The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 107

NAPOLEON

Praise Heaven for that!

I'll not grieve overmuch about the child....

Never shall She go through this strain again To lay down a dynastic line for me.

d.u.c.h.eSS OF MONTEBELLO [aside to the second lady]

He only says that now. In cold blood it would be far otherwise.

That's how men are.

VOICE OF MADAME BLAISE [within]

Doctor, the child's alive! [The cry of an infant is heard.]

VOICE OF DUBOIS [calling from within]

Sire, both are saved.

[NAPOLEON rushes into the chamber, and is heard kissing MARIE LOUISE.]

VOICE OF MADAME BLAISE [within]

A vigorous boy, your Imperial Majesty. The brandy and hot napkins brought him to.

d.u.c.h.eSS OF MONTEBELLO

It is as I expected. A healthy young woman of her build had every chance of doing well, despite the doctors.

[An interval.]

NAPOLEON [re-entering radiantly]

We have achieved a healthy heir, good dames, And in the feat the Empress was most brave, Although she suffered much--so much, indeed, That I would sooner father no more sons Than have so fair a fruit-tree undergo Another wrenching of such magnitude.

[He walks to the window, pulls aside the curtains, and looks out.

It is a joyful spring morning. The Tuileries' gardens are thronged with an immense crowd, kept at a little distance off the Palace by a cord. The windows of the neighbouring houses are full of gazers, and the streets are thronged with halting carriages, their inmates awaiting the event.]

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS [whispering to Napoleon]

At this high hour there broods a woman nigh, Ay, here in Paris, with her child and thine, Who might have played this part with truer eye To thee and to thy contemplated line!

NAPOLEON [soliloquizing]

Strange that just now there flashes on my soul That little one I loved in Warsaw days, Marie Walewska, and my boy by her!-- She was shown faithless by a foul intrigue Till fate sealed up her opportunity....

But what's one woman's fortune more or less Beside the schemes of kings!--Ah, there's the new!

[A gun is heard from the Invalides.]

CROWD [excitedly]

One!

[Another report of the gun, and another, succeed.]

Two! Three! Four!

[The firing and counting proceed to twenty-one, when there is great suspense. The gun fires again, and the excitement is doubled.]

Twenty-two! A boy!

[The remainder of the counting up to a hundred-and-one is drowned in the huzzas. Bells begin ringing, and from the Champ de Mars a balloon ascends, from which the tidings are scattered in hand-bills as it floats away from France.

Enter the PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, CAMBACERES, BERTHIER, LEBRUN, and other officers of state. NAPOLEON turns from the window.]

CAMBACERES

Unstinted gratulations and goodwill We bring to your Imperial Majesty, While still resounds the superflux of joy With which your people welcome this live star Upon the horizon of history!

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

All blessings at their goodliest will grace The advent of this New Messiah, sire, Of fairer prospects than the former one, Whose coming at so apt an hour endues The widening glory of your high exploits With permanence, and flings the dimness far That cloaked the future of our chronicle!

NAPOLEON

My thanks; though, gentlemen, upon my soul You might have drawn the line at the Messiah.

But I excuse you.--Yes, the boy has come; He took some coaxing, but he's here at last.-- And what news brings the morning from without?

I know of none but this the Empress now Trumps to the world from the adjoining room.

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Nothing in Europe, sire, that can compare In magnitude therewith to more effect Than with an eagle some frail finch or wren.

To wit: the ban on English trade prevailing, Subjects our merchant-houses to such strain That many of the best see bankruptcy Like a grim ghost ahead. Next week, they say In secret here, six of the largest close.