For my cough. If I'm to spend a season there, of course I can't stop anywhere but at the Louvre. THE EMPEROR. Indeed! THE DUKE. And if you liked-- THE EMPEROR. They've often begged us To wink at your escaping-- THE DUKE. Wink at once! THE EMPEROR. Oh, for all me-- THE DUKE. There's no one else. THE EMPEROR. I'll think. THE DUKE. Don't think! Don't think those horrid second thoughts! Consult your feelings only, and your heart, 'Twould be so pretty if an Emperor once Upset all history to spoil his grandson. And then it's something, something rather fine, If you can just remark quite innocently, _You_ know: "My Grandson, Emperor of the French." THE EMPEROR. Certainly. THE DUKE. And you'll say it! Say you'll say it! THE EMPEROR. Well-- THE DUKE. Speak, Sire! THE EMPEROR. Yes, then--Sire! THE DUKE. Ah, Sire! [_They salute each other as equals._] THE EMPEROR. Sire! THE DUKE. Sire! [_A door opens._] THE EMPEROR. Metternich. Have no fear; I'll-- THE DUKE. All is lost! [_Enter_ METTERNICH.] THE EMPEROR. It is my will this child shall reign. METTERNICH. Delightful. I'll tell your partisans at once. THE DUKE. I feared. THE EMPEROR. What should you fear? Am I not master here? THE DUKE. Whom will you send me as Ambassador? METTERNICH. Delightful. THE DUKE. And you'll visit me in state? THE EMPEROR. Yes, very likely; when the chambers rise. METTERNICH. We'll only ask some trifling guarantees. THE DUKE. Ask what you like. THE EMPEROR. Well? are you happy? METTERNICH. First We'll come to terms on trivial points of detail: Certain seditious groups should be dissolved: Our neighbors must not harbor thunderbolts. THE DUKE. Dear grandfather! METTERNICH. Ah--then we're very weary Of hearing of the Heroes of July. THE DUKE. But-- METTERNICH. Now the imperialists and radicals Are linked: we'll cut the link; we cannot favor The dangerous modern spirit. We'll expel Lammenais. THE DUKE. But-- METTERNICH. And Chateaubriand. Ah-- We'll also put a muzzle on the press. THE DUKE. Oh, there's no hurry. THE EMPEROR. Pardon me, there is. THE DUKE. Pardon me, that's attacking freedom. THE EMPEROR. Freedom! METTERNICH. Ah--we must have free hand in Italy. Ah--not so much excitement about Poland. THE DUKE. Ah? And what else? METTERNICH.