But those six hundred thousand throbbing throats That cheered me deaf at Dresden, marching east So full of youth and spirits--all bleached bones-- Ridiculous? Can it be so, dear, to-- Their mothers say? NAPOLEON [with a twitch of displeasure] You scarcely understand. I meant the enterprise, and not its stuff.... I had no wish to fight, nor Alexander, But circumstance impaled us each on each; The Genius who outshapes my destinies Did all the rest! Had I but hit success, Imperial splendour would have worn a crown Unmatched in long-scrolled Time!... Well, leave that now.-- What do they know about all this in Paris? MARIE LOUSE I cannot say. Black rumours fly and croak Like ravens through the streets, but come to me Thinned to the vague!--Occurrences in Spain Breed much disquiet with these other things. Marmont's defeat at Salamanca field Ploughed deep into men's brows. The cafes say Your troops must clear from Spain. NAPOLEON We'll see to that! I'll find a way to do a better thing; Though I must have another army first-- Three hundred thousand quite. Fishes as good Swim in the sea as have come out of it. But to begin, we must make sure of France, Disclose ourselves to the good folk of Paris In daily outing as a family group, The type and model of domestic bliss [Which, by the way, we are]. And I intend, Also, to gild the dome of the Invalides In best gold leaf, and on a novel pattern. MARIE LOUISE To gild the dome, dear? Why? NAPOLEON To give them something To think about. They'll take to it like children, And argue in the cafes right and left On its artistic points.--So they'll forget The woes of Moscow. [A chamberlain-in-waiting announces supper. MARIE LOUISE and NAPOLEON go out. The room darkens and the scene closes.] ACT SECOND SCENE I THE PLAIN OF VITORIA [It is the eve of the longest day of the year; also the eve of the battle of Vitoria. The English army in the Peninsula, and their Spanish and Portuguese allies, are bivouacking on the western side of the Plain, about six miles from the town. On some high ground in the left mid-distance may be discerned the MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON'S tent, with GENERALS HILL, PICTON, PONSONBY, GRAHAM, and others of his staff, going in and out in consultation on the momentous event impending. Near the foreground are some hussars sitting round a fire, the evening being damp; their horses are picketed behind. In the immediate front of the scene are some troop-officers talking.] FIRST OFFICER This grateful rest of four-and-twenty hours Is priceless for our jaded soldiery; And we have reconnoitred largely, too; So the slow day will not have slipped in vain. SECOND OFFICER [looking towards the headquarter tent]