To save our country and your beloved life.
Your noble heart was blind to your great danger,
And 'twas our duty and our work of love
To save you from your fatal tenderness.

Lop. (Kneeling) O gracious sovereign, had I but known
You did not know, I would have dared the wrath
Of all the court, and spoken to you but truth!

Max. (Lifting him up)
And 'twas your tongue at last that broke the silence,
I must forgive you.

Mar. By your necessity,
Your Majesty, we may all hope for pardon.
Juarez, encouraged by the United States,
Is roused again to war. We have appealed
For compromise and terms of friendly union,
But his one answer for us all is--death!
Yet are we faithful to you, sire.

Max. O Heaven!
What poisonous opiate have you fed me with
And called it peace? But war is not the worst!
Oh, Miramon, did you not swear to me
All prisoners taken by that cruel law
Should be reported day or night to me
That I might pardon or remit their sentence?

Mir. O, sir, you knew not your extremity,
Nor could you know it though we told it you,
The hearts of Mexicans once turned to hate
Are far too deep for sincere eyes to pierce.
But I thank God we knew the danger, sire,
And struck the serpent raised even at your life.
When you, all gentleness, could not have given
The necessary blow. Ay, God be thanked, although
You cast me from your heart. 'T will be my comfort
To know I served you better than you dreamed.
And 'tis the penalty of over-love
To suffer by the hand that (kneels and
kisses Maximilian's hand) it would kiss!

Max. Must I forgive him, Heaven?

Lab. Ay, sir, you must,
For his deceit was but the greater truth
That served your blind necessity.

Est. O, sir,
Do not desert us! If now the Empire falls
'Tis death to all that have been true to you.
Juarez will give no quarter to your friends.

Max. The Liberals advance?

Mar. Each day they're nearer;
And towns