Part 28
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 assembled 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!
NAPOLEON
Dismiss such fears. You may as well as not. As things are doomed to be they will be, dear. If shadows must come, let them come as though The sun were due and you were trusting to it: 'Twill teach the world it wrongs in bringing them.
[They embrace finally. Exeunt NAPOLEON, etc. Afterwards MARIE LOUISE and the child.]
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS
Her instinct forwardly is keen in cast, And yet how limited. True it may be They never more will meet; although--to use The bounded prophecy I am dowered with-- The screen that will maintain their severance Would pass her own believing; proving it No gaol-grille, no scath of scorching war, But this persuasion, pressing on her pulse To breed aloofness and a mind averse; Until his image in her soul will shape Dwarfed as a far Colossus on a plain, Or figure-head that smalls upon the main.
[The lights are extinguished and the hall is left in darkness.]
## SCENE III
THE SAME. THE APARTMENTS OF THE EMPRESS
[A March morning, verging on seven o'clock, throws its cheerless stare into the private drawing-room of MARIE LOUISE, animating the gilt furniture to only a feeble shine. Two chamberlains of the palace are there in waiting. They look from the windows and yawn.]
FIRST CHAMBERLAIN
Here's a watering for spring hopes! Who would have supposed when the Emperor left, and appointed her Regent, that she and the Regency too would have to scurry after in so short a time!
SECOND CHAMBERLAIN
Was a course decided on last night?
FIRST CHAMBERLAIN
Yes. The Privy Council sat till long past midnight, debating the burning question whether she and the child should remain or not. Some were one way, some the other. She settled the matter by saying she would go.
SECOND CHAMBERLAIN
I thought it might come to that. I heard the alarm beating all night to assemble the National Guard; and I am told that some volunteers have marched out to support Marmot. But they are a mere handful: what can they do?
[A clatter of wheels and a champing and prancing of horses is heard outside the palace. MENEVAL enters, and divers officers of the household; then from her bedroom at the other end MARIE LOUISE, in a travelling dress and hat, leading the KING OF ROME, attired for travel likewise. She looks distracted and pale. Next come the DUCHESS OF MONTEBELLO, lady of honour, the COUNTESS DE MONTESQUIOU, ladies of the palace, and others, all in travelling trim.]
KING OF ROME [plaintively]
Why are we doing these strange things, mamma, And what did we get up so early for?
MARIE LOUISE
I cannot, dear, explain. So many events Enlarge and make so many hours of one, That it would be too hard to tell them now.
KING OF ROME
But you know why we a setting out like this? Is it because we fear our enemies?
MARIE LOUISE
We are not sure that we are going yet. I may be needful; but don't ask me here. Some time I will tell you.
[She sits down irresolutely, and bestows recognitions on the assembled officials with a preoccupied air.]
KING OF ROME [in a murmur]
I like being here best; And I don't want to go I know not where!
MARIE LOUISE
Run, dear to Mamma 'Quiou and talk to her [He goes across to MADAME DE MONTESQUIOU.] I hear that women of the Royalist hope [To the DUCHESS OF MONTEBELLO] Have bent them busy in their private rooms With working white cockades these several days.-- Yes--I must go!
DUCHESS OF MONTEBELLO
But why yet, Empress dear? We may soon gain good news; some messenger Hie from the Emperor or King Joseph hither?
MARIE LOUISE
King Joseph I await. He's gone to eye The outposts, with the Ministers of War, To learn the scope and nearness of the Allies; He should almost be back.
[A silence, till approaching feet are suddenly heard outside the door.]
Ah, here he comes; Now we shall know!
[Enter precipitately not Joseph but officers of the National Guard and others.]
OFFICERS
Long live the Empress-regent! Do not quit Paris, pray, your Majesty. Remain, remain. We plight us to defend you!
MARIE LOUISE [agitated]
Gallant messieurs, I thank you heartily. But by the Emperor's biddance I am bound. He has vowed he'd liefer see me and my son Blanched at the bottom of the smothering Seine Than in the talons of the foes of France.-- To keep us sure from such, then, he ordained Our swift withdrawal with the Ministers Towards the Loire, if enemies advanced In overmastering might. They do advance; Marshal Marmont and Mortier are repulsed, And that has come whose hazard he foresaw. All is arranged; the treasure is awheel, And papers, seals, and cyphers packed therewith.
OFFICERS [dubiously]
Yet to leave Paris is to court disaster!
MARIE LOUISE [with petulance]
I shall do what I say!... I don't know what-- What SHALL I do!
[She bursts into tears and rushes into her bedroom, followed by the young KING and some of her ladies. There is a painful silence, broken by sobbings and expostulations within. Re-enter one of the ladies.]
LADY
She's sorely overthrown; She flings herself upon the bed distraught. She says, “My God, let them make up their minds To one or other of these harrowing ills, And force to't, and end my agony!”
[An official enters at the main door.]
OFFICIAL
I am sent here by the Minister of War To her Imperial Majesty the Empress.
[Re-enter MARIE LOUISE and the KING OF ROME.]
Your Majesty, my mission is to say Imperious need dictates your instant flight. A vanward regiment of the Prussian packs Has gained the shadow of the city walls.
MENEVAL
They are armed Europe's scouts!
[Enter CAMBACERES the Arch-Chancellor, COUNT BEAUHARNAIS, CORVISART the physician, DE BAUSSET, DE CANISY the equerry, and others.]
CAMBACERES
Your Majesty, There's not a trice to lose. The force well-nigh Of all compacted Europe crowds on us, And clamours at the walls!
BEAUHARNAIS
If you stay longer, You stay to fall into the Cossacks hands. The people, too, are waxing masterful: They think the lingering of your Majesty Makes Paris more a peril for themselves Than a defence for you. To fight is fruitless, And wanton waste of life. You have nought to do But go; and I, and all the Councillors, Will follow you.
MARIE LOUISE
Then I was right to say That I would go! Now go I surely will, And let none try to hinder me again!
[She prepares to leave.]
KING OF ROME [crying]
I will not go! I like to live here best! Don't go to Rambouillet, mamma; please don't. It is a nasty place! Let us stay here. O Mamma 'Quiou, stay with me here; pray stay!
MARIE LOUISE [to the Equerry]
Bring him down.
[Exit MARIE LOUISE in tears, followed by ladies-in-waiting and others.]
DE CANISY
Come now, Monseigneur, come.
[He catches up the boy in his arms and prepares to follow the Empress.]
KING OF ROME [kicking]
No, no, no! I don't want to go away from my house--I don't want to! Now papa is away I am the master! [He clings to the door as the equerry is bearing him through it.]
DE CANISY
But you must go.
[The child's fingers are pulled away. Exit DE CANISY with the King OF ROME, who is heard screaming as he is carried down the staircase.]
MADAME DE MONTESQUIOU
I feel the child is right! A premonition has enlightened him. She ought to stay. But, ah, the die is cast!
[MADAME DE MONTESQUIOU and the remainder of the party follow, and the room is left empty. Enter servants hastily.]
FIRST SERVANT
Sacred God, where are we to go to for grub and good lying to-night? What are ill-used men to do?
SECOND SERVANT
I trudge like the rest. All the true philosophers are gone, and the middling true are going. I made up my mind like the truest that ever was as soon as I heard the general alarm beat.
THIRD SERVANT
I stay here. No Allies are going to tickle our skins. The storm which roots--Dost know what a metaphor is, comrade? I brim with them at this historic time!
SECOND SERVANT
A weapon of war used by the Cossacks?
THIRD SERVANT
Your imagination will be your ruin some day, my man! It happens to be a weapon of wisdom used by me. My metaphor is one may'st have met with on the rare times when th'hast been in good society. Here it is: The storm which roots the pine spares the p--s--b--d. Now do you see?
FIRST AND SECOND SERVANTS
Good! Your teaching, friend, is as sound as true religion! We'll not go. Hearken to what's doing outside. [Carriages are heard moving. Servants go to the window and look down.] Lord, there's the Duchess getting in. Now the Mistress of the Wardrobe; now the Ladies of the Palace; now the Prefects; now the Doctors. What a time it takes! There are near a dozen berlines, as I am a patriot! Those other carriages bear treasure. How quiet the people are! It is like a funeral procession. Not a tongue cheers her!
THIRD SERVANT
Now there will be a nice convenient time for a little good victuals and drink, and likewise pickings, before the Allies arrive, thank Mother Molly!
[From a distant part of the city bands are heard playing military marches. Guns next resound. Another servant rushes in.]
FOURTH SERVANT
Montmartre is being stormed, and bombs are falling in the Chaussee d'Antin!
[Exit fourth servant.]
THIRD SERVANT [pulling something from his hat]
Then it is time for me to gird my armour on.
SECOND SERVANT
What hast there?
[Third servant holds up a crumpled white cockade and sticks it in his hair. The firing gets louder.]
FIRST AND SECOND SERVANTS
Hast got another?
THIRD SERVANT [pulling out more]
Ay--here they are; at a price.
[The others purchase cockades of third servant. A military march is again heard. Re-enter fourth servant.]
FOURTH SERVANT
The city has capitulated! The Allied sovereigns, so it is said, will enter in grand procession to-morrow: the Prussian cavalry first, then the Austrian foot, then the Russian and Prussian foot, then the Russian horse and artillery. And to cap all, the people of Paris are glad of the change. They have put a rope round the neck of the statue of Napoleon on the column of the Grand Army, and are amusing themselves with twitching it and crying “Strangle the Tyrant!”
SECOND SERVANT
Well, well! There's rich colours in this kaleidoscopic world!
THIRD SERVANT
And there's comedy in all things--when they don't concern you. Another glorious time among the many we've had since eighty-nine. We have put our armour on none too soon. The Bourbons for ever!
[He leaves, followed by first and second servants.]
FOURTH SERVANT
My faith, I think I'll turn Englishman in my older years, where there's not these trying changes in the Constitution!
[Follows the others. The Allies military march waxes louder as the scene shuts.]
## SCENE IV
FONTAINEBLEAU. A ROOM IN THE PALACE
[NAPOLEON is discovered walking impatiently up and down, and glancing at the clock every few minutes. Enter NEY.]
NAPOLEON [without a greeting]
Well--the result? Ah, but your looks display A leaden dawning to the light you bring! What--not a regency? What--not the Empress To hold it in trusteeship for my son?
NEY
Sire, things like revolutions turn back, But go straight on. Imperial governance Is coffined for your family and yourself! It is declared that military repose, And France's well-doing, demand of you Your abdication--unconditioned, sheer. This verdict of the sovereigns cannot change, And I have pushed on hot to let you know.
NAPOLEON [with repression]
I am obliged to you. You have told me promptly!-- This was to be expected. I had learnt Of Marmont's late defection, and the Sixth's; The consequence I easily inferred.
NEY
The Paris folk are flaked with white cockades; Tricolors choke the kennels. Rapturously They clamour for the Bourbons and for peace.
NAPOLEON [tartly]
I can draw inferences without assistance!
NEY [persisting]
They see the brooks of blood that have flowed forth; They feel their own bereavements; so their mood Asked no deep reasoning for its geniture.
NAPOLEON
I have no remarks to make on that just now. I'll think the matter over. You shall know By noon to-morrow my definitive.
NEY [turning to go]
I trust my saying what had to be said Has not affronted you?
NAPOLEON [bitterly]
No; but your haste In doing it has galled me, and has shown me A heart that heaves no longer in my cause! The skilled coquetting of the Government Has nearly won you from old fellowship!... Well; till to-morrow, marshal, then Adieu.
[Ney goes. Enter CAULAINCOURT and MACDONALD.]
Ney has got here before you; and, I deem, Has truly told me all?
CAULAINCOURT
We thought at first We should have had success. But fate said No; And abdication, making no reserves, Is, sire, we are convinced, with all respect, The only road, if you care not to risk The Empress; loss of every dignity, And magnified misfortunes thrown on France.
NAPOLEON
I have heard it all; and don't agree with you. My assets are not quite so beggarly That I must close in such a shameful bond! What--do you rate as naught that I am yet Full fifty thousand strong, with Augereau, And Soult, and Suchet true, and many more? I still may know to play the Imperial game As well as Alexander and his friends! So--you will see. Where are my maps?--eh, where? I'll trace campaigns to come! Where's my paper, ink, To schedule all my generals and my means!
CAULAINCOURT
Sire, you have not the generals you suppose.
MACDONALD
And if you had, the mere anatomy Of a real army, sire, that's left to you, Must yield the war. A bad example tells.
NAPOLEON
Ah--from your manner it is worse, I see, Than I cognize!... O Marmont, Marmont,--yours, Yours was the bad sad lead!--I treated him As if he were a son!--defended him, Made him a marshal out of sheer affection, Built, as 'twere rock, on his fidelity! “Forsake who may,” I said, “I still have him.” Child that I was, I looked for faith in friends!...
Then be it as you will. Ney's manner shows That even he inclines to Bourbonry.-- I faint to leave France thus--curtailed, pared down From her late spacious borders. Of the whole This is the keenest sword that pierces me.... But all's too late: my course is closed, I see. I'll do it--now. Call in Bertrand and Ney; Let them be witness to my finishing!
[In much agitation he goes to the writing-table and begins drawing up a paper. BERTRAND and NEY enter; and behind them are seen through the doorway the faces of CONSTANT the valet, ROUSTAN the Mameluke, and other servants. All wait in silence till the EMPEROR has done writing. He turns in his seat without looking up.]
NAPOLEON [reading]
“It having been declared by the Allies That the prime obstacle to Europe's peace Is France's empery by Napoleon, This ruler, faithful to his oath of old, Renounces for himself and for his heirs The throne of France and that of Italy; Because no sacrifice, even of his life, Is he averse to make for France's gain.” --And hereto do I sign. [He turns to the table and signs.]
[The marshals, moved, rush forward and seize his hand.]
Mark, marshals, here; It is a conquering foe I covenant with, And not the traitors at the Tuileries Who call themselves the Government of France! Caulaincourt, go to Paris as before, Ney and Macdonald too, and hand in this To Alexander, and to him alone.
[He gives the document, and bids them adieu almost without speech. The marshals and others go out. NAPOLEON continues sitting with his chin on his chest.
An interval of silence. There is then heard in the corridor a sound of whetting. Enter ROUSTAN the Mameluke, with a whetstone in his belt and a sword in his hand.]
ROUSTAN
After this fall, your Majesty, 'tis plain You will not choose to live; and knowing this I bring to you my sword.
NAPOLEON [with a nod]
I see you do, Roustan.
ROUSTAN
Will you, sire, use it on yourself, Or shall I pass it through you?
NAPOLEON [coldly]
Neither plan Is quite expedient for the moment, man.
ROUSTAN
Neither?
NAPOLEON
There may be, in some suited time, Some cleaner means of carrying out such work.
ROUSTAN
Sire, you refuse? Can you support vile life A moment on such terms? Why then, I pray, Dispatch me with the weapon, or dismiss me. [He holds the sword to NAPOLEON, who shakes his head.] I live no longer under such disgrace!
[Exit ROUSTAN haughtily. NAPOLEON vents a sardonic laugh, and throws himself on a sofa, where he by and by falls asleep. The door is softly opened. ROUSTAN and CONSTANT peep in.]
CONSTANT
To-night would be as good a time to go as any. He will sleep there for hours. I have my few francs safe, and I deserve them; for I have stuck to him honourably through fourteen trying years.
ROUSTAN
How many francs have you secured?
CONSTANT
Well--more than you can count in one breath, or even two.
ROUSTAN
Where?
CONSTANT
In a hollow tree in the Forest. And as for YOUR reward, you can easily get the keys of that cabinet, where there are more than enough francs to equal mine. He will not have them, and you may as well take them as strangers.
ROUSTAN
It is not money that I want, but honour. I leave, because I can no longer stay with self-respect.
CONSTANT
And I because there is no other such valet in the temperate zone, and it is for the good of society that I should not be wasted here.
ROUSTAN
Well, as you propose going this evening I will go with you, to lend a symmetry to the drama of our departure. Would that I had served a more sensitive master! He sleeps there quite indifferent to the dishonour of remaining alive!
[NAPOLEON shows signs of waking. CONSTANT and ROUSTAN disappear. NAPOLEON slowly sits up.]
NAPOLEON
Here the scene lingers still! Here linger I!... Things could not have gone on as they were going; I am amazed they kept their course so long. But long or short they have ended now--at last! [Footsteps are heard passing through the court without.] Hark at them leaving me! So politic rats Desert the ship that's doomed. By morrow-dawn I shall not have a man to shake my bed Or say good-morning to!
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS
Herein behold How heavily grinds the Will upon his brain, His halting hand, and his unlighted eye.
SPIRIT IRONIC
A picture this for kings and subjects too!
SPIRIT OF THE PITIES
Yet is it but Napoleon who has failed. The pale pathetic peoples still plod on Through hoodwinkings to light!
NAPOLEON [rousing himself]
This now must close. Roustan misunderstood me, though his hint Serves as a fillip to a flaccid brain.... --How gild the sunset sky of majesty Better than by the act esteemed of yore? Plutarchian heroes outstayed not their fame, And what nor Brutus nor Themistocles Nor Cato nor Mark Antony survived, Why, why should I? Sage Canabis, you primed me!
[He unlocks a case, takes out a little bag containing a phial, pours from it a liquid into a glass, and drinks. He then lies down and falls asleep again.
Re-enter CONSTANT softly with a bunch of keys in his hand. On his way to the cabinet he turns and looks at NAPOLEON. Seeing the glass and a strangeness in the EMPEROR, he abandons his object, rushes out, and is heard calling.
Enter MARET and BERTRAND.]
BERTRAND [shaking the Emperor]
What is the matter, sire? What's this you've done?
NAPOLEON [with difficulty]
Why did you interfere!--But it is well; Call Caulaincourt. I'd speak with him a trice Before I pass.
[MARET hurries out. Enter IVAN the physician, and presently CAULAINCOURT.]
Ivan, renew this dose; 'Tis a slow workman, and requires a fellow; Age has impaired its early promptitude.
[Ivan shakes his head and rushes away distracted. CAULAINCOURT seizes NAPOLEON'S hand.]
CAULAINCOURT
Why should you bring this cloud upon us now!
NAPOLEON
Restrain your feelings. Let me die in peace.-- My wife and son I recommend to you; Give her this letter, and the packet there. Defend my memory, and protect their lives. [They shake him. He vomits.]
CAULAINCOURT
He's saved--for good or ill-as may betide!
NAPOLEON
God--here how difficult it is to die: How easy on the passionate battle-plain!
[They open a window and carry him to it. He mends.]