The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 45

SPIRIT

What man is this, whose might thou blazonest so-- Who makes the earth to tremble, shakes old thrones, And turns the plains to wilderness?

WOMAN

Dost ask As ignorant, yet asking can define?

What mean you, traveller?

SPIRIT

I am a stranger here, A wandering wight, whose life has not been spent This side the globe, though I can speak the tongue.

WOMAN

Your air has truth in't; but your state is strange!

Had I a husband he should tackle thee.

SPIRIT

Dozens thou hast had--batches more than she Samaria knew, if now thou hast not one!

WOMAN

Wilt take the situation from this hour?

SPIRIT

Thou know'st not what thy frailty asks, good dame!

WOMAN

Well, learn in small the Emperor's chronicle, As gleaned from what my soldier-husbands say:-- some five-and-forty standards of his foes Are brought to Paris, borne triumphantly In proud procession through the surging streets, Ever as brands of fame to s.h.i.+ne aloft In dim-lit senate-halls and city aisles.

SPIRIT

Fair Munich sparkled with festivity As there awhile he tarried, and was met By the gay Josephine your Empress here.-- There, too, Eugene--

WOMAN

Napoleon's stepson he---

SPIRIT

Received for gift the hand of fair Princess Augusta [daughter of Bavaria's crown, Forced from her plighted troth to Baden's heir], And, to complete his honouring, was hailed Successor to the throne of Italy.

WOMAN

How know you, ere this news has got abroad?

SPIRIT

Channels have I the common people lack.-- There, on the nonce, the forenamed Baden prince Was joined to Stephanie Beauharnais, her Who stands as daughter to the man we wait, Some say as more.

WOMAN They do? Then such not I.

Can revolution's dregs so soil thy soul That thou shouldst doubt the eldest son thereof?

'Tis dangerous to insinuate nowadays!

SPIRIT

Right! Lady many-spoused, more charity Upbrims in thee than in some loftier ones Who would not name thee with their white-washed tongues.-- Enough. I am one whom, didst thou know my name, Thou would'st not grudge a claim to speak his mind.

WOMAN

A thousand pardons, sir.

SPIRIT

Resume thy tale If so thou wishest.

WOMAN

Nay, but you know best---

SPIRIT

How laurelled progress through applauding crowds Have marked his journey home. How Strasburg town, Stuttgart, Carlsruhe, acclaimed him like the rest: How pageantry would here have welcomed him, Had not his speed outstript intelligence --Now will a glimpse of him repay thee. Hark!

[Shouts arise and increase in the distance, announcing BONAPARTE'S approach.]