The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 148

NAPOLEON

Dismiss such fears. You may as well as not.

As things are doomed to be they will be, dear.

If shadows must come, let them come as though The sun were due and you were trusting to it: 'Twill teach the world it wrongs in bringing them.

[They embrace finally. Exeunt NAPOLEON, etc. Afterwards MARIE LOUISE and the child.]

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

Her instinct forwardly is keen in cast, And yet how limited. True it may be They never more will meet; although--to use The bounded prophecy I am dowered with-- The screen that will maintain their severance Would pa.s.s her own believing; proving it No gaol-grille, no scath of scorching war, But this persuasion, pressing on her pulse To breed aloofness and a mind averse; Until his image in her soul will shape Dwarfed as a far Colossus on a plain, Or figure-head that smalls upon the main.

[The lights are extinguished and the hall is left in darkness.]

SCENE III

THE SAME. THE APARTMENTS OF THE EMPRESS

[A March morning, verging on seven o'clock, throws its cheerless stare into the private drawing-room of MARIE LOUISE, animating the gilt furniture to only a feeble shine. Two chamberlains of the palace are there in waiting. They look from the windows and yawn.]

FIRST CHAMBERLAIN

Here's a watering for spring hopes! Who would have supposed when the Emperor left, and appointed her Regent, that she and the Regency too would have to scurry after in so short a time!

SECOND CHAMBERLAIN

Was a course decided on last night?

FIRST CHAMBERLAIN

Yes. The Privy Council sat till long past midnight, debating the burning question whether she and the child should remain or not.

Some were one way, some the other. She settled the matter by saying she would go.

SECOND CHAMBERLAIN

I thought it might come to that. I heard the alarm beating all night to a.s.semble the National Guard; and I am told that some volunteers have marched out to support Marmot. But they are a mere handful: what can they do?

[A clatter of wheels and a champing and prancing of horses is heard outside the palace. MENEVAL enters, and divers officers of the household; then from her bedroom at the other end MARIE LOUISE, in a travelling dress and hat, leading the KING OF ROME, attired for travel likewise. She looks distracted and pale.

Next come the d.u.c.h.eSS OF MONTEBELLO, lady of honour, the COUNTESS DE MONTESQUIOU, ladies of the palace, and others, all in travelling trim.]

KING OF ROME [plaintively]

Why are we doing these strange things, mamma, And what did we get up so early for?

MARIE LOUISE

I cannot, dear, explain. So many events Enlarge and make so many hours of one, That it would be too hard to tell them now.

KING OF ROME

But you know why we a setting out like this?

Is it because we fear our enemies?

MARIE LOUISE

We are not sure that we are going yet.

I may be needful; but don't ask me here.

Some time I will tell you.

[She sits down irresolutely, and bestows recognitions on the a.s.sembled officials with a preoccupied air.]

KING OF ROME [in a murmur]

I like being here best; And I don't want to go I know not where!

MARIE LOUISE

Run, dear to Mamma 'Quiou and talk to her [He goes across to MADAME DE MONTESQUIOU.]

I hear that women of the Royalist hope [To the d.u.c.h.eSS OF MONTEBELLO]

Have bent them busy in their private rooms With working white c.o.c.kades these several days.-- Yes--I must go!

d.u.c.h.eSS OF MONTEBELLO

But why yet, Empress dear?

We may soon gain good news; some messenger Hie from the Emperor or King Joseph hither?

MARIE LOUISE

King Joseph I await. He's gone to eye The outposts, with the Ministers of War, To learn the scope and nearness of the Allies; He should almost be back.

[A silence, till approaching feet are suddenly heard outside the door.]

Ah, here he comes; Now we shall know!