Give me back my two sons, murderer! Give me back my children, whose flesh is rotting on the Russian plains! POPULACE Ay; give us back our kin--our fathers, our brothers, our sons-- victims to your curst ambition! [One of the mob seizes the carriage door-handle and tries to unfasten it. A valet of BONAPARTE'S seated on the box draws his sword and threatens to cut the man's arm off. The doors of the Commissioners' coaches open, and SIR NEIL CAMPBELL, GENERAL KOLLER, and COUNT SCHUVALOFF--The English, Austrian, and Russian Commissioners--jump out and come forward.] CAMPBELL Keep order, citizens! Do you not know That the ex-Emperor is wayfaring To a lone isle, in the Allies' sworn care, Who have given a pledge to Europe for his safety? His fangs being drawn, he is left powerless now To do you further harm. SCHUVALOFF People of France Can you insult so miserable a being? He who gave laws to a cowed world stands now At that world's beck, and asks its charity. Cannot you see that merely to ignore him Is the worst ignominy to tar him with, By showing him he's no longer dangerous? OLD WOMAN How do we know the villain mayn't come back? While there is life, my faith, there's mischief in him! [Enter an officer with the Town-guard.] OFFICER Citizens, I am a zealot for the Bourbons, As you well know. But wanton breach of faith I will not brook. Retire! [The soldiers drive back the mob and open a passage forward. The Commissioners re-enter their carriages. NAPOLEON puts his head out of his window for a moment. He is haggard, shabbily dressed, yellow-faced, and wild-eyed.] NAPOLEON I thank you, captain; Also your soldiery: a thousand thanks! [To Bertrand within] My God, these people of Avignon here Are headstrong fools, like all the Provencal fold, --I won't go through the town! BERTRAND We'll round it, sire; And then, as soon as we get past the place, You must disguise for the remainder miles. NAPOLEON I'll mount the white cockade if they invite me! What does it matter if I do or don't? In Europe all is past and over with me.... Yes--all is lost in Europe for me now! BERTRAND I fear so, sire. NAPOLEON [after some moments] But Asia waits a man, And--who can tell? OFFICER OF GUARD [to postillions] Ahead now at full speed, And slacken not till you have slipped the town. [The postillions urge the horses to a gallop, and the carriages are out of sight in a few seconds. The scene shuts.] SCENE VII MALMAISON. THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE'S BEDCHAMBER