L'Aiglon Part 54

Now quickly make a bundle of these treasures.

I'll look at them at leisure in my room.

FLAMBEAU.

I make the bundle in the handkerchief.

But tell me what the signal is to be.

THE DUKE.

Oh, never fear! you will not fail to know it.

But--do you hear them? That's the Austrian Hymn.

FLAMBEAU.

My word! It isn't worth the Ma.r.s.eillaise!

THE DUKE.

The Ma.r.s.eillaise--well? have you tied the ends?

My father used to say it wore mustachios.

FLAMBEAU.

Their blessed national hymn has scented whiskers.

THE DUKE.

It wouldn't be bad fun to enter France, Thus, with my bundle on my back, on foot.

FLAMBEAU.

How cheerful and how funny you can be!

This is the first time I have seen you so.

THE DUKE.

What? Rather young and merry? Thank you, Flambeau.

CURTAIN.

[Ill.u.s.tration: decoration of two eagles with an orb between]

[Ill.u.s.tration: decoration of an eagle with wings spread wide and a crown above its head]

THE THIRD ACT

_Scene: The same as in the previous act._

_A miscellaneous crowd of men, women and children are discovered on the rising of the curtain. They are being placed in order by an_ OFFICER.

THE OFFICER.

Line up. Be quiet. Boy, behave yourself.

The Emperor enters here; so leave a pa.s.sage.

You, giant Highlander, don't sc.r.a.pe your feet.

A MAN.

Will he pa.s.s here?

THE OFFICER.

Yes; and he'll take your papers.

Hold your pet.i.tions so that he can see them.

No tedious twaddle--Ah!--and you're forbidden To kneel when he comes in.

A WOMAN.

Forbidden or not, That won't prevent us--

[_The_ EMPEROR _enters quite simply, without being announced. All the people, in spite of the warning, fall on their knees._]

THE EMPEROR.

Rise, my children, rise.

[_He pa.s.ses from one to the other, taking their papers. To a_ WOMAN.]

Your pension's doubled.

THE WOMAN.

Sire!

THE EMPEROR.

[_To a_ MAN.]

What? What? A team Of oxen? That's expensive!--Granted.

THE MAN.

Father!