Ruiz. (Spreading paper on table) Read here the proclamation now in force
In all our provinces.
Max. And this has been
By each assembly ratified?
Berzabal. Ay, prince!
It is a nation, not these dozen men,
That with a million voices prays to you!
Max. From childhood up I ’ve sought to obey my God,
But never dreamed that he would bless my life
With such high sanction as I read herein. (Lifting paper)
Forgive a tear, my lords.... But we must ask
That crownéd Europe give a sacred oath
To guarantee our empire’s permanence.
Archduke. Brother, I bring the word of Austria,
Whose prayers, whose arms, whose subjects’ blood are yours,
While she has blood or arms to give!
Belgian Minister. For Belgium
I speak—the princess’ true and royal father,
Whose little kingdom measures not his heart!
Senor Hurbet. And I, my lord, have here the signéd oath
Of Mightiest France, whose fifty-thousand men
Now guard the cradle of the new born peace
In Mexico! Read here what he will do.
Max. (Reads) Enough.... My lords, should I accept this crown,
’T would be with holiest expectation
To reign in love and peace, but your past struggles
Point to a term of danger and much risk
Ere our star shines above all factious spite.
Stood I alone I should not hesitate,
But here is one more dear than my own life,
Whom I must cherish more than my own life,
Within whose heart I must find out my answer;
And God be thanked her wisdom beams so true
Above the hesitations of my mind
That I can love her yea or nay as ’t were
By Heaven spoke!
Est. Then to your mercy, princess,
We now commit our hope.
Car. Most worthy lords,
I am so proud that I would wear a crown,
So pitying I would weep my heart away
For your sad country, and so vain I think
The lord that married me might lead you from
Rebellion’s night to civil-kissing hours;
But yet a woman bonded unto love,
Not my own mistress. The life bound up with mine
Is dearer than the peace of any state,
And looking deep into your country’s heart
I read some cruel marks of history
That teach me fear for any precious thing
Consigned unto its love.