hat, sir, unspeaks your words.

Lop. Not so. One shell
But tells how few they are, for yesterday
They fell in numbers. And to the north, you say,
The guns are silent.

Salm. Sire, a moment lost
May mean the loss of all.

(Enter Dupin with two prisoners. Lopez goes to meet him)

Dupin. What did you mean by your infernal order to bring these
men here? Don't you know old Saint-face won't let them be
shot?

Lop. Keep quiet. They are my captives, not yours.

Dup. I've plugged just ninety-eight this week, and it's too bad
not to make an even hundred.

Max. (Approaching) Prisoners?

Dup. Deserters, your majesty. They have confessed it. I've
brought them here for sentence. Will you have them shot at
once, or wait till sunrise?

Max. None shall be shot. Not one. How often must we say it? If
things go well here, good; if not, still is my conscience
clear of blood. (To deserter) You've been with the enemy?

1st Des.
Yes, curse the day! Your pardon, blessed majesty!

Max. How fare our foes?

1st Des.
The best of them as bad as the worst with us.

Lop. You note that, prince?

2d Des. We have a little food, but they have none. The country
is eaten bare. Diaz is trying to reach them with supplies,
but at present there isn't enough meal in ten miles of the
army to make an ash-cake.

Lop. More proof for the prince, your majesty.

Max. Their powder fails?

2d Des. Yes, sire. 'T would be all the same if it didn't, for
they've hardly strength left to stand on their toes and
fire the guns.

Max. Poor fellows!

Lop. You can not doubt, my lord, that we shall win with the
next assault.

Mir. Cast fear to the winds, your majesty!

Salm. Who spoke of fear?

Mir. Not I! Fear is the devil's magic-glass
He holds before us to swell out our vision,
Turn hares to lions, stones a lamb might skip
To beetling cliffs that ne'er knew human foot,
And slightest obstacles, that do but make
The mind's fair exercise and moral zest,
To barriers, high as heaven, to success!

Lop. (Sneering) And Juarez' men of rags to glittering arm