Act I.

Scene I: Reception hall, castle of Miramar, near Trieste. Enter Count Charles, book in hand.

Char. Ah, books must be put by for swords, I wot, When this wild journey to the West begins. 'Tis change enough! O shifting, shuffling life! Come, Shakespeare, magic mason, build me worlds That never shake however winds may blow, Founded on dream imperishable! (Sits and reads. Enter Lady Maria)

Mar. Charles! Not reading! Dost know what day it is?

Char. Ay, sister! A day to make a scholar tremble, and hug His books in fever of farewell.

Mar. Didst see The splendid carriages glittering up the drive? And O, so many!

Char. They have arrived?

Mar. Arrived! Why, all the Mexican deputies, arrayed Like their own sunsets,--the ambassadors From Austria, Belgium, France,--the princesses, And countesses, now in the guest-room wait The stroke of twelve to enter! 'Tis nearly time, And you sit here! Put by your Englishman! Come, put him by, I say! He's dead; we live. He's had his due and passed.

Char. Nay, his account Is writ forever current. His book of praise Time closes not, but waits some language new To enter it, and at his monument Fame yet stands carving.

Mar. (Taking book and closing it) So! She's time enough! We've other work. (Gently) Is not the princess sad?

Char. I pray her heavy tears, weighing like stones, Will hold her back from sea!

Mar. Hush, Charles! She comes!

(Enter Carlotta, richly dressed)

Car. Ah, cousins, trimming now your smiles to greet The deputies?

Char. Nay, calling up our tears To grace farewell to Miramar!

Car. No tears! We'll think but of an empire and a crown, Not Miramar!

(Enter Maximilian, dressed in the uniform of Vice-Admiral of the Austrian navy)

Max. An empire and a crown? At last I am out-rivalled in your heart!

Car. Nay, nay, thou know'st, my lord, thou art my empire! Grant me so much as now I look upon And I'm as rich as Jove with Saturn's sceptre New-swinging o'er the world!

Char. Then you risk much For an unstable throne.

Car. Not risk!

Char. The men Who've governed Mexico, for the most part, Have paid their heads for it.

Mar. O, Charles!

Char. 'Tis true.

Car. Our safety is in the Emperor of France. He's the strong angel in this noble scheme!

Char. Safety in him? Nay, madam, by my soul, The lightest smile that breaks upon his lips, As though a breeze but touched there, hides a plot May hang our hearts with lead!

Car. How you misjudge him! In Paris when he pledged his faith to us His eyes more than his words assured his heart Unto our cause. I trust him, yea, I trust him!

Char. There is a woman on the throne of France! She is the Eve to this slow-blooded Adam, Dutch-born Napoleon, and holdeth up The globe as 't were an apple for his hand. She builds mock images of dreams that died On Helena's lone rock, and teaches him They are not ghosts of dream but dream indeed! Mexico, burning with gold and sunset's fire, Pouring the crimson of internal strife, To her is but a jewel in crude bed She'd have you pick and polish for her crown!

Car. Had you but heard her sweet devoted voice Pleading with us for sake of the true Church To finish now this great emprise begun, You would believe her holy.

Char. If she is holy, And if Napoleon be true in this, Then is he God's perfection of a man, And she earth's sole and sainted paragon! But wait--O wait and see ere you risk life And honor!

Car. You're wrong--so wrong--but this is strange. O why are we not happy? (Turning to window and gazing out)

Char. (Following her) Because, my cousin, This is not Miramar as we have known it. The scholar's home, the soldier's fair retreat, The noble heart's sweet fane and altar spot, But Miramar with great ambition's storm Rolling its thunders 'gainst her peaceful walls!

Max. But to live idly is never to be born. Shall we sit here at ease when God has found The work for us? He with his pontiff finger Points to the sea--

Car. (Turning) Sweet Miramar! If God points to the sea, why gave he this? This heaven-spot, this nesting place of love, Hung like a garland 'tween the sea and rocks! Ah, dear my lord, some curse will follow us Who can desert this peace-embalmed place To seek a glory fairer but in name! I dare not do it!

Max. (Taking her hands) 'Tis you shall say, my wife. If to stay here's your wish, that wish is mine, Maybe I've dreamed too much of deeds of good, And visionary feats in that far land; Then let it be your yea or nay, my love.

Car. O leave it not to me, for in a yea My vanity will speak, and in a nay My fear!

Max. A slander on these lips? A kiss Were better! (Kisses her. Enter Marquis Corio)

Cor. The noble guests approach. Will 't please Your Highnesses assume your places?

Max. Yea, Or nay, Carlotta?

Mar. O, they come! they come!

Char. (Hastily and earnestly) Nay, if you love your lord! That is a land Of murder, treason, carnage and revolt! The very air cries out 'go not! go not!' E'en yon cloud-turbanned peak, that never moves Whate'er the circling stars propound to vex His silent wisdom, warns with forbidding nod! O noblest cousin--

Car. (In agitation) An empire! Miramar!

(Maximilian takes place centre. A table in front of him covered with maps and papers. Carlotta by him, Count Charles and Lady Maria in their rear. Enter Archduke of Austria, and nobles, who take position at some distance from Maximilian on his right. Enter Belgian Minister, Abbot of Lacroma, Princess of Metternich, Princess Zichy, Countess Kollonitz, and others. They stand at distance to left of Maximilian. Enter the Imperial delegate, Senor Hurbet, and General Frassart, Napoleon's Adjutant of the Field. The former takes place immediately at Maximilian's right, the latter at left of Carlotta. Marquis Corio at door. Enter the Mexican deputies, Estrada, Berzabal, Negrete, Ruiz, and a dozen others. Estrada, as president of the deputation, makes low salute)

Max. Welcome, my lords, to Miramar!

Est. Hail, Prince, And fairest princess! The grace and hope of morning Be ever on your lives!

Car. Must noble senors, We give you thanks and greeting.

Max. Your presence here, My lords, would move our hearts although you brought No crown to guerdon welcome.

Est. O, gracious prince, Our tongues but feebly bear the mighty love The land of Montezuma bade us lay Low at your feet. Your starry virtues draw Her prayers and hopes and holiest desires Across the sea in humblest supplication. We make no weary tale of our misfortunes; They are so great the world is heavy with them, And Mexico means but calamity To every ear.

Max. My dear and honored lords, The heart is granite and the veins are ice That will not stir at your deep miseries.

Est. Ah, sir, this crown is heavy, but you will bear The golden weight as 't were the aureole That seals the saint to God!

Max. But not without Consent of every subject should I wear it. Does Mexico send all her hearts with you?

Ruiz. (Spreading paper on table) Read here the proclamation now in force In all our provinces.

Max. And this has been By each assembly ratified?

Berzabal. Ay, prince! It is a nation, not these dozen men, That with a million voices prays to you!

Max. From childhood up I've sought to obey my God, But never dreamed that he would bless my life With such high sanction as I read herein. (Lifting paper) Forgive a tear, my lords.... But we must ask That crowned Europe give a sacred oath To guarantee our empire's permanence.

Archduke. Brother, I bring the word of Austria, Whose prayers, whose arms, whose subjects' blood are yours, While she has blood or arms to give!

Belgian Minister. For Belgium I speak--the princess' true and royal father, Whose little kingdom measures not his heart!

Senor Hurbet. And I, my lord, have here the signed oath Of Mightiest France, whose fifty-thousand men Now guard the cradle of the new born peace In Mexico! Read here what he will do.

Max. (Reads) Enough.... My lords, should I accept this crown, 'T would be with holiest expectation To reign in love and peace, but your past struggles Point to a term of danger and much risk Ere our star shines above all factious spite. Stood I alone I should not hesitate, But here is one more dear than my own life, Whom I must cherish more than my own life, Within whose heart I must find out my answer; And God be thanked her wisdom beams so true Above the hesitations of my mind That I can love her yea or nay as 't were By Heaven spoke!

Est. Then to your mercy, princess, We now commit our hope.

Car. Most worthy lords, I am so proud that I would wear a crown, So pitying I would weep my heart away For your sad country, and so vain I think The lord that married me might lead you from Rebellion's night to civil-kissing hours; But yet a woman bonded unto love, Not my own mistress. The life bound up with mine Is dearer than the peace of any state, And looking deep into your country's heart I read some cruel marks of history That teach me fear for any precious thing Consigned unto its love.

Est. If ever souls Lay bare to human eyes, read now in ours The loyalty which you will find in every subject!

Ruiz. Be merciful! Earth aches through her rock-ribs With our old woes, and it is you may heal them!

Ber. Pity will teach thee soon to love our land!

Car. My lords, already I love Mexico, And would forego the peace of Miramar,-- All happy days that from the future lean To meet my smiles, as trifles whose light thought Shames this great hour; but when in dream I see My lord beset by foes in foreign land, The help he needs beyond a three-months' sea, My princess pride flags to a peasant fear For one dear life!

Est. Wrong not yourself, your lord, And Mexico, O gentlest lady--

Car. Nay--

Est. Say yea, and our expectant land will feel The thrill of that affirmative across The glad Atlantic! Yea--and France, whose name Is in our hearts as God's, will bless thy tongue! Say yea, and noble England, watchful Spain, Who with great France began the holy work Of blessed liberation will applaud With happy echoes to the guardian skies! Say yea, and the white spirit of the Church Will take 'neath her soft wings our blood-drenched land, That waits but for that word to hail thy lord Regenerator, king!

Car. My lords, my lords, We are but human! Mayhap we will not keep The love that we have won!

Senor Hur. Fear not, O princess! Behind your throne, with unretreating sword, Will stand the first great power of all the world! Thus speak I for the emperor of France!

Princess Metternich. (Advancing) I for the empress! Eugenie bade me speak Her heart out here, and hail thee sister empress! To ask when your young empire blooms above The lily of old France, and lures the East To pour her golden heart into your port, And ocean blossoms with your argosies, You'll still remember that she loved you when You were but princess and no farther ruled Then stretch the gardens of small Miramar!

Car. O generous Eugenie! But the fear--

Abbot of Lacroma. To speak of fear in this is to doubt God! He does not bless in vain a noble prince With such rare qualities as crown the mind Of Maximilian! 'Tis for some purpose rare He rounds such excellence with highest birth And puts a sword of power in his hand! From over seas unto your very feet A nation comes to choose from all the world One made by Heaven to be its sovereign lord, Cool hearts of passion in his amity, Make bitter eyes forget their ancient hate, And proudest knees bow with old enemies In worship of his star beneficent! There pale and crushed Peace Shall take the color of the living rose, Hearing the voice of his protecting love That comes to lift her beauty from the dust And on that ground volcanic nobly build Her temple indestructible! There shall his kingly mind find outward means To write sublimity upon the world, And like old Egypt speak in pyramids To nations unbegot in dream of Time! And can you shock the hour with hesitation? Ask all the waiting world,--ay, even God, To pause and count the heart-beats of a woman?

Car. (Devoutly, with uplifted hands and eyes) Forgive me, Heaven, that I doubted thee!

(Takes Maximilian's hands, turns with great dignity to the deputies, and speaks solemnly)

Senors, we'll wear the crown of Mexico.

(Silence. The abbot of Lacroma advances; Carlotta and Maximilian drop to their knees as he extends his arms above them in blessing)

Scene II: A camp in the mountains of Mexico. Night. Aseffa preparing food by a fire. She goes aside, listens, and returns.

Asef. O Mexico, thou traitress unto love, Wilt trample every heart that's true to thee?

(Listens. Enter Miguel and Lerdo, very ragged and gaunt) Miguel! Lerdo! Rafael not come? Where did you leave him?

Lerdo. Nowhere, Senora.

Asef. Oh!

Mig. Don't flutter, little bird. We mean that he left us. He set off as fresh as the morning to make the circuit of another mountain while we could barely creep up to camp.

Asef. You are hungry! I'll give you Rafael's supper!

Ler. Hungry? No! I've had two biscuits since yesterday, and sixty miles isn't far to go on that.

Mig. And as much good air and water as a soldier need want!

Asef. Here! Take it. 'Tis good. Indeed it is!

Mig. Smoking meat! Ha! Who brought it? Has the Holy Virgin been in camp?

Asef. No, but I've been down to the valley.

Ler. You?

Asef. Yes,--and I've a little gold left, too!

(Showing purse)

Mig. You paid five pesos for that dish!

Asef. A good guesser would double the price.

Mig. And for Rafael's supper! No, I can go two more days yet. (Puts food aside)

Asef. But you shall not. Come, eat! I'll feed you then, and you don't want Juarez' soldiers to be turned into babies, do you?

Mig. I'll yield! In fact, there's an orator within that speaks with a most convincing pinch. (They eat)

Asef. (Watching) Poor fellows! They'll not leave him a mouthful!

Ler. Where is the general?

Asef. (Pointing up the hill) Asleep. Have you news?

Ler. None to bring good dreams. Let him sleep.

Mig. Lord, a meal a day like this and I could drive the whole French army into the sea! (Rising) Now if these rags could be turned back to their first fortunes, I'd be Don Miguel de Tejada again! You wouldn't think that these tags and tatters had waltzed with the president's niece at the capital, would you now?

Asef. You must let me mend your clothes as I do Rafael's.

Mig. Faith, Senora, you would have to begin too many months back. No, I'll hang out my banners as a knight of liberty should, and be Don Miguel de Tejada still. Asleep, my Lerdo? A good example, too. (Lies down) Good-night, Senora the Blessed!

Asef. Good-night, Don Miguel de Tejada! (The soldiers sleep. She waits and listens. Runs aside and looks down the valley)

Asef. Rafael! (Steps approach. Enter Rafael)

Raf. (Embracing her) Here's Heaven for the weary!

Asef. So tired? And I have nothing for you! (Looks toward soldiers) They were so hungry.

Raf. They're welcome to it. (Kissing her) Here is my banquet,--my feast of beauty and my wine of love!

(Staggers to a rock and sits feebly)

Asef. Oh! You've been so far!--too far!

Raf. We rode all day, but made no terms for food. The people are afraid. Whoever gives us bread forfeits his life and home.

Asef. I bought some meat of a poor woman to-day. She needed the money.

Raf. And if the Imperials find her out they'll murder her and set her hut in flames!

Asef. Oh! What shall we do?

Raf. We are an army. We'll do as armies do. Take food where we can find it.

Asef. O, Rafael!

Raf. Yes, love, we'll play the robber to fill the mouth of Liberty,--she's fed too long on thistles.

Asef. She's a stern mistress, Rafael.

Raf. But sweeter, love, Her harshest frown that summer smiles of kings! O, I reproach her not, even when I see My dearest friends lie dying in her name! A bed of stones is soft enough for me If she but rock to sleep,--a crust to-day, To-morrow none, and at her board I'm fed. But when I look on you, my traitor blood Flies from her service. Oh, to see these hands That plucked no beauty ruder than the rose, So meanly laboring in the basest needs! Your gentle body resting on cold earth, Glad of a blanket 'tween you and the sod, While in your bed the foreign robber sleeps! This shakes my loyalty till I could hate The fair, unspotted cause my sword is drawn in!

Asef. Stop, Rafael! O thank God these hands have known That blessed of all fortunes,--to toil for love! These eyes that sought for but a face more fair, A flower more sweet, have found the stars that rise Where Truth and Courage wander in the night! In southern vales maybe we'll hear again The morning birds sing at our bowered windows, But we will not forget the nobler song Now borne by winds about these mountain peaks,-- The song of man made free!

Raf. We'll not forget. But will that sweet day come? Tell me, Aseffa, You who are half a sibyl,--shall we go down That valley to our home?

Asef. 'Tis not to gain Our father's halls, and sit 'neath fig and vine, We hide and starve and stagger in these hills, But to keep noble the last hour of life, That Death who gathers it may read thereon The seal immortal of approving God.

Raf. Yes--dear Aseffa--but--(Faints)

Asef. Rafael! Rafael! Ah dying! O my prating virtue's gone! I care for naught but that my love shall live! O, Liberty, wilt spare me this one life? ... Ho! Miguel! Up!

Mig. Hey! What! Senora!... Ah!

Lerdo. What's here?

Asef. There's wine in the general's tent! Rafael! My love, my love, look up!... O Mexico, With all thy veins of gold thou art not worth One dear drop of his blood!

(Enter General Trevino)

Trev. What's this new grief? Not Rafael!... He faints. 'Tis hunger ... hunger. Miguel! Lerdo! Bear him to my tent. Give him what food you find there. First the wine!

(Soldiers go out with Rafael. Aseffa follows. As she passes the general she drops to her knees and kisses his hands)

Trev. (Alone) Starvation now or plunder. We'll quarter where We can.... A horseman! If 'tis Ignacio We shall have news.

(Enter Ignacio, from riding)

Ig. Who's here?

Trev. Ignacio?

Ig. (Saluting) Your pardon, sir!

Trev. You're from the capital?

Ig. Three days ago I left the city. I've slept On horseback since.

Trev. Your news!

Ig. We fight an empire. The Austrian is crowned.

Trev. Impossible! Where are our people? Salas? and LeVal?

Ig. They shouted at his welcome. At Vera Cruz Began the unholy pageantry, that showed As Christ had come again and all men knew him! Each province drained its beauty by the way; The mules that drew him caught the vanity And picked their steps on flowers.

Trev. Tell me no more. O Gratitude, thou hast no home on earth! Twelve months did Juarez rule, and in twelve months Did what no man can do but God is with him! He healed contention's wounds, set up new schools, Released the land from priestcraft's ancient grip, Rebuilt our credit, destroyed by Miramon, The robber president, who bonded the land To France, then set the sword of Europe 'gainst us Because we could not pay the unjust debt From treasuries that his own hands had emptied. O, 'twas a crime too big for Heaven's eye, And so God let it pass! France could not know-- But our own people knew--how Juarez toiled To shape the nation to his noble thought!

Ig. Yes--yes--they knew!

Trev. We'll break our swords, my boy. We have no country.

Ig. Is my uncle yet In Texas?

Trev. Ay, and we will go to him. ... Ungrateful ground that casts all goodness from it, And sucks a gilded poison!

(Enter Rafael, Aseffa, Miguel, Lerdo, and others of the camp)

Raf. (To Trevino) Sir, you will miss Your breakfast, but I pledge my sword you'll have To-morrow's supper!... Ignacio!

Ig. You here, My Rafael! (They embrace) Aseffa too!

Asef. Dear friend! (They greet affectionately)

Raf. And Maximilian is crowned?

Ig. Yes ... crowned.

Raf. You saw him?

Ig. In the cathedral, with the empress.

Asef. The empress?

Raf. What looks he like? This Austrian duke That with a stolen crown mocks majesty!

Ig. He looks like majesty, and yet is graced With Nature's gentlest stamp; his countenance Takes beauty from his smile; his smile, one thinks, Takes sweetness from a heart that has its own Nobility from heaven.

Trev. An enemy Well praised!

Asef. The empress? She bewitched you too?

(Ignacio is silent)

Come, sir! The truth of her!

Ig. The truth? Go ask The angels. They've tongues for such sweet purpose.

Trev. What! Ignacio turned squire o' the empire?

Ig. No. But I can read a holy woman's face, Though she by some strange counterfeit of truth Would put an empress' foot upon our necks.

Asef. What is she like?

Ig. Like nothing but herself. She is not gentle, for gentleness is but Rude servant to that quality in her; Gracious she's not, for grace herself doth serve A poor handmaiden to her excellence; Nor beautiful, for Beauty asks her name To wear but that and know her own no more.

(In the silence that follows a rider rushes up and dismounts)

Messenger. Where is the general, Trevino?

Trev. Here.

Mess. Juarez approaches. (Saluting)

Trev. Juarez! Call up the camp! Light all the beacons! Juarez! Build up the fires!

Shouts. Juarez! Juarez! Hurrah! El presidente!

Trev. We'll let him know the hearts he left i' the hills Still beat with loyal blood!

Shouts. Juarez! Juarez! (Enter Juarez. Silence)

Jua. Trevino!

Trev. Your Excellency! (They embrace) You've heard?

Jua. I know. Now monarchy has spread her gilded sails, And from the East comes like another sun To blind our eyes with wonder of a crown While shackling us by hand and foot to earth. But from these mountains will arise a queen, The figure grey of ancient Liberty, Mourning and wronged, but with the unpaling star Of God's own favor set upon her brow: These two shall meet--and that mock sun go down!

Trev. You still have hope when Mexico deserts us?

Jua. Dost read your country in the smile she shows Her conqueror? She has a heart beneath! Ay, sir, did she not prove it at Puebla? Where dead fell on the dead with gun in hand Still pointed to the French! Where, hope once lost, And the enemy pouring through the shattered gates, Our men blew up their city and themselves To keep their souls free from Napoleon! These men have brothers left, and sons, And they are Mexico!

Soldiers. El presidente! Liberty and Juarez!

A soldier. (Waving his sword) We'll be revenged, Or spill more blood than hell can drink!

Soldiers. Down with the empire! Death to Maximilian!

Jua. No, not revenge,--but justice. That's enough. We've but to wait--and strike. Yon mists now spread Their fair illusion o'er the eternal mountains 'Till 't seems they are the world, and the great hills Are naught. But by to-morrow's noon-sun see Their fortunes faded as a dream of night, While the rock peak looks up as if to say From the foundation of the world I am! So will this glamour o'er our godly cause Pass as a breath, while all the world shall read Our right and title to unbonded life In our free bosoms founded and God-set!

A soldier. We'll die for freedom!

Jua. Die? That's the one thing We can not do. We may lie down in graves, But from our living dust will spring new challenge To make in noble minds continual war Until our race be righted!

Trev. Many fly From our misfortunes. Amaldo and LeVal--

Jua. Call 't not misfortune that teaches us our friends. Now are we sifted and the chaff is known! ... LeVal! ... But Diaz is true?

Trev. On yonder mountain His fires make answer for him.

Jua. (Looking into distance) Forgive me, comrade! I know you true, and sooner will yon moon Make her last change and fall than you change once From the full circle of a complete man.... (Turns and sees Ignacio) My nephew here?

Ig. Just from the capital.

Jua. Where you must back again. Rafael, too! Both my young soldiers! My right arm and my left,-- Though which is which I know not. Ignacio, You saw the Austrian? No matter. He's but The drift-piece of a rotten monarchy That thinks to graft upon the living tree Of our new-sprung republic! We'll shake him off As a June oak a spray of winter wreck, Nor ever know he clung upon our boughs!

Ig. The church is powerful yet, and seeks to join Her cause with his.

Jua. The church? Say not the church, But mockers in Christ's name, who steal the land And drain its fruitage into Satan's purse, Keeping the poor a race of hopeless slaves Who worship their own shackles! O, Ignorance, Thou art the great slave-master! Thy very chains Are vital and beget themselves; and he Who strikes them seems the monster of the earth To the poor serf who thinks it is himself That bleeds! The church be with our foe, with us Be God, we'll ask no more. Hear me, my men! The great republic of the North's our friend. When her own war is done you'll hear her speak To France in cannon tones that will make quake Napoleon on his throne! That great mock-god. Who seeks to free all men that he may fit Their necks to his own yoke! (With growing intensity) That adder who Would coil about the world! That serpent scruffed With white deceit and low ambition's slime, That crept into the garden of my dream And cankered bud and root, nursed by my toil, Fed with my dearest blood! Ay, he will quake, And cry for mercy to a stony Heaven Whose pity drops long since were drained upon The woe that he hath made! Ay, he--

Trev. (Touching him) But now, My friend?

Jua. (Composed) You're right. No more of that. Nephew!

Ig. Here, sir!

Jua. Your place will be the capital. We must have eyes there, and a heart to serve us. This hour set out. Here are instructions. (Gives papers)

Trev. Sir, He's had no rest.

Jua. True ... true....

Ig. And need none when Juarez commands.

Jua. (Taking his hand) Thou'rt still my son. My house Will not fall down when I no longer prop it.

Raf. May I not beg this office, sir?

Trev. Send him! His heart is in the hills, and he'll come back. Ignacio's yet unanchored. Trust him not To high tides of a court.

Jua. I trust them both. But my own blood I know. (To Ig.) Kneel for the oath.

(Ignacio kneels. Murmurs around, then silence. Juarez takes a crucifix from his bosom and holds it over Ignacio)

Jua. By this true image of the bleeding Christ, May you be damned to everlasting fire, Nor prayers of saints lift up your soul from hell, If you prove false in what you undertake This night for Mexico!

Ig. By Christ's own blood. I swear, and may that blood be powerless To save me from the damned if I prove false!

Jua. The stars that hold The witness angels of the Lord have heard Thy oath.

Ig. (Rising and looking up) Let them record it.

Asef. (Fearfully) Ah!

Trev. (Holding out a brand) The brand!

Jua. Not that!

Ig. (Baring his arm) I choose it!

(Trevino quickly brands his arm with a cross. Juarez, too late, dashes the brand from his hand)

Ig. (Throwing up his arm) Sealed to the cause!

(Hurries to go)

Jua. My boy! (Ignacio returns for Juarez' embrace)

Ig. (Going) Liberty and Juarez!

Soldiers. Juarez! Liberty and Juarez!

(All but Juarez follow Ignatius out, cheering)

Hurrah! hurrah!

(Juarez draws his grey mantle about him and stands silent. The fires die down. The moon clouds. He looks up invoking)

Jua. Spirit of Montezuma, be thou here And on thy son drop wisdom out of Heaven, That these thy children he may lead to peace, And this thy country give again to him Who set his iron in the earth and said "Man, make thy weapon; there shall be no slaves!"

(CURTAIN)