The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 67

I do. I promise in his name. He has mistaken you, thinking you wanted his head. He knows better now.

CROWD

The villain G.o.doy misrepresented us to him! Throw out the Prince of Peace!

FERNANDO

He is not here, my friends.

CROWD

Then the King shall announce to us that he has dismissed him! Let us see him. The King; the King!

[FERNANDO goes in. KING CARLOS comes out reluctantly, and bows to their cheering. He produces a paper with a trembling hand.

KING [reading]

"As it is the wish of the people---"

CROWD

Speak up, your Majesty!

KING [more loudly]

"As it is the wish of the people, I release Don Manuel G.o.doy, Prince of Peace, from the posts of Generalissimo of the Army and Grand Admiral of the Fleet, and give him leave to withdraw whither he pleases."

CROWD

Huzza!

KING

Citizens, to-morrow the decree is to be posted in Madrid.

CROWD

Huzza! Long life to the King, and death to G.o.doy!

[KING CARLOS disappears from the balcony, and the populace, still increasing in numbers, look towards G.o.dOY'S mansion, as if deliberating how to attack it. G.o.dOY retreats from the window into the room, and gazing round him starts. A pale, worn, but placid lady, in a sombre though elegant robe, stands here in the gloom. She is THEREZA OF BOURBON, the Princess of Peace.]

PRINCESS

It is only your unhappy wife, Manuel. She will not hurt you!

G.o.dOY [shrugging his shoulders]

Nor with THEY hurt YOU! Why did you not stay in the Royal Palace?

You would have been more comfortable there.

PRINCESS

I don't recognize why you should specially value my comfort. You have saved you real wives. How can it matter what happens to your t.i.tular one?

G.o.dOY

Much, dear. I always play fair. But it being your blest privilege not to need my saving I was left free to practise it on those who did. [Mob heard approaching.] Would that I were in no more danger than you!

PRINCESS

Puf!

[He again peers out. His guard of hussars stands firmly in front of the mansion; but the life-guards from the adjoining barracks, who have joined the people, endeavour to break the hussars of G.o.dOY. A shot is fired, G.o.dOY'S guard yields, and the gate and door are battered in.

CROWD [without]

Murder him! murder him! Death to Manuel G.o.doy!

[They are heard rus.h.i.+ng onto the court and house.]

PRINCESS

Go, I beseech you! You can do nothing for me, and I pray you to save yourself! The heap of mats in the lumber-room will hide you!

[G.o.dOY hastes to a jib-door concealed by sham bookshelves, presses the spring of it, returns, kisses her, and then slips out.

His wife sits down with her back against the jib-door, and fans herself. She hears the crowd trampling up the stairs, but she does not move, and in a moment people burst in. The leaders are armed with stakes, daggers, and various improvised weapons, and some guards in undress appear with halberds.]

FIRST CITIZEN [peering into the dim light]

Where is he? Murder him! [Noticing the Princess.] Come, where is he?