ns and soldiers in confusion)

1st Cit.
What mean the bells?

2d Cit. That Escobedo's fled!

3d Cit. Marquez has come!

1st Soldier. No, no! The city's taken!

2d Soldier.
Juarez is here! The Liberals are on us!

(Confused talking and shouts continue. Re-enter
Prince Salm-Salm)

Max. What is it, prince?

Prince Salm. O dearest majesty--

Max. The worst!

P Salm. 'Tis treachery. We are surrounded!

Max. Those bells--

P Salm. Ring out the enemy's success.
Each post is captained by a Liberal.

Max. (Calmly to princess)
Forgive me. You were right.
(To Prince Salm-Salm) Who is the traitor?

P Salm. Ask not, I beg you.

Max. His name!

P Salm. Lopez.

Max. Lopez? (Staggers)
Unsay that word--and take my crown!

P Salm. O, would
I could, your majesty! It is too true!

Max. Lopez! Carlotta's chosen officer!
And heaped with favors high enough to make
A pyramid to faith!... Is this the world,
Or some strange fancy spinning in my eyes?

P Salm. My dearest liege--

Max. Who would not leave a life
Where such things be, though death were sleep eternal?
... Lead me 'mong shells and bayonets. But not
To kill. My God, there's blood enough been shed.
Bid all surrender. Let no more lives be lost.
Farewell, my prince.... Now for a friendly shell!--
Just here! (Striking his heart, rushes out)

Princess S. O save him! I am safe! Go! go! (Exit Salm-Salm)

1st Woman.
We shall all be butchered!

Aseffa. Juarez is no butcher.

2d Woman.
'Tis Escobedo leads,--and many have bled by him.

Aseffa. Be not afraid. I know the Liberals.

Voices. They come! they come!

(Miramon and Dupin rush in)

Mir. Where is the Emperor?

Dup. Emperor dunce-cap! We must look to our own skins.

(Enter a score of ragged Liberals led by Rafael. Aseffa
stares at him, speechless)

Mir. Too late for that!

Raf. You are our prisoners. (Liberals take Dupin and Miramon)

Soldiers.