"Yes, sire, I speak German."
"Come, then," said the emperor, quickly approaching Staps, whose hands had been tied behind him.
"Whence do you come, and what is your name?"
"I come from Naumburg, and my name is Frederick Staps," was the calm reply.
"What is your father?"
"He is a clergyman."
"A clergyman! and he has taught his son so little religion! For I am told you intended to assassinate me. Is that true?"
"It was the last means that I had resolved upon to save my unfortunate native land," replied Staps, in a gentle voice. "But before doing so, I was determined to try another."
"What?"
"To implore you, in the name of my country, humanity, and your own future, to give peace to the world," responded Staps, enthusiastically. "I hoped that Heaven would impart strength to my words, so that they would be able to move your heart; that your eyes would see the fountains of blood your accursed hand has opened on the peaceful plains of Germany; that the armies of the dead lying in our fields might satisfy your desire for war. Sire, have mercy on Germany and on yourself! There are thousands of unburied corpses accusing Napoleon as their murderer! Our cities and villages are filled with weeping mothers, and widows, and children, arraigning you as the destroyer of their sons, husbands, and fathers. Sire, have mercy on your own conscience, and restore peace to the world!"