The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 51

No statesman can desire it more than I.

GEVRILLIERE [looking to see that the door is shut]

No nation, sir, can live its natural life, Or think its thoughts in these days una.s.sailed, No crown-capt head enjoy tranquillity.

The fount of such high spring-tide of disorder, Fevered disquietude, and forceful death, Is One,--a single man. He--need I name?-- The ruler is of France.

FOX

Well, in the past I fear that it has liked so. But we see Good reason still to hope that broadening views, Politer wisdom now is helping him To saner guidance of his arrogant car.

GEVRILLIERE

The generous hope will never be fulfilled!

Ceasing to bluff, then ceases he to be.

None sees that written largelier than himself.

FOX

Then what may be the valued revelation That you can unlock in such circ.u.mstance?

Sir, I incline to spell you as a spy, And not the honest help for honest men You gave you out to be!

GEVRILLIERE

I beg, sir, To spare me that suspicion. Never a thought Could be more groundless. Solemnly I vow That notwithstanding what his signals show The Emperor of France is as I say.-- Yet bring I good a.s.surance, and declare A medicine for all bruised Europe's sores!

FOX [impatiently]

Well, parley to the point, for I confess No new negotiation do I note That you can open up to work such cure.

GEVRILLIERE

The sovereign remedy for an ill effect Is the extinction of its evil cause.

Safely and surely how to compa.s.s this I have the weighty honour to disclose, Certain immunities being guaranteed By those your power can influence, and yourself.

FOX [astonished]

a.s.sa.s.sination?

GEVRILLIERE

I care not for names!

A deed's true name is as its purpose is.

The lexicon of Liberty and Peace Defines not this deed as a.s.sa.s.sination; Though maybe it is writ so in the tongue Of courts and universal tyranny.

FOX

Why brought you this proposal here to me?

GEVRILLIERE

My knowledge of your love of things humane, Things free, things fair, of truth, of tolerance, Right, justice, national felicity, Prompted belief and hope in such a man!-- The matter is by now well forwarded, A house at Pla.s.sy hired as pivot-point From which the sanct intention can be worked, And soon made certain. To our good allies No risk attaches; merely to ourselves.

FOX [touching a private bell]

Sir, your unconscienced hardihood confounds me.

And your mind's measure of my character Insults it sorely. By your late-sent lines Of specious import, by your bland address, I have been led to prattle hopefully With a cut-throat confessed!

[The head constable and the secretary enter at the same moment.]

Ere worse befall, Sir, up and get you gone most dexterously!

Conduct this man: lose never sight of him [to the officer]

Till haled aboard some anchor-weighing craft Bound to remotest coasts from us and France.

GEVRILLIERE [unmoved]

How you may handle me concerns me little.

The project will as roundly ripe itself Without as with me. Trusty souls remain, Though my far bones bleach white on austral sh.o.r.es!-- I thank you for the audience. Long ere this I might have reft your life! Ay, notice here--

[He produces a dagger; which is s.n.a.t.c.hed from him.]

They need not have done that! Even had you risen To wrestle with, insult, strike, pinion me, It would have lain unused. In hands like mine And my allies', the man of peace is safe, Treat as he may our corporal tenement In his misreading of a moral code.

[Exeunt GEVRILLIERE and the constable.]

FOX

Trotter, indeed you well may stare at me!

I look warm, eh?--and I am windless, too; I have sufficient reason to be so.

That dignified and pensive gentleman Was a bold bravo, waiting for his chance.

He sketched a scheme for murdering Bonaparte, Either--as in my haste I understood-- By shooting from a window as he pa.s.sed, Or by some other wry and stealthy means That haunt sad brains which brood on despotism, But lack the tools to justly cope therewith!...

On later thoughts I feel not fully sure If, in my ferment, I did right in this.

No; hail at once the man in charge of him, And give the word that he is to be detained.

[The secretary goes out. FOX walks to the window in deep reflection till the secretary returns.]

SECRETARY