Max. It was my dream when I took up this crown
To claim each subject of the land my own.
Mir. And so you may, your majesty. ’T is true.
These men are subjects to no law or nation;
They are not Mexico’s; they are not God’s;
But from the heavenly and the human pale
They have outbarred themselves. Our honest land
Has cast them out as venom to her health!
Nurse not this canker in your realm, my lord!
Max. I do not know ... but here ’s my head and heart,
(Touching Prince Salm-Salm and Count Charles)
And they may answer. Prince, what do you say?
Prince Salm. As friend and soldier to your majesty,
I must advise the passage of the law.
Max. You, Charles?
Char. My lord, if as you say, these men
Fight ’neath a flag, and for supposéd rights,
You violate the law of noble nations
In sentencing to death the prisoners
Of recognizéd war.
Baz. (Sneering) Sir, recognized?
Char. Does not the United States still call Juarez
The president of Mexico?