You called me Duke of Reichstadt? No! But would you have my veritable name? 'Tis what the people call me in the Prater As they make way: The Little Bonaparte! I am his son! and no one's son but his! MARIA LOUISA. You hurt me. THE DUKE. Ah, forgive me, mother, mother. Go to the ball, forget my frenzied words. You need not even trouble to repeat them To Metternich, my mother. MARIA LOUISA. Do you think so? THE DUKE. Softly the waltz floats through the evening air; No, tell him nothing; that will save you trouble. Forget it all: you, who forget so quickly! MARIA LOUISA. Yet-- THE DUKE. Think of Parma, of the Sala palace, And of your happy life. Is this a brow To bear the shadow of an eagle's wing? Ah! but I love you more than you can think! And take no heed of aught--not even--O gods!-- Of being faithful: I'll be that for both. Come, let me thrust you gently toward the ball; Good-night, The mosses must not wet your feet. Your headdress is perfection. MARIA LOUISA. Do you think so? THE DUKE. The carriage waits. It's fine. The night is clear. Good-night, Mamma; enjoy yourself. [MARIA LOUISA _goes out_. THE DUKE _sinks in a chair before his table._] Alas, Poor mother! [_His manner changes, and he draws books and papers toward him._] Now! to work! [_The wheels of a departing carriage are heard. The door at the back opens gently and_ GENTZ _is seen introducing a woman wrapped in a cloak._] GENTZ. She's gone. [_He calls the_ PRINCE.] Prince! THE DUKE. [_Turning and seeing him._] Fanny? FANNY ELSSLER. Franz! GENTZ. [_Aside._] Farewell to dreams of Empire! FANNY. [_In the_ DUKE'S _arms._] Franz! GENTZ. [_Going out._] Capital! FANNY. [_Lovingly._] My Franz! [_The door closes on_ GENTZ. FANNY _quickly leaves the_ DUKE _and speaks respectfully after making a profound curtsey._] My Lord! THE DUKE. [_After looking round to assure himself_ GENTZ _is gone_.] To work! FANNY. [_Swinging herself on to the table._] I've learnt whole chapters for to-day! THE DUKE. Go on. FANNY. So, then, while Marshal Ney marched through the night, The Generals Gazan-- THE DUKE. [_Learning the names by heart._] Gazan-- FANNY. Suchet-- THE DUKE. Suchet-- FANNY. Kept up a lively cannonade; And at the earliest dawn the Imperial Guard-- CURTAIN. [Illustration: decoration of three bees] [Illustration: decoration of four Ns topped alternately by eagles or crowns.] THE SECOND ACT