Semiramis and Other Plays Part 50

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 pa.s.s out!

Eug. France, sir, shall know this outrage!

Lou. When you wish To make it known.

(Enter amba.s.sadors, 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 G.o.d. Napoleon, come!

There lies a world that's worth the price of war.

Whose swelling b.r.e.a.s.t.s 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.