PS 3545 
 
 H545 
 N3 
 1919 
 Copy 1 
 
 niiW'itWHiiSTiJ'iltltiJOik!. 
 
 BONAPAl 
 
 AND OTHER VERSE 
 
 ,1. WHITE, M. a 
 
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 Class 
 
 Book. -H^^ Xf^ 3 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 
 
NAPOLEON 
 BONAPARTE 
 
OTHER VERSE 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Wild Lannui 69 
 
 The Home of Beauty 70 
 
NAPOLEON 
 BONAPARTE 
 
 BY 
 
 J. M. White, M. D. 
 
 Tell Farmer Publishing Company 
 Meridian, Miss. 
 
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 Copyright, 1919, by 
 J. M. White, M. D. 
 
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 GLC 51964 
 
 1^* I 
 
PERSONS REPRESENTED 
 
 Napoleon Bonaparte, 
 
 Emperor of France 
 
 King Lewis 18th, 
 Bourhon King 
 
 Gen. Talleyrand, 
 Gen. Caulaincourt, 
 Councilmen 
 
 Gen. Fouche, 
 
 Minister of Police 
 
 Gen. Bertrand, 
 Gen. Druot, 
 Gen. McDonald, 
 Gen. Cambronne, 
 Gen. Delessart, 
 
 French Generals 
 
 Col. Campbell, 
 
 English Commissioner 
 
 Duke d'ENGHiEN 
 
 Count Montholon 
 
 Alexander, 
 
 Czar of Russia 
 
 Scene: In Paris, Island Elba 
 
 Josephine, 
 
 First ivife of Emperor 
 afterwards divorced 
 
 Marie Louise, 
 
 Second ivife of Emperor 
 
 Letitia Bonaparte, 
 
 Mother of Emperor 
 
 Sergeant- AT- Arms 
 
 RoAUL, Aide-de-Camp 
 
 Officer of Guard 
 
 Ghost of Duke d'ENGHiEN 
 
 Maid to Josephine 
 
 Maid to Marie Louise 
 
 Officers, Soldiers 
 
 Choristers 
 
 Two Courtiers 
 
DEDICATION 
 
 To the Reader, this little work I offer with 
 my highest regards. 
 
 I would with golden words, bright thoughts untold, 
 To you a beauteous sweet song unfold. 
 To stern things now turn, I inscribe to you, 
 Not all sweet, but some bitter bring to view; 
 This rough sketch, or leaves from life of the great. 
 The man who trod the battlefields of fate, 
 Who bared his bleeding and unbosomed heart," 
 He who breathed and moved with majestic art. 
 This story should 't please and you read it thru, 
 Content am I — Kind Reader, 'tis for you! 
 
 Very sincerely yours, 
 
 J. M. White, M. D. 
 
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene 1. — Paris; a street. 
 
 [Enter Talleyrand] 
 
 Talleyrand: Blow, blow, ye wild and weary wingless 
 winds, 
 Now are the placid waters of this warring 
 Sea, starting e'en to lash the rock-ribbed shores. 
 Dark war clouds are the blue skies covering, 
 And the great eye of day doth darkened veil 
 Adorn. In west the carmine tinted clouds 
 Hover and linger as if loath to leave 
 All beauty from the scene. The low celestial 
 Cannonade opes with great volcanic voice 
 That doth reverberate along the beach. 
 The sea gulls on light wing, seek shelter from 
 The approaching storm, and billowy waves almost 
 Beat against the clouds. This natural upheaval 
 Is simile to man and his ways that in 
 These tempest tossed times do seek satisfaction, 
 "With plumed Knight and bannered battalions. 
 The restless, changeful sea, one day 'tis an 
 Innumerable multitude of broken 
 Sapphires, another day a misty vast 
 Opalescent expanse of restless ripples. 
 Now the broad continent of Europe shows 
 Her ruffled front against this warring champion. 
 
8 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 [Enter Fouche] 
 
 What think you, General Fouche, of the setting 
 Of this broad earthly stage, and have your eyes 
 Prophetically seen the portending storm? 
 
 Fouche : Friend Talleyrand, all Europe is roused as 
 T'was never roused before, and they mean to 
 Now fight, e'en to last man, in this titantic 
 war. 
 
 Talleyrand: What think you this man of destiny, 
 Man of the hour, this champion Goliath, 
 This constellated and colossal Genius, 
 This double decked, multipawed Tarantula, 
 Who makes the Kings flee from the shadow of 
 His swift approaching form? 
 
 Fouche: You do refer 
 
 To Emporer Napoleon? Then judging 
 From the inflection of your speech you do 
 Not like his Majesty. 
 
 Talleyrand : No, I 'm not married 
 
 To his collossal self esteem. 
 
 Fouche: You do 
 
 Speak truth; Napoleon is sure ambitious. 
 
 Talleyrand: And he would big monopoly form of 
 Kingdoms, combine close in a royal trust 
 All earthly thrones, elect himself the owner 
 And ruler of them all becoming soon 
 The monarch of the world. He must be curbed. 
 
 Fouche: How can he be controlled? Have not the 
 armed 
 Hosts been for years in battle strong with him ? 
 
 Talleyrand: His star of destiny begins to set, 
 "Tis ever thus with tyrants.'^ And some day 
 Will see the turning point of his blown fame. 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 9 
 
 111 aid the warring hosts to bring about 
 
 His swift downfall. There are more ways of 
 
 conquest 
 Than by the cannon's mouth. Sometimes not to 
 Fight gets results e'en better than to fight. 
 [Exit.] 
 
 Scene 2. — A room in the palace. 
 [Enter Foiiche and Caulaincourt.] 
 
 Fouclie: How fares my friend Caulaincourt ? I hope 
 you 
 Are much refreshed after arduous 
 Work in the Senate. 
 
 Caulaincourt: I return your friendly 
 
 Greeting and can say that I feel refreshed. 
 The coronation was a trial to 
 One's nerves, and such enforced excitement was 
 Indeed to me an ordeal. Those who 
 Remember having seen it will soon doubt 
 Whether they waking were or whether in 
 Fancy, oft too fond, had formed visions so 
 Dazzling in brightest grand appearance and 
 That was extraordinary even in 
 Its origin and its smooth progress. 
 Napoleon and Josephine were crowned 
 As Emperor and Empress of France by 
 Pius the Seventh, Pontiff of Rome in 
 Cathedral of Notre Dame, and it sure 
 Was one of most imposing, and too, most 
 Brilliant scenes that has e're been enacted 
 In France. The Emperor took coronation 
 Oath, as usual on such grand occasions, 
 With his hand on the Scripture and in form 
 Repeated to him by the Pope. But in 
 
10 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 The act of coronation there was marked 
 
 Deviation from custom, and the crown 
 
 Was blessed by Pope and then Napoleon 
 
 Took it soon from the altar with his own 
 
 Hands and placed it on his own brow. He then 
 
 Put the bright diadem on the head of 
 
 Josephine. Heralds now proclaimed outright 
 
 Th' thrice glorious and also thrice august man 
 
 Napoleon, Emperor of France, was then crowned 
 
 And then installed, and just so now ended 
 
 Most dazzling, brilliant pageant that the world 
 
 Has ever witnessed. With much interest and 
 
 Extreme attention I have now observed 
 
 This extraordinary man Napoleon. 
 
 He is thin, pale, with air of great fatigue, 
 
 But not of ill health he appears to me. 
 
 To listen with abstraction more than with 
 
 Interest, and he seems more occupied 
 
 With what he was then thinking than with just 
 
 What was said to him. There is, I think, great 
 
 Intelligence in his fair countenance. 
 
 Along with which may soon be marked an air 
 
 Of meditation which reveals not what 
 
 Is passing on within that thinking head : 
 
 In that bold mind, it is impossible, 
 
 Not to believe that some great daring plans 
 
 Are there engendering which will have their 
 
 Influence on the destinys ofl world. 
 
 See ! He is coming now. Watch his approaching 
 
 Form and majestic tread. He is the most 
 
 Natural and magnetic actor th' world 
 
 Has ever seen, now having this great world 
 
 For his stage ! He soon moves the hearts of men 
 
 As though with magic. 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 11 
 
 [Enter Emperor and Josephine from the left 
 
 wing. The Emperor seats the Empress on 
 
 his right, and then takes his seat.] 
 
 [Enter Druot.] 
 
 Emperor : Scarcely have I just entered Paris and 
 Had time, nay, one good breathing spell to change 
 Greetings with noble consuls and my friends 
 Before there comes a rumor of a new 
 Coalition that has been formed against 
 Me. I hear England, Russia, Austria 
 And Sweden, with half million men, now are 
 Preparing once again for war. Have you. 
 My noble Consuls, heard this bad report? 
 
 Caulincoiirt : I've to remark to your dear highness 
 that such 
 Report was current on the streets and in 
 The Senate yester evening. 
 
 Emperor: And I shall 
 
 Have a plan and be ready soon with its 
 Execution to meet just all attacks 
 Of enemies, be they e'en great or small. 
 Knowledge is power, only is half truth. 
 'Tis well to know, 'tis well to have library. 
 Both within and without ones head, For what 
 Happiness in books, and what pleasures knowing ! 
 But such advantages be they never so 
 Rich, are not power. They do not make forces 
 Which do. They are just educational 
 Films which are hung before the mind, thus giving 
 Oft times some pleasure and recreation 
 But not soon quickening thought. Th ' distinction 
 Between the mind just as receptacle, 
 A mental elevator and storehouse, 
 
12 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 And as a motor or dynamic force, 
 Is e'er to be observed. And when the coal 
 Intellectual is put into fire 
 Of action power flows, but knowledge which 
 Does not e 'en stimulate thought, lead to action 
 Is not much power. 'Tis not broad knowledge 
 But thinking deep which is world's greatest power 
 As it is at this time world's greatest need. 
 Infallible are nature's laws. Man's laws 
 And science are at times quite fallible. 
 It is the man who says, I will do that, 
 No matter what the undertaking or 
 The task, be it the exploration of 
 The frozen regions, of the bleak cold north 
 Where the white polar bear paces to and fro 
 O'er the smooth glassy surface of the ice. 
 Who's fields expanding into one great, vast. 
 Bleak waste, just barren of all verdure or 
 Living thing, forming such an icy desert. 
 A man to be successful must have plans; 
 And must be able to act at the proper 
 Time, and put his plans into execution. 
 Have you, my Noble Councils, heard more of 
 Conspiracies against the State of France? 
 
 Druot: I have heard many recent rumors of 
 Conspiracies against the life of your 
 Highness. One Duke d'Enghien at his castle 
 Just in the Duchy o' Baden, is, I think. 
 Implicated. 
 
 Emperor: Now these conspiracies 
 
 Must come from my own foes political. 
 Druot you will have this same Duke arrested 
 And called before me, then let him this charge 
 Of dark Confederacy just now answer. 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 13 
 
 Scene 3 — A Room in the Palace. 
 
 [Enter Napoleon and members of his Council, Caulain- 
 court, Fouche, Druot, A Sergeant -at -Arms, two 
 Guards with the Duke d'Enghien prisoner.] 
 
 [Emperor takes his seat up stage in center, coun- 
 cil are seated on the right and. left.] 
 
 Druot : We present 'fore your highness Duke d'Eng- 
 hein. 
 
 Emperor: Duke d'Enghien, it is my painful duty 
 To now inform you that the Court has passed 
 Sentence on you, and that you are just now 
 Condemned to death. What have you to say? 
 
 Duke d'Enghien: What I have done was, for my 
 country's good. 
 You, with your great war genius now hath 
 
 caused 
 Many a death. My brother's bones now lie 
 Bleaching on that bare battle field and many 
 A heart is bleeding from wounds caused by 
 You. Many women now are widowed, and 
 ]\[any a child is fatherless because 
 Of constant waging of this cruel war. 
 
 Sergeant-at-Arms : Duke d'Enghien, unless you do 
 change quickly 
 Th' abusive character of your remarks, 
 I soon shall stop your talk and limit your time. 
 
 Emperor: Let him proceed. 
 
 Duke d'Enghien: I realize that my 
 
 Life hangs just on a brittle thread and nothing 
 I can say or do will change my sad fate. 
 Your court has passed sentence and to me 
 Has come the day of doom, yet the few short 
 
14 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Moments that you permit me now to live 
 
 I shall spend as I think best for the good 
 
 Of my dear country, and not for myself 
 
 Or in a selfish way. You are a great 
 
 Man; and you hold the key that oft unlocks 
 
 The lives of thousands. I am not now pleading 
 
 For your clemency. The charge against me 
 
 Was the attempt to soon assassinate 
 
 You, and had I succeeded, that would have been 
 
 The taking of just one life only, and 
 
 Would have been saving then of many lives 
 
 Of my own countrymen and closing war 
 
 For I can read the times and see afar. 
 
 It is the people's fight and Autocrats war. 
 
 Sergeant-at-Arms: Duke d'Enghien, now your time 
 limit is fast 
 Approaching, you have now a few moments. 
 
 Emperor: Let him finish. Say on. 
 
 Duke d'Enghien -. I thank you, sir. 
 
 For this permission just now to proceed. 
 As I was saying, I know that I am 
 Now standing on the brink of th ' cold, cold grave, 
 Soon to meet face to face my great Creator; 
 And whether I go or stay makes not now 
 The fraction of a hair's breadth difference 
 To me. Indeed, I can smile at death and 
 Meet him more than half way when I know that 
 My God and my good country will uphold me. 
 Give me attention and mark now my own 
 Prophecy: There shall come a time some day 
 When universal peace shall spread her wings 
 
 'er the world ; savage slaughter mil then cease. 
 
 1 pray for Heaven's mercies on your highness. 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 15 
 
 And now I close, I've finished. I bid you 
 All farewell, and yet, with the parting breath 
 Had I successful been, I would have cried: 
 "Sic Semper tyrannis!" 
 
 Emperor: Duke d'Enghien, I was much interested 
 In your courageous speech, which shows you are 
 A man of valor and conviction strong. 
 Had I heard this your speech before your trial. 
 Sentence would never have been passed on you. 
 And I feel I could almost play the woman 
 And weep for you; Indeed I do feel almost 
 Persuaded that I could die for you, for 
 I just dislike to see a brave man die. 
 [Exiient.'] 
 
 Scene 4. — A Street. 
 
 [Enter two Courtiers.] 
 
 First Courtier: Good morning, my good Sir. What 
 news is floating on the political horizon and in 
 the air of Paris? What are you handing me? 
 
 Second Courtier: How are you? I see you have a 
 nasal and olfactory nerve fashioned for news, 
 like the nose of a blood-hound that can trace a 
 scent for days. 
 
 First Courtier : What are you handing me ? If you 
 go to live in the Figis', don't expect to live to 
 eat, expect to live to be eaten! My wife asked 
 m.e if I would marry her and if she was impossi- 
 ble? If I answered yes or no she had me either 
 way. 
 
 Second Courtier : Why did you not keep mum ? 
 
 First Courtier: That's what I did, and she said 
 
16 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 silence gives consent! One thing a critic will 
 not go up against is the south end of a mule. 
 
 Second Courtier: Can you tell me what a man be- 
 comes who has a girl named Lemon? 
 
 First Courtier: Why, he is a lemon squeezer. 
 
 Seco7id Courtier: What's the smallest thing in the 
 world ? 
 
 First Courtier : The smallest thing is an atom ! 
 
 Second Courtier: Not correct. 
 
 First Courtier: A vacuum is the smallest thing. 
 
 Second Courtier: True, it is a small thing, but the 
 smallest thing in the universe is your brain, Ha! 
 
 First Courtier: To return to our subject — What's 
 in the breeze of Paris? 
 
 Second Courtier: You have heard of the French 
 victories at Wagram, and of the great slaughter 
 of Austrian troops? 
 
 First Courtier: Yes, I have heard about it. 
 
 Second Courtier: And that the Emperor returns to 
 Fountainebleau flushed wdth the glories of his 
 Austrian campaign, and that the honors of war 
 are crowding thick upon him. He is congratu- 
 lated by the public bodies of Paris and at the 
 palace, as the greatest of heroes who never achiev- 
 ed victories but for the good and happiness of 
 the world. What kind of tick is the greatest 
 pest? 
 
 First Courtier: Why, the cattle tick. 
 
 Second Courtier : No, the kind that disturbs your rest 
 at night. 
 
 First Courtier: What is that? 
 
 Second Courtier: The bed tick! 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 17 
 
 First Courtier : Now, you are talking news. I would 
 ask if you have heard it whispered in the con- 
 fines of Madam Rumor, or rolled under the ton- 
 gue of neighboring news gossips — " 
 
 Second Courtier: Have I heard what? 
 
 First Courtier: The news that there is to be a sep- 
 aration 'twixt Josephine and Napoleon? 
 
 Second Courtier: No, not to say heard it — only that 
 the Emperor himself said in an imperial speech 
 in which he did describe the events of the past 
 year and the State of France. "I and my home 
 will ever be found ready to sacrifice everything, 
 even our dearest ties and feelings, to the welfare 
 of the French people." 
 
 First Courtier : That is a noble sacrifice. 'Tis noised 
 About and spoken openly on th ' street 
 That there is to be a separation. 
 
 Second Courtier: Can'st thou guess th' cause? 
 
 First Courtier: Well, you know that the rich and 
 people of 
 Royal blood, as well as the poor and lowly, 
 Have grievances; and trouble just like death, 
 "Knocks at the palace and the cottage gate." 
 As to the cause, I do not know; except 
 The Emperor now being weighed with so 
 Many big victories on bloody battle 
 Field and with honors of state still pressing 
 Upon him, also having just arrived at 
 The age and circumstance wherein a man 
 Craves an heir — legal and a royal heir 
 To his estate. 
 
 Second Courtier: How does the lady take it? 
 
 First Courtier : I hear that the poor Lady Josephine 
 
18 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Is much distressed, not with a noisy grief 
 Or one that with explosive sounds does soon 
 Shake neighboring big buildings to the base; 
 It is not demonstrative, but 'tis that 
 Silent and plaintive grief that comes from deep 
 Down in the heart where nestles all the ties 
 Of life. Have you not heard a bird that seemed 
 To be distressed pour out his soul in 
 A plaintive song? But we are previous; 
 All this is mere talk and the lady can't 
 Be grieved before the separation. 
 [Exit.] 
 
ACT II. 
 
 Scene 1. — A Street. 
 
 [Enter two Courtiers.] 
 
 First Courtier: That was a plaintive speech made 
 by the Duke d'Enghien. 
 
 Second Courtier : Yes, but it did not save his life. 
 
 First Courtier: He does not seem to fear death and 
 the Emperor granted a pension to his family, 
 thus smoothing the sentence, which he said could 
 not be revoked. 
 
 [Filter Duke d'E7ighien, from Ms arraignment; 
 (Sergeant-at-Arms will take him down a flight 
 of winding stairs, where he is to he shot) Druot 
 and Fouche.] 
 
 First Courtier: Stand by, let us see him. 
 
 Duke d'Enghien: Now all good people, and friends, 
 who would in 
 Passing thus pause to pity me, or shed 
 The crystal tear, think of me as one who 
 Loved life and all the beautiful grand world; 
 Its georgeous sunsets, sweet contentment and 
 Peace under mine own good vine and fig tree. 
 When I'm shot, say that he died like a man, 
 Not fearing death but pitying those that 
 Killed him. Farewell! 
 
 [Exuent.] 
 
20 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Scene 2 — A Room at King Louis' House, 
 [Enter King Louis and Two Courtiers.] 
 
 King Louis: Well, my good friends and my dear 
 Courtiers, say 
 How seems the elements, and what portend 
 The weather signs ? And canst thou, with eye to 
 Prophetic vision now read you the signs 
 Of the times and tell me how long in days 
 Or month, this weary and enforced exile 
 Will last, and will there come not soon some 
 
 change 
 In this unlucky and ill-tempered fate? 
 
 First Courtier: My good and gracious Sovereign, 
 I can say 
 I have heard it said of old that there was 
 Never a lane so long that did not have 
 A turning; your fate may change soon. 
 
 Second Courtier: I see 
 
 In the distance now th* approaching form of some 
 Party whose carriage seems like the equipage 
 Of royalty; it is I think the lady 
 Josephine. She speaks and says that she would 
 Desire an audience with your good highness. 
 
 King Louis : What can the lady now desire at my 
 Poor hands? Conduct the lady in and I 
 Shall hear what she has to say. [Exit Courtiers.] 
 
 [Enter Josephine.] 
 
 King Louis : My gentle lady, what ill wind brings you 
 Thus early to the castle of recluse? 
 What have I that you'd have, that you would 
 want ? 
 
 Josephine: I happened just to be passing here 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 21 
 
 And was informed that King Louis was therein, 
 And then decided to stop and see you. 
 
 King Louis : I am indeed glad to see you. A rose 
 From France would be welcomed by me. I'm sure 
 That the chief lady of France is more than 
 Welcome to this, my poor and humble bode. 
 [They shake hands.] 
 
 Josephine : Thank you. 
 
 King Louis: Pray tell me, my good lady, all news 
 from 
 Paris, for I'm as hungry for news from 
 My country as th' proverbial old beggar, 
 Lazarus, hungry was for crumbs that fell 
 From the rich man's fair table. This old house 
 And its great barren walls are all but prison 
 To me; true, I have access in and out 
 But quiet 'tis here to me in this little 
 Nook, never seeing, and not even hearing, 
 A moving or a sounding thing — no, not 
 Even the clatter of a horse's hoof; and 
 The stillness is just simply stifling and 
 Almost unbearable. Speak now, my good 
 Lady, how fares Napoleon, your husband? 
 
 Josephine : Napoleon is in such goodly spirits ; 
 He now is busy with affairs of France 
 That seldom I get to see him, and I 
 Feel just now almost widowed. What's the use. 
 King Louis, for a woman to be tied 
 To her man and lord yet ne'er have a chance 
 To even speak to him or hold converse 
 In the smooth language of love? Woman's heart 
 Needs to be tended, nurtured, and it is 
 Just like transplanted flowers that oft need 
 To be well watered to make them give perfume. 
 
22 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 King Louis: Excuse me, my good lady, I am not 
 Interested in affairs of woman's heart, 
 What passes 'tween you and your royal good 
 Lord does not least concern me, 'cept that I 
 A prophecy have to give you if you 
 Will pardon its cold and unvarnished 
 Delivery. For it is spoken in words 
 Free from bad envy or the low reflection 
 Of malice; and I, my dear child, am now 
 Starting to be too heavily burdened still 
 With the weight of years to e'er speak of others 
 In a malicious manner. Now will you 
 For a few moments, sit down at the feet 
 Of wisdom and then listen to the senile 
 Gutterals and prophetic warnings of 
 An old degenerate? The foolish must 
 To the wise tribute pay. There's ne'er a time 
 When good hard sense is not still greatly needed. 
 
 Josephine : What dreadful word is he about to utter ? 
 Say on. King Louis. [Aside.] 
 
 King Louis : I would not now with full intent in 
 least 
 Manner your feelings, wound, or cause to start 
 From its accustomed bed the crystal tear. 
 However, I feel that I must do my 
 Duty; and I will now at once deliver 
 To you my pent up thoughts. It is, I think, 
 A delicate soft subject to talk or 
 Write to a woman 'bout her own dear husband. 
 Napoleon is indeed ambitious and 
 Begins to feel his royal and high keeping. 
 
 Josephine : Is that all ? And had you no more dread 
 speech 
 Now to deliver than to say my lord 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 23 
 
 And husband is ambitious? That is not 
 Saying more than was said of the great Caesar. 
 
 King Louis : My mind has been diverted from its 
 course ; 
 Again I'd ask the news from Paris? 
 
 Josephme : At night the city Paris soon was lit 
 And brilliantly illuminated. All 
 Th' Inhabitants were turned out en-masse. 
 Night after night sure every house was lighted^ 
 The populace was anxious still to show 
 Their pleasure at Napoleon's great victory. 
 They stood in crowds around the palace and 
 Were content if they could catch one glimpse of 
 Preserver of France and the hero of Marengo. 
 
 King Louis: This brings me now back to the point 
 which I 
 Was just 'bout to discuss. Mark these, my warn- 
 ing 
 Prophecies; When this great lord and your hus- 
 band 
 Is through with all his plans and gains his ends 
 In politics and favors of the French, 
 His selfish high ambition's satisfied, 
 Then you — mark my words — surely will be wid- 
 owed 
 Indeed; but it will be green widowed. 
 
 Josephine: What's green widowed? 
 
 King Louis : Is not grass green ? To be plain, I mean 
 Grass widowed — forsaken. 
 
 Josephine: How could your highness make such 
 dreadful thought 
 And prophecy? My husband has ne'er harmed 
 You. Well, I must be going. 
 
24 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 King Louis: My good lady will kindly deliver this 
 Message to Napoleon which reads thus: 
 
 [He reads the message.] 
 * ' You are very tardy about restoring my throne 
 to me; it is to be feared that you may let the 
 favorable moment slip. You cannot establish 
 the happiness of France without me, and I, on 
 the other hand, can do nothing for France with- 
 out you. Make haste then and point out yourself 
 the post and dignities which will satisfy you and 
 your friends.'* 
 
 King Louis: Tell him that I fear his progressive 
 Usurpation. [Hands her the note.] 
 
 Josephine: I bid your highness adieu. 
 
 [Exit Josephine and King Louis.] 
 
 Scene 3 — A Boom in the Palace. 
 
 [Enter Napoleon and members of his Council, Caulain- 
 court, Druot and Fouche.] 
 
 [Emperor takes his seat up stage in center, like- 
 ivise the Council are seated on the right 
 and. left.] 
 
 Emperor: I have now to address you, my good 
 Council 
 On matter that pertains to my dear home 
 Affairs; and on a former sad occasion 
 I made remark that I and my own house 
 Will e'er be ready sacrifice to make 
 Of everything, e'ev our own dearest ties 
 And feelings, to the welfare of the French. 
 To me this is a delicate, sad subject 
 To now discuss; however, long 'fore I had 
 Assumed th' imperial throne, my hopes 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 25 
 
 Of offspring from the union with my wife, 
 Josephine, were to end. The son of dear 
 Hortense Bonaparte, a small infant, whom I 
 Had hopes to make my heir, died just in his 
 Childhood; and now I find that if I am 
 To have an heir to France, I shall have to 
 Dissolve this marriage with Josephine, 
 And then cast 'bout and try to form soon an 
 Alliance with some good imperial tribe, 
 At the expense of my own deepest feelings. 
 Which I do always give to welfare of 
 State. I have soon resolved to, just now 
 ]\Iyself soon separate from my consort. 
 Arrived at the age of forty years, 
 I may conceive the hope of living such 
 Length to soon elevate in mind and after 
 My ideas, children with which it shall please 
 Providence to bless me. God knows how much 
 This resolution has cost my heart. I 
 Should also add that, far from having least 
 Complaint, I have, on contrary just side. 
 Only had good cause to laud this attachment 
 Of my beloved wife. She has adorned 
 Fifteen years of my life, th' recollection 
 Thereof will always yet stay graven on 
 My heart. Consul Fouche, send a messenger 
 For Lady Josephine. 
 
 Fouche : The message now 
 
 Shall be delivered for your Majesty. 
 I have a note just from the exiled King Louis. 
 He speaks bold somewhat 'gainst your Majesty. 
 
 Emperor : Reply to it and tell him that his cause 
 Is lost, and that he can't return to France. 
 
 [Enter Josephine from the left wing.] 
 
26 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Emperor : Soft ! there she comes ; th ' gorgeous bright 
 Aurora, 
 With glittering and rainbow tinted trimmings! 
 
 Josephine : Did you send for me, my dear lord and 
 good 
 
 Husband ? What can be the import of your 
 
 Message ? 
 Emperor: The subject matter of my message 
 
 I have to you in private oft revealed. 
 
 Josephine: Nay, I don't understand. What do you 
 mean? 
 You seem sad. Or, are you ill, my dear lord? 
 
 Emperor: Not so, my lady. 'Tis not physical, 
 But 'tis a sad condition that now sits 
 Heavily on my heart. 
 
 Josephine: What can be this condition that gives 
 cause 
 To such expression. I have seen you just 
 Before some battle great look much more calm. 
 
 Emperor: If I do parley with her, my heart may 
 Soften. I will proceed to business. [Aside.] 
 
 Fouche : My noble lady, I shall now explain 
 To you the import of that sad message and 
 Then plainly tell you why you were sent for. 
 It is a subject that deals with yours and 
 The Emperor's own home affairs, as well 
 As for the good of France and all the nation. 
 I do refer to process of divorce. 
 
 Josephine: Ah! does my husband sanction it? 
 
 Emperor: You must know, my good lady, I have 
 mentioned 
 The matter of this legal separation 
 To you in private and at other times. 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 27 
 
 Josephine: Have I not been to you for fifteen long 
 Years past a good and loyal wife? And in 
 Your hours of trouble, have I not tried to 
 Comfort you ? Even when your brow would beat 
 With pain, did I not bind and sooth it with 
 A gentle, soft caress? 
 
 Emperor: I think divorce from you is just now 
 needful. 
 
 Josephine: ''Entreat me not to leave you," to be 
 sure 
 I am just now a poor, weak woman and 
 Know not to buffet with the outside wide 
 "World, and for the past fifteen years you have 
 Been all the world to me and I have known 
 No other world, save my Napoleon. 
 ''Entreat me not to leave you." Nay, clip my 
 Hair and let me be shorn of my locks — those 
 Locks which you once did prize ; and then if that 
 Does not content you sever from my body 
 My own right arm and hand, the one that oft 
 In the night hath soon soothed your aching brow. 
 
 Emperor: It pains my heart to do this. 
 
 Josephine: Dismiss it quick from your mind. How 
 could you 
 Have the heart to make me leave you? Have I 
 Not always ministered to your wants? 
 
 Druot : No God-made shrew was ever tamed ? 
 
 [Aside.] 
 Fouche: How 'bout those from below? [Aside.] 
 Druot: That's begging th' question 
 
 The lady Josephine is of a smooth and 
 
 Even temper. [Aside.] 
 
 Druot : My noble madam, you are dallying 
 
28 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 With powers of the state and me thinks now 
 If you would only look at this great subject 
 In different light and take not in it 
 Yourself, but just remember that so many 
 Thousands are now concerned beside yourself 
 In this complex and almost weighty matter. 
 
 Josephine: Does my Napoleon, the one I have 
 
 Always thought was mine for life, now say that 
 I must leave him? 
 
 Emperor: I can not see a way now to avoid it; 
 Divorce will have to issue. 
 
 Josephine: Were it not that I thought there was 
 back of 
 This some designing knave, who, envious 
 Of happiness of others, has now laid 
 This plan just to destroy our marital joys 
 Forever, some knave with a sinister 
 And sly, mean manner, who has worked upon 
 Your broad imagination and moved you 
 To this — I say, were it not that I thought 
 Thus, I would treat your proposition in 
 A different way and show you and your 
 Dear council that I am a woman with 
 Some spirit, that I have resentment strong 
 That can just reach the royal or tall head. . 
 
 Emperor: That is a goodly speech! 
 
 Fouche : I beg to ask your highness. 
 
 Shall we proceed to now prepare divorce papers ? 
 [Josephine interrupts hy speaking.] 
 
 Josephine : I see now that your minister, Fouche, is 
 Mine enemy and that he is exceedingly 
 Urgent in this matter. What is it to 
 Him, or he to it? 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 29 
 
 Fouche: My good lady, you 
 
 Do judge me wrong. I have no personal 
 Malice against you, save that I am now 
 Looking out for the welfare of the State, 
 Again I ask the Emperor if we 
 Shall now prepare the papers? 
 
 Emperor: Yes, proceed. 
 
 Josephine : Does my dear husband now consent to 
 this? 
 And is this his command? 
 
 Emperor: 'Tis for the best. 
 
 Josephine : And shall I go away and never see 
 Your face again? I shall weep 'till I'm sick. 
 ''Entreat me not to leave you," but cut off 
 My ears and maim my body for life, and 
 Pluck out my eyes — eyes that once you did call 
 Your star-light and say that you loved to 
 Bask in their beams. Infect me with some loath- 
 some 
 Disease and let me die by inches, but 
 Never tell me to leave you. King Louis 
 Warned me of this. I shall leave you, gentlemen, 
 To your own councils, for I see you are 
 Bent on my ruin. [Josephine leaves the room.] 
 
 Fouche: If we are to get soon this process through, 
 We must act promptly. Druot, you go to 
 See Lady Josephine, and try hard to 
 Persuade her to it. 
 
 Druot: I shall do the best I can. 
 
 [Exit.] 
 
30 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Scene 4 — The Same. 
 
 [Enter the Emperor and Empress {from the left 
 iving) and Councils, Fouche, Druot and 
 CauUancourt {from the right.) ] 
 
 Druot: After a somewhat long, extensive talk, 
 Methinks that I convinced our most noble 
 Empress that for her now, the proper plan is 
 To willingly consent to just, fair dictates 
 Of her countrymen. 
 
 Fouche: Good! and she now consents to this di- 
 vorce, 
 And has become 'most reconciled! 
 
 Josephine: Yes, I am reconciled! 
 
 Fouche: Allow me to extend a hand o' sincere 
 
 Congratulation. And the Empress is reconciled. 
 
 [Fouche extends his hand to the Empress, which she 
 rejects with scorn.] 
 
 Josephine: Yes, reconciled. As much reconciled 
 To this divorce as I am now to death. 
 Why do you call me Empress, when you are 
 Working all your might to rob me of that 
 Title ? No matter now how great the man, mark 
 My warning words, this wrong will soon come 
 
 home 
 To his dear Majesty, the Emperor. 
 I shall write those words with pen of fire and 
 Brand them on his soul! 
 
 Druot: I am now pleased to state to the noble 
 Lady that if she will now willingly 
 Just sign the papers and consent to this 
 The council and the Emperor agree 
 That title to her of the Empress shall be 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 31 
 
 Preserved to her with a pension of 
 Three million francs. 
 Josephine: Do you think you can tempt me to yield 
 up 
 My heart for gold or for an empty title? 
 I care not to live in a gilded palace 
 "Where love is not; I care not to live in 
 Heaven, if up there sweet love reigneth not. 
 I see resistance from me is now useless; 
 I believe I will just asknowledge all 
 These sentiments by now consenting to 
 Dissolution of this, our hapless marriage, 
 Which is an obstacle to the good welfare 
 Of France, depriving it of being one day 
 Governed by descendants of a great 
 Man, so evidently raised now by 
 Providence to efface the swelling ills 
 Of the terrible revolution and 
 Re-establish the altar and the throne. 
 [Josephine signs the papers consenting to the divorce 
 and starts to go out, Druot stops her while he 
 reads as follows:] 
 
 "We, the Council, do heartily thank the 
 Emperor and the Empress for the nobleness 
 of their mutual sacrifice, and do now accept 
 and ratify the dissolution of marriage," 
 [Josephine goes out weeping.] 
 Fouche : I have to inform your highness that 
 The war continues with no interruption 
 In the peninsula. 
 Emperor : Any further news from the war ? 
 
 Fouche : 'Tis said that in your absence not an inch 
 Of soil could be counted by the French beyond 
 Their outposts. 
 
32 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Emperor: We will attend to it and send to 
 
 Them our re-inforcements. [Exit.] 
 
 Scene 5 — A Forest near Paris. 
 [Enter Emperor and General Bertrand.] 
 
 Emperor: Bertrand, it is decreed that I shall soon 
 Contract alliance with the house of Hapsburg; 
 And plans are ready laid to tie the Gordian 
 Knot by the simple proxy method; and 
 I have become a misanthrope some what 
 In the affairs of love. I want deceit 
 To be removed from the sentiment 
 Of the soul, and this proxy marriage, I 
 Will none of it, but will disguise myself 
 
 [Emperor disguises himself.] 
 In the guise of a country man and put 
 On now our verdant youth's broad innocence, 
 Assume and play the country lover with 
 The first approaching country maid. 
 
 Bertrand: How now? 
 
 Your majesty is simply jesting; he 
 Is speaking through his sleeve; he cannot think 
 To stoop or to descend from his high station 
 And make love to a maid. 
 
 Emperor: Jesting is far removed from me, for I 
 Was never more in earnest; I shall be 
 Loved for myself not for my title. You 
 Can soon withdraw and watch process from some 
 " Neighboring thicket. I shall rest me here, 
 [Exit Bertrand.] 
 Under the shade of this overspreading great 
 Oak, and with listening ear to symphony 
 Made by the zephyrs on the leaves will wait 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 33 
 
 For the approaching country maid. 
 [Emperor is near the left of stage.] 
 
 [Enter Marie Louise and her maid in another part 
 of the forest. They enter from the right wing.] 
 
 Marie Louise: [Speaking to maid] 
 
 I am heart-sick with such vain glories of 
 The world. It's artifice and it's deception 
 I do hate. I am to be married to 
 The Emperor Napoleon in order 
 To strengthen well the diplomatic kinship 
 Of countries. I must sell my heart, I'll not 
 Do it, I'll seek some countryman's son for 
 A lover and will now disguise myself 
 Just as plain country maid and seek the glancing 
 Eye and the ruddy cheek of country love. 
 [Disguises herself as a country maid.] 
 Maid: My lady is sent to be married to ' 
 
 The Great Napoleon, she must not jest 
 And act in such a flippant manner. 
 Marie Louise : I am not jesting, and to show that I 
 Mean what I say, I will in action put 
 The thought I've just expressed. You can retire 
 
 [Maid retires] 
 And watch the pantomine. I see the form 
 Of country man beneath the overspreading 
 Tree. As the road goes hard by I will make 
 In modesty to pass tho I shall try 
 To speak with him. 
 [Marie Louise stoops to pluck a violet and sings] 
 ''Lone and sw^eet a violet grew 
 
 The meadow weeds among, 
 A shepherd maid came by, came by 
 The meadow lands and sung." 
 
34 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 [The Emperor arises and approaches Marie Louise, 
 hoth being disguised.] 
 Emperor: Whither art thou traveling, pretty maid? 
 Marie Louise: I'm traveling to find a country 
 where men 
 Do not to the maids oft give flattery. 
 Emperor: Well, my dear maid, you can your harp 
 hang up 
 Onto the weeping willow and let it 
 Take up your plaintive cry : ' ' Weep no more my 
 Lady." This place is sure from flattery 
 Free: for it is false and lives on the dull 
 Ear of the listener's purse. 
 Marie Louise: I did not know that your purse had 
 
 an ear! 
 Emperor: Which can the soonest hear the cry of 
 hunger, 
 Your purse or false and pompous friendship's 
 ear? 
 Marie Louise: I see that you are lover of the good. 
 Emperor : [ Singing.] 
 
 The false and the true 
 Cannot live together; 
 One o'er takes his due 
 And then comes bad weather. 
 In the affairs of heart, my gentle maid, 
 I think sincerity and honesty 
 Should reign ; for no deception has a place 
 In lover's heart. My heart is yearning for 
 The true love of an innocent and guiless 
 Country maid; such an one do you impress 
 Me to be. Would you, for the sake of all 
 That's good and true, write on the tablet of 
 My mind your name? 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 35 
 
 Marie Louise: You do o'erstep the 
 
 measure 
 Of my own qualities. My name is Mary — 
 A plain name, and a plain maid who owns it. 
 Now, would you mind, sir, to tell me your name ? 
 
 Emperor: An innocent deception does no harm. 
 
 [Aside.'] 
 Yes, I will with great pleasure give to you 
 My name. They do call me John; that is also 
 A plain name, and John Angelo sounds better. 
 How would you care to have a lover named 
 John Angelo? 
 
 Marie Louise: That is a pretty name, sir. 
 
 Emperor: I love the name of Mary; and I love 
 The maid named Mary. [Kisses her hand.] 
 
 Marie Louise : I must test your love, 
 
 Can you a big bucephalus ride, or 
 A boxing contest hold your own, or measure 
 Arms with the sword? 
 
 Emperor : My dear maid, those feats 
 
 are 
 My playthings, and I learned them on bloody 
 Battlefield. Never test true love by sportive 
 Strength, but by constancy you can test love. 
 If I'm not constant, as a truly constant 
 Thing, then I will not e'er deserve your love. 
 Marie Louise : No thing is constant ; if you love 
 
 me and 
 Would win my love, you must a pretty good 
 Story tell me to charm my listening ear. 
 Have you not on some summer's evening seen 
 The mocking-bird perched on the spreading 
 
 bough 
 Of gaudy garbed and perfumed magnolia 
 
36 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Tree, and then, pausing for a moment as 
 If to get inspiration from the perfume 
 Laden air, then begin the prelude to 
 His song in low, and soft mellifluous note 
 Coming from his heart 'fore it reached the 
 throat? 
 
 Emperor: I am no songster and can only tell 
 A plain and simple story of how I 
 Was in the country brought up, far removed 
 From the din and rough battle of the city 
 Life. I was used to drive the team afield. 
 To act the shepherd, and to tend my father's 
 Sheep. I would go down to the babbling brook 
 And gather sweet, wild flowers; but this story 
 Cannot your tutored ear e'en interest. 
 [Emperor pauses,^ 
 
 Marie Louise : Oh ! yes, go on, there 's music in your 
 words. 
 
 Emperor: While hunting red wild rose and violet 
 I spied a lion that was savage and 
 Most vicious beast. He rapidly was tearing 
 The carcass of our choice lamb, which he had 
 Just slain; now as I was a lad that time, 
 Of trained, unusual strength and agility, 
 I crept behind him and did suddenly 
 Lasso the furious beast, and did quickly 
 Tie the slack end of line to th' tree, with eyes 
 Still flashing fire, the beastly low and sullen 
 Growl of th' enraged beast warned me to retire, 
 As I did so he sprang into the air, 
 Intending to alight on me, but he 
 Came down on bare ground with a heavy thud; 
 And his spring so tightened the rope around 
 His neck that he seemed dazed. Then I made a 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 37 
 
 Sure, quick dart for his side, and plunged to 
 
 The hilt my knife into his heart. I saw 
 
 A scarlet stream gush from the wound, and then, 
 
 Uttering one terrific roar, he turned 
 
 On his side with a few deep labored breaths 
 
 And with convulsive struggles; then was still; 
 
 I knew that he was dead. I must be going, 
 
 I am detaining you. 
 
 Marie Louise : If you love me • 
 
 Do not leave me yet. See how rapid time 
 Has flown, and too, your story has proved sweet 
 Song to my own attentive ear. I am 
 Foresworn to never wed, save to a king. 
 That is the sweetest story ever told! 
 
 Emperor: Then wed me and I will be christened in 
 The name of king. [Emperor gets close to her.] 
 
 Marie Louise : I will for you break my oath 'fore you 
 go; 
 And I swear to wed my dear Angelo. 
 
 Emperor: I am foresworn ne'er to wed, save to one 
 Duchess, but by the light of thy sweet face 
 I swear by all that's good, on land or sea. 
 Never to wed, save to my dear sweet Mary. 
 Meet me here at the same hour, four o'clock 
 Tomorrow. Now, farewell, my love. 
 Placing this ring upon your soft, white hand, 
 I now await the hour of your command. 
 [He kisses her,] 
 
 Marie Louise : Pleasant dreams. 
 [Exit.] 
 
38 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 , Scene 6 — A Street in Paris. 
 
 [Enter Marie Louise, stepping out of her carraige, 
 her maid.] 
 
 [Enter Emperor Napoleon.] 
 
 Marie Louise : I shall speak to him who bears military 
 Shoulders. Knave him still under formal habit 
 Of saucy forester. From whence art thou, 
 Did you hear? Good eve, gentle sir. 
 [Speaking to Emperor.] 
 
 Emperor: I heard 
 
 My gentle lady, for sure seeing is 
 Believing, and to hear is to drink music 
 Of your soft lips. Dame Nature is profuse 
 At giving her good gifts, withholding not 
 The smallest or the noblest of her gifts. 
 She donates them with generous, broad hand; 
 Her stores are infinite, and, too, she scatters 
 Them boundless in variety and then 
 Bestows them with rare justice and divine 
 "Wisdom. 
 
 Marie Louise : Would thou now mention some of her 
 Wise givings? 
 
 Emperor: She is architect, with eyes 
 
 Artistic see she takes a lump of cold 
 Clay or thin protoplasm and with her magic 
 Touch makes midnight threads and locks of black 
 
 hair 
 Or by a light tint from the coloring 
 Of the blood, she makes Auburn tresses of 
 Different shades and grades, thus we have blonds, 
 Brunettes with eyes, brow and face to match hair 
 All styles of beauties ; there 's the Senoritas 
 Of Yucatan and beauties of wild Borneo. 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 39 
 
 There is the steel cold gray eye, and there is 
 The large, dark lustrous eye, and eyes that are 
 So beautiful, so radiant and, too, 
 Such wonderful eyes ! Head and then a face 
 That is the fairest that the ' ' Sun ere shown 
 On;" velvet lips that are the rarest and 
 Her virtue is the queenly jewel of her soul. 
 
 Marie Louise : Your voice familiar sounds to my 
 Ear. 'Twas on yesterday eve I met in wood 
 A country man who had such fluent speech 
 And who charmed my ear with his silvery 
 Tongue. And I can ne 'er scarce forget the smooth 
 Soft cadence of his voice. We both were sure 
 Foresworn to wed a royal mate and we 
 Our promise did break; I agreed to wed 
 This countryman, and he in token of 
 His vow gave to me this ring. 
 
 Emperor: Will you, my 
 
 Dear lady, let me see the ring. 
 
 Marie Louise : Yes sir. 
 
 [She givos him the ring.] 
 
 Emperor: I was the countryman who gave to you 
 The ring. This is the Archduchess Marie 
 Louise I do presume ? 
 
 Marie Louise : Yes, my name is 
 
 Marie Louise. Who is the voluble 
 Gentleman with whom I am now conversing? 
 
 Emperor: My name's Napoleon Bonaparte, and 
 I am so glad to have the pleasure of 
 Meeting you. 
 
 Marie Louise : And I, too, am happy to 
 
 Meet you. Your Majesty's print pictures have 
 Not done you scantest justice. 
 [Exit Emperor, Marie Louise and the Maid.] 
 
ACT III. 
 
 Scene 1 — A Street in Paris. 
 [Enter two Courtiers.] 
 
 Courtier Second.: How fares my giant brained 
 
 friend ? 
 Courtier First: I am well. What are you handing 
 
 me? 
 Courtier Second: A simple twist of the wrist. I 
 
 have health but no money. 
 Courtier First : As Pat would say, would you kindly 
 
 let me know when I am dead? 
 Courtier Second: Why, you are dead now, but you 
 
 don't know it! 
 
 I bought this large hunk of meat. 
 Courtier First : Why did you not buy a coat instead 
 
 of meat? The coat would keep you warm. 
 Courtier Second : Well, you see, my back will extend 
 
 to me credit, but when I ask my stomach for 
 
 credit, it says, No, no, never! 
 
 Would you say the hen is setting or the hen is 
 
 sitting? If a hen cackles has she been laying or 
 
 is she lieing? 
 First Courtier: I don't know. Have you news? 
 Courtier Second : I always have a good stock of news. 
 
 No doubt you have heard of the royal wedding. 
 
 Would you care to hear it retold? 
 Courtier First : Yes, say on. 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 41 
 
 Co^irtier Second : Berthier represented the Emperor 
 and in March the Archduchess gave her hand to 
 Berthier as proxy for the Emperor. As her car- 
 riage was proceeding to Soissons, Napoleon ap- 
 proached to it, and introduced himself to his 
 proxy bride. She exclaimed, "Your Majesty's 
 pictures have not done you justice." Then soon 
 follows a religious marriage at St. Cloud. It was 
 a brilliant wedding and you could not elbow your- 
 self through the crowd. They were so dense if 
 you tried to scratch your own leg, there was dan- 
 ger of a scratch to your neighbors; and if you 
 tried to blow your nose, or nose it, there was 
 danger of blowing the other fellow's big pro- 
 tuberance ! 
 
 Courtier First: A gentleman should not scratch his 
 leg or blow his nose on such occasions. 
 
 Courtier Second: Nor breathe, nor swallow, nor 
 ruminate, but just stand with his mouth open 
 and gaze! Thus his majesty contracted an al- 
 liance with the House of Hapsburg, against whom 
 he had fought an hundred battles. Methinks he 
 has set his foot on a big abyss of roses and has 
 driven his team to a goat's house for wool; I 
 fear the Emperor will soon regret his marriage 
 with Marie Louise. Napoleon knows how to se- 
 lect an army, but knows not how to select a wife. 
 [Exit.] 
 
 Scene 2 — The Same. 
 
 [Enter two Cotirtiers] 
 
 Courtier First : We are now met once again. 
 Courtier Second: And so we are. 
 
42 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Courtier First: What are you handing me? 
 
 Courtier Second: A simple twist of the wrist. 
 
 Courtier First : You have come to take your stand 
 and behold the Lady Marie pass from her wed- 
 ding ? 
 
 Courtier Second: Yes, 'tis well for the people this 
 day to show forth their joys in sights of honor 
 and glad celebration of patriotism. 
 
 [Trumpets.} 
 
 Courtier First: The trumpet sounds, stand close, 
 the Empress comes. 
 [A lively flourish of trumpets, then pass.] 
 [The order of the procession] 
 
 1. General Fouche, Minister of Police. 
 
 2. Choristers singing. 
 
 3. General Bertrand, bearing a scepter of gold; 
 General Cambronne, bearing a rod of silver 
 with tri-colors. 
 
 4. A canopy borne by four officers; under it 
 the Empress in her robe; in her hair richly 
 adorned with diamonds. 
 
 5. Certain ladies' maids, with plain circlets of 
 gold with flowers. 
 
 Courtier Second: A georgeous train and happy 
 hearts, believe me. I know the Minister of Police. 
 
 Courtier First: General Bertrand bears the sceptre 
 of gold, Cambronne bears the rod of silver. Come, 
 go in with me and let us discuss this royal pro- 
 cession. 
 
 Courtier Second: Agreed, we will go in. 
 
 [Exit] 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 43 
 
 Scene S—A Room in the Emperor's House on 
 the Island of Elba. 
 
 [Enter Letitia Bonaparte, Mother of the 
 Emperor, and the Emperor.] 
 Emperor: Camouflage is the game of war, for it 
 With the morale, is sure a goodly winner. 
 ''The battle is not to the strong." 'Tis now 
 A battle of our brains and intellect. 
 Audacity, audacity is my mascot, 
 Subtle plans, sudden action is the secret 
 Of success on the bloody battlefield. 
 I am reserved with others, but to 
 My mother, I confide and tell my plans. 
 It's a reflection on the race of man 
 To say that now your only man friend is 
 A woman, and that woman is your mother. 
 How now, my mother dear, how fares your health? 
 Letitia Bonaparte: As well's could be expected save 
 that my 
 Dear son's affairs bear heavily on me. 
 Emperor: I can't remain here, and I cannot die 
 On this island and terminate so soon 
 My own career in dull unworthy rest. 
 Besides, the want of money would soon leave 
 Me here, exposed to mine enemies, 
 You know also the allies have withheld 
 My pension, and their own compact with me 
 They do now violate ; nor do I yet 
 Receive from out the Bourbon Court my dues; 
 Complaints to them are not considered. 
 And my funds are now being rapidly 
 Depleted, and I now begin to need 
 Necessities. I am obliged to sell 
 Every luxury and comfort round 
 
44 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 To raise means to meet current days expense. 
 
 Talleyrand, Wellington, and Metternieh 
 
 Are now discussing how to get rid of 
 
 The man of Elba; and the ministers 
 
 Of the Vienna Congress have just now 
 
 Suggested that I shall be taken to 
 
 St. Helena. And that determines me to 
 
 Act, as I will be well received by 
 
 All the French people, who are being treated 
 
 Now with contempt by Louis Eightenth. What 
 
 Have you to say? 
 
 Letitia Bonaparte: After some deep reflection, 
 have to say: 
 Go, my son, go fulfill your destiny. 
 You will, perhaps, fail, and your failure may 
 Be followed soon by your death, but I see 
 With sorrow that you can't remain here long. 
 Let us hope that Almighty Arm of God, 
 Which encompassed and protected you 
 Amid so many battles, will save you once more. 
 Knowest thou not the Hand that reached forth 
 And gathered a few grains of cosmic dust. 
 Which by it's magic movement was soon made 
 To grow into a nebulous mass that 
 Heaved to and fro, and its sides began 
 To take the form of this great earthly globe? 
 This Hand can hold you in it's hollow. 
 Lord God Almighty doeth all things well! 
 
 Bertrand: I have a message for your Majesty; 
 That is, McFleury de Chaboulon has 
 Arrived with a secret message and 
 Requests that I deliver it forthwith 
 To your Majesty. [Delivers the message.] 
 
 Emperor : Ah ! this from Maret, Duke of Bassano ; 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 45 
 
 He wants me to quit Elba at the earliest 
 
 [Reads the ^nessage] 
 Moment. I have to say, my generals, 
 That I'm determined to quit Elba and 
 Let us make ready by collecting now 
 Eleven hundred soldiers, of whom there 
 Are just eight hundred still of our Old Guard. 
 Three hundred also of light infantry; 
 These men know not of this projected scheme 
 Or enterprise. I would remind you that now 
 Colonel Campbell, who has been on watch 
 O'er Elba for the English has Ferrajo left 
 And gone to Leghorn. 
 
 Druot: This seems now an op- 
 
 portune 
 Time to take our departure, as the cruisers 
 Will be so easy to deceive. 
 
 Emperor: I will have laid embargo soon on all 
 The vessels in the harbors of Elba; 
 Cut off communication with the sea; 
 Thus will keep our preparations secret. 
 Bertrand, j^ou must now order ordinance 
 Officer Vantini to seize the largest 
 Vessel now lying in the port, which with 
 Inconstant, of some twenty and six cannon, 
 And six craft, into which we will now soon 
 Embark our men. Bertrand, you execute 
 These orders. [Exit Bertrand.] 
 
 Now, Druot, you will see that 
 My staff and 'bout three hundred soldiers are 
 Now ready to embark aboard the ship, 
 Inconstant, and you will attend to it 
 Just at the proper time. 
 
 Dniot: I shall attend to it. 
 
 [Enter Bertrand.] 
 
46 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Bertrand: I beg announce to you, our Majesty, 
 Your orders have been executed. 
 
 Emperor: You will now summons just a few of 
 soldiers 
 Before me. [Exit Bertrand.] 
 Druot, can you get ready soon the men? 
 
 Druot : I can prepare them quickly, 'cause there is 
 Just simply luggage and their armament 
 Which, with their uniforms, can shortly be 
 Collected. 
 
 [Enter Bertrand with Soldiers.] 
 
 Emperor: [Speaking to the soldiers.] 
 
 Grenadiers, w^e are going to France. We 
 Must march to Paris. My own countrymen 
 Will welcome you and me, the people of 
 France, nay, just twenty million souls who now 
 Are being treated with contempt by their 
 King Louis, will soon welcome our return. 
 They know and will recall that cause of men 
 Who have been faithful and fought for them on 
 The battlefield. ]\ly Grenadiers, we are 
 Paris bound. And we must embark on ships. 
 Order Bertrand, all men to now embark. 
 [Exit Bertrand.] 
 
 Soldiers: [Cries of Paris or death!] 
 
 [Exit all except Letitia Bonaparte] 
 
 [Enter Colonel Camphell, British 
 
 Commissioner.] 
 
 Col. Camphell: How fares my Lady Bonaparte? 
 How sits the quiet breezes of the bay on 
 Your damask cheek and on your heart? 
 
 Letitia B.: I am 
 
 Well sir, I like the quiet and repose 
 Of this island. 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 47 
 
 Col. Campbell: When did the Emperor 
 
 And his troops their departure take? 
 
 Letitia B.-. So long 
 
 Ago as it would take an old weak lady 
 To fill a pipe and watch fantastic and 
 Curling waves of blue smoke ascend and then 
 Vanish above her head, continuously 
 With puffs th' ingredients of pipe's round bowl 
 Are then transformed into flaky embers. 
 Thus in the pipe of death the ethereal soul 
 Is made ascend to climes beyond the skies; 
 And then the body is transformed to dust. 
 Or, as time is oft reckoned by laced web 
 Of the wild Spider Architect who weaves 
 Encircling palace web, supporting it 
 With stays — Now, just so long a time, dear Sir, 
 As it would take him to rebuild his web. 
 
 Col. Camphell: That is a bright description, but 
 'tis not 
 Instructive. Can you tell me, my good lady, 
 Whither he is bound? 
 
 Letitia B. : My son, now is reserved, naturally 
 
 Keeps to himself his plans, and his swift coming 
 And going, I have long since learned not 
 To question. What he tells free, openly, 
 Receive I freely, but now into his 
 Deep plans I make no scrutiny. 
 
 Col. Campbell'. This old lady knows more than she 
 will tell. [Aside.] 
 Well, my good lady, I see that it is 
 Useless to try to make a low informer 
 Of you. To say a woman can't hold her 
 Tongue, simply is false. I bid you adieu. [Exit.] 
 
48 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Scene 4 — In a Defile at Laffray. 
 [Enter Bertrand and Druot.] 
 
 Bertrand: I can see one battalion of the French 
 Infantry drawn up into battle order. 
 The youth, Delessart, is at their head, and 
 Among these soldiers many are good men 
 Who have fought for years under eye of our 
 Good Emperor. And tjiey are waiting for 
 Their former General to now approach 
 "Who has an outlaw been declared by 
 The King of France, and this battalion has 
 Orders to now arrest our Emperor 
 And him prevent from reaching Paris. 
 
 Druot : Now see the Emperor has just dismounted. 
 [Enter Emperor.] 
 
 Emperor: I shall walk up and down the road and 
 look [Looking through his glass at the 
 soldiers.] 
 Through my glass at this French battalion just 
 Before me. I see they are soldiers of 
 The regiment fifth with that young Delessart 
 Commanding. 
 Druot : Parleying is our Officer of Guard 
 Now with Delessart. 
 
 [Enter Delessart and Camhronne, Officer 
 of Guard.] 
 Delessart: I am determined to do my duty. 
 
 And if you don't withdraw forthwith, I will 
 Have you arrested. 
 Officer of Guard, Camhronne: But will you fire? 
 Delessart: I will my duty do. 
 
 [Enter Roaid, Aid-de-Camp of Napoleon] 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 49 
 
 Boaul: [Addressing French soldiers] 
 
 The Emperor is marching upon you. 
 The first shot, if you fire will be for him. 
 You'll answer for it soon before your country 
 And the broad nation of France. [Aside] Not a 
 
 soldier 
 Moves; not a murmur is heard. Like a row 
 Of dumb stone images stand the troops. 
 
 [Enter the Polish lancers, advancing to encircle the 
 battalion, and the hear shins of the Old Guard 
 come into sight.] 
 
 Emperor: Now, soldiers of the Guard, reverse your 
 
 arms. [The Guard, obey hy placing their 
 
 muskets under their left arm.] 
 
 Officer of Guard: [Speaking to Emperor] 
 We are now in great peril, facing as 
 We do a strong battalion of armed men. 
 
 Emperor: When you are in great danger, just be 
 calm, 
 Calm and serene. Sir! for God is in heaven 
 Above you. 
 
 Soldiers of the fifth regiment, do you [Advances] 
 Recognize me? [Still he moves forward and 
 
 opens his surtout.] 
 Now I bare my breast; let any man 
 Who will, shoot his Emperor, here I am! 
 
 Soldiers: [Shouts from soldiers] Yive 1' Emperor. 
 
 First Soldier: I wore this tri-color at Austerlitz! 
 
 Second Soldier: I wore this at Marengo! 
 
 Emperor: [Speaking to Delessart] 
 
 My friend, who made you chief of battalion? 
 
 And who made you captain? 
 
50 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Delessart : You, Sir ! And now 
 
 I do surrender to you my sword. 
 
 Emperor: I accept your sword. 
 
 Emperor: [Addressing the battalion — only a few 
 soldiers being in sight.] 
 My soldiers, I am coming 'mong you with 
 A handful of brave men, because I count 
 On the good people and on you. Throne of 
 Burbons is illegitimate, because 
 It has not been raised by our great nation; 
 Your fathers now are threatened by return 
 Of tithes, and privileges, feudal rights. 
 Is it not true citizens? 
 
 Soldiers: Yes! Yes! [CJwrus of troops.] 
 Emperor: My soldiers, we have not been conquered. 
 Two 
 Men raised from our ranks, have betrayed our 
 Laurels, their country, their prince, also their 
 Benefactor. In exile I still have 
 Heard your voice. We ought to forget that we 
 Have been the masters of the world; but we 
 Ought ne'er to suffer foreign meddling in 
 Or interference in our own affairs. 
 "Who dares pretend be master over us? 
 Take up again the eagles which you followed 
 At Ulm, at Austerlitz, at Tudela, at 
 Eckmuhl, Essling and at Somlenxk Moskow; 
 Soldiers, come now yourselves range under the 
 Broad banners of your old chief. Eagle with 
 The nation's colors true shall fly from steeple 
 To steeple 'till it reaches to the towers 
 Of Notre Dame. In your old age, be honored 
 Surrounded by your fellow citizens, 
 And you shall be heard with respect when you 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 51 
 
 Recount your high deeds ; you shall then say with 
 Pride, ''I, too, was one of that greatest army 
 Which entered twice within the stone walls of 
 Vienna. Which took Rome and Berlin and 
 Madrid and Moscow and delivered Paris 
 From domestic treason, occupation 
 Of strangers." You shall make a glory which 
 Shall not fade way. I have arrived once more 
 'Mong you, despite all obstacles and in most 
 All perils. I have just returned from Elba, 
 And am for Paris bound ! 
 We will pay the price, if it is to go 
 Naked in the bleak wind or to walk weary 
 And footsore thru the desert; to go thirsty 
 With dry, parched throat and bleeding lips, or if 
 Thru gaunt and stalking hunger, yearning for 
 A crust of bread, or sleepless thru the bitter 
 Cold or the fiercest heat, thru flood, blood, flame, 
 Thru fire, we will go over the top to 
 Victory! Nay, if it's to die, we'll pay 
 The price for Liberty! [Exit.] 
 
 Scene 5 — hi the Palace. 
 
 [Enter King Louis and General McDonald.] 
 King Louis : What news from Outlaw Bonaparte ? 
 McDonald: Not good 
 
 News. The grenoble guards would not the gates 
 Open, and Bonaparte blew them apart. 
 The people could not bring to him the city 
 Keys, brought the shattered gates instead. 
 At Lyons bridge I had soon to retire. 
 And did with haste take my swift leave for Paris. 
 King Louis: Cannot you make a stand with your 
 battalions 
 
52 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 At Melum? 
 
 McDonald: To make stand is simply useless. 
 
 King Louis: Then I'll this night throw down my 
 crown ; 
 For of what service is a pearl to swine? 
 He cannot eat or drink it and has no 
 Big admiration for the sight of it. 
 I will throw down my palace and then my 
 Kingdom, for of what service are they now 
 To me? I now had rather be the owner 
 Of a good pair of legs than this bedecked 
 Crown, I had rather have good wind just now 
 Than own a palace; I would rather be 
 A live tramp than a cold, dead King. 
 
 McDonald : Be a producer, see the glorious sun ! 
 He hangs in space and unsupported by 
 The smallest hair save by that force unseen, 
 Unknown, which is now called gravity, 
 In his swift course gives forth warmth, heat and 
 
 light. 
 He glows and glows and yet is ne'er consumed 
 Producing, yet he is consuming nothing; 
 Could you make such a light — just a small light ! 
 Which would glow and glow and ne'er be con- 
 sumed ; 
 Thou art consumer, 0' 'berger cheese and beer, 
 A maker — a factory o' bad odors. 
 Your eminations would stampede an army! 
 
 King Louis: ''Actions speak louder than words.*' 
 yet judge not 
 A man just by his actions, judge by his 
 Heart, for the heart is window to the soul. 
 Age takes the sparkle out of man, when you 
 Are old, and toothless, everybody is 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 53 
 
 Against an old man, he cannot to gibes 
 
 And scorns about his age reply, it is 
 
 Pitiful, an old man has no come back. 
 
 Throw out the red light danger sign of age! 
 McDonald: Be not too soon alarmed. 
 
 The Emperor's troops are crying "Paris bound." 
 King Louis: I'm gunshy, I'll go while the going is 
 good! 
 
 I '11 take no risks, I 'm off this night, Lisle bound. 
 [King Louis departs.] 
 McDonald: I'll soon o'ertake you, we will make 
 
 For Netherlands. [Exit.] 
 
 Scene 6 — A room in the palace of the Tuileries. 
 
 [Emperor sitting on his throne. Enter members of 
 the Council: Fouche, Caulaincourt, Bertrand 
 and Dniot.] 
 
 Emperor: Gentlemen, it is sure disinterested 
 Good people who have brought me back now to 
 My capital, it is the subalterns 
 And soldiers that have done it all. 
 My reasons were for leaving Elba : Failure 
 To pay my pension and the violation 
 Of treaty of Fontainebleau, and that 
 Assassins had been sent to Elba for 
 Express bad purpose of soon killing me. 
 Last year 'twas said that I recalled the Bourbons, 
 This year they do recall me ; so, we are 
 Even. With such small handful of men we 
 Have marched from one Kingdom end e'en to 
 The other. Taken full possession of 
 The throne — and that, without the shedding of 
 Even one drop of blood. 
 
54 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Caulaincourt: I am so happy to congratulate 
 Your Majesty on your return to your 
 Throne, and I do believe I voice the will 
 Of fellow Councilmen when I do make 
 These short remarks. This brings to mind, you 
 
 will 
 Remember, that between the first and twentieth 
 Of March our Emperor fulfilled that strange 
 Prophecy in which he said victory 
 Would march at charging step, and that would fly 
 The royal eagle, and not pause, from steeple 
 To steeple to the towers of Notre Dame, 
 Even to dome of palace of Tuileries. 
 
 Councilmen: "We all welcome the return of our 
 Emperor. 
 
ACT IV. 
 
 Scene 1 — A Room in the Palace, 
 [Enler Consuls Fouche, Druot and Caulaincourt.] 
 
 Fouche: How fares iny noble councils? 
 
 Druot: I am well, thank you. 
 
 Fouche: I hear of wars and rumors of wars. I 
 Have made appeals most earnest and persuasive 
 To Emperor to now refrain from entering 
 Into campaign of swift aggression 'gainst 
 Russia. Alexander's minister 
 Was ordered in the first of April 
 To then demand withdrawal of the Northern 
 Troops and together with the evacuation 
 Of the fortress in Pomerania, 
 In case the French state should entertain 
 Still a wish to negotiate. Napoleon 
 Keplied that he was not accustomed 
 To regulate the distribution of 
 His forces by suggestions of a power 
 Foreign to him; then th' ambassador 
 Did soon demand his passports, and quit Paris, 
 
 Druot : The Emperor seems very confident 
 And entertains no doubt of his success. 
 
 [Enter the Emperor and Empress.] 
 
 Emperor : How are you, my dear lady, after such 
 A lackadaisical indulgence in 
 The social rounds of our French capital? 
 
 Marie Louise: I am as bright as new Napoleon coin. 
 
56 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Emperor: We must prepare at once to take leave of 
 Paris, as I must now join that Grand Army. 
 
 Marie Louise : Your Majesty does not intend to leave 
 So soon his royal wife for field of battle? 
 
 Emperor: I must now bid my loving wife farewell. 
 [Extends his hand, to the Empress.] 
 
 Marie Louise: Are you, dear husband, now to leave 
 again ? 
 Give me a long and sweet caress, for I 
 Fear that I will ne'er see your face again. 
 [Empress lueeps.] 
 
 Emperor: Yes, my dear royal lady, I must be off; 
 I will embrace you tenderly and then 
 Give you farewell caress. [E7nhraces and kisses 
 
 the Empress.] 
 I do appoint my royal wife, the Empress, Regent. 
 Farewell to my noble Council. 
 [Exit Emperor.] 
 
 Caidiancourt: ''Weep no more my lady." [Speak- 
 ing to Empress.] 
 
 Marie Louise : I must as I do feel so sad and lonely, 
 There comes on me sense of impending trouble. 
 
 Cauliancourt: You know the Emperor's oft lucky 
 star 
 Of destiny still hangs o'er him. 
 
 Marie Louise: And yet I feel it plainly as though 
 voice 
 From heaven had told me, or sure as sun 
 Will rise that I will never see my royal 
 Husband again. [Exit.] 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 57 
 
 Scene 2 — Emperor's tent. 
 
 [Enter Ghost of Duke D'Enghien.] 
 [Emperor Sleeping — Stormy.] 
 
 Ghost : While in the grave I had reposed some space 
 Of time. We do not number time as you 
 Do on earth; any rate decay had just 
 Begun to leave its mark on coffin lid, 
 Which made it easy to escape confines 
 Of that dark cell, and worms were feasting 
 On my poor body. I could hear the sawing, 
 The clanging of this seething maelstrom of 
 Teeth and worms that were chewing on decay 'd 
 Flesh of my body. Suddenly I sank. 
 At first, just slowly, then rapidly, 'till 
 Traversing deep, vast gulf that was, it seemed, 
 Dimensionless, I did alight into 
 A large room that was joined by another 
 Large room. 'Twas lit and furnished in great 
 
 splendor. 
 The walls and ceilings were in burnished gold, 
 And there were flowers radiant with beauty, 
 Altho they seemed to give forth no perfume. 
 To one side there a man sat, least he had 
 Features that did resemble some men. His 
 Smile was more grin than smile. I wished to ask 
 Him if the place was heaven, but the look 
 Of him aw'd me to silence. He passed out. 
 A lady beautiful did now appear; 
 Her face bore marks of sadness. I asked her 
 To name the place and person who had left 
 The room. She said: ''You're in the vestibule 
 Of Hell, and his satanic Majesty 
 Just passed out and now returns." 
 That gave me courage then to speak to him. 
 
58 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 He grinned and eyed me as if to say: "I 
 Have got you ! ' ' Wishing to learn more of my 
 Fate, I told him it seemed a pleasant place. 
 He grinned and said, "Yes;" but soon the scene 
 Had changed. I dropped down to a fathomless 
 Pit of lurid, sulphurous flame. The heat 
 Of the sun is six thousand centigrade; 
 The heat of the great distant sun we call 
 Saturn is near two hundred thousand of 
 Centigrade heat degrees, and would a warm 
 Hell make. The heat of that place from whence I 
 Came can not e'er be measured; and compared 
 To it, this Saturn's climate is a cold 
 North pole. Still sleeping on the eve of your 
 Great doom! [Speaking to Emperor.] 
 Josephine, your divorced wife, warned you 
 That her ill-treatment would return to you. 
 *' Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." 
 I would I could sing you a soft low paean 
 Praising past greatness of Napoleon. 
 "What I say surely will come to be true, 
 Misfortune's hand will shortly visit you. 
 \ Emperor starts up. Exit Ghost.] 
 
 [Enter Bertrand.] 
 Emperor: What is the hour? 'Tis long past mid- 
 night. I 
 Had an unpleasant dream. They oft do follow 
 On bad digestion; else 'twas apparition. 
 This ghostly spirit says that I will lose 
 In the incoming struggle, I'm disturbed, 
 Tho I will keep it to myself, always [Aside] 
 Appearing just calm and serene. 
 Bertrand : Your Majesty now seems calm and serene. 
 [Enter Talleyrand, Caulaincourt.] 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 59 
 
 Talleyrand: I have to say now to your Majesty 
 That I will volunteer and go to Paris 
 And ascertain if it is possible 
 For you to interpose in treaty. 
 
 Emperor: You may proceed. Caulaincourt, you 
 may go 
 At once to Paris and just see about 
 The treaty; meantime notice Talleyrand [Aside] 
 As I'm suspicious of him. 
 
 Caulaincourt : I will do your command. [Exit.'] 
 
 Scene 3 — A Room in Hotel. 
 [Enter Alexander and. Talleyrand.] 
 
 Talleyrand: Good morrow to your Majesty, I am 
 Talleyrand, and come from Napoleon 
 Ostensibly to ascertain now if 
 'Tis yet just possible for him to in 
 Treaty soon interpose; but the real purpose 
 Now of my coming is desertion and 
 Then the joining of the forces of Allies. 
 
 Alexander : I am glad to meet you Sir, and I think 
 I have before heard that name — Talleyrand. 
 We are glad to have you join our Allies ; 
 Perhaps you can give us some valuable 
 Information about his Majesty, 
 The Emperor Napoleon. 
 
 Talleyrand : I am 
 
 Now at your Majesty's command. I say 
 Napoleon and his men are now at 
 Fontainebleau, and I would suggest that you 
 Treat no more with Napoleon, and that 
 You should demand his abdication soon. 
 
 Alexander: Think you that it is opportune to now 
 
60 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Demand quite soon from him his abdication? 
 Talleyrand: I do, indeed; his men and officers 
 
 Are much demoralized, and now you can 
 
 Return the Bourbons to the throne. 
 Alexander: That is 
 
 My own decision. 
 Talleyrand: Caulaincourt is now coming; don't ad- 
 vise 
 
 Him of my own desertion. [Exit Talleyrand,] 
 Alexander: Who comes there? 
 Caulaincourt: 'Tis Caulaincourt, the messenger of 
 France 
 
 From Emperor Napoleon. 
 Alexander: What is the subject of your message? 
 Caulaincourt : The Emperor now wishes to know if it 
 
 Is possible for him to interpose 
 
 Now with you in peace treaty? 
 Alexander: You can say to the Emperor 
 
 That I shall treat no more with him, and that 
 
 His abdication v/ill soon be demanded. [Exit.] 
 
 Scene 4 — A Boom at Malmaison. 
 
 [Enter Josephine and her maid leading her,] 
 
 Josephine sings: 
 
 Somewhere in France the sun is shining. 
 Somewhere the winds are wild leaves shaking, 
 Somewhere a lone wife is declining. 
 Somewhere in France a heart is breaking. 
 All things shall fade and die; 
 All that dear love and all that gold e'er gave 
 Leadeth on down to death. 
 
 Maid : What can I do for my dear royal lady ? 
 
 Josephine: Time was that I was lady of good royal 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 61 
 
 Blood, but that time has passed never to 
 Return. Soon my sight shall grow dim and my 
 Poor life's low flickering taper go out, then 
 Lay me down in peace. 
 Remember me to his dear highness, tell 
 Him his hurts and misfortunes hurt and grieved 
 ]\Ie, and although unqueened he once did have 
 A queenly love; and cover me with rare 
 Flowers that token to the wide world that 
 I was a chaste wife, tell him in death he 
 Has my best blessings. 
 
 The fragrance of the flowers is sweet perfume 
 Of your breath. And at summer sunsets, thru 
 The rifts of golden clouds, and in my dreams 
 I see your face. In wailing of the winds, 
 In whisper of the waves, I hear your voice ! 
 Some day, some time, some bright and golden day 
 I shall say not "goodnight," but on some bright 
 Georgeous sunrise shall give salute of th' morn! 
 [Exii.] 
 
ACT V. 
 
 Scene 1 — Napoleon's Caynp. 
 [Enter Emperor and Caulaincourt.] 
 
 Emperor: What said the Czar about the treaty? 
 
 Caulaincourt : He 
 
 Says he will no more treat with you, and now 
 They do demand your abdication, and 
 Nothing can be arranged 'till you have made 
 A formal abdication. 
 
 [Enter General McDonald.] 
 
 Emperor: How now is McDonald, our good Mar- 
 shall, 
 And does he wish to speak with me? 
 
 McDonald: I wish 
 
 To speak now to your highness and inform 
 You that if you refuse negotiations 
 On the smooth basis of your personal 
 Abdication, and then persist in risking 
 Attacks on Paris, we will not e'en then 
 Accompany you. Talleyrand's remark 
 That Marmot's watch just ran a little faster 
 Than the rest, was true. 
 
 Emperor: Alas! Have I come to this? Talleyrand's 
 Desertion and low perfidy were no 
 Surprise, for I know men to cold deep core, 
 And find the core is often much decayed 
 And steeped in low baseness and deception. 
 I find my officers and men whom I 
 Have favored are now filled with this high 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 63 
 
 Fever of swift desertion, and are now 
 Abandoning the ranks, and leave me to 
 Mine enemies. When times were good and we 
 Were prosperous, and yet victorious 
 How they did hang around me close and sing 
 My praise; and now misfortune comes to me, 
 And now the balance of fate hangs low down 
 Onto the leeward side, how they do sneak 
 Off in the dark and then desert my ranks. 
 When we were sailing on a calm, smooth sea 
 And there were no waves tossing to obstruct 
 The passage of our ships of war, and w^ere 
 Winning victories and still gaining battles, 
 We had friends then in plenty; but soon as 
 The yawning mouth of dark adversity 
 Comes trooping close on our heels, 'twas then 
 
 friends 
 Do vanish and fade as the golden leaves 
 Of early autumn. I had hoped to 
 Establish soon a grand and glorious state 
 And government, with Paris as the Capitol 
 And leading city of all Europe, and with 
 The name of our French nation known the world 
 Over, but now I find my dreams of National 
 Grandeur and swift advancement are now fast 
 Vanishing. Farewell now to our vain honors 
 Of the field and the glory of the jewelled 
 Crown! And you say, McDonald, that you will 
 Not follow me? 
 
 McDonald: I say that not myself 
 
 Alone, but others will not follow you. 
 [Exit.] 
 
64 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Scene 2 — The Same, 
 [Enter Napoleon, Caulaincourt, Bertrand.] 
 
 Emperor: How fares my friend, Caulaincourt, and 
 what news 
 Bears he from Paris? 
 
 Caulaincourt : Your friend is well, but 
 
 The news is not good news; your Volunteer 
 Messenger, Talleyrand, had not the sooner 
 Entered the presence of the Czar than he 
 Began to tell all that he knew about 
 Your plans, and did forthwith his own desertion 
 Offer up to the Czar, I see that knave 
 And diplomat called Talleyrand now coming. 
 Be on your guard with him, he bodes no good. 
 
 [Enter Talleyrand.] 
 
 Talleyrand: How now fares my good friend, the 
 Emperor? 
 
 Emperor : I am well but not fair to false friends, for 
 Now I have just received the news of your 
 Perfidy. 
 
 Talleyrand: Time is coming when there shall 
 Be peace — peace, universal, and this poor 
 Man's fight and rich man's war shall stop. 
 The bears have bade the eagles rest and now 
 Are watchful, waiting time to get their prey. 
 Down with this bloody, cold Autocracy, 
 Up with the banners of Democracy 
 And let the people rule. Might don 't make right ! 
 
 Emperor : I say the ultimate of problems can not be 
 Settled in such serene of fashions. There 
 Are issues so deep and abiding that 
 The sword alone can trace the final judgment ; 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 65 
 
 Issues there are that no Amphictyonic 
 Council, though it spoke with divinest wisdom 
 Can ever settle. 
 
 Talleyrand: Now partition of 
 
 France would be such a crime against the world, 
 To now dethrone the Bourbons would be crime 
 Against thrones. Now say I a tyrant is 
 My Country's foe! You soon shall be dethroned! 
 
 Emperor: This hounding shall stop. Come on Sir! 
 we shall 
 This argument now settle, for behold 
 I have a sword, the blade Damaskus Steele, 
 The point so sharp that it would split in twain 
 A hair of such perdurable toughness. 
 It has done me good service on the battle 
 Field. Come on, Sir ! no longer squander time 
 And words. 
 [They fence, the Emperor wounds Talleyrand.] 
 
 Talleyrand : I'm wounded, but not killed. 
 
 Caidainconrt: Now be becoming to good men of 
 rank. 
 Put up your swords. 
 
 [Exit — Talleyrand is borne out.] 
 
 Scene 3 — The Same. 
 
 [Enter Emperor, Bertrand, Caulaincourt and 
 Montholon.] 
 
 Caulaincourt: I have a message to your highness 
 from 
 
 The Empress Josephine, delivered to 
 
 Me by the maid. 
 Emperor; What is the main import? 
 
66 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 Caulaincourt: She said ''remember me to his own 
 dear 
 Highness. Tell him that his hurts and the bad 
 Misfortune hurt and grieved me, and though 
 Unqueened, he once did have a queenly love; 
 And cover me with sweet rare flowers that 
 Are tokens to world that I was a chaste 
 Wife, tell him in death he has mj'- best blessing/' 
 
 Emperor: What is undone may be done, ''What is 
 done cannot be undone." 
 What is the thought of man, Bertrand? 
 
 Bertrand: It is 
 
 Like the wind, I know not from whence it came. 
 
 Emperor: Normal thought is due to reaction 'tween 
 Thyroidin and the protoplasm of brain 
 Cortex cells. This reaction does produce 
 Nerve force. Or sets free some potential 
 Nerve force stored in the cells. This vital process 
 Is called thought. It does consist, first of 
 Apprehension ; and second, of reasoning as by in- 
 duction, algebraic method and by equations, the 
 geometrical method, or by deduction, method of 
 reasoning by calculus. Third, judgment, which 
 is a form of nerve force or nervous activity, which 
 is said to inform or illuminate the will, the organ 
 of which ontogenetically, is the Pituitary Gan- 
 glion. 
 
 There is a higher personality 
 Abiding in the living brain and makes 
 There habitat or earthly citadel. 
 It is the living or immortal soul. 
 
 Bertrand: Then if your thyroid is removed your 
 Thought will stop? 
 
 Emperor: Manufacture of thought will 
 
 cease 
 
Napoleon Bonaparte 67 
 
 And your brain, or thought factory, will stop. 
 Bertrand, I have the State done some good 
 
 service, 
 1 have won just 'bout eighty battles and 
 The glories of the battle field have come 
 On me, what are vain glories of the world? 
 For there soon comes a drouth, a withering 
 And parching drouth, in which these blades and 
 
 blooms 
 Of worldly glory do fade and soon wither. 
 How parched and dry now seems this barren field. 
 
 Berti'and'. Sir, you have sure done our State some 
 good service. 
 
 Emperor: Bertrand, I have been master of the 
 world, [Emperor takes poison} 
 And soon I shall descend into th ' cold ground ! 
 
 [Enter Montholon.] 
 
 Ha! Montholon, my Montholon, farewell; 
 My Montholon, a long farewell! I'll take 
 A last and lingering look at bright blue sky, 
 Which at night, shows the blue star-decked dome 
 The jewels and gems of the bannered blue. 
 Just some fair flecks of glory flowing through. 
 
 Montholon: The Emperor has poison drank, call 
 quick 
 A doctor. [Aside, speaking to Bertrand.] 
 Cannot I help you some way? 
 
 Emperor : No, I am past all help ; No, no, and shall 
 I never see her sad sweet face again? 
 Nevermore, nevermore, nevermore. Cold is 
 Creeping up my limbs. I see in the distance 
 A beautiful and deep clear crystal river, 
 And just on other side are pastures green 
 
68 Napoleon Bonaparte 
 
 With everblooming flowers, I shall cross 
 Over the river and rest under the shade 
 Of the trees. [Sivoons away.] 
 
 Mo7itholon : The doctor shall arrive and soon we shall 
 This raveled sleeve of care knit up, for this 
 Good human bark is beached on the cold shores 
 Of dark adversity. We shall restore him soon 
 To life. I just heard him, say he would not 
 Stay here for all the gold of Ophir. Come, 
 Let us now wake him from a deep repose. 
 [Exeunt.] 
 
WILD LANNUI 
 
 'Twas nineteen years back in the distant past, 
 
 A bloody war there was, that seemed to last 
 
 As long as blood did run in the Sioux veins; 
 
 The field was filled with deep and bloody stains. 
 
 'Twas on the battle field of Bended Knee, 
 
 Between our infantry and cavalry 
 
 And that bold Indian tribe of the Sioux braves, 
 
 Who risked their lives until there were filled graves. 
 
 The soldiers' bullets fell as thick as rain. 
 
 The men were shot and killed and th' squaws were 
 
 slain. 
 Of all of those who did survive this awful war, 
 Was a little child that the bullets failed to mar. 
 The gallant troopsmen named her Wild Lannui, 
 Which in the Sioux means Wild Bird from the sky. 
 
 The mother's lifeless arms the child embraced. 
 
 In life a guard, in death protection placed, 
 
 A mother's love unselfish to the last, 
 
 Protecting e'en when life itself is past. 
 
 Wild Bird was found pressed to her mother's breast. 
 
 The mother motionless in a final rest. 
 
 Her matron eyes could not see nor her tongue express 
 
 What her face and arms told of the last caress. 
 
 But the thrills and cadence of a liquid note 
 
 Seemed to come down from a heavenly angel throat: 
 
 "Oh please, kind whiteman, spare, oh spare my child! 
 My life counts not a straw in th' forest wild, 
 But as for thee, thou child of innocence. 
 By what sad fate wast thou thus nurtured hence! 
 
Thou did'st not choose so soon the battlefield, 
 'Twas not thy choice that so to fate thou'd'st yield! 
 Oh, search where you may this illustrious gem, 
 This God-made star in heaven's diadem, 
 Search where you may, I pray, if you have bent, 
 Look o'er the West, or the gorgeous Orient, 
 And you shall find no sweeter songster heard. 
 Than this the black haired beautiful Wild Bird!" 
 
 —J. M. White, M. D. 
 
 THE HOME OF BEAUTY 
 
 There is a place that treasures the sweetness of the 
 swift melting snow. 
 
 And gathers forever the fleetness of the sunbeams 
 gleam and glow. 
 
 The bloom and blossom of flowery skies are taken 
 each Autumn away. 
 
 And carried to their homes in paradise where they can 
 never decay. 
 
 The flowers and fragrance that faded and vanished 
 in Autumn from view. 
 
 Shall grow in a garden unshaded with colors crimson- 
 ed anew. 
 
 The eve-light that lingers and far-beams o'er the 
 broad blue ocean. 
 
 And the light of little star-beams, shall be brought 
 near and felt with devotion. 
 
 The night without shadow, silence without gloom, the 
 hour most loved in life. 
 
 All beauty and blessings shall cower tho' unreached 
 in the world of strife, 
 
 The landscape here bordered with beauty and bright- 
 ness far beyond our gaze, 
 
 Shall be brought near and felt with a lightness un- 
 known in mortal days. 
 
 —J. M. White, M. D.