o more.

(In the silence that follows a rider rushes up and dismounts)

Messenger.
Where is the general, Trevino?

Trev. Here.

Mess. Juarez approaches. (Saluting)

Trev. Juarez! Call up the camp!
Light all the beacons! Juarez! Build up the fires!

Shouts. Juarez! Juarez! Hurrah! El presidente!

Trev. We'll let him know the hearts he left i' the hills
Still beat with loyal blood!

Shouts. Juarez! Juarez!
(Enter Juarez. Silence)

Jua. Trevino!

Trev. Your Excellency! (They embrace)
You've heard?

Jua. I know.
Now monarchy has spread her gilded sails,
And from the East comes like another sun
To blind our eyes with wonder of a crown
While shackling us by hand and foot to earth.
But from these mountains will arise a queen,
The figure grey of ancient Liberty,
Mourning and wronged, but with the unpaling star
Of God's own favor set upon her brow:
These two shall meet--and that mock sun go down!

Trev. You still have hope when Mexico deserts us?

Jua. Dost read your country in the smile she shows
Her conqueror? She has a heart beneath!
Ay, sir, did she not prove it at Puebla?
Where dead fell on the dead with gun in hand
Still pointed to the French! Where, hope once lost,
And the enemy pouring through the shattered gates,
Our men blew up their city and themselves
To keep their souls free from Napoleon!
These men have brothers left, and sons,
And _they are Mexico_!

Soldiers. El presidente!
Liberty and Juarez!

A soldier. (Waving his sword) We'll be revenged,
Or spill more blood than hell can drink!

Soldiers.
Down with the empire! Death to Maximilian!

Jua. No, not revenge,--but justice. That's enough.
We've but to wait--and strike. Yon mists now spread
Their fair illusion o'er the eternal mountains
'Till 't seems they are the world, and the great hills
Are naught. But by to-morrow's noon-sun see
Their fortunes faded as a dream of night,
While