theatre. Maximilian goes
onto the stage. Silence)
Max. My friends,--
All you who love me see me here unhurt,
And you who love me not, if any's here,
(Cries of "none, none!")
Take aim now as you will.
(Cries of "No! no! no! no!")
A Voice.
Long live the Emperor! Maximilian!
Max. Then if you love me, friends, I beg you'll leave
This place of song and go to the Cathedral.
There pray for me to Him who spared my life,
And, if you will, pray that He yet may spare it
To work His will and yours.
(Crowd goes out silently)
Mar. (To Labastida) That was well done.
Lab. Sincerity is once a diplomat.
Car. (To Princess Salm-Salm)
Princess, take this poor creature to your care.
(Officer releases Aseffa, who goes out as in a dream
with Prince and Princess Salm-Salm and several ladies)
Mar. (Approaching Maximilian) Your Majesty, let me congratulate--
Ill, sire?
Max. Sick, sick, O sick of compliments!
If I've a friend here let me hear the truth!
What did that creature mean? The truth, I say!
(Silence) You, Miramon? Lopez? (Silence) Trevino's dead?
Lop. He is.
Max. And Rafael Mendorez?
Lop. Dead.
The woman is his widow.
Max. Oh!... And this!
(Taking out message)
This from Dupin! 'All quiet in Savarro.'
It means--
Lop. The town is ashes.
Max. O God! O God!
You ministers! Ay, ministers of hell!
Didst think ye served the devil?
Est. O, my lord--
Max. No friend! Not one! Charles! Charles! you must have known!
These foreign hearts have their excuse, but you--
The tower of confidence between us two,
Built part by part by faithful mason hours,
Is shaken to atoms!
Char. I will build it o'er!
Max. First will the wind-strewn rose upgather all
Her petals from the dust, and cheek by cheek,
Hang them new-smiling on the nodding bough!
Mir. Your Majesty, what we have done was done
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