Emperor (flashing). Afraid!
Officer (abject). Oh, Sire!
Emperor. I am irresistible to-day! "Red blood boils in my veins. To me every open door is the gift of a world! I hear a thousand nightingales! I would eat all the elephants in Hindustan and pick my teeth with the spire of Strassburg Cathedral."
Officer. That is the Fatherland to-day. Such as we are, that you have made us, each seeking to copy you in so far as man can repeat his deity. It was you fashioned us into a sword, Sire, and now the sword must speak.
Emperor (approvingly). There the sword spoke—and yet the wise one said: "Take not your enemies together, but separately, lest the meal go to them instead of to you." One at a time. (To Chancellor) Why am I not a friend of Russia till France is out of the way, or France's friend until the bear is muzzled? That was your part.
Chancellor. For that I strove, but their mean minds suspected me. Sire, your signature!
Emperor. What of Britain?
Officer (intently). This—The Day, to which we have so often drunk, draws near!
Emperor. The Day! To The Day! (All salute The Day with their swords.) But when?
Officer. Now, if she wants it!