L'Aiglon - novelonlinefull.com
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THE DUKE.
"To be surrendered to my son When he has reached sixteen." Oh, Father, sleep.
For I have all; even your uniforms.
Oh, yes! To you my uniform looks white-- Well, it's not true--it's false--I am pretending!
Father, behold, it's blue and red, behold!
Colonel? Not so! Lieutenant in your Guard!
By the device your soldiers bore I know it, Father, who gave me victories for sisters!
'Twas not in vain you wished me to possess The alarm-clock of King Frederick of Prussia, Which you magnificently stole from Potsdam, For here it is! 'Tis ticking in my brain!
It is the clock which wakes me every morning, Drives me exhausted by my midnight toil Back to my narrow table, to my toil, To be more fit by night-fall for the throne!
THE EMPEROR.
The throne! the throne! Oh, never hope again That you may reign in France, you--Upstart's son, Because our n.o.bler blood has made you look Rather more kingly than your father was.
THE DUKE.
Forgive me, but at Dresden, you remember, You all appeared like lackeys of my father.
THE EMPEROR.
A common soldier!
THE DUKE.
He had but to ask And Emperors gave their daughters to this soldier.
THE EMPEROR.
Perhaps. I cannot say. Mine is a widow.
THE DUKE.
Pity I'm here as living evidence!
THE EMPEROR.
Have you forgotten how we loved each other?
THE DUKE.
No! No! My birth is proof that you were beaten!
No! you can only hate me; for I am Wagram personified before your eyes!
THE EMPEROR.
Out of my sight! Begone!
[_Exit the_ DUKE.]
The child I loved!
METTERNICH.
Well, Sire, is he to have an empire?
THE EMPEROR.
Never!
METTERNICH.
Do you perceive what I have saved you from?
THE EMPEROR.
Ah! did you hear the monstrous things he said?
METTERNICH.
We must subdue him.
THE EMPEROR.
For his own sake; yes, METTERNICH.
For the world's peace and yours.
THE EMPEROR.
We must subdue him.
METTERNICH.
I'll come and speak to him to-night.
THE EMPEROR.
What grief He gives me!
METTERNICH.
[_Trying to lead him away._]
Come.
THE EMPEROR.
You'll speak to-night?
