Nap oftentimes began to swear That he must get a son and heir-- He, with affected sorrow, told His present lady was too old, He might as well have her grandmother, And therefore he must seek another; Yes, seek another,--so of course, He intimated a divorce-- That with propriety, like Harry The Eighth, another he might marry. This was enforc’d by his mamma, And recommended by Murat. Yet at this very time, good lack! He had a violent attack, A kind of stupor he was in, Attended by his Josephine; And, as a certain author says, It lasted very near two days; On his recovery, he cried, ‘A son and heir I must provide;’ Then giving Josephine a look, His head repeatedly he shook, He said--(he could refrain no longer)-- ‘I wish, my dear, that you were younger, But you are old, and I despair Of ever getting now an heir.’ While this he said, with doleful phiz, She told him that the fault was his; For several children she’d before, And hoped to have as many more. Now Josephine display’d her spirit, Of patriotism she made a merit: ‘If,’ she observ’d, ‘our separation Will be of service to the nation, Then I agree, with all my heart, My dearest Emperor--to part-- That you may seek another fair, And, if you can, provide an heir.’ When kindly her consent she gave Nap scarcely knew how to behave; At Josephine awhile he star’d, He humm’d a bit, and then declar’d, For fifteen years to him she’d been All that was lovely and serene, And that no better for himself e’er Wou’d wish, but for his country’s welfare-- Of course, for a successor’s sake, The sacrifice he needs must make. He found no fault, as it appears, But that she was advanc’d in years; To follies past he ne’er alluded, For no such sentiment intruded; ’Twas not for this he wish’d to sever, Her virtue he suspected never; On this occasion, Nap, ’tis said, A fine speech to the Senate made, Assuring them it was with pain, He a divorce strove to obtain; For still he Josephine regarded, Tho’ as a consort now discarded; But, notwithstanding, she should reign And be considered as a queen. Josephine, with an air divine, Declar’d the throne she would resign, And hop’d her Boney might, ere long, Meet with a lady fair and young, And in nine months procure a boy, To be his comfort and his joy. ’Twas on the 15th of December,[19] As the Parisians well remember, The parties in full court appear’d And by a large assembly cheer’d; A kind of form took place, of course, Which fully strengthened the divorce-- The Senate sent a deputation, To ratify the separation, Which, that it might be ne’er repeal’d, Was, in their presence, sign’d and seal’d. Nap was a long time ere he sign’d-- A proof of a perturbed mind; But some have thought, and so they might, ’Twas inability to write. Soon as the pen the lady took, Her hand for several minutes shook,