them.

Mar. I will, your majesty.

Ig. My lord, at Callovalla when the French Had routed the Republicans, there came At night some student priests into the field To help the wounded and to cheer the dying.

This man, Marquez, set on them with his troop And made them prisoners. The morning sun Beheld each saintly minister shot dead.

And you would trust this devil with the life Of captive foes? A man whose hands are red With G.o.d's own blood?

Mar. He lies! Your majesty, I'll prove him traitor to your very eyes!

Ig. Traitor?

Mar. Ay, sir, and spy! Lay bare his arm, And see the branded cross!--the sacred mark Of those who've sworn to die in Juarez' cause!