L'Aiglon Part 60

Ask what you like.

THE EMPEROR.

Well? are you happy?

METTERNICH.

First We'll come to terms on trivial points of detail: Certain seditious groups should be dissolved: Our neighbors must not harbor thunderbolts.

 

THE DUKE.

Dear grandfather!

METTERNICH.

Ah--then we're very weary Of hearing of the Heroes of July.

THE DUKE.

But--

METTERNICH.

Now the imperialists and radicals Are linked: we'll cut the link; we cannot favor The dangerous modern spirit. We'll expel Lammenais.

THE DUKE.

But--

METTERNICH.

And Chateaubriand. Ah-- We'll also put a muzzle on the press.

THE DUKE.

Oh, there's no hurry.

THE EMPEROR.

Pardon me, there is.

THE DUKE.

Pardon me, that's attacking freedom.

THE EMPEROR.

Freedom!

METTERNICH.

Ah--we must have free hand in Italy.

Ah--not so much excitement about Poland.

THE DUKE.

Ah? And what else?

METTERNICH.

Well, we shall have to solve The question of the names. You know, the names Of battles, Sire, which you--well--did not win: The Marshals must not wear them.

THE DUKE.

What is that?

THE EMPEROR.

Perhaps--

METTERNICH.

Forgive me; but they must not think They're lords of Austrian places; and you cannot Approve their way of carrying off to France Our villages by means of upstart t.i.tles.

THE DUKE.

Grandfather! Grandfather!

THE EMPEROR.

Well--it's evident--

THE DUKE.

Yet you and I were in each other's arms!

[_To_ METTERNICH.]

And have you nothing further to demand?

METTERNICH.

Yes; the suppression of the Tricolor.

THE DUKE.

Your Excellency wishes me to wash The banner based in blood and crowned with heaven-- For it was dipped in horrors that bear fruit, And it was bathed in universal hopes!-- Your Excellency asks me to efface That gleam of heaven and that stain of blood, And, having nothing but a blank sheet left, To make a shroud for Freedom out of that!

THE EMPEROR.