Why gave he battle without biddance, pray, From the supreme commander? Here's the crime Of insubordination, root of woes!... The time well chosen, and the battle won, The English succours there had sidled off, And their annoy in the Peninsula Embarrassed us no more. Behoves it me, Some day, to face this Wellington myself! Marmont too plainly is no match for him.... Thus he goes on: “To have preserved command I would with joy have changed this early wound For foulest mortal stroke at fall of day. One baleful moment damnified the fruit Of six weeks' wise strategics, whose result Had loomed so certain!”--[Satirically] Well, we've but his word As to their wisdom! To define them thus Would not have struck me but for his good prompting!... No matter: On Moskowa's banks to-morrow I'll mend his faults upon the Arapeile. I'll see how I can treat this Russian horde Which English gold has brought together here From the four corners of the universe.... Adieu. You'd best go now and take some rest. [FABVRIER reappears from the tent and goes. Enter DE BAUSSET.] DE BAUSSET The box that came--has it been taken in? AN OFFICER Yes, General 'Tis laid behind a screen In the outer tent. As yet his Majesty Has not been told of it. [DE BAUSSET goes into the tent. After an interval of murmured talk an exclamation bursts from the EMPEROR. In a few minutes he appears at the tent door, a valet following him bearing a picture. The EMPEROR'S face shows traces of emotion.] NAPOLEON Bring out a chair for me to poise it on. [Re-enter DE BAUSSET from the tent with a chair.] They all shall see it. Yes, my soldier-sons Must gaze upon this son of mine own house In art's presentment! It will cheer their hearts. That's a good light--just so. [He is assisted by DE BAUSSET to set up the picture in the chair. It is a portrait of the young King of Rome playing at cup-and-ball being represented as the globe. The officers standing near are attracted round, and then the officers and soldiers further back begin running up, till there is a great crowd.] Let them walk past, So that they see him all. The Old Guard first. [The Old Guard is summoned, and marches past surveying the picture; then other regiments.] SOLDIERS The Emperor and the King of Rome for ever! [When they have marched past and withdrawn, and DE BAUSSET has taken away the picture, NAPOLEON prepares to re-enter his tent. But his attention is attracted to the Russians. He regards them through his glass. Enter BESSIERES and RAPP.] NAPOLEON What slow, weird ambulation do I mark, Rippling the Russian host? BESSIERES A progress, sire, Of all their clergy, vestmented, who bear An image, said to work strange miracles.