The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 92

NAPOLEON

There have been such approachings; more, worse luck.

Last week Champagny wrote to Alexander Asking him for his sister--yes or no.

MADAME METTERNICH

What "worse luck" lies in that, your Majesty, If severance from the Empress Josephine Be fixed unalterably?

NAPOLEON

This worse luck lies there: If your Archd.u.c.h.ess, Marie Louise the fair, Would straight accept my hand, I'd offer it, And throw the other over. Faith, the Tsar Has shown such backwardness in answering me, Time meanwhile trotting, that I have ample ground For such withdrawal.--Madame, now, again, Will your Archd.u.c.h.ess marry me of no?

MADAME METTERNICH

Your sudden questions quite confound my sense!

It is impossible to answer them.

NAPOLEON

Well, madame, now I'll put it to you thus: Were you in the Archd.u.c.h.ess Marie's place Would you accept my hand--and heart therewith?

MADAME METTERNICH

I should refuse you--most a.s.suredly![17]

NAPOLEON [laughing roughly]

Ha-ha! That's frank. And devilish cruel too!

--Well, write to your husband. Ask him what he thinks, And let me know.

MADAME METTERNICH

Indeed, sire, why should I?

There goes the Amba.s.sador, Prince Schwarzenberg, Successor to my spouse. He's now the groove And proper conduit of diplomacy Through whom to broach this matter to his Court.

NAPOLEON

Do you, then, broach it through him, madame, pray; Now, here, to-night.

MADAME METTERNICH

I will, informally, To humour you, on this recognizance, That you leave not the business in my hands, But clothe your project in official guise Through him to-morrow; so safeguarding me From foolish seeming, as the babbler forth Of a fantastic and unheard of dream.

NAPOLEON

I'll send Eugene to him, as you suggest.

Meanwhile prepare him. Make your stand-point this: Children are needful to my dynasty, And if one woman cannot mould them for me, Why, then, another must.

[Exit NAPOLEON abruptly. Dancing continues. MADAME METTERNICH sits on, musing. Enter SCHWARZENBERG.]

MADAME METTERNICH

The Emperor has just left me. We have tapped This theme and that; his empress and--his next.

Ay, so! Now, guess you anything?

SCHWARZENBERG

Of her?

No more than that the stock of Romanoff Will not supply the spruce commodity.

MADAME METTERNICH

And that the would-be customer turns toe To our shop in Vienna.

SCHWARZENBERG

Marvellous; And comprehensible but as the dream Of Delaborde, of which I have lately heard.

It will not work!--What think you, madame, on't?

MADAME METTERNICH

That it will work, and is as good as wrought!-- I break it to you thus, at his request.

In brief time Prince Eugene will wait on you, And make the formal offer in his name.

SCHWARZENBERG

Which I can but receive _ad referendum_, And shall initially make clear as much, Disclosing not a glimpse of my own mind!

Meanwhile you make good Metternich aware?

MADAME METTERNICH