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.
'Tis 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.

Baz. I go to France.
What message have you for Napoleon?

Max. Tell him that he has placed me here between
Death and dishonor--and my choice is made.

(Bazaine and French ambassadors turn slowly and go out)

Max. (Quietly to Miramon) We'll join you at the door.

(Exeunt all but Carlotta and Maximilian. He holds out his
arms, and she goes silently to his embrace)

(CURTAIN)

ACT IV.

Scene I: Queretaro. Plaza La Cruz before church and convent. Grey
light before dawn. Occasional distant firing of guns. Maximilian
comes out of church and walks about plaza.

Max. Carlotta! Where dost thou pray to-night? In all
Our fearful scanning of prophetic heavens
No swart star showed us this--our separation.
Thou wert the all of me, the breath, the soul!
Nature conceived thee when her blood was young,
And May was in her spirit, but stayed thy birth
Till Time had taught her skill in all perfections!
... I will not weep.... Yon stars have memories too,
And tell old tales of grandsire suns that shook
Their locks and fell ere they were young who now
Are eld of all!... (Walks) To lie so low.... O man,
Who in the heavens carvest out redemption,
Laying thy golden streets in very skies,
Making the stars but eyets of thy port,
Must thou compact thee to a little earth,
Displace some few small tenants of the sod,
And find thou 'st room enough?... (Looks up) City of dream!
Time's far ghost inn! Eternity's mirage!
Desire's dim temple fashioned out of prayer,
Builded and jointured by no carpenter
But captious Fancy!... O Carlotta, wife!
Thou wert my Christian heart! Faith, faith, m