human
You have the love of your people.
gpt
Not even that. The sentiment of love for their queen is dead. That is the root of the whole matter. There is but one thing, then, for me to do: to retire gracefully--to anticipate their wishes--to listen to their cry and declare a republic. Then you and I will go back to the cottage together and drink our tea in peace.
human
You are wrong. That is not the wish of the people; it is the wish only of a few hundred blackguards led on by those devils brought here from over the sea.
gpt
You mean Dick's men?
human
The devil's men. If you give me authority, I'll have every mother's son of them shot before morning.
gpt
Not even to please my bloodthirsty general. They have played us false but--still they are countrymen of his.
human
You insult him. They belong to no country.
gpt
Why, she asked thoughtfully,
human
Then for the love of God, bring him here,
gpt
No! No! she cried hastily, as though fearing he might make the attempt to find him;
human
Do I sound disloyal? It is only because the kingdom remains as it used to be in your dear heart and yours alone. I am your queen, General, because you are still in the past. But the others are not. They are of the present and to them I am only a tradition. If they were all like you, my heart and soul, my life and love would all be theirs. It is to save what is left of the former things--to save you and the few others of that old kingdom--to have our dear Carlina as we used to have it out there in the sunshine of the garden--that I would leave this turmoil before it is too late.