Semiramis and Other Plays Part 51

Withdraw like frightened schoolboy and you make Your throne a penance stool whereon you sit For laughter of the nations. But come, and though You fail, when time has brought America To her full, greedy strength, these scornful kings Will then unite in desperate endeavor To give your great conception form and face, And at your tomb they'll lift their shaken crowns And beg a pardon from your heart of dust!

Prus. (Aside) He'll yield to her!... Most n.o.ble lady, we--

Car. I speak, sir, to Napoleon.

Lou. What help Can Austria give?

Aus. Sire, she has many troubles.

The clouds of war threat her with scarlet flood, And little strength has she to spare abroad When foes besiege at home.

Car. And Austria's chief Is Maximilian's brother! It was not so That day at Miramar when three proud crowns Took oath to serve him in an hour like this.

Austria powerless! And Belgium--dead.

But France--Ah, France, she will prove n.o.ble, loyal To G.o.d and honor!

Lou. My honor, dearest lady, Permits me not to risk my country's life That you may wear a crown in Mexico.

I can not save your empire.

Car. Then let it fall, But save--my husband's life!

(Astonishment and silence)

Lou. You speak but madly.

America has sent us guaranties She will demand that Maximilian Be held but as a prisoner of war.

The Mexicans dare not proceed against him Contrary to the mighty government That is sole friend unto their scarce born state.

Car. America demands with paper words That can be torn and laughed at. Would she save him?

Let her demand his life with cannon turned Upon his murderers. Then, sire, I'll trust To their obedience. Till then I'll plead With you. All hope is here.

Lou. Not so, dear lady.

Italy, Austria, and your Belgium, Have sent their ablest counsel to defend him.

Car. Troops, troops, my lord, not wordy men of law, Are his sole need. Should G.o.d send angels there He'd choose but those who bear the flaming sword.

... Here, here, my lords! Look here! His guaranties, In his own hand set down! Here he vows faith To Maximilian--and to Heaven! Hear!

'I, Louis Napoleon, take solemn oath Upon the honor of a man and king--'

Shall I go on, my lord? Have you forgot?

Then let my tongue be as a burning pen To write it new upon your heart!

Lou. No! no!

In G.o.d's name, no!

Aus. Dear lady, this is torture.

Car. Torture for you?--for him? Then what is it For me, my lord?

Prus. Wouldst have his majesty False to his country to be true to you?

Aus. The oath he took was, by the courtesy Of nations, subject to the change that time Visits on countries as on men.

Car. You'd win His sword from me that you may use it! Sirs, He plays you 'gainst each other as the eagle Sets ospreys in contention over prey That he may filch the prize!

Lou. Carlotta!

Car. Be warned!

He'll know no ease till in your capitals He has re-crowned the great Napoleon!

Lou. Nay--

Car. Stop me not! Here you shall stand as bare To these men's eyes as you do to my own!

Lou. My lords, you will not let her troubled mind Weaken your trust in me?

Prus. Your majesty, We know you n.o.ble.

Car. n.o.ble! Napoleon, This wondrous city is aflame with joy, The blazing fires now dart aloft and write In golden light your name upon the skies, But in your heart will burn a torch of h.e.l.l Unquenchable, if you deny me aid!

Lou. Dear madam, pray believe that I am helpless.

Car. You are as strong as France, Eugenie, help me!

If e'er you held a dear head on your breast-- You have!--for you've both son and husband! Ah, I have no child. My lord is all to me.

O put your two in one and you will know What now I plead for! By the kisses dropped Upon your baby's cheek, and by the hope That you will see him grow up at your side, Another self with heart-strings round your own, I pray you, lady, soften that stone heart!

I kneel to you, an empress though my crown Has fallen, as yours I pray will not, And at your footstool beg my husband's life!

(Eugenie rises)

By your child's love, I beg you for one word!

Help me, Eugenie, or the day will come When you will know a crown is but a band Of metal cold, and one warm kiss more dear Than all such circling glory! When you will grow Mad with the longing but to touch the hand Now lies in yours as it would never part, Strain for the face whose beauty fed you once Until your madness builds it out of air To gaze with sweet unhuman pity on you Yet come not near for kisses! O, even now I look through sealed up time unto a night When sleep will fly from your woe-drowned eyes, And you will cry to Heaven for blessed death To lead you from the midnight desolation!

Eugenie, save thyself! For thy own sake Show pity unto me, and in that hour Receive the mercy that thou now dost give!

Eug. (Going) Help me! I'm ill! (Her women a.s.sist her out)

Car. Gone! Gone? And yet a woman!

Ah, there's a G.o.d will suffer not this wrong!

... Napoleon--

Lou. Nay, madam, we've said all.

I can not cast my country into war.

You but fatigue yourself.

Car. O Heaven! Fatigue!

Canst think of that when Maximilian Is facing bayonets for honor's sake?

Lou. Believe me, he is safe!

Car. I tell you no!

To-day the guns from Mont Valerien Pealed out your glory! Your arm was in the arm Of Prussia's monarch, and Waterloo forgot!

You laughed with Austria's chief, as though the duke Of Reichstadt were not dead! The b.l.o.o.d.y snows Of Moscow melt in Alexander's smile!

Edward's in France, St. Helena's a myth!

And all the world is trooping here to feed Your monstrous vanity! But let the morn Bring news of Maximilian's death, These kings will shudder from you as from plague, The conscious earth refuse your feet a base For shame to bear you! Then will begin your fall.

Down, down you'll creep to an unpitied death, And winds that shriek around your exile bed Will cry me prophetess!