Max. What madness! ’T is impossible!
Princess S. Those bells proclaim that every Imperial post
Is in a Liberal’s command. We’re lost!
(Enter citizens and soldiers in confusion)
1st Cit. What mean the bells?
2d Cit. That Escobedo ’s fled!
3d Cit. Marquez has come!
1st Soldier. No, no! The city ’s taken!
2d Soldier. Juarez is here! The Liberals are on us!
(Confused talking and shouts continue. Re-enter Prince Salm-Salm)
Max. What is it, prince?
Prince Salm. O dearest majesty—
Max. The worst!
P Salm. ’T is treachery. We are surrounded!
Max. Those bells—
P Salm. Ring out the enemy’s success.
Each post is captained by a Liberal.
Max. (Calmly to princess) Forgive me. You were right. (To Prince Salm-Salm) Who is the traitor?
P Salm. Ask not, I beg you.
Max. His name!
P Salm. Lopez.
Max. Lopez? (Staggers)
Unsay that word—and take my crown!
P Salm. O, would
I could, your majesty! It is too true!
Max. Lopez! Carlotta’s chosen officer!
And heaped with favors high enough to make
A pyramid to faith!... Is this the world,
Or some strange fancy spinning in my eyes?
P Salm. My dearest liege—
Max. Who would not leave a life
Where such things be, though death were sleep eternal?
... Lead me ’mong shells and bayonets. But not
To kill. My God, there ’s blood enough been shed.
Bid all surrender. Let no more lives be lost.
Farewell, my prince.... Now for a friendly shell!—
Just here! (Striking his heart, rushes out)
Princess S. O save him! I am safe! Go! go! (Exit Salm-Salm)
1st Woman. We shall all be butchered!
Aseffa. Juarez is no butcher.
2d Woman. ’T is Escobedo leads,—and many have bled by him.
Aseffa. Be not afraid. I know the Liberals.
(Miramon and Dupin rush in)
Mir. Where is the Emperor?
Dup. Emperor dunce-cap! We must look to our own skins.
(Enter a score of ragged Liberals led by Rafael. Aseffa stares at him, speechless)
Mir. Too late for that!
Raf. You are our prisoners. (Liberals take Dupin and Miramon)
Soldiers. Shoot them! Shoot them! Miramon and Dupin! The butchers! The dogs!
Raf. Hold! You are soldiers! Not murderers!
Dup. (To soldiers) You rags and bones! Go wash and eat before you touch a gentleman!
Sol. You ’ll not be so nice to-morrow when the worms are at you!
Asef. Raphael! (Flies to him)
Raf. You here! O blessed fortune! My love! my love!
Asef. O, is it true? You are alive! Alive!
I too am resurrected, for I was dead,
Slain with the news that you were murdered!
Raf. I ’ve news too bitter for so sweet a moment.
Ignacio bribed my guard—stood in my place—
And died.
Asef. (Recoiling) You let him die for you?
Raf. No, no!
He carefully deceived me. I thought he planned
His own escape with mine.
Asef. O noble friend!...
Juarez! He knows?
Raf. Not yet.
Asef. What grief for that
Great heart!... But you are here—my Rafael!
Asef. These are your lips—
Your eyes—your hands—alive! I hear your heart!
Your arms are round me, yet this is the earth!
My country and my husband safe!
Raf. God gives
Some moments out of Heaven, and this is one!
(Enter a soldier)
Sol. The Emperor is captured by Escobedo!
Princess S. Not killed! not killed! Thank Heaven for that!
Sol. ’t was strange
To see him stand like this (folds his arms) among the shells!
Asef. Now I could pity him, for he must die.
Princess S. Die, woman! Die? You know not who he is!
Why all the outraged world would rise and raze
This devil’s country from the face of earth
Were Maximilian slain! Let Juarez dare
To harm this son of kings and he will learn
His beggar’s power is but an infant’s breath!
Asef. Good madam, you have been my noble friend.
I would not wound you, but would have you know
That better men than Maximilian
Have died for lesser crimes.
(Enter Juarez with soldiers. Dawn has gradually opened and it is now broad sunlight)
Voices. Juarez! Juarez!
El Presidente! El Presidente!
Jua. My men,
The town is ours, and with it Mexico.
Citizens of Queretaro. I give you back
More than your homes,—your liberated country.
Voices. Long live the Republic! Liberty forever!
(Enter Escobedo)
Esc. Your Excellency will see the prisoner?
Jua. The illustrious duke? Ay, bring him here.
Esc. He comes.
(Enter Maximilian under guard)
Jua. Great duke, I grieve that I have cause for joy
To see you thus. What wishes would your grace
Prefer to us?
Max. I have but one request,
Your excellency. If more blood must be spilt,
Let it be mine alone.
Jua. We grant it, sir,
With two exceptions justice doth demand.
Dupin and Miramon must die with you.
Dupin, who put to most ignoble death
The noblest prisoners of righteous war.
Dark Miramon, whose cowardly ambition
Has sunk his country in her own dear blood,
And would do so again did life permit
Him opportunity. And you, my lord,
Who signed the foulest, most inhuman law
Writ down since Roman Sulla’s hand grew cold.
Princess S. O spare him! Spare him, sir! He was deceived
By treacherous ministers!
Jua. His ministers
Were but his many hands, and for their deeds
His heart must answer.
Princess S. O could you know that heart!
Max. Dear lady, peace.
Princess S. Beloved majesty,
I speak for her who prays beyond the sea.
... O, sir, you can not mean that he must die!
Help me, Aseffa! Help me plead for him!
Does not your Rafael live?
Asef. He lives because
Ignacio is dead. (Juarez starts) I must be just.
Princess S. What has a woman’s heart to do with justice?
’T is mercy is its heavenly quality!
Jua. Is this thing true? My boy.... Speak, Rafael.
... Tears in your eyes. You need not speak. My boy ...
Ignacio.... Unto God I give thee!...
Princess S. ’T is right
That they who would be gods to others’ woe
Should be proved human by their own.
Jua. (Not hearing her) And this
Is what so many hearts have borne since first
The Austrian came.
Princess S. O mercy, mercy, sir!
By your own woe show pity unto those
Whose hearts must bleed if Maximilian dies!
Be merciful! These tears of mine are but
The first few drops of the unbounded tide
That weeping as the sea weeps round the world
Shall drink thy hated land if this good man
Dies by your word! Be Christ, not man, and spare him!
Juarez. Madam, it is the people and the law
Demand this expiation, not Juarez.
I grieve to see you on your knees before me,
But did each queen of Europe—ay, and king,—
Kneel in your place, I could not spare that life.
(Silence. Sobs. Juarez signs to Escobedo, who leads prisoners away. Dupin’s broad hat is pulled low. Miramon steps proudly. At exit Maximilian turns and salutes the people)
Max. Mexicans! Long live Mexico!
(CURTAIN)
ACT V.
Scene I: Audience chamber, the Tuileries. Louis Napoleon alone.
Lou. Succeed or fail! However men may run
The goal is marked. Yet will we race with Fate
In forgone match. Some free of foot and hand,
Some stumbling with huge empires on our backs
Less certain than the overburdened ant
Housing a winter crumb.... Victoire!
(Enter Secretary)
Sec. My lord.
Lou. If any dispatch from the West arrives
Bring it at once.
Sec. Yes, sire. (Exit)
Lou. America!
Thou strange, new power where each man is a king,
I have obeyed thy will. Pulled down my empire,
Built up that France might the Atlantic stride
And stand firm-footed in two worlds. This slap
Upon the cheek imperial insults
All monarchy, yet Europe shrugs and smiles,
When she should blush to ruddy rage of war.
... The West must go ... but here I ’ll be supreme.
Austria and Prussia I urge again to conflict,
And promise aid to each, but in my dream
They both are doomed and France shall reign alone.
(Enter Chamberlain)
Chamb. Your majesty, the Marechal Bazaine.
(Exit Chamberlain)
’T is penance night with us,
And this man is the mirror of our conscience,
Showing its foulest spots.
(Enter Bazaine)
Baz. Sire, I salute you.
Now Paris is the star that all eyes seek.
The Exposition draws the world to you,
Who glitter here as you were made for heaven.
Lou. Ay,
Here we would shine that none may see our star
I’ the West grow dark!... Now Maximilian?
Baz. He will be shot.
Lou. No jests! I ask you, sir,
What terms he may arrange for freedom.
Baz. None.
Lou. You speak not to a fool.
Baz. I trust not, sire.
Lou. You know the Mexicans. Tell me the truth.
Baz. I know the Mexicans. He will be shot.
Lou. God, no! That noble man!
Baz. Pray, sir, what fate
Had you in mind for Maximilian
When finding him too true to Mexico
For your proud aims, you sent such covered word
To one Bazaine he could but read therein
A revolution and the Emperor’s fall?
Lou. I would have spared his life.
Baz. (Taking out paper) Then what means this?
(Reads) ‘France weeps no death that brings her better fortune.’
Lou. You ’d spy a warrant in the alphabet
Did you but wish to find one! Think you that
Meant—death?
Lou. What dare you?
Baz. Anything—
With this safe in my pocket. (Puts up paper)
Lou. Beware, Bazaine!
Baz. When one so mighty as your Majesty
Is my protector?
Lou. You—
(Enter Chamberlain)
Chamb. The Count von Ostein
Beseeches word with you.
Lou. He ’s welcome to it.
(Exit Chamberlain)
Adieu, le marechal.
Baz. My lord—
Lou. Adieu,
Le marechal. (Exit Bazaine)
Prussia’s ambassador.
Now for our role of cheat and crowned dissembler.
O for a throne where Truth might keep her head!
(Enter the Prussian Minister)
Welcome, my lord.
Prus. Most gracious majesty,
The foreign ministers have come in body
To speak congratulations and confirm
The triumph of the Exposition.
Lou. They have our truest thanks. But first, my lord,
A word in private with you. Is ’t Prussia’s wish
That we withhold our aid from Mexico?
Prus. A question, sire. You know that Austria threatens.
Is France in this the friend or enemy
To Prussia? There ’s not an inch of middle ground
To stand on. If our foe, then pour your strength
To Mexico. If friend, keep it at home,
Ready for Prussia’s need.
Lou. To be your friend
May cost some blood to France.
Prus. I ’ve heard it said
The left bank of the Rhine is a fair country,
And worth a little blood.
Lou. Enough, my lord.
Let Prussia know she has a friend in France,
And with your sanction cover our retreat
From Mexico.
(Enter Chamberlain)
Chamb. Pardon, your majesty.
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 pass out!
Eug. France, sir, shall know this outrage!
Lou. When you wish
To make it known.
(Enter ambassadors, 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 God. Napoleon, come!
There lies a world that’s worth the price of war.
Whose swelling breasts 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.
Withdraw like frightened schoolboy and you make
Your throne a penance stool whereon you sit
For laughter of the nations. But come, and though
You fail, when time has brought America
To her full, greedy strength, these scornful kings
Will then unite in desperate endeavor
To give your great conception form and face,
And at your tomb they ’ll lift their shaken crowns
And beg a pardon from your heart of dust!
Prus. (Aside) He ’ll yield to her!... Most noble lady, we—
Car. I speak, sir, to Napoleon.
Lou. What help
Can Austria give?
Aus. Sire, she has many troubles.
The clouds of war threat her with scarlet flood,
And little strength has she to spare abroad
When foes besiege at home.
Car. And Austria’s chief
Is Maximilian’s brother! It was not so
That day at Miramar when three proud crowns
Took oath to serve him in an hour like this.
Austria powerless! And Belgium—dead.
But France—Ah, France, she will prove noble, loyal
To God and honor!
Lou. My honor, dearest lady,
Permits me not to risk my country’s life
That you may wear a crown in Mexico.
I can not save your empire.
Car. Then let it fall,
But save—my husband’s life!
(Astonishment and silence)
Lou. You speak but madly.
America has sent us guaranties
She will demand that Maximilian
Be held but as a prisoner of war.
The Mexicans dare not proceed against him
Contrary to the mighty government
That is sole friend unto their scarce born state.
Car. America demands with paper words
That can be torn and laughed at. Would she save him?
Let her demand his life with cannon turned
Upon his murderers. Then, sire, I ’ll trust
To their obedience. Till then I ’ll plead
With you. All hope is here.
Lou. Not so, dear lady.
Italy, Austria, and your Belgium,
Have sent their ablest counsel to defend him.
Car. Troops, troops, my lord, not wordy men of law,
Are his sole need. Should God send angels there
He ’d choose but those who bear the flaming sword.
... Here, here, my lords! Look here! His guaranties,
In his own hand set down! Here he vows faith
To Maximilian—and to Heaven! Hear!
‘I, Louis Napoleon, take solemn oath
Upon the honor of a man and king—’
Shall I go on, my lord? Have you forgot?
Then let my tongue be as a burning pen
To write it new upon your heart!
Lou. No! no!
In God’s name, no!
Aus. Dear lady, this is torture.
Car. Torture for you?—for him? Then what is it
For me, my lord?
Prus. Wouldst have his majesty
False to his country to be true to you?
Aus. The oath he took was, by the courtesy
Of nations, subject to the change that time
Visits on countries as on men.
Car. You ’d win
His sword from me that you may use it! Sirs,
He plays you ’gainst each other as the eagle
Sets ospreys in contention over prey
That he may filch the prize!
Lou. Carlotta!
Car. Be warned!
He ’ll know no ease till in your capitals
He has re-crowned the great Napoleon!
Lou. Nay—
Car. Stop me not! Here you shall stand as bare
To these men’s eyes as you do to my own!
Lou. My lords, you will not let her troubled mind
Weaken your trust in me?
Prus. Your majesty,
We know you noble.
Car. Noble! Napoleon,
This wondrous city is aflame with joy,
The blazing fires now dart aloft and write
In golden light your name upon the skies,
But in your heart will burn a torch of hell
Unquenchable, if you deny me aid!
Lou. Dear madam, pray believe that I am helpless.
Car. You are as strong as France, Eugenie, help me!
If e’er you held a dear head on your breast—
You have!—for you ’ve both son and husband! Ah,
I have no child. My lord is all to me.
O put your two in one and you will know
What now I plead for! By the kisses dropped
Upon your baby’s cheek, and by the hope
That you will see him grow up at your side,
Another self with heart-strings round your own,
I pray you, lady, soften that stone heart!
I kneel to you, an empress though my crown
Has fallen, as yours I pray will not,
And at your footstool beg my husband’s life!
(Eugenie rises)
By your child’s love, I beg you for one word!
Help me, Eugenie, or the day will come
When you will know a crown is but a band
Of metal cold, and one warm kiss more dear
Than all such circling glory! When you will grow
Mad with the longing but to touch the hand
Now lies in yours as it would never part,
Strain for the face whose beauty fed you once
Until your madness builds it out of air
To gaze with sweet unhuman pity on you
Yet come not near for kisses! O, even now
I look through sealed up time unto a night
When sleep will fly from your woe-drownéd eyes,
And you will cry to Heaven for blessed death
To lead you from the midnight desolation!
Eugenie, save thyself! For thy own sake
Show pity unto me, and in that hour
Receive the mercy that thou now dost give!
Eug. (Going) Help me! I ’m ill! (Her women assist her out)
Car. Gone! Gone? And yet a woman!
Ah, there ’s a God will suffer not this wrong!
... Napoleon—
Lou. Nay, madam, we ’ve said all.
I can not cast my country into war.
You but fatigue yourself.
Car. O Heaven! Fatigue!
Canst think of that when Maximilian
Is facing bayonets for honor’s sake?
Lou. Believe me, he is safe!
Car. I tell you no!
To-day the guns from Mont Valerien
Pealed out your glory! Your arm was in the arm
Of Prussia’s monarch, and Waterloo forgot!
You laughed with Austria’s chief, as though the duke
Of Reichstadt were not dead! The bloody snows
Of Moscow melt in Alexander’s smile!
Edward’s in France, St. Helena ’s a myth!
And all the world is trooping here to feed
Your monstrous vanity! But let the morn
Bring news of Maximilian’s death,
These kings will shudder from you as from plague,
The conscious earth refuse your feet a base
For shame to bear you! Then will begin your fall.
Down, down you ’ll creep to an unpitied death,
And winds that shriek around your exile bed
Will cry me prophetess!
Lou. (After a silence) Your audience
Is over. Pray go and rest. You need much sleep.
Car. A woman sleeps not till her heart is safe.
My eyes shall not be closed till I ’ve your answer.
Lou. You have it, lady, and we beg you leave us.
Car. Leave! leave! O sir, it is a lie I hear! (Falls at his feet)
You did not say it! See! I kiss your feet! O sir—
Lou. (Withdrawing) You put us to discourtesy.
Since you will not withdraw, we leave you.
Car. (Leaping up) Coward!
Then, Louis Napoleon, Emperor of France!
Thou art a murderer, and I have kissed
The devil’s hoof! (Exit Napoleon)
(Carlotta stands dazed, looking after Napoleon. Puts her hand over her eyes. Count Charles goes to her)
Char. Dear madam, come with me. (She looks about bewildered)
One of her women. Your majesty,
We pray you come.
Car. (Strangely) Yes—yes— I ’ll go. Away!
(Exit with her attendants)
Aus. A gloomy business, truly.
Prus. ’t has wrought upon me.
(Re-enter Napoleon)
Lou. My lords, believe me grateful for your help
In this most wretched business.
(Enter Secretary)
Sec. A dispatch, sire, from Mexico.
Lou. We ’ll hear it.
All here should share this news with me.
Sec. ’T is short,
Your majesty.
Lou. The sooner read. We wait.
Sec. (Reads) ‘By order of Juarez, the Austrian duke, Ferdinand Maximilian, has been shot.’
(Silence. Napoleon groans)
It. It can’t be true!
Bel. ’T is false! I ’ll not believe it!
Prus. Grieve not, your Majesty. This is a mock
Dispatch.
Aus. A noble archduke! Bound by ties
Of blood and love to every court of Europe!
Believe this not, my lord!
Sec. Your Majesty,
This second message from America
Confirms the other.
Lou. ’T is true! My God, ’t is true!
It. Carlotta! Who will tell her?
Lou. None shall do it!
She must not know.
Rus. Pardon me, sire, she must.
Lou. Then his death bullet has not stopped its flight.
’T will end but in her heart.
(Re-enter Count Charles. Napoleon silently gives him the despatch, which he reads with great agitation)
Char. (To himself) O terrible! And yet
No news to me—to me.
Lou. You ’ll tell her, sir?
Char. There is no need, my lord. Her reason ’s fled.
She ’s mad.
Bel. ’T is Heaven’s mercy!
It. Unhappy woman!
Char. She is not wild, but gentle, and thinks, my lord,
You ’ve granted her request.
Lou. Noble Carlotta!
My lords, forbear awhile. I ’d be alone.
It. God grant you rest.
(All go out but Napoleon)
Lou. These kings I ’ve called here to a dance must lead
A funeral. What can I say to them?
To Austria—his brother! England—his own cousin!
To Belgium—her brother! Spain— O, all
The world, that loved him!... An Emperor—and shot.
(Musical procession passes in street. Shouts of ‘Vive l’ empereur! Vive l’ empereur!’)
He too heard shouts like those—saw fires ascend
To write his triumph—ay—and he is cold—
Quite cold—shot dead.... Carlotta! prophetess!
I feel—I know—thy oracle ’s from God!
(Falls at the foot of the imperial chair)
(CURTAIN)
Scene II: Miramar. A balcony overlooking the sea. Lady Maria 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. ’T is 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....
’T is 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?
’T was 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 ’t is 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!
’T is 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?
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. ’T is 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!
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! ’t is Maximilian!
(Falls forward on her face)
(CURTAIN)
THE POET
| ACT I. | |
|---|---|
| Scene 1. | Helen’s room, Truelord house, New York. |
| ACT II. | |
| Scene 1. | Exterior of Clemm cottage, near Richmond. |
| ACT III. | |
| Scene 1. | Interior of Clemm cottage. |
| Scene 2. | The Same. |
| ACT IV. | |
| Scene 1. | An old book store, New York. |
| Scene 2. | Poe’s cottage, Fordham. |
| ACT V. | |
| Scene 1. | Poe’s lodging, Baltimore. |
| Scene 2. | A bar-room. |
CHARACTERS
Edgar Allan Poe
Virginia Clemm
Mrs. Maria Clemm
Helen Truelord
Mrs. Truelord
Roger Bridgmore
Nelson Clemm
Mrs. Delormis
Doctor Barlow
Mrs. Schmidt
George Thomas, Barkeeper
Haines, Juggers, Sharp, Black, gamblers
Bookseller
Mum Zurie, Tat, Bony, servants at Clemm cottage.
Gertrude, Mabel, Annie, Sallie, Dora, Gladys, Ethel, Alma, Allie, friends of Virginia.
ACT I.
Scene: Room in the Truelord House. Helen lies on a couch before large windows, rear, reading by light from a small lamp on table near couch. She wears a loose robe over night-dress.
A light knock is heard at door, left centre.
Hel. (Sitting up) Mamma?
Voice. Yes, dear.
Hel. (Kissing book and closing it) Good-bye, my poet! (Drops book on couch and goes to door)
Voice, as Helen opens door. I saw your light. (Enter Mrs. Truelord) Forgive me, love. I could not rest. (Helen is closing door) No! Kate is coming.
Mrs. Delormis. (In door) Yes, I ’m here, too, Helen.
Hel. Come in, Cousin Catherine.
(All three advance)
Mrs. Del. Madela had a feminine version of the jim-jams—tea-nerves, you know—so must get us both up.
Hel. (Drawing forward a huge chair for Mrs. Truelord while Mrs. Delormis takes a smaller one) I was not in bed.
Mrs. Tru. (Looking toward bed in alcove, right) But you have been! You could not sleep either. Ah!
(Sighs deeply)
Hel. (Goes to couch) Now, mamma!
Mrs. Tru. (Embarrassed by Helen’s straightforward look) Helen—I—I ’ve just got to have it out to-night. You are only my step-daughter, but I ’ve loved you like my own.
Hel. (Quaintly) Yes.
Mrs. Tru. Have n’t I always treated you as if you were my daughter born?
Hel. (Slowly) You have indeed!
Mrs. Tru. And I can’t bear for you to—to—O, I just can’t bear it, I say!
Hel. Bear what, mamma?
Mrs. Tru. This—this man—
Mrs. Del. Edgar Poe, Helen.
Mrs. Tru. You are going to give up Roger—Roger who has worshipped you since you were a baby, who has lived under the same roof and been a brother to you since you were two years old—you are going to give him up for a strange man—a man without a penny—a man you have seen but once—(Almost shrieking)—but once—(Rising)
Hel. (Crosses, and stands before her, speaking calmly) We know angels at first sight, mamma.
Mrs. Tru. (Grabbing Helen by the shoulders and staring at her) You have done it already! (Falls to chair as if fainting)
Hel. Soothe her, Catherine. I will get some wine. (Exit)
Mrs. Tru. (Sitting up, at once recovered) She ’s made up her mind. When her eyes shine like that it ’s no use to argue. And all of Roger’s fortune in Mr. Truelord’s hands! We ’ve considered it a family resource for years!
Mrs. Del. What a fool Roger was to bring Edgar Poe to the house!
Mrs. Tru. He ’s crazy about the man. Says he ’s a genius, and all that stuff.
Mrs. Del. Well, he is. But to introduce him to a girl like Helen! They ’ll be off before morning!
Mrs. Tru. Oh-h! Don’t, Kate! Roger actually wants me to ask him to stay in the house.
Mrs. Del. Idiot! He deserves to lose her.... But your guest! (Laughs) Poor Madela! How he would upset your nice, comfortable theories of life! Why, you could n’t hand him a cup of tea without feeling the planet quake.
Mrs. Tru. But what are we to do? Kate, you must help me.
Mrs. Del. I ’m going to. You can’t tell her father, because Helen must be persuaded, not opposed. And don’t speak about the money. If she loved a beggar she would trudge barefoot behind him.
Mrs. Tru. (Despairingly) O, don’t I know it?
Mrs. Del. Now you leave this to me, Madela. I will say a few things to Helen about meeting Mr. Poe in Europe—and—you know—
Mrs. Tru. (Kissing her violently) O, Kate! Tell her all—and more, if necessary! Don’t think about your reputation if you can save Roger’s fortune—
Mrs. Del. Sh!—
(Enter Helen, with wine and a glass)
Mrs. Tru. (Feebly) Thank you, dear, but I ’m better now. (Rising) I ’ll try to rest. (Goes to door)
Hel. I would see you to your room, mamma, but I ’m sure you would rather have Catherine. (Mrs. Delormis makes no move to go)
Mrs. Tru. O, I am quite well—I mean—I need no one—no one at all! Goodnight, my dears! (Exit)
Hel. (Politely) And is there anything which you must have out to-night, cousin Catherine?
Mrs. Del. Sit down, Helen. (Helen takes a chair) You have never loved me, but I have always had a warm heart for you, little girl. And you will take a warning from me in good part, won’t you?