THIRD CITIZEN
Ay—through his being honest—fatal sin!—
Probing too plainly for the Emperor’s ears
His ominous friendship with Napoléon.
ENGLISHMAN
Some say he was more than honest with the Tsar;
Hinting that his becoming an ally
Makes him accomplice of the Corsican
In the unprincipled dark overthrow
Of his poor trusting childish Spanish friends—
Which gave the Tsar offence.
THIRD CITIZEN
And our best bid—
The last, most delicate dish—a tastelessness.
FIRST CITIZEN
What was Prince Schwarzenberg’s best bid, I pray?
THIRD CITIZEN
The offer of the heir of Austria’s hand
For Alexander’s sister the Grand-Duchess.
ENGLISHMAN
He could not have accepted, if or no:
She is inscribed as wife for Bonaparte.
FIRST CITIZEN
I doubt that text!
ENGLISHMAN
Time’s context soon will show.
SECOND CITIZEN
The Russian Cabinet can not for long
Resist the ardour of the Russian ranks
To march with us the moment we achieve
Our first loud victory!
[A band is heard playing afar, and shouting. People are seen
hurrying past in the direction of the sounds. Enter sixth
citizen.]
SIXTH CITIZEN
The Archduke Charles
Is passing the Ringstrasse just by now,
His regiment at his heels!
[The younger sitters jump up with animation, and go out, the
elder mostly remaining.]