Poor profit, then, to me from my true trade, Wherein hot competition is so rife Already, since these victories brought to town So many foreign jobbers in my line, That I'd best hold my tongue from praise of fame! However, one is caught by popular zeal, And though five midnights have not brought a sou, I, too, chant _Jubilate_ like the rest.-- In courtesies have haughty monarchs vied Towards the Conqueror! who, with men-at-arms One quarter theirs, has vanquished by his nerve Vast mustering four-hundred-thousand strong, And given new tactics to the art of war Unparalleled in Europe's history! SPIRIT What man is this, whose might thou blazonest so-- Who makes the earth to tremble, shakes old thrones, And turns the plains to wilderness? WOMAN Dost ask As ignorant, yet asking can define? What mean you, traveller? SPIRIT I am a stranger here, A wandering wight, whose life has not been spent This side the globe, though I can speak the tongue. WOMAN Your air has truth in't; but your state is strange! Had I a husband he should tackle thee. SPIRIT Dozens thou hast had--batches more than she Samaria knew, if now thou hast not one! WOMAN Wilt take the situation from this hour? SPIRIT Thou know'st not what thy frailty asks, good dame! WOMAN Well, learn in small the Emperor's chronicle, As gleaned from what my soldier-husbands say:-- some five-and-forty standards of his foes Are brought to Paris, borne triumphantly In proud procession through the surging streets, Ever as brands of fame to shine aloft In dim-lit senate-halls and city aisles. SPIRIT Fair Munich sparkled with festivity As there awhile he tarried, and was met By the gay Josephine your Empress here.-- There, too, Eugene-- WOMAN Napoleon's stepson he--- SPIRIT Received for gift the hand of fair Princess Augusta [daughter of Bavaria's crown, Forced from her plighted troth to Baden's heir], And, to complete his honouring, was hailed Successor to the throne of Italy. WOMAN How know you, ere this news has got abroad? SPIRIT Channels have I the common people lack.-- There, on the nonce, the forenamed Baden prince Was joined to Stephanie Beauharnais, her Who stands as daughter to the man we wait, Some say as more. WOMAN They do? Then such not I. Can revolution's dregs so soil thy soul That thou shouldst doubt the eldest son thereof? 'Tis dangerous to insinuate nowadays! SPIRIT Right! Lady many-spoused, more charity Upbrims in thee than in some loftier ones Who would not name thee with their white-washed tongues.-- Enough. I am one whom, didst thou know my name, Thou would'st not grudge a claim to speak his mind. WOMAN