L'Aiglon Part 53

THE DUKE.

Flambeau!

FLAMBEAU.

And everything!

THE DUKE.

Flambeau!

FLAMBEAU.

What, weeping? Take this handkerchief And dry your eyes upon the King of Rome!

[_He kneels by the_ DUKE'S _side and wipes his eyes with the handkerchief._]

I bid you strike the iron while it's hot: You've got the people and you've got the Marshals, The King, the King himself, is only King On one condition: that he's Bonapartist.

Vainly the Gallic c.o.c.kerel spreads his wings That, from a distance, he may seem an eagle.

We Frenchmen cannot breathe inglorious air; The crown must slip from off a pear-shaped head.

The youth of France will rally to your side Merrily shouting songs of Beranger-- The street has shuddered and the pavement trembled, And Schonbrunn's not so pretty as Versailles!

THE DUKE.

I will accept.

[_Military music is heard._]

Ha!

FLAMBEAU.

[_At the window._]

In the Court of honor The trumpets of the Guard. The Emperor Is coming home.

THE DUKE.

My grandfather! My promise!

[_To_ FLAMBEAU.]

No; before accepting--

FLAMBEAU.

d.a.m.n it!

THE DUKE.

Listen!

I must make one attempt with him; but if When you are here on guard to-night, you see Something--that you're not used to seeing here-- It is a signal! I will fly.

FLAMBEAU.

Latude!

What will the signal be?

THE DUKE.

You'll see.

FLAMBEAU.

But if--

[_An officer of the n.o.ble Guard enters._]

THE OFFICER.

My Lord--

FLAMBEAU.

[_Taking stock of him._]

The beggars! Aren't they gorgeous swells!

THE DUKE.

Well?

THE OFFICER.

As the Emperor pa.s.sed, they came and said, "O Sire, this is the one day in the week Whereon your Majesty receives his subjects; Many have come from far--" "I'd thought of it,"

Replied the Emperor, smiling; "and I hope To see them. I'm at Schonbrunn as a grandfather, I shall be with the Duke from five to six: Let all my children be beside my grandson."

May they come up?

THE DUKE.

Yes! open all the doors!

[_The_ OFFICER _goes out._]

THE DUKE.

[_To_ FLAMBEAU.]