friends. This treachery's the night
Wherein your hearts of gold beat out like stars!

Lop. My life is yours, my lord!

Max. Thanks, dear Lopez.
(Takes his hand)
In friendship lies the joy superlative,
And nearest Heaven. We touch God's hand whene'er
We clasp a friend's.
... But now we must take counsel.

Salm. No, sire, we must take action. Pardon me,
But our sole hope of safety lies in flight.

Max. What! Leave the town to sack and ruin? No!
Desert the poor inhabitants, so long our friends?
And all our wounded, sick and dying? Never!

Salm. But if you stay, my lord, you sacrifice
The living with the dying.

Max. Oh, Heaven, Heaven!

Lop. Your Majesty, this counsel is not wise.
It is not honor!

Salm. Honor will lead the flight!
To stay were crime! Sire, give the order now.
At once! The firing to the north has ceased.
All night I've reconnoitered. The way is clear
For the last time. We'll arm the citizens
To cover flight, and in an hour--

Lop. We'll be
Attacked on every side! A madman's counsel!

Salm. O, sire, lose not a moment!

Mir. Lopez is right.
To fly from death is not dishonor, but who
That values honor throws away one chance
Of victory?

Salm. There is no chance. Not one!
My word is fly, and I'm no coward, sire.

Max. You've led our troops where every track was blood,
And in the throat of battle, hand to hand,
Have fought with Death! We know you'll dare a fight
As far as any man while there's a hope
Of victory.

Salm. But I'll not make my folly
The captain to defeat.

Lop. 'Tis not defeat!
The Liberals are at their fortune's ebb.
They're sick with fear, and tremble in their rags.

Mendez. Let's fight it out, my lord!

Max. With starving men?

Lop. We're starving, but our foes are starved.
Our ammunition fails, but theirs has failed--

(A shell breaks near them)

Salm. T