Baz. Why, count,
You ’d best consult those books of yours again!
Juarez has fled and given up his cause.
These men are robbers! Your majesty will sign?
Max. Forgive me, friends, if I again say no.
Mir. Your majesty, ’t is we should ask your pardon
For having failed to lustre as we should
This seeming-dark decree,—so wise, so just,
And as undoubtedly your duteous act
As though some stern necessity of the stars
Enjoined it.
Max. (Uneasily) Press it not now. The people wait.
(All but Marquez go into ballroom)
Mar. Some fools have sat on crowns but not for long.
He ’ll sign. The Liberals must be dispatched
Fast as we capture them, for we ’ve short time.
The United States will soon be free again
To turn to us, and what we wish to do
Must be well done ere that. Dispatch! Dispatch!
Use Maximilian and the French to crush
The Liberals, then with the church unite
To pull down Maximilian and set up—
Marquez!... The Empress—and Ignacio!
One I suspect,—a half-breed full of pride!
Who ’d have the court forget his Indian mother
And bear in mind his father was a noble!
(Goes aside.
Enter Carlotta and Ignacio, followed by Prince and Princess Zichy, Prince and Princess Salm-Salm, Princess Josefa de Varela, Colonel Lopez, making merry with a fortune teller. The Empress steps apart with Ignacio)
Car. Ignacio! I ’ve met strange looks to-night!
Ig. But not unkind ones, noble madam?
Car. O, such
As can not be distinguished by a word,
Cold, warm, or dark or fair, bitter or kind!
Ah, looks that will not advertise the heart,
And yet betray too much!