t is now broad sunlight)

Voices. Juarez! Juarez!
El Presidente! El Presidente!

Jua. My men,
The town is ours, and with it Mexico.
Citizens of Queretaro. I give you back
More than your homes,--your liberated country.

Voices. Long live the Republic! Liberty forever!

(Enter Escobedo)

Esc. Your Excellency will see the prisoner?

Jua. The illustrious duke? Ay, bring him here.

Esc. He comes.

(Enter Maximilian under guard)

Jua. Great duke, I grieve that I have cause for joy
To see you thus. What wishes would your grace
Prefer to us?

Max. I have but one request,
Your excellency. If more blood must be spilt,
Let it be mine alone.

Jua. We grant it, sir,
With two exceptions justice doth demand.
Dupin and Miramon must die with you.
Dupin, who put to most ignoble death
The noblest prisoners of righteous war.
Dark Miramon, whose cowardly ambition
Has sunk his country in her own dear blood,
And would do so again did life permit
Him opportunity. And you, my lord,
Who signed the foulest, most inhuman law
Writ down since Roman Sulla's hand grew cold.

Princess S.
O spare him! Spare him, sir! He was deceived
By treacherous ministers!

Jua. His ministers
Were but his many hands, and for their deeds
His heart must answer.

Princess S. O could you know that heart!

Max. Dear lady, peace.

Princess S. Beloved majesty,
I speak for her who prays beyond the sea.
... O, sir, you can not mean that he must die!
Help me, Aseffa! Help me plead for him!
Does not your Rafael live?

Asef. He lives because
Ignacio is dead. (Juarez starts) I must be just.

Princess S.
What has a woman's heart to do with justice?
'Tis mercy is its heavenly quality!

Jua. Is this thing true? My boy.... Speak, Rafael.
... Tears in your eyes. You need not speak. My boy ...
Ignacio.... Unto God I give thee!...

Princess S.