Soldiers. El presidente!
Liberty and Juarez!
A soldier. (Waving his sword) We ’ll be revenged,
Or spill more blood than hell can drink!
Soldiers. Down with the empire! Death to Maximilian!
Jua. No, not revenge,—but justice. That’s enough.
We ’ve but to wait—and strike. Yon mists now spread
Their fair illusion o’er the eternal mountains
’Till ’t seems they are the world, and the great hills
Are naught. But by to-morrow’s noon-sun see
Their fortunes faded as a dream of night,
While the rock peak looks up as if to say
From the foundation of the world I am!
So will this glamour o’er our godly cause
Pass as a breath, while all the world shall read
Our right and title to unbonded life
In our free bosoms founded and God-set!
A soldier. We ’ll die for freedom!
Jua. Die? That’s the one thing
We can not do. We may lie down in graves,
But from our living dust will spring new challenge
To make in noble minds continual war
Until our race be righted!
Trev. Many fly
From our misfortunes. Amaldo and LeVal—
Jua. Call ’t not misfortune that teaches us our friends.
Now are we sifted and the chaff is known!
... LeVal! ... But Diaz is true?
Trev. On yonder mountain
His fires make answer for him.
Jua. (Looking into distance) Forgive me, comrade!
I know you true, and sooner will yon moon
Make her last change and fall than you change once
From the full circle of a complete man....
(Turns and sees Ignacio)
My nephew here?