The launching of a lineal progeny Has been much pressed upon me, much, of late, For reasons which I will not dwell on now. Staid counsellors, my brother Joseph, too, Urge that I loose the Empress by divorce, And re-wive promptly for the country's good. Princesses even have been named for me!-- However this, to-day, is premature, And 'twixt ourselves alone.... The Queen of Prussia must ere long be here: Berthier escorts her. And the King, too, comes. She's one whom you admire? ALEXANDER [reddening ingenuously] Yes.... Formerly I had--did feel that some faint fascination Vaguely adorned her form. And, to be plain, Certain reports have been calumnious, And wronged an honest woman. NAPOLEON As I knew! But she is wearing thready: why, her years Must be full one-and-thirty, if she's one. ALEXANDER [quickly] No, sire. She's twenty-nine. If traits teach more It means that cruel memory gnaws at her As fair inciter to that fatal war Which broke her to the dust!... I do confess [Since now we speak on't] that this sacrifice Prussia is doomed to, still disquiets me. Unhappy King! When I recall the oaths Sworn him upon great Frederick's sepulchre, And--and my promises to his sad Queen, It pricks me that his realm and revenues Should be stript down to the mere half they were! NAPOLEON [cooly] Believe me, 'tis but my regard for you Which lets me leave him that! Far easier 'twere To leave him none at all. [He rises and goes to the window.] But here they are. No; it's the Queen alone, with Berthier As I directed. Then the King will follow. ALEXANDER Let me, sire, urge your courtesy to bestow Some gentle words on her? NAPOLEON Ay, ay; I will. [Enter QUEEN LOUISA OF PRUSSIA on the arm of BERTHIER. She appears in majestic garments and with a smile on her lips, so that her still great beauty is impressive. But her eyes bear traces of tears. She accepts NAPOLEON'S attentions with the stormily sad air of a wounded beauty. Whilst she is being received the KING arrives. He is a plain, shy, honest-faced, awkward man, with a wrecked and solitary look. His manner to NAPOLEON is, nevertheless, dignified, and even stiff. The company move into the inner half of the room, where the tables are, and the folding-doors being shut, they seat themselves at dinner, the QUEEN taking a place between NAPOLEON and ALEXANDER.] NAPOLEON Madame, I love magnificent attire; But in the present instance can but note That each bright knot and jewel less adorns The brighter wearer than the wearer it! QUEEN [with a sigh] You praise one, sire, whom now the wanton world Has learnt to cease from praising! But such words From such a quarter are of worth no less. NAPOLEON