Napoleon's army swarms with tender youth, His last conscription besomed into it Thousands of merest boys. But he contrives To mix them in the field with seasoned frames. SECOND CITIZEN The sadly-seen mistake this country made Was that of grounding hostile arms at all. We should have fought irreconcilably-- Have been consistent as the English are. The French are our hereditary foes, And this adventurer of the saucy sword, This sacrilegious slighter of our shrines, Stands author of all our ills... Our harvest fields and fruits he trample on, Accumulating ruin in our land. Think of what mournings in the last sad war 'Twas his to instigate and answer for! Time never can efface the glint of tears In palaces, in shops, in fields, in cots, From women widowed, sonless, fatherless, That then oppressed our eyes. There is no salve For such deep harrowings but to fight again; The enfranchisement of Europe hangs thereon, And long she has lingered for the sign to crush him: That signal we have given; the time is come! [Thumping on the table.] FIFTH CITIZEN [at another table, looking up from his paper and speaking across] I see that Russia has declined to aid us, And says she knows that Prussia likewise must; So that the mission of Prince Schwarzenberg To Alexander's Court has closed in failure. THIRD CITIZEN Ay--through his being honest--fatal sin!-- Probing too plainly for the Emperor's ears His ominous friendship with Napoleon. ENGLISHMAN Some say he was more than honest with the Tsar; Hinting that his becoming an ally Makes him accomplice of the Corsican In the unprincipled dark overthrow Of his poor trusting childish Spanish friends-- Which gave the Tsar offence. THIRD CITIZEN And our best bid-- The last, most delicate dish--a tastelessness. FIRST CITIZEN What was Prince Schwarzenberg's best bid, I pray? THIRD CITIZEN The offer of the heir of Austria's hand For Alexander's sister the Grand-Duchess. ENGLISHMAN He could not have accepted, if or no: She is inscribed as wife for Bonaparte. FIRST CITIZEN I doubt that text! ENGLISHMAN Time's context soon will show. SECOND CITIZEN The Russian Cabinet can not for long Resist the ardour of the Russian ranks To march with us the moment we achieve Our first loud victory! [A band is heard playing afar, and shouting. People are seen hurrying past in the direction of the sounds. Enter sixth citizen.] SIXTH CITIZEN The Archduke Charles Is passing the Ringstrasse just by now, His regiment at his heels! [The younger sitters jump up with animation, and go out, the elder mostly remaining.] SECOND CITIZEN Realm never faced The grin of a more fierce necessity For horrid war, than ours at this tense time!