L'Aiglon Part 124

HARTMANN.

"Then the Grand Duke, who took on this occasion The Austrian Emperor's place as Sponsor: then Queen Hortense, and the Imperial G.o.dmother; Lastly, the King of Rome, borne by Her Grace, The d.u.c.h.ess of Montesquieu. His Majesty, Whose healthy mien the crowd observed with joy, Wore a great silver mantle, lined with ermine, Whose train His Grace the Duke of Valmy bore.

Princes--"

THE DUKE.

Omit the Princes.

 

HARTMANN.

[_Turning over a page._]

"Kings--"

THE DUKE.

Omit The Kings. The end, sir; read the end--

HARTMANN.

[_Turning over several pages._]

"And when--"

THE DUKE.

I cannot hear you. Louder.

DOCTOR MALFATTI.

[_To_ WAGNER.]

The last agony.

HARTMANN.

[_Raising his voice._]

"And when the Herald thrice within the choir Had cried 'Long live the King of Rome!' before They handed back the baby to its nurse, The Emperor gently took it from--"

[_He hesitates, with a glance at_ MARIA LOUISA.]

THE DUKE.

[_With infinite n.o.bility and placing his hand with tender forgiveness on the head of_ MARIA LOUISA, _who is kneeling at his side._]

The Empress!

HARTMANN.

"And raised it to receive the acclamation.

The loud--"

THE DUKE.

[_Whose head drops._]

Mamma!

MARIA LOUISA.

[_Throwing herself across his body._]

Francois!

THE DUKE.

[_Opening his eyes._]

Napoleon!

[_He sinks back._]

HARTMANN.

"The loud _Te Deum_ filled the sanctuary.

And all that night, throughout the realm of France, With equal pomp, solemnity, and joy--"

DOCTOR MALFATTI.

[_Putting his hand on the_ GENERAL'S _arm._]

Dead!

[_Silence. The_ GENERAL _closes the book._]

METTERNICH.

Clothe him in his Austrian uniform.

CURTAIN.