Baz. The crown of France doth ask consent of none.
Car. I ’ll go to him and say such words that from
His shame-marked brow his outraged crown will fall
In horror. I will go! Take out the troops,
Bazaine. Ay, take them out! He will be glad
To send them back and purchase with his blood
Redemption from such shame. He ’ll empty France
To do it! I will go. But I ’ll not kneel.
A thousand years my blood has run through kings,
And he ’s the third Napoleon! (Sinks, exhausted with emotion. Ladies attend her)
Mir. The traitor!
We have no need of him! To France, Bazaine,
And tell your Emperor our Emperor
Needs not his fickle strength to stand upon!
Sire, we have men, and money in our banks—
Lab. A mighty church whose power is untold
If you restore her rights, as now we hope,
And thus united we shall defy the world!
Max. And Heaven, too? For that is what we do
When we set up the church in her old wrongs.
Nay, keep your aid, and I will keep my soul.
Lop. Your virtuous angel strives to make you god.
Max. No, but to keep me honest.
Mar. (Aside to Lab.) Yield to him.
’T is not the hour to cast him off.
Lab. My lord,
Your virtue conquers, and unto your hands
I yield the power o’ the church.
Max. I thank your grace,
Nor for myself, but Mexico.