The fire can be seen breaking out also in numerous other quarters. All the conflagrations increase, and become, as those at first detached group themselves together, one huge furnace, whence streamers of flame reach up to the sky, brighten the landscape far around, and show the houses as if it were day. The blaze gains the Kremlin, and licks its walls, but does not kindle it. Explosions and hissings are constantly audible, amid which can be fancied cries and yells of people caught in the combustion. Large pieces of canvas aflare sail away on the gale like balloons. Cocks crow, thinking it sunrise, ere they are burnt to death.] SCENE VIII THE SAME. THE INTERIOR OF THE KREMLIN [A chamber containing a bed on which NAPOLEON has been lying. It is not yet daybreak, and the flapping light of the conflagration without shines in at the narrow windows. NAPOLEON is discovered dressed, but in disorder and unshaven. He is walking up and down the room in agitation. There are present CAULAINCOURT, BESSIERES, and many of the marshals of his guard, who stand in silent perplexity.] NAPOLEON [sitting down on the bed] No: I'll not go! It is themselves who have done it. My God, they are Scythians and barbarians still! [Enter MORTIER [just made Governor].] MORTIER Sire, there's no means of fencing with the flames. My creed is that these scurvy Muscovites Knowing our men's repute for recklessness, Have fired the town, as if 'twere we had done it, As by our own crazed act! [GENERAL LARIBOISIERE, and aged man, enters and approaches NAPOLEON.] LARIBOISIERE The wind swells higher! Will you permit one so high-summed in years, One so devoted, sire, to speak his mind? It is that your long lingering here entails Much risk for you, your army, and ourselves, In the embarrassment it throws on us While taking steps to seek security, By hindering venturous means. [Enter MURAT, PRINCE EUGENE, and the PRINCE OF NEUFCHATEL.] MURAT There is no choice But leaving, sire. Enormous bulks of powder Lie housed beneath us; and outside these panes A park of our artillery stands unscreened. NAPOLEON [saturninely] What have I won I disincline to cede! VOICE OF A GUARD [without] The Kremlin is aflame! [The look at each other. Two officers of NAPOLEON'S guard and an interpreter enter, with one of the Russian military police as a prisoner.] FIRST OFFICER We have caught this man Firing the Kremlin: yea, in the very act! It is extinguished temporarily, We know not for how long. NAPOLEON Inquire of him What devil set him on. [They inquire.] SECOND OFFICER The governor, He says; the Count Rostopchin, sire. NAPOLEON