Car. (Aside) None, none are true!
Even I am false who fear to speak my fears
And ease his own when I should quicken them!
(Chorus from stage)
Hail, ye royal pair, O hail!
Like two souls within one star
May your heavenly light ne’er fail.
Empress and great Emperor!Hail to thee who ruleth mild
As the manger-cradled child!
Hail to her who long may be
Guardian of us and thee!Hail, O hail, ye pair divine!
As two souls within one star
May your light forever shine,
Empress and great Emperor!
(Estrada appears on stage in front of chorus)
Est. Great Majesties, forgive our feeble welcome.
We are in all things spotted and imperfect
Save in affection for your Highnesses.
Max. (Rising) No, no! My friend—and friends—had you not hearts
That turn to virtue as the flowers to sun,
We had not made such progress to an hour
When all the Empire wears the smile of peace,
And we may rest like Love with folded arms
Round his desire.
Est. ’T is you have led us, sire.
Pardon this mockery of what we ’d do
To celebrate this day had we but means.
We shout thy name, but not above the clouds;
We send up fires, but lightnings higher reach:
We have adorned the city and ourselves,
But India and the sea keep back the pearls
We would pour here!
Max. Enough—and more, my friends.
O, far too much! None mourn now but the gods
Who are made indigent by this display
Of wealth and joy!
Est. (Making low obeisance) We thank your majesty.
This land shall e’er be called the happy land,
And he who rules it—
Asef. (Stepping wildly from chorus) Prince of Murderers!
The happy land! O land where widows’ cries
Choke Heaven, and mothers’ tears make each new day
A flood!