SPIRIT OF RUMOUR
Thither the Prussian levies, too, advance!
Turning now to the right, far away by Basel [beyond which the Swiss mountains close the scene], a still larger train of war- geared humanity, two hundred thousand strong, is discernible.
It has already crossed the water, which is much narrower here, and has advanced several miles westward, where its ductile ma.s.s of greyness and glitter is beheld parting into six columns, that march on in flexuous courses of varying direction.
SPIRIT OF RUMOUR
There glides carked Austria"s invading force!-- Panting, too, Paris-wards with foot and horse, Of one intention with the other twain, And Wellington, from the south, in upper Spain.
All these dark and grey columns, converging westward by sure degrees, advance without opposition. They glide on as if by gravitation, in fluid figures, dictated by the conformation of the country, like water from a burst reservoir; mostly snake- shaped, but occasionally with batrachian and saurian outlines.
In spite of the immensity of this human mechanism on its surface, the winter landscape wears an impa.s.sive look, as if nothing were happening.
Evening closes in, and the Dumb Show is obscured.
SCENE II
PARIS. THE TUILERIES
[It is Sunday just after ma.s.s, and the princ.i.p.al officers of the National Guard are a.s.sembled in the Salle des Marechaux. They stand in an att.i.tude of suspense, some with the print of sadness on their faces, some with that of perplexity.
The door leading from the Hall to the adjoining chapel is thrown open. There enter from the chapel with the last notes of the service the EMPEROR NAPOLEON and the EMPRESS; and simultaneously from a door opposite MADAME DE MONTESQUIOU, the governess, who carries in her arms the KING OF ROME, now a fair child between two and three. He is clothed in a miniature uniform of the Guards themselves.
MADAM DE MONTESQUIOU brings forward the child and sets him on his feet near his mother. NAPOLEON, with a mournful smile, giving one hand to the boy and the other to MARIE LOUISE, _en famille_, leads them forward. The Guard bursts into cheers.]
NAPOLEON
Gentlemen of the National Guard and friends, I have to leave you; and before I fare To Heaven know what of personal destiny, I give into your loyal guardianship Those dearest in the world to me; my wife, The Empress, and my son the King of Rome.-- I go to shield your roofs and kin from foes Who have dared to pierce the fences of our land; And knowing that you house those dears of mine, I start afar in all tranquillity, Stayed by my trust in your proved faithfulness.
[Enthusiastic cheers for the Guard.]
OFFICERS [with emotion]
We proudly swear to justify the trust!
And never will we see another sit Than you, or yours, on the great throne of France.
NAPOLEON
I ratify the Empress" regency, And re-confirm it on last year"s lines, My bother Joseph stoutening her rule As the Lieutenant-General of the State.-- Vex her with no divisions; let regard For property, for order, and for France Be chief with all. Know, gentlemen, the Allies Are drunken with success. Their late advantage They have handled wholly for their own gross gain, And made a pastime of my agony.
That I go clogged with cares I sadly own; Yet I go primed with hope; ay, in despite Of a last sorrow that has sunk upon me,-- The grief of hearing, good and constant friends, That my own sister"s consort, Naples" king, Blazons himself a backer of the Allies, And marches with a Neapolitan force Against our puissance under Prince Eugene.
The varied operations to ensue May bring the enemy largely Paris-wards; But suffer no alarm; before long days I will annihilate by flank and rear Those who have risen to trample on our soil; And as I have done so many and proud a time, Come back to you with ringing victory!-- Now, see: I personally present to you My son and my successor ere I go.
[He takes the child in his arms and carries him round to the officers severally. They are much affected and raise loud cheers.]
You stand by him and her? You swear as much?
OFFICERS
We do!
NAPOLEON
This you repeat--you promise it?
OFFICERS
We promise. May the dynasty live for ever!
[Their shouts, which spread to the Carrousel without, are echoed by the soldiers of the Guard a.s.sembled there. The EMPRESS is now in tears, and the EMPEROR supports her.]
MARIE LOUISE
Such whole enthusiasm I have never known!-- Not even from the Landwehr of Vienna.
[Amid repeated protestations and farewells NAPOLEON, the EMPRESS, the KING OF ROME, MADAME DE MONTESQUIOU, etc. go out in one direction, and the officers of the National Guard in another.
The curtain falls for an interval.
When it rises again the apartment is in darkness, and its atmosphere chilly. The January night-wind howls without. Two servants enter hastily, and light candles and a fire. The hands of the clock are pointing to three.
The room is hardly in order when the EMPEROR enters, equipped for the intended journey; and with him, his left arm being round her waist, walks MARIE LOUISE in a dressing-gown. On his right arm he carries the KING OF ROME, and in his hand a bundle of papers.
COUNT BERTRAND and a few members of the household follow.
Reaching the middle of the room, he kisses the child and embraces the EMPRESS, who is tearful, the child weeping likewise. NAPOLEON takes the papers to the fire, thrusts them in, and watches them consume; then burns other bundles brought by his attendants.]
NAPOLEON [gloomily]
Better to treat them thus; since no one knows What comes, or into whose hands he may fall!
MARIE LOUISE
I have an apprehension-unexplained-- That I shall never see you any more!