The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 152

NAPOLEON

Ah--from your manner it is worse, I see, Than I cognize!... O Marmont, Marmont,--yours, Yours was the bad sad lead!--I treated him As if he were a son!--defended him, Made him a marshal out of sheer affection, Built, as 'twere rock, on his fidelity!

"Forsake who may," I said, "I still have him."

Child that I was, I looked for faith in friends!...

Then be it as you will. Ney's manner shows That even he inclines to Bourbonry.-- I faint to leave France thus--curtailed, pared down From her late s.p.a.cious borders. Of the whole This is the keenest sword that pierces me....

But all's too late: my course is closed, I see.

I'll do it--now. Call in Bertrand and Ney; Let them be witness to my finis.h.i.+ng!

[In much agitation he goes to the writing-table and begins drawing up a paper. BERTRAND and NEY enter; and behind them are seen through the doorway the faces of CONSTANT the valet, ROUSTAN the Mameluke, and other servants. All wait in silence till the EMPEROR has done writing. He turns in his seat without looking up.]

NAPOLEON [reading]

"It having been declared by the Allies That the prime obstacle to Europe's peace Is France's empery by Napoleon, This ruler, faithful to his oath of old, Renounces for himself and for his heirs The throne of France and that of Italy; Because no sacrifice, even of his life, Is he averse to make for France's gain."

--And hereto do I sign. [He turns to the table and signs.]

[The marshals, moved, rush forward and seize his hand.]

Mark, marshals, here; It is a conquering foe I covenant with, And not the traitors at the Tuileries Who call themselves the Government of France!

Caulaincourt, go to Paris as before, Ney and Macdonald too, and hand in this To Alexander, and to him alone.

[He gives the doc.u.ment, and bids them adieu almost without speech.

The marshals and others go out. NAPOLEON continues sitting with his chin on his chest.

An interval of silence. There is then heard in the corridor a sound of whetting. Enter ROUSTAN the Mameluke, with a whetstone in his belt and a sword in his hand.]

ROUSTAN

After this fall, your Majesty, 'tis plain You will not choose to live; and knowing this I bring to you my sword.

NAPOLEON [with a nod]

I see you do, Roustan.

ROUSTAN

Will you, sire, use it on yourself, Or shall I pa.s.s it through you?

NAPOLEON [coldly]

Neither plan Is quite expedient for the moment, man.

ROUSTAN

Neither?

NAPOLEON

There may be, in some suited time, Some cleaner means of carrying out such work.

ROUSTAN

Sire, you refuse? Can you support vile life A moment on such terms? Why then, I pray, Dispatch me with the weapon, or dismiss me.

[He holds the sword to NAPOLEON, who shakes his head.]

I live no longer under such disgrace!

[Exit ROUSTAN haughtily. NAPOLEON vents a sardonic laugh, and throws himself on a sofa, where he by and by falls asleep. The door is softly opened. ROUSTAN and CONSTANT peep in.]

CONSTANT

To-night would be as good a time to go as any. He will sleep there for hours. I have my few francs safe, and I deserve them; for I have stuck to him honourably through fourteen trying years.

ROUSTAN

How many francs have you secured?

CONSTANT

Well--more than you can count in one breath, or even two.

ROUSTAN

Where?

CONSTANT

In a hollow tree in the Forest. And as for YOUR reward, you can easily get the keys of that cabinet, where there are more than enough francs to equal mine. He will not have them, and you may as well take them as strangers.

ROUSTAN

It is not money that I want, but honour. I leave, because I can no longer stay with self-respect.

CONSTANT