SPIRIT OF THE PITIES Napoleon looks content--nay, shines with joy. SPIRIT OF THE YEARS Yet see it pass, as by a conjuror's wand. [Thereupon Napoleon's face blackens as if the shadow of a winter night had fallen upon it. Resentful and threatening, he stops the procession and looks up and down the benches.] SPIRIT SINISTER This is sound artistry of the Immanent Will: it relieves the monotony of so much good-humour. NAPOLEON [to the Chapel-master] Where are the Cardinals? And why not here? [He speaks so loud that he is heard throughout the Gallery.] ABBE DE PRADT [trembling] Many are present here, your Majesty; But some are feebled by infirmities Too common to their age, and cannot come. NAPOLEON Tell me no nonsense! Half absent themselves Because they WILL not come. The factious fools! Well, be it so. But they shall flinch for it! [MARIE LOUISE looks frightened. The procession moves on.] SPIRIT OF THE PITIES I seem to see the thin and headless ghost Of the yet earlier Austrian, here, too, queen, Walking beside the bride, with frail attempts To pluck her by the arm! SPIRIT OF THE YEARS Nay, think not so. No trump unseals earth's sepulchre's to-day: We are the only phantoms now abroad On this mud-moulded ball! Through sixteen years She has decayed in a back-garden yonder, Dust all the showance time retains of her, Senseless of hustlings in her former house, Lost to all count of crowns and bridalry-- Even of her Austrian blood. No: what thou seest Springs of the quavering fancy, stirred to dreams By yon tart phantom's phrase. MARIE LOUISE [sadly to Napoleon] I know not why, I love not this day's doings half so well As our quaint meeting-time at Compiegne. A clammy air creeps round me, as from vaults Peopled with looming spectres, chilling me And angering you withal! NAPOLEON O, it is nought To trouble you: merely, my cherished one, Those devils of Italian Cardinals!-- Now I'll be bright as ever--you must, too. MARIE LOUISE I'll try. [Reaching the entrance to the Salon-Carre amid strains of music the EMPEROR and EMPRESS are received and incensed by the CARDINAL GRAND ALMONERS. They take their seats under the canopy, and the train of notabilities seat themselves further back, the persons- in-waiting stopping behind the Imperial chairs. The ceremony of the religious marriage now begins. The choir intones a hymn, the EMPEROR and EMPRESS go to the altar, remove their gloves, and make their vows.] SPIRIT IRONIC