King. A firebrand, mon cher: but now excellently disposed of. However, for the peace of Europe—
Prince. Mark! [Fires; bird falls.]
King (to dogs). Down charge! But for the peace of Europe Pam is capitally placed. It is all right to have a firebrand in the Home Office, so long as you keep a Wet Blanket in the first place of the Treasury.
Prince. Peace is certainly to be desired. You have not seen my picture—an allegory of Peace?
King. I have. —— showed it me yesterday. My dear Albert, do let me have a copy—nay two copies, by your own hand; one for Austria, one for Russia; they will be delighted. Such "material guarantees" for the peace of Europe; and peace at any price will be cheaper than ever.
Prince. Aberdeen deplores war. He said at the Council on Tuesday, when Molesworth talked about national honour, and shedding blood, and all that—he said: It is better to have your nose pulled, than your nose cut off. Now England has certainly had its nose pulled—
King. But has not lost an inch of it. The nose is quite as good as ever, and then—
Prince. Down, Pompey! How wild the dogs are!
King. And then, with war, what throne is safe? Hungary—Italy—Rome—Naples—
Prince. The dogs are very wild!