King. And Wallachia? You will perceive that Austria, who by the way, has been shamefully libelled by your press; you will perceive, Albert, that—
Prince. Mark again! [Both fire, and both miss.]
King. Austria requires peace. In fact, the interests of humanity demand peace. France wants peace, Belgium wants peace, Saxe-Coburg wants peace; and Saxe-Gotha wants peace!
Prince. How wild the dogs are this morning! To be sure, Saxe-Gotha.
King. And England.—for I am more than half an Englishman, my dear Albert—England wants peace. Think of your debt. Eight hundred millions! A sum enough to strike the house of Rothschild flat into gold-leaf. Eight hundred millions, mon cher, and Europe in a blaze. How do you know your eight hundred wouldn't be doubled?
Prince. Twice eight's sixteen.
King. Exactly. I saw a passage in the papers about some wild Indians who fire golden balls. Why, doesn't England always fire golden balls? Load with lead and iron; and don't taxes turn 'em to gold?
Prince. Aberdeen the respectable says the same.
King. Aberdeen's a great statesman. That is, he's great in his respectability. And the English—I know the noble islanders—the English are so devoted to a respectable Minister, that they'd rather be half-ruined by respectability, than saved and served by anything that's brilliant. They fear brilliancy, as it is said James the First winced at a drawn sword.
Prince. To be sure, Palmerston—