L'Aiglon Part 46

He was a General of some importance; Yet it were hardly fair to call him--

THE DUKE.

Wretch!

MARMONT.

What?

 

THE DUKE.

Now I've learnt whatever you could teach me, Whatever memories of him you had, All that, in spite of you, was splendid in you.

I cast you off: a useless sponge!

MARMONT.

My Lord!

THE DUKE.

Duke of Ragusa, you betrayed him! You!

Ah, yes, I know, when you beheld your comrade Climbing the throne you all said, "Why not I?"

But you, whom even in the ranks he loved, And loved so well his men grew discontented, Created Marshal at the age of thirty--

MARMONT.

No; thirty-five.

THE DUKE.

You, traitor of Essonnes, The mob has found new uses for your name And coined a verb "_Raguser_," to betray!

Why do you stand there silent? Answer me.

'Tis not alone Prince Francis Charles, it is Napoleon the Second speaking to you.

MARMONT.

[_Listening._]

They come--Prince Metternich--I know his voice.

THE DUKE.

Well! you know what to do. Betray us twice!

METTERNICH.

[_Entering with_ PROKESCH.]

Don't interrupt your chat. I'm taking Prokesch Across the park to see the Roman ruins Where I propose to give a ball. I am The last survivor of a crumbling world.

I like the idea of dancing over ruins.

Good-night.

[_He goes out with_ PROKESCH.]

MARMONT.

My Lord, you see I held my peace.

THE DUKE.

It only needed that you should _raguse_.

MARMONT.

Oh, conjugate the verb! I'll take a seat.

THE DUKE.

What!

MARMONT.

I will let you conjugate the verb Because you were magnificent just now.

THE DUKE.

Sir!

MARMONT.

I have spoken evil of your Father These fifteen years. I do so still; 'tis true.

Can you not guess I seek to excuse myself?

I never saw your Father after Elba-- If I had seen him I should have returned.

Others betrayed him, thinking to save France; But these beheld his face again, and fell Under the spell, as I have fallen to-night.

THE DUKE.

Why, sir?

MARMONT.

I also have beheld his face.

THE DUKE.

How?

MARMONT.