The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 153

And I because there is no other such valet in the temperate zone, and it is for the good of society that I should not be wasted here.

ROUSTAN

Well, as you propose going this evening I will go with you, to lend a symmetry to the drama of our departure. Would that I had served a more sensitive master! He sleeps there quite indifferent to the dishonour of remaining alive!

[NAPOLEON shows signs of waking. CONSTANT and ROUSTAN disappear.

NAPOLEON slowly sits up.]

NAPOLEON

Here the scene lingers still! Here linger I!...

Things could not have gone on as they were going; I am amazed they kept their course so long.

But long or short they have ended now--at last!

[Footsteps are heard pa.s.sing through the court without.]

Hark at them leaving me! So politic rats Desert the s.h.i.+p that's doomed. By morrow-dawn I shall not have a man to shake my bed Or say good-morning to!

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

Herein behold How heavily grinds the Will upon his brain, His halting hand, and his unlighted eye.

SPIRIT IRONIC

A picture this for kings and subjects too!

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

Yet is it but Napoleon who has failed.

The pale pathetic peoples still plod on Through hoodwinkings to light!

NAPOLEON [rousing himself]

This now must close.

Roustan misunderstood me, though his hint Serves as a fillip to a flaccid brain....

--How gild the sunset sky of majesty Better than by the act esteemed of yore?

Plutarchian heroes outstayed not their fame, And what nor Brutus nor Themistocles Nor Cato nor Mark Antony survived, Why, why should I? Sage Canabis, you primed me!

[He unlocks a case, takes out a little bag containing a phial, pours from it a liquid into a gla.s.s, and drinks. He then lies down and falls asleep again.

Re-enter CONSTANT softly with a bunch of keys in his hand. On his way to the cabinet he turns and looks at NAPOLEON. Seeing the gla.s.s and a strangeness in the EMPEROR, he abandons his object, rushes out, and is heard calling.

Enter MARET and BERTRAND.]

BERTRAND [shaking the Emperor]

What is the matter, sire? What's this you've done?

NAPOLEON [with difficulty]

Why did you interfere!--But it is well; Call Caulaincourt. I'd speak with him a trice Before I pa.s.s.

[MARET hurries out. Enter IVAN the physician, and presently CAULAINCOURT.]

Ivan, renew this dose; 'Tis a slow workman, and requires a fellow; Age has impaired its early prompt.i.tude.

[Ivan shakes his head and rushes away distracted. CAULAINCOURT seizes NAPOLEON'S hand.]

CAULAINCOURT

Why should you bring this cloud upon us now!

NAPOLEON

Restrain your feelings. Let me die in peace.-- My wife and son I recommend to you; Give her this letter, and the packet there.

Defend my memory, and protect their lives.

[They shake him. He vomits.]

CAULAINCOURT

He's saved--for good or ill-as may betide!

NAPOLEON

G.o.d--here how difficult it is to die: How easy on the pa.s.sionate battle-plain!

[They open a window and carry him to it. He mends.]

Fate has resolved what man could not resolve.

I must live on, and wait what Heaven may send!

[MACDONALD and other marshals re-enter. A letter is brought from MARIE LOUISE. NAPOLEON reads it, and becomes more animated.

They are well; and they will join me in my exile.

Yes: I will live! The future who shall spell?

My wife, my son, will be enough for me.-- And I will give my hours to chronicling In stately words that stir futurity The might of our unmatched accomplishments; And in the tale immortalize your names By linking them with mine.

[He soon falls into a convalescent sleep. The marshals, etc. go out. The room is left in darkness.]