The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 98

In England, after warring thirty years The Red and White Rose wedded.

MARIA LOUISA [after a silence]

Tell me, now, What does my father wish?

METTERNICH

His wish is yours.

Whatever your Imperial Highness feels On this grave verdict of your destiny, Home, t.i.tle, future sphere, he bids you think Not of himself, but of your own desire.

MARIA LOUISA [reflecting]

My wish is what my duty bids me wish.

Where a wide Empire's welfare is in poise, That welfare must be pondered, not my will.

I ask of you, then, Chancellor Metternich, Straightway to beg the Emperor my father That he fulfil his duty to the realm, And quite subordinate thereto all thought Of how it personally impinge on me.

[A slight noise as of something falling is heard in the room. They glance momentarily, and see that a small enamel portrait of MARIE ANTOINETTE, which was standing on a console-table, has slipped down on its face.]

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

What mischief's this? The Will must have its way.

SPIRIT SINISTER

Perhaps Earth shivered at the lady's say?

SHADE OF THE EARTH

I own hereto. When France and Austria wed My echoes are men's groans, my dews are red; So I have reason for a pa.s.sing dread!

METTERNICH

Right n.o.bly phrased, Archd.u.c.h.ess; wisely too.

I will acquaint your sire the Emperor With these your views. He waits them anxiously. [Going.]

MARIA LOUISA

Let me go first. It much confuses me To think--But I would fain let thinking be!

[She goes out trembling. Enter FRANCIS by another door.]

METTERNICH

I was about to seek your Majesty.

The good Archd.u.c.h.ess luminously holds That in this weighty question you regard The Empire. Best for it is best for her.

FRANCIS [moved]

My daughter's views thereon do not surprise me.

She is too staunch to pit a private whim Against the fortunes of a commonwealth.

During your speech with her I have taken thought To shape decision sagely. An a.s.sent Would yield the Empire many years of peace, And leave me scope to heal those still green sores Which linger from our late unhappy moils.

Therefore, my daughter not being disinclined, I know no basis for a negative.

Send, then, a courier prompt to Paris: say The offer made for the Archd.u.c.h.ess' hand I do accept--with this defined reserve, That no condition, treaty, bond, attach To such alliance save the tie itself.

There are some sacrifices whose grave rites No bargain must contaminate. This is one-- This personal gift of a beloved child!

METTERNICH [leaving]

I'll see to it this hour, your Majesty, And cant the words in keeping with your wish.

To himself as he goes.]

Decently done!... He slipped out "sacrifice,"

And scarce could hide his heartache for his girl.

Well ached it!--But when these things have to be It is as well to breast them stoically.

[Exit METTERNICH. The clouds draw over.]

SCENE IV

LONDON. A CLUB IN ST. JAMES'S STREET

[A winter midnight. Two members are conversing by the fire, and others are seen lolling in the background, some of them snoring.]

FIRST MEMBER

I learn from a private letter that it was carried out in the Emperor's Cabinet at the Tuileries--just off the throne-room, where they all a.s.sembled in the evening,--Boney and the wife of his bosom [In pure white muslin from head to foot, they say], the Kings and Queens of Holland, Whestphalia, and Naples, the Princess Pauline, and one or two more; the officials present being Cambaceres the Chancellor, and Count Regnaud. Quite a small party. It was over in minutes--short and sweet, like a donkey's gallop.

SECOND MEMBER

Anything but sweet for her. How did she stand it?

FIRST MEMBER

Serenely, I believe, while the Emperor was making his speech renouncing her; but when it came to her turn to say she renounced him she began sobbing mightily, and was so completely choked up that she couldn't get out a word.