Mar. If he signs the decree he will be sure to reserve the right to pardon. You must try my method.

Mejia. And that?

Mar. Shoot on the spot, and report no captures.

(Enter from the ball room Maximilian, Marshal Bazaine, General Miramon, and Count Charles)

Mir. Your majesty will sign the law to-night?

Max. These men wear the brave name of soldiers; fight Beneath a flag, and claim the rights of war.

Baz. They borrow war's fair name to kill and plunder!

Max. It was my dream when I took up this crown To claim each subject of the land my own.

Mir. And so you may, your majesty. 'Tis true.

These men are subjects to no law or nation; They are not Mexico's; they are not G.o.d's; But from the heavenly and the human pale They have outbarred themselves. Our honest land Has cast them out as venom to her health!

Nurse not this canker in your realm, my lord!

Max. I do not know ... but here's my head and heart,

(Touching Prince Salm-Salm and Count Charles)

And they may answer. Prince, what do you say?

Prince Salm.

As friend and soldier to your majesty, I must advise the pa.s.sage of the law.

Max. You, Charles?

Char. My lord, if as you say, these men Fight 'neath a flag, and for supposed rights, You violate the law of n.o.ble nations In sentencing to death the prisoners Of recognized war.

Baz. (Sneering) Sir, recognized?

Char. Does not the United States still call Juarez The president of Mexico?

Baz. Why, count, You'd best consult those books of yours again!

Juarez has fled and given up his cause.

These men are robbers! Your majesty will sign?

Max. Forgive me, friends, if I again say no.

Mir. Your majesty, 'tis we should ask your pardon For having failed to l.u.s.tre as we should This seeming-dark decree,--so wise, so just, And as undoubtedly your duteous act As though some stern necessity of the stars Enjoined it.

Max. (Uneasily) Press it not now. The people wait.

(All but Marquez go into ballroom)

Mar. Some fools have sat on crowns but not for long.

He'll sign. The Liberals must be dispatched Fast as we capture them, for we've short time.

The United States will soon be free again To turn to us, and what we wish to do Must be well done ere that. Dispatch! Dispatch!

Use Maximilian and the French to crush The Liberals, then with the church unite To pull down Maximilian and set up-- Marquez!... The Empress--and Ignacio!

One I suspect,--a half-breed full of pride!

Who'd have the court forget his Indian mother And bear in mind his father was a n.o.ble!

(Goes aside.

Enter Carlotta and Ignacio, followed by Prince and Princess Zichy, Prince and Princess Salm-Salm, Princess Josefa de Varela, Colonel Lopez, making merry with a fortune teller. The Empress steps apart with Ignacio)

Car. Ignacio! I've met strange looks to-night!

Ig. But not unkind ones, n.o.ble madam?

Car. O, such As can not be distinguished by a word, Cold, warm, or dark or fair, bitter or kind!

Ah, looks that will not advertise the heart, And yet betray too much!

Ig. Your majesty--

Car. A little coldness that might melt to love, A little pity that might soon be hate, A fair 'G.o.d with you' shaping to a curse--

Ig. What eye can harbor evil meeting yours Where lies a grace that turns all ill to virtue?

Car. Would all were true as you, Ignacio!

(Looks to ballroom and shudders)

Those eyes! Would I looked not so deep in eyes!

... You love my lord?

Ig. I do, your majesty.

Car. Above all other men? (He is silent) Nay, do not answer!

'Twas wrong to ask, for you have kinsmen maybe, Brother, or uncle, some one dear in blood Whom Heaven bids you cherish. But you will guard Your Emperor! You'll watch with me for foes?

For foes? He has none! How the thought Blasphemes his excellence! But 'tis a world Where whitest merit draws the darkest souls To prey upon it, while mere indifferent good Escapes!... Ignacio, is it true, Juarez Is not in Mexico?

Ig. O, madam!

Car. Ah!

Is 't true the Liberals are disbanded?

Ig. True?

Car. You do not answer, sir!

Ig. It is not true.

Car. You know it! You? And they still hope?

Ig. They do.