(Enter Carlotta, attended by Count Charles, Count de Bombelles, her priest, and women. She goes to Louis and would kneel. He takes her hand)
Lou. An Empress must not kneel.
Car. I ’m still
An Empress, sir?
Lou. Once to have worn a crown
Is always to be queen.
Car. Sire, mock me not.
Didst mean no more than that?
Lou. Lady, you come
To beg your empire?
Car. I do not beg, Napoleon.
I come to ask you keep your sacred oath,
But do not make a beggar of me, sir,
Who was a princess in my cradle.
Lou. Nay,
Royal Carlotta, if beggar here must be,
See one in us who sue your gentle patience.
While strength was ours to give we gave it you,
But now is France grown needy of her troops,
With Europe surging to a conflict round her.
Car. My lord—
Lou. America turns baying on us.
Should we make war on one who twice o’ercame
Our island neighbors when she was but child
To what she now is grown?