Voices. He comes! Make way! Make way! Hail to Maximilian!
Chief Guard. Back, all of you! The Emperor will greet you yonder! We ’ve orders to clear the plaza! Back! Back! His carriage stops! Go, get your places! Out! out!
(Guards drive mob out)
1st Guard. If all the Empire’s birthdays are to be like this I hope it will never come of age. It ’s work, I tell you! I ’m dripping like a squeezed cloud!
2d Guard. If it had pleased the Empire to spend a little of the money it has wasted to-day for the widows and orphans it has made—
1st Guard. Sh! We’re paid for our muscle, not our opinions. (Shouts outside)
2d Guard. And the mob is paid for its lungs!
1st Guard. Yes. Miramon sees to that.
2d Guard. Only the Emperor’s carriage approaches the door?
1st Guard. None but his.