I scarce believe What my sight tells me! Home, and in such garb! [NAPOLEON embraces her.] NAPOLEON I have had great work in getting in, my dear! They failed to recognize me at the gates, Being sceptical at my poor hackney-coach And poorer baggage. I had to show my face In a fierce light ere they would let me pass, And even then they doubted till I spoke.-- What think you, dear, of such a tramp-like spouse? [He warms his hands at the fire.] Ha--it is much more comfortable here Than on the Russian plains! MARIE LOUISE [timidly] You have suffered there?-- Your face is thinner, and has line in it; No marvel that they did not know you! NAPOLEON Yes: Disasters many and swift have swooped on me!-- Since crossing--ugh!--the Beresina River I have been compelled to come incognito; Ay--as a fugitive and outlaw quite. MARIE LOUISE We'll thank Heaven, anyhow, that you are safe. I had gone to bed, and everybody almost! what, now, do require? Some food of course? [The child in the adjoining chamber begins to cry, awakened by the loud tones of NAPOLEON.] NAPOLEON Ah--that's his little voice! I'll in and see him. MARIE LOUISE I'll come with you. [NAPOLEON and the EMPRESS pass into the other room. The lady-in- waiting calls up yawning servants and gives orders. The servants go to execute them. Re-enter NAPOLEON and MARIE LOUISE. The lady- in-waiting goes out.] NAPOLEON I have said it, dear! All the disasters summed in the bulletin Shall be repaired. MARIE LOUISE And are they terrible? NAPOLEON Have you not read the last-sent bulletin, Dear friend? MARIE LOUISE No recent bulletin has come. NAPOLEON Ah--I must have outstripped it on the way! MARIE LOUISE And where is the Grand Army? NAPOLEON Oh--that's gone. MARIE LOUISE Gone? But--gone where? NAPOLEON Gone all to nothing, dear. MARIE LOUISE [incredulously] But some six hundred thousand I saw pass Through Dresden Russia-wards? NAPOLEON [flinging himself into a chair] Well, those men lie-- Or most of them--in layers of bleaching bones 'Twixt here and Moscow.... I have been subdued; But by the elements; and them alone. Not Russia, but God's sky has conquered me! [With an appalled look she sits beside him.] From the sublime to the ridiculous There's but a step!--I have been saying it All through the leagues of my long journey home-- And that step has been passed in this affair!... Yes, briefly, it is quite ridiculous, Whichever way you look at it.--Ha, ha! MARIE LOUISE [simply]