KING [with more choler]
Never too late for truth and plainspeaking!
NAPOLÉON [blandly]
To your ally, the Tsar, I must refer you.
He was it, and not I, who tempted you
To push for war, when Eylau must have shown
Your every profit to have lain in peace.—
He can indemn; yes, much or small; and may.
KING [with a head-shake]
I would make up, would well make up, my mind
To half my kingdom’s loss, could in such limb
But Magdeburg not lie. Dear Magdeburg,
Place of my heart-hold; THAT I would retain!
NAPOLÉON
Our words take not such pattern as is wont
To grace occasions of festivity.
[He turns brusquely from the King. The banquet proceeds with a
more general conversation. When finished a toast is proposed:
“The Freedom of the Seas,” and drunk with enthusiasm.]
SPIRIT SINISTER
Another hit at England and her tubs!
I hear harsh echoes from her chalky chines.
SPIRIT OF THE PITIES
O heed not England now! Still read the Queen.
One grieves to see her spend her pretty spells
Upon the man who has so injured her.
[They rise from table, and the folding-doors being opened they pass
into the adjoining room.
Here are now assembled MURAT, TALLEYRAND, KOURAKIN, KALKREUTH,
BERTHIER, BESSIERES, CAULAINCOURT, LABANOFF, BENNIGSEN, and others.
NAPOLÉON having spoken a few words here and there resumes his
conversation with QUEEN LOUISA, and parenthetically offers snuff
to the COUNTESS VOSS, her lady-in-waiting. TALLEYRAND, who has
observed NAPOLÉON’S growing interest in the QUEEN, contrives to
get near him.]
TALLEYRAND [in a whisper]
Sire, is it possible that you can bend
To let one woman’s fairness filch from you
All the resplendent fortune that attends
The grandest victory of your grand career?
[The QUEEN’S quick eye observes and flashes at the whisper, and
she obtains a word with the minister.]
QUEEN [sarcastically]
I should infer, dear Monsieur Talleyrand,
Only two persons in the world regret
My having come to Tilsit.
TALLEYRAND
Madame, two?
Can any!—who may such sad rascals be?
QUEEN
You, and myself, Prince. [Gravely.] Yes! myself and you.
[TALLEYRAND’S face becomes impassive, and he does not reply.
Soon the QUEEN prepares to leave, and NAPOLÉON rejoins her.]