CHARACTERS

70M, 5F, Several children

ACT I

First Tableau

Before Toulon. The interior of a redout. From the windows one can see the city under siege, and the chain of rocks which ring the forts.

(A sentinel and conscript soldiers sleeping by a tree. AT RISE, three men come to relieve the sentinel; a conscript takes his place.)

CONSCRIPT

The orders?

SENTINEL

Don't let anyone pass. Watch the road from Toulon to Marseille.

CONSCRIPT

The password?

SENTINEL

Toulon and Liberty.

CONSCRIPT

Good.

(the soldiers are leaving)

Wait! Wait!

(they return)

What did you say?

SENTINEL

Toulon and Liberty.

CONSCRIPT

And I will allow all those who say that to pass?

SENTINEL

Yes.

CONSCRIPT

You can go now.

(he repeats again and again).

Toulon and Liberty. Toulon and Liberty. That's it.

(singing)

It's sad
to be a police man.
It's good
to be a soldier.
When the drum rolls,
Bye, bye girls.
When the drum rolls,
The nation's moving.

(JUNOT, who rises at the beginning of this song and follows the soldier from behind to the moment he returns. )

JUNOT

Tell me, citizen conscript, what's your name?

CONSCRIPT

I'm called Lorrain, Lorrain, 'cause I come from Lorrain.

JUNOT

Well, citizen Lorrain, then you will make a tour of this camp.

CONSCRIPT

What's that, sergeant?

JUNOT

Because one doesn't sing under arms.

(goes off)

CONSCRIPT

That's so! Next time, I will remember. He's a real good kid, the sergeant. He could have sent me to the stockade. Best be consoled.

(Enter BONAPARTE with JUNOT)

BONAPARTE

And you tell me there are not enough artillery men who wish to serve in my battery?

JUNOT

Fort Mulgrove is only 125 yards away and during the last attack, 70 artillery men were killed out of eighty.

(A bullet passes and strikes the branch of a tree which falls at the feet of Bonaparte.)

BONAPARTE

We must appeal for volunteers.

JUNOT

I have done it and not one has offered.

BONAPARTE

Ah, it's like that! Sergeant write on this paper in large letters. "Battery of Fearless Men."

(A bullet tears up some of the embankment and sprays the Sergeant who is writing.)

JUNOT

Good.

(shaking his paper)

I won't need any sand to dry it.

BONAPARTE

What's your name?

JUNOT

Junot.

BONAPARTE

I won't forget it.

LORRAIN

Who goes there?

JUNOT

Imbecile. You see quite well it's the General in Chief and the representatives of the people.

BONAPARTE

(to Sergeant Junot)

Put this sign in front of the battery, and everybody will want to be there.

CARTAUX

Citizen commandant, we have received a plan of attack from Paris and we've come to communicate it to you.

BONAPARTE

And who is the author of this plan?

CARTAUX

The celebrated general D'Acron.

BONAPARTE

Who perhaps has never seen the city. It's the fifth plan they've sent from Paris and the worst of my artillerymen can do no worse than the best of them all. Let's see the plan.

CARTAUX

(reading)

General Cartaux seizes all the positions occupied by the enemy by land and will abandon entirely the sea. He will conquer, whatever the price may be, the Forts Parson, Saint Antoine, Lastigues, St. Catherine and Lamalgue. Once master of these forts, he will proceed without relaxation to the bombardment of the city.

BONAPARTE

And how many men as reinforcements does he send us to execute this plan?

CARTAUX

Not one. We must be content with what we have.

BONAPARTE

Sixty thousand men will not be enough. And with the reinforcements come from the Lyons army, we will hardly have thirty thousand.

FRERON

You must still execute the orders of the committee as best you can or your head, citizen general, will answer for the success.

BONAPARTE

(taking his hand)

Citizen representative, do you see here this citadel encrusted like an eagle's nest between the flanks of this mountain? That's Fort Faron which your committee has ordered us to take. If you want me to execute these orders, find me soldiers who have wings or bring me flying horses to get them there.

GASPARIN

Well, let's restrict ourselves to taking of Fort Lamalgue.

BONAPARTE

Yes, and to get there you will pass your 30,000 men between the first of four forts and the armed-fortified camp before Toulon, and when you have lost half of your men, with the rest, you will attack Fort Lamalgue, constructed by Vauban with his angles opposed to angles, its battery of 60 pieces of artillery and its three thousand-man garrison.

CARTAUX

Citizen commandant, have you directed a battery of four shrapnel on the powder works?

BONAPARTE

Yes.

CARTAUX

Well?

BONAPARTE

I threw 20 Howitzers Shrapnel -- of which seventeen have hit.

CARTAUX

Without result?

BONAPARTE

Without result.

CARTAUX

We must continue.

BONAPARTE

Useless.

CARTAUX

Why?

BONAPARTE

The powder has been taken into the city.

FRERON

Then we must bombard the city, and profiting from the explosion of a magazine where they stored it -- make an attack.

BONAPARTE

Yes, that will be fine, but who will tell me which of the eight hundred houses of Toulon must be burned?

FRERON

Burn them all.

BONAPARTE

Must I, a Corsican, tell you that Toulon is French?

SALICETTI

What's the difference! Turenne burned the Palatinate.

BONAPARTE

That was necessary for his plans -- here's it's a useless crime.

FRERON

Would you be an aristocrat by chance?

(Bonaparte shrugs his shoulders)

Citizen General we must put an end to this. Attack the city however you wish, but in eight days, the city must be taken -- or in nine days I will send you to Paris as a suspect -- and in fifteen days -- you understand.

CARTAUX

Yes, yes, well then, I will stick by the plan of the committee -- The general attack will begin tomorrow.

BONAPARTE

You will lose and you will lose the army with you.

CARTAUX

But what to do then?

(Bonaparte gets up and points to the fort of Little Gibraltar on the map.)

BONAPARTE

There's Toulon.

CARTAUX

There? But not at all. He's showing us the exit from the roadstead. Toulon is not on that side.

(aside)

To take little Gibraltar for Toulon!

BONAPARTE

(forcefully)

There is Toulon, I tell you. Take this fort today and tomorrow or the day after we will enter into Toulon.

SALICETTI

It's the best defended.

BONAPARTE

Proof that it is the most important.

GASPARIN

The British commandant himself has judged it to be impregnable -- he said that if we carry it, he'll become a Jacobin.

BONAPARTE

Let me lead the attack and in 12 hours, I will take it myself or my sword in my own breast.

SALICETTI

But we will lose 10,000 men.

BONAPARTE

Ten thousand, twenty thousand provided I still have 3,000 to put in garrison.

FRERON

Ah, there's the philanthropist who doesn't want to burn 800 houses and wants to kill 10,000 men.

BONAPARTE

(walking away)

Simpleton!

CARTAUX

All right then, citizen commandant, be ready to bombard the city.

BONAPARTE

From here?

CARTAUX

Yes -- during this time.

BONAPARTE

There are two projectiles per cannon.

CARTAUX

No -- you can get more.

BONAPARTE

Cannoneers -- commence fire.

(The cannoneers command all the length of the line. Bonaparte points a cannon himself, takes a match, puts fire to the piece and returns without looking where the shot landed.)

CARTAUX

(who's watching attentively)

He's right. The shell landed two hundred meters at least from the outer works.

FRERON

Never mind! This young man annoys me. He acts like an aristocrat, but we will make him obey.

GASPARIN

Citizens, the commandant appears to know what he must do better than anyone, let him manage --

FRERON

(without listening to Gasparin, to Cartaux)

General, come give your orders and then in an hour, we will commence the attack.

(Bonaparte follows him with eyes full of compassion, Cartaux leaves with Salicetti, Gasparin, Freron, etc.)

BONAPARTE

When will they stop sending us doctors and politicians to command us? It's useless to tell them how to take Toulon.

LORRAIN

(to a peasant who seeks to slide by -- without being seen)

Who goes there? Who goes there?

PEASANT

(with a very pronounced provincial accent)

What must I say?

LORRAIN

Eh, well, reply, "Citizen peasant" for God's sake.

PEASANT

Citizen peasant.

LORRAIN

That's better. And now go back from where you came. No one can pass.

PEASANT

(without accent)

No one can pass?

BONAPARTE

(starting at the change of voice)

Right -- here you can pass.

PEASANT

Thank you, my officer.

BONAPARTE

Listen then.

PEASANT

(aside)

What's he want from me?

BONAPARTE

You are from this country?

PEASANT

Yes, from Ollioules.

BONAPARTE

Ah -- and by what chance do you find yourself on this side?

PEASANT

It's those lazy English who requisitioned me by force. To Toulon to work on the fortifications of Fort Malbousquet.

BONAPARTE

And they've sent you back.

PEASANT

No -- I've escaped.

BONAPARTE

Why?

PEASANT

There was too much work and not enough money.

BONAPARTE

And you're going?

PEASANT

To Marseille.

BONAPARTE

(shaking his hand)

Bon voyage.

PEASANT

(giving his hand)

Thank you citizen.

BONAPARTE

What kind of work did you do?

PEASANT

I dig trenches.

BONAPARTE

And you wear gloves to work?

PEASANT

(aside)

The devil?

(aloud)

Why?

BONAPARTE

Yes, if you hadn't taken this precaution the sun and fatigue would burn and harden the hands. See, I who pride myself on having white and beautiful hands. A peasant who has worked how many days?

PEASANT

Fifteen.

BONAPARTE

Fifteen days at the fortifications -- also white and also pretty like mine. What a fool I am.

(to one or two around him).

He's a spy!

PEASANT

(frightened)

Me?

BONAPARTE

You know English?

PEASANT

(aside)

Imbecile!

BONAPARTE

Ah, it's not surprising -- you stayed 15 days with the redcoats and you have had time to learn their language.

PEASANT

I know a few words.

BONAPARTE

Enough to read the address on a letter that they told you to carry, right?

PEASANT

Me, to whom?

BONAPARTE

Eh -- how would I know? To some former aristocrat, without doubt, to announce to him that Louis the XVIII has been proclaimed in Toulon.

PEASANT

Devil of a man! Ah, if you believe that, you need only search me.

BONAPARTE

No -- It will suffice that you give me what you have in your pocket.

PEASANT

(withdrawing stuff from his pocket and giving it slowly)

Here's a flint and a Spanish knife.

BONAPARTE

Yes -- which can at need be used as a dagger.

PEASANT

And a notebook which is not elegant, but then we are not dandies. Look in my pockets -- if you wish, citizen commandant, I have no secrets, not I.

BONAPARTE

(examining the papers)

And I, I am not curious.

(holding up a page, lighter than the others)

Were you afraid of running out of paper that made you add this sheet?

PEASANT

This sheet?

BONAPARTE

Yes -- you see that it is neither the same grain nor the same color. Lend me this knife.

PEASANT

My word, I didn't pay so much attention. All I know is that it is blank paper -- if you wish to write on it.

BONAPARTE

That is my intention. But it is damp and we must dry it first.

PEASANT

At the fire.

BONAPARTE

Yes -- and taking care not to burn it. Cannoneer, a match.

PEASANT

(aside)

Heaven and earth

(looking around him, he sees that only the sentinel prevents his escape. He withdraws a pistol from his pocket, rushes toward the sentinel, fires and wounds Lorrain in the arm, but Lorrain seizes him after a wrestling match.)

BONAPARTE

(shouting)

Arrest the spy from the English and the emigres.

(soldiers throw themselves on the spy. Lorrain who never let go, brings him back).

Now cannoneer, bring a match.

(to the spy)

Well, what do you say? Isn't it a marvel how this paper is covered with writing, signed by General in Chief, Hood. "To Monsieur, brother of the King."

SPY

I am lost.

BONAPARTE

Wretch.

PEASANT

Stupid, yes. Wretch, no.

BONAPARTE

(with scorn).

A spy!

SPY

Well, the English gave me parole to be a spy and I have served them loyally. You were more clever than I, that's all.

(turning)

Sergeant - nine man squad.

BONAPARTE

What?

SPY

Well, yes. The trial of a spy consists of two words. Aim and Fire. The procedure is quickly finished.

BONAPARTE

What a strange place for courage to hide.

SPY

Ah, you are proud of yourself, you. Vain talent! The courage of a soldier! It takes the noise of the instruments of war and the smell of powder to excite such courage, and to pronounce in dying: "the fatherland". True courage -- which is mine, is that of a man who obscurely risks 20 times a day a life that he can lose only in an ignoble way, to which men attach the word shameful, an infamous death, like the death of a forger or a murderer.

BONAPARTE

And what are you then?

SPY

I am a man that no prejudice can stop, that no danger can frighten, who plays slowly with death, who, if a great man had understood me, would attach me to him, body and soul like a familiar demon, who --

(A sergeant entering with nine armed soldiers.)

SERGEANT

Who's to be shot?

SPY

I am. Who, I say, can dress in all costumes, borrow all manners speak all languages. To him I would render, in life or death service, a thousand times the value of the gold he'd given me. Here I am now; a spy, a species of thinking animal, a variety of man who's heart beats, whose voice speaks, who can save an empire, perhaps -- and who in 10 minutes will be a corpse with eight balls in his body and only good for throwing to the fish in the estuary. Do you understand, that's what I am?

BONAPARTE

Have you something to ask of me?

SPY

Oh, you soldiers when you are where I am, you will ask that they don't blindfold you and that you give the command to fire yourself. You are privileged in everything. No, I cannot ask that, I demand only that you don't make me wait.

BONAPARTE

I give you five minutes. You can employ them to tell the Sergeant your last wishes. Perhaps you have a wife, children, a mother --

SPY

Nothing.

(Bonaparte sits musing and writes)

Sergeant here in the handle of this knife is a bill of 25 pounds sterling. That's a little more than 600 francs, payable in gold, you see, not in miserable paper money. Take it, and give it to your men if I fall without a twitch. If they don't kill me quick, it's for you. Where's the handkerchief?

SERGEANT

Here.

SPY

Give it to me.

(The Sergeant leads him, conducts him center stage.)

SERGEANT

On your knees.

SPY

(raising his blindfold)

Let me see the sky one more time. Good. I'm ready.

(At the first roll of the drum, the soldiers line up, at the second roll, they ready their arms, at the third, they aim.)

BONAPARTE

(rising and in a strong voice)

Post arms!

(gestures with his hand)

Go.

(The soldiers leave, Bonaparte goes to the spy and tears off the blindfold)

Come here. Your death is useless to me. I have need of your life. You are brave -- well, what's the matter?

SPY

Nothing -- wait. A dizziness. My knees are giving way -- let me sit.

BONAPARTE

You are brave. With a word, your life touched eternity. I didn't pronounce that word. You owe me then the days that remain to you, the heaven that you see, the air that you breathe. All this belongs to me. Do you consecrate all this to me?

SPY

Eternally!

(rising with solemnity)

And I will be your valet, your dog, your spy, even. They only gave me money, you, you have given me my life.

BONAPARTE

I believe you. Listen and come here.

SPY

An instant. I will be only for you; I will belong to no one except you? You will neither give me away nor sell me?

BONAPARTE

No.

SPY

If you do either, I become free at that instant.

BONAPARTE

I authorize you to.

SPY

That's fine. Speak.

BONAPARTE

You are allowed by General Hood to go back to Toulon?

SPY

I can enter and leave at any time.

BONAPARTE

In what part of the city have they moved the powder that was in this bastion?

SPY

In the basement of a house in the Rue St. Roch, the Rock, as it is called.

BONAPARTE

Well, go back right now. It would only take a grenade to explode those powders.

SPY

Exactly.

BONAPARTE

You will await my signal. A bomb dropped from here, will give it to you -- Toulon will awaken with a start as the earth trembles; its garrison will have to contain the people and quench the fire. Meanwhile, I will take Little Gibraltar which is the key to Toulon. You understand?

SPY

Yes.

BONAPARTE

You are decided?

SPY

(getting ready to leave)

I am going.

(returning)

The password.

BONAPARTE

(hesitating)

The pass word.

SPY

Don't say it, if you wish citizen commandant, but they will fire on me, they will probably kill me -- and then who will return to the city and who will set off the powder?

BONAPARTE

You're right. Besides, I don't intend to confide in you by half -- Toulon and Liberty.

(The spy waves and goes rapidly.)

SENTINEL

No one passes.

SPY

(half voice)

Toulon and Liberty.

(Exit the spy.)

(Enter Gasparin.)

BONAPARTE

Here's another representative of the people.

GASPARIN

I was looking for you.

BONAPARTE

Here I am.

GASPARIN

Do you know you appear to me to be the only one who understands something about a siege.

BONAPARTE

Do you speak as you think?

GASPARIN

Yes.

BONAPARTE

Well, you're right, citizen representative.

GASPARIN

If I were in charge, I'd order you to direct the whole business. I've asked them to do that, but the general in chief and my two colleagues are opposed to it. They hold to their plan of attack.

BONAPARTE

They're wrong.

GASPARIN

Listen. Six days ago, I wrote to the committee. I am asking for Cartaux to be replaced by Dugommier.

BONAPARTE

About time! With him, we can talk.

GASPARIN

I await him momentarily. But they have decided to attack forts Faron and Lastigues tonight.

BONAPARTE

We will be wiped out.

GASPARIN

Do you dare to take on yourself a great responsibility?

BONAPARTE

I don't know.

GASPARIN

You command the artillery. See to it not one piece of artillery leaves this battery. Gain time. Dugommier will arrive and your plan will be adopted. I believe it's good. If it succeeds, you will be Brigadier, if it fails, your head will fall on the scaffold.

BONAPARTE

Not one piece of artillery will budge from its place and I take that on myself.

GASPARIN

But will your men obey you?

BONAPARTE

You see this battery? Since it was set up here two hundred artillery men have been killed by their cannons. No one wants to serve here. An hour ago, I put up this sign.

(pointing to sign "Battery of Fearless Men")

Junot!

JUNOT

(advancing)

Citizen commandant?

BONAPARTE

How many men are ready to set their names for this battery?

JUNOT

About four hundred.

BONAPARTE

You see if one can count on these man!

GASPARIN

Especially if commanded by you. Goodbye, and don't forget, I am the first to recognize your military genius.

BONAPARTE

Your name?

GASPARIN

Gasparin.

BONAPARTE

I won't forget it, even on my death bed.

GASPARIN

Adieu, and long live the Republic.

BONAPARTE

Long live the Republic -- adieu!

(after he has gone)

Junot, have you received any education?

JUNOT

Not much, my commandant, I know how to write, read, and a little mathematics. As for Latin and Greek...

BONAPARTE

That's useless for reading Vaubon, Folard and Montecuculli. We have a good translation of Polybius and Caesar's Commentaries. That's all you need.

JUNOT

As for my family...

BONAPARTE

I never ask about that. I ask you are you a good Frenchman with me? That's all.

JUNOT

Yes, my commandant .

BONAPARTE

I don't know if I will become something more than a commander of artillery -- in case I do -- would you like to be my secretary?

JUNOT

I would like it indeed.

BONAPARTE

Then go tell Muiron, who is your captain I believe, that I ask you from him. Then return.

(Junot leaves)

(The representatives of the people-Albitti, and Freron give orders to the cannoneers who are at their cannons. )

BONAPARTE

(who hears this noise)

Who's meddling with my artillery?

ALBITTI

We need some, and we need to take them where we need them.

BONAPARTE

Citizen representatives -- these pieces will not budge from base -- cannoneers to your batteries.

(The cannoneers take their pieces from the representatives and replace them. )

FRERON

You disobey our orders?

BONAPARTE

Do your job of representing the people and let me do mine of handling the artillery.

FRERON

But!

BONAPARTE

One more time, these artillery pieces will not budge from here. I'd rather spike them first. Besides this battery is where it must be. I'll answer with my head.

FRERON

Kid, you risk it in disobeying orders of the representatives of the people.

BONAPARTE

Well, it can fall, but it won't bend -- Return to Paris, denounce me at the bench -- that's your job, mine is to take Toulon, and I will take it. I swear by my name.

FRERON

And what is your name?

BONAPARTE

Napoleon Bonaparte.

(The drum beats in the camp. One hears the cry of "Long Live the Republic.")

ALBITTI

What is that?

BONAPARTE

Nothing. The new general has arrived.

FRERON

Who is he?

BONAPARTE

Dugommier.

ALBITTI

And who told you this when we were unaware of it? Dugommier! It's impossible.

BONAPARTE

Listen.

FRERON

He's coming this way. Let's go to him. Perhaps he's looking for us.

(enter Dugommier and Gasparin.)

BONAPARTE

No -- he's looking for me.

DUGOMMIER

The commander of the artillery?

BONAPARTE

Here I am Citizen General.

DUGOMMIER

You are a brave young man. Go away citizens, we have to talk.

(returning to Bonaparte)

Gasparin has told me your plan of attack. I approve it entirely. You feel in yourself the power to execute it? If you lack it, I will take it on myself. If it succeeds, I will give you all the honor.

BONAPARTE

I will answer for it.

DUGOMMIER

Then give your orders.

BONAPARTE

We are going to attack?

DUGOMMIER

Right away.

BONAPARTE

Cannoneers, send up a signal rocket.

(rocket goes up)

DUGOMMIER

What are you going to do?

BONAPARTE

Wait!

TOCSIN

(A moment of silence, then a huge explosion in Toulon)

Now the city is too busy with its own affairs to meddle with ours.

DUGOMMIER

Citizen soldiers, obey the orders of this commander as if they were mine.

BONAPARTE

The army will divide in four columns. Two will watch Forts Malbousquit, Balagnier and l'Equilette. Another will stay in reserve to support the others whenever danger arises. The 4th will have the honor to march under the orders of the general in chief. Captain Muison who knows these localities will lead the avant guarde with a battalion, meanwhile I will throw several hundred bombs on little Gibraltar.

(drums)

Ah -- there's our English cousins waking up. Come on, children, long live liberty, long live the republic.

ALL THE SOLDIERS

Long Live the Republic!

BONAPARTE

Commence firing.

THE CANNONEERS

Load -- fire.

DUGOMMIER

Citizen representatives, come and thank this young man for if one is ungrateful to him, I warn you, he's going to go far beyond us all. Come, children, to the charge.

ALL THE SOLDIERS

Long live the Republic.

DUGOMMIER

Forward -- the Marseillaise.

(They go out singing the Marseillaise.)

(curtain)

ACT II

Second Tableau

The Forest of St. Cloud -- barracks, puppet shows, cafes, etc.

(A mountebank on a stool, pointing alternately to two pictures with a long pointer)

MOUNTEBANK

Come in, come in, citizens. You will see the famous battle of the pyramids won by General-in-Chief Bonaparte over the ferocious Mourad-Bey, the most powerful leader of the Mameluks. Also, you can see the battle of Marengo, won by the First-Consul Bonaparte. You will notice in the corner at the left, the death of Citizen General Desaix who fell in the arms if his aide de camp saying these memorable words: "Go tell the First Consul that I die with regret that I have not done enough for the Republic," Come in, Come in Citizens -- don't pay till after you have seen and, if you don't like it, we ask nothing from you -- absolutely nothing, nothing at all. Come in, come in citizens.

LABREDECHE

It's really the likeness of the great man!

MOUNTEBANK

Perfect.

LABREDECHE

I must go in -- and with enthusiasm. They tell me the First Consul knows everything said about him, good or bad. This will be a note for my petition.

MOUNTEBANK

(to Lorrain)

Pardon, citizen, one cannot go in here with a lit pipe.

LORRAIN

How, you dandy, one cannot go in with a pipe? Do you know that with this pipe I went into the Egyptian palace, that your cabin and your mover were passed by the airhole from a cave.

MOUNTEBANK

It's possible because in Egypt, everyone smokes.

LABREDECHE

That's right.

MOUNTEBANK

But here it annoys people.

LABREDECHE

It's exactly as you say. What more do you intend to do?

(He enters)

MERCHANT

Buy, buy, citizens! Handsome umbrella. Citizen, a handsome cape.

CRIER

Look what's just appeared. It's the route of march for the ceremonies that will take place tomorrow for the crowning of First Consul Bonaparte, under the name of Napoleon, First Emperor of the French, with details of the streets through which the cortege will pass. This has just appeared in the Monitor -- it's the details . . .

PASSERBY

How much?

CRIER

Two sous! Here's what has just appeared.

PASSERBY

(aside)

That's good to know. If I don't succeed. This evening, well tomorrow, by a window in a garret, we will see. He ought to be here at 7:30.

(giving his papers to a man of the people)

Well, what do you say to that, eh?

MAN

I said it will be a fine ceremony.

PASSERBY

Are you happy over it?

MAN

Yes, I believe so -- there's a free distribution.

PASSERBY

And it is on the people that we count. From what Faubourg are you, citizen?

MAN

Faubourg Saint Marceau -- known in the revolution.

PASSERBY

And what does your so republican Faubourg think?

MAN

It is content.

PASSERBY

And it sees its liberty taken away tranquilly.

MAN

You see, citizen, liberty is bread at two sous per pound. There's work and one pays in cash. Long Live Liberty and the Emperor Napoleon! That's all I know.

PASSERBY

Wretches! Wretches! Not a word for their legitimate sovereign.

MERCHANT

Buy, buy, buy!

PASSERBY

(following with his eyes a man in the crowd)

Is it he? Saint Regent and Carbon?

SECOND PASSERBY

Cerachies and Arena

FIRST PASSERBY

Is it you? -- well -- what news?

SECOND PASSERBY

I've taken a ticket for George Cadoudal.

FIRST PASSERBY

What?

SECOND PASSERBY

For his trouble. I told him that tonight, we have a rendezvous here, that Bonaparte is coming sometime, disguised, to learn the opinion of the people, and that we can join him. Then -- he knows us.

FIRST PASSERBY

And Moreau?

SECOND PASSERBY

Ah, Moreau. There's no use waiting for him. He's too delicate, too grand of soul. We came to relieve the soldiers in his favor -- all ways of escape were prepared and he refused to profit by it -- he intends to be judge. As for our Polish Brethren.

FIRST PASSERBY

Bah! There's not an instant to lose. Tomorrow they crown him, he is going to pardon the conspirators, this will ruin the Royalist party and depopularize it more. And then the silk stockings have no way to conspire. Listen. One of us will follow him if he comes here this evening, and at the moment when he strikes him the other will cry thief, and the other -- along the route.

(Perceiving the spy who prowls around him)

That man is always looking at us. Come.

CRIER

Behold what's just appeared, etc.

LABREDECHE

(getting out of the barracks)

Wait -- my friend, enchanted, it is impossible not to recognize him, when one has the happiness to see the great man but once in person. I believe that there is a man who is eavesdropping on me.

LORRAIN

(leaving)

I tell you, I won't pay.

MOUNTEBANK

Why?

LORRAIN

Because you said one needn't pay if one was not satisfied and I am not satisfied at all. It isn't worth two sous -- and the proof

(returning)

Boy, a small glass

(he drinks the little glass and pays)

You see indeed it's not for the two sous. But you have made pyramids which choke me, stupid fool and then of Marengo the First Consul is not well portrayed.

(Bonaparte and Duroc enter.)

LORRAIN

Oh! You don't have to convince me at least! And tell me that he had black eyes when they were, in fact, blue. I saw him in Toulon when he said, "These batteries will not move from this place." I saw him at the pyramids when he said "From the tops of these monuments, forty centuries observe you." And you understand that after having been contemplated by forty centuries, you are likely to frighten me -- understand pasty face, I saw him on the 18 Brumaire when they came to murder him -- and when Marat told us -- "Grenadiers, there are at least five hundred lawyers who say Bonaparte is a -- they lied! What I say. Well then said he -- forward march, Grenadiers, and force the lawyers to evacuate". It was not long. And he's going to tell me, what Bonaparte looks like when I saw him at least 20 times just like I see you face to face.

(seeing Bonaparte)

Stupid, stupid -- fool.

BONAPARTE

Hush and pay.

(to a merchant)

Well -- how's business?

MERCHANT

Fine. It's getting back. Oh! It was time for the First Consul to decide to make himself emperor.

BONAPARTE

The whole world is satisfied then?

MERCHANT

I really believe so.

BONAPARTE

(to Duroc)

You see Duroc?

(to merchant)

and the Bourbons?

MERCHANT

Bah! Who thinks of them?

BONAPARTE

There are always conspiracies.

MERCHANT

Yes, because, until he was Emperor and the succession was not settled in his family, they hoped to return if they assassinated him. But when one must assassinate his three brothers -- the whole world -- bah! And yet, the First Consul is wrong. He exposes himself too much. They say at night he goes out disguised. Well -- what prevents an assassin?

DUROC

The Citizen is right; the First consul is wrong. You understand?

BONAPARTE

Yes -- but isn't this the way to learn what people really think of me? Don't you realize that the imaginary danger that I run is well purchased by the pleasure of listening to my praise, to see all the nation regard me as a savior? Duroc, when one day perhaps they call me a usurper, I will have the need for the voice of my conscience to say "The sole legitimate sovereign is the nation's choice and who more than you is the legitimate sovereign?"

(During this time, a man has approached him, drawn a dagger and is about to strike when the spy throws himself between them.)

DUROC

Assassin!

SPY

(who has deflected the blow)

One throws one self before the knife, one receives the blow, and one doesn't cry out.

BONAPARTE

Silence! I am going to be recognized in the midst of this tumult. Give your purse to this man who has saved me, and ask his name. Till tomorrow, at the Tuileries.

DUROC

(to the Spy)

The person you have saved desires to know your name?

SPY

Have I asked his?

DUROC

Here's his purse.

SPY

(showing his arm!)

Here's my blood!

DUROC

Take it.

SPY

(throwing the purse to the people)

Here my friends, drink to the health of the First consul. It was he who was just now among you.

ALL

Long live the First Consul!

(Blackout)

Third Tableau

An apartment in the Tuileries.

CHARLES

(entering)

Nine-thirty. The First Consul is late.

JOSEPHINE

(at the door) Charles! Charles

CHARLES

Ah, madame!

JOSEPHINE

My husband has not yet left his chamber?

CHARLES

You know he told me not to wake him unless I had bad news and today I've only good news.

JOSEPHINE

For everybody?

CHARLES

Yes.

JOSEPHINE

(eagerly)

He signed it?

CHARLES

Yesterday.

JOSEPHINE

And did he grumble?

CHARLES

A little -- he felt that six thousand francs debt in six months. . .

JOSEPHINE

Nine months.

CHARLES

Well -- nine months -- he found, I say...

JOSEPHINE

Charles, if he knew.

CHARLES

Ah, madam, what are you going to tell me?

JOSEPHINE

Charles, you who are his friend since college --

CHARLES

Oh my god, you terrify me.

JOSEPHINE

If he knew that I hadn't dared to admit...

CHARLES

The three quarters -- the two.. -

JOSEPHINE

(low voice)

The half

CHARLES

Twelve hundred thousand francs of debts. Do you know what the nation grants the First Consul?

JOSEPHINE

Yes, five hundred thousand francs.

CHARLES

Well, this includes all pensions, bonuses, special funds -- all is covered there.

JOSEPHINE

Charles, I swear to you, it isn't my fault.

CHARLES

Let's see -- in good conscience! I've seen a memo from Leroy. Thirty four hats in one month.

JOSEPHINE

Ah you know that Bonaparte doesn't like to see me wear the same hat; all the time.

CHARLES

Yes, but 34 in one month: so you can wear two per day.

JOSEPHINE

No, but the clothiers torment me -- they send me boxes full of objects of the best taste. I don't know which to select; they tell me to take them all as if they didn't need any money. I let myself be tempted, then without my knowing it -- it adds up to enormous sums.

CHARLES

Twelve hundred thousand francs!

JOSEPHINE

Oh, beside all that wasn't for my clothes. Don't I have my pensions also? My widows, my orphans? A hand turned towards me can it be sent away empty?

CHARLES

Yes, I know that you are kind.

JOSEPHINE

If you knew how fine it feels to give! Can I tell them to pray for the first Consul -- for me.

CHARLES

For you! And could you want to?

JOSEPHINE

Charles -- I am sometimes very unhappy -- ah, it's not Bonaparte who -- no, you know that he is good to me! But, Emperor, Emperor -- will he always be the master? Charles, has he ever spoken to you of divorce?

CHARLES

Never.

JOSEPHINE

Oh, if he spoke to you of it, Charles, in the name of heaven, in the name of that which is most sacred in the world -- oh... Ah, there he is. I'm going to escape. Charles, don't speak to him of the 600,000 francs that remain. Later! Much later!

CHARLES

And the weight on the Treasury?

JOSEPHINE

Oh -- let me forget.

(Exit Josephine)

After a moment, Bonaparte enters with a Hussar.

BONAPARTE

(to the usher)

A man will come this morning. He will say two words: "Toulon and Liberty". You will bring him to me by this door.

(the usher leaves)

Sit down Charles -- we will have work to do today. Have you the papers? What do they say?

CHARLES

The French papers?

BONAPARTE

No they say only what I wish. I know in advance what's in them. The foreign papers?

CHARLES

The English papers speak of war and protest their love of peace.

BONAPARTE

Their love for peace! And why then, don't they observe the treaty of Amiens? Why do they refuse, against all their promises to protect Malta, the storehouse of the Mediterranean, the resupply point for Egypt? I would much prefer to abandon the Faubourg Saint Antoine to them!

(Enter the usher with the Spy)

USHER

Here's someone who waits to be the 1st Consul.

(the spy enters enveloped in a cape. Charles wishes to withdraw, Bonaparte signals him to stay)

BONAPARTE

Well, what news?

SPY

(pointing the Charles)

We are not alone.

BONAPARTE

Speak low. What do they say of the coronation?

SPY

That is the general wish.

BONAPARTE

And the Jacobins? Are they still plotting?

SPY

You are forewarned against them: Neither the Jacobins nor the republicans are to be feared: it's the royalists.

BONAPARTE

No matter -- my police are not good.

SPY

I believe it.

BONAPARTE

I just missed being assassinated yesterday at St. Cloud.

SPY

I know it.

BONAPARTE

How?

SPY

I was there.

BONAPARTE

Who sent you?

SPY

No one.

BONAPARTE

A man saved my life.

SPY

By throwing himself before the assassin.

BONAPARTE

He received a blow.

(The spy opens his cloak and shows his arm.)

BONAPARTE

In the arm.

(After a silence.)

BONAPARTE

What, it was you?

SPY

You see that a spy can be of use just as the police -- when there is nothing to be gained from a dagger.

BONAPARTE

What can I do for you? What do you want?

SPY

For me? And what are the titles or ranks bestowed to a spy? One gives them money -- and you don't let me lack that or one gives them orders -- I wait on yours.

BONAPARTE

Well then, go back to the neediest of the populace, to whom I am going in an hour. Go through the crowd to Notre-Dame. Say that the Emperor Napoleon will love his subjects better than the First Consul loved his citizens. Say -- Say whatever your devotion to me inspires you to.

(The spy leaves)

What a strange fellow he is!

BONAPARTE

It's useless for you to say, my dear secretary, that France has had enough of the Republic. The Directory has done more against it than the Mountain. And you see that it remains full of old Romans. Of 3 million 374,688 votes, 2,569 only are negative. You see there that it is France itself which gives me the title Emperor, not I who take it.

CHARLES

You Majesty no matter what you do --

BONAPARTE

No, no, keep saying Citizen First Consul:

(looking at his watch)

You have one more hour to be a republican -- well -- what were you saying?

CHARLES

I said, Citizen First Consul, that no matter what you do, the Kings of Europe will always regard you as their inferior.

BONAPARTE

Well, I will dethrone them all -- and then I will be the Elder.

CHARLES

Take care, if you remake the bed of the Bourbons not to sleep in 10 years.

BONAPARTE

My dear secretary! Give me the list of Marshals of the Empire -- so I may sign it. Read the names.

CHARLES

Bertheir, Murat, Morcey, Jaurdan, Massena, Augereau, Bernadotte, Soult, Brune, Launes, Mortier, Ney, Davoust, Bessieres, Kellerman, Lefebre, Perignon and Serrurier.

BONAPARTE

Eighteen republicans! Well, you will see if one refuses the baton of Marshall, because it is given to him from the hand of an Emperor. I have only one regret today. It is to be unable to join to this list of names, the names of Desaix and Kleber. Your miserable Directory! If they had not forgotten me or rather kept me confined in Egypt. If they had sent me, as they had sworn to do, men and money I wouldn't have returned like a fugitive. It is true that happened. I have taken my revenge. What immense projects their hovel of Saint Jean d'Arc has reversed. If I had taken it, if I had found in the city the treasure of the Pasha and weapons for 300,000 men! I would have raised and armed Syria. I'd have marched on Damascus and Aleppo; I'd have enlarged my army with all the Christians and Druses and with the malcontents I'd recruited. I would have moved inland with massive armies. I'd have arrived at Constantinople. In place of the Turkish Empire I would have founded a new and greater Empire which would have fixed my place in history, and perhaps I would have returned to Paris by way of Adrianople or Vienna after having annihilated the house of Austria. All that could have been and now all that must be done over.

(a silence)

How many invasion ships has the Port of Boulogne?

CHARLES

Nine hundred! And when is our entry into London?

BONAPARTE

I don't know yet. Oh! It's by way of India that one attacks England -- it's in her commerce and not in her government -- that she must be weakened. When I am master of all the ports on the Mediterranean and the Ocean, when under pain of disobeying my will they cannot receive an English sail -- we shall see.

CHARLES

But for that, you must have a European monarch.

BONAPARTE

(starting to scribble)

Yes, when I have that! Fool that I am! These are the best pens.

CHARLES

Those I have sharpened myself. Since I must decipher your writing, it is in my interest that you write as legibly as possible.

BONAPARTE

Yes, Yes.

(watching him fixedly)

What do you think of me Charles?

CHARLES

Why I think you resemble a facile architect. You build behind a scaffold that you will let fall when you are finished.

BONAPARTE

You are right. I didn't see that in two years. Write. "The Polytechnic School will henceforth receive an entirely military organization. The students will wear uniforms and the barracks be subject to discipline." I intend to make a nursery for great men. These will be generals for my successor. I've done well to remove a letter from my name: I gain a signature on nine.

CHARLES

You wish to sign?

(The sound of clocks is heard)

BONAPARTE

Let me hear the sound of the clocks. You know how much I love it.

CHARLES

Especially to the sound of those which tell you that in half an hour, the First Consul Bonaparte will be the Emperor Napoleon.

BONAPARTE

You are mistaken. They remind me of my first years at Brienne. I was happy then.

(Enter Josephine)

BONAPARTE

Well, what are you doing here, Josephine? Will you leave us, Charles?

(Charles Leaves)

BONAPARTE

You are not yet in costume.

JOSEPHINE

No, no my friend. This imperial mantle costs me something to wear. Oh tell me, don't you have ominous feelings?

BONAPARTE

Me? No -- and what kind?

JOSEPHINE

Don't you fear that fortune will not favor you under this new title? Fortune will find you under a tent, but you look for it on a throne.

BONAPARTE

Child! Eh! Will I ever be anything but the soldier of Toulon, the General of Areble, or the Consul of Marengo? My fortune will always follow me -- why do you wish to stop me when I am going to touch the end? Why won't Bonaparte's star shine for Napoleon?

JOSEPHINE

Oh -- aren't you grand enough?

BONAPARTE

Do you believe it was a vain ambition which made me desire a new title? Be advised, I don't over estimate my own worth. Or do you think that the imperial mantle or the hand of justice will give me a higher opinion of myself? Europe is old and my mission is to regenerate it. I must accomplish this. If I didn't wish to be emperor, even so, the people would elevate me in spite of myself to the imperial shield. I do wish it, because, at the same time, I alone can save France, and I alone can consolidate it. As a general, a bullet could prevent me, and with me would be lost my victories. If I were a Consul, a coup d'etat or an assassin's blow could dispose of me as I have disposed of the Directory; Consul for life and an assassin would suffice. And that would-be assassin Cadoudal still waits in the lock-up to be punished for a crime he doesn't even attempt to deny. During the four years of the Consulate, France's life is placed on my head. The Empire and heredity can alone -- but I am crazy to discuss politics with you, pretty, pretty, councilor dressed in gauze and lace! No, my Josephine, no more discussion. It tires your eyes and your mouth and both ought to smile. Assuage the unfortunate, buy silk and incur debts. That's your vocation and don't try to stop mine. It isn't the happiest.

JOSEPHINE

Pardon! But I still wish to say --

BONAPARTE

What?

JOSEPHINE

You speak of heredity? For whom?

BONAPARTE

I will have a son. Destiny has not led me so high to abandon me suddenly. Perhaps I will be unhappy one day; but it will be when there is nothing left to grant me -- having everything, all I will be able to do is descend. My existence is one of those great combinations of fate that fortune intends to complete in its happiness as in its dreams -- Josephine, I will have a son!

JOSEPHINE

My God! What then is your intention? Listen. I will adopt whoever you wish, any child you present to me saying, "Love him", I will love as I love Eugene -- my Eugene! This will be my son -- as dear as if I had carried him in my womb.

BONAPARTE

Well -- Josephine, yes, if fate refuses me a son. Yes, I will adopt someone worthy of me, who will have the heart of his mother and the courage of his father. Do you understand me?

JOSEPHINE

Oh! I dare not hope.

BONAPARTE

Hope.

JOSEPHINE

Eugene.

BONAPARTE

Eugene Beauharnais.

JOSEPHINE

Oh my friend! My Bonaparte!

BONAPARTE

Go my empress! Notre Dame awaits you, and I have a crown to put on your beautiful head.

JOSEPHINE

(with melancholy)

Friend, I like the flowers of Malmaison better.

(Josephine leaves.)

BONAPARTE

Excellent Josephine! What's the matter Charles?

CHARLES

(entering)

The Senate comes to beg you to accept the Empire.

BONAPARTE

In an instant, I will receive them.

(Exit Bonaparte)

(Enter Labredeche, Ushers)

LABREDECHE

(in the antechamber speaking with an Italian accent)

I tella you I am from the society of our Holy Father, da Pope. A musician of his chapel.

(singing in falsetto)

See! and that I've come to take the orders of his Majesty, the Emperor -- I mean to say the First Consul.

CHARLES

(aside)

Oh my God, this man once more! The most intrepid solicitor that I know. And who always has a dead relative, victim of some other government. Well -- what is it?

LABREDECHE

Ah, citizen secretary -- Let me shake hands with you, citizen ushers -- they are veritable jailers. I have been obliged to renounce my French nationality of which I am so proud on this immortal day -- in order to get here.

CHARLES

Well sir, here you are -- what do you want?

LABREDECHE

Don't you recognize me?

CHARLES

On the contrary, I recall you from '98.

LABREDECHE

I solicited.

CHARLES

And from 1802.

LABREDECHE

I solicited again.

CHARLES

And now again.

LABREDECHE

I always solicit. What do you want? It isn't my fault. It, the fault of those who won't give me what I ask. But I hope under the paternal government of his Majesty the Emperor -- I will yet obtain justice -- for you know that my father.

CHARLES

Yes, yes.

LABREDECHE

My unfortunate father is dead -- a victim of his devotion to the Republic, combating the Chouans.

CHARLES

Ah! Your father was a Republican?

LABREDECHE

No, no.

(aside)

What the devil have I said -- the day of the coronation.

CHARLES

Royalist then?

LABREDECHE

Royalist? Still less, sir.

CHARLES

But then he was one or the other?

LABREDECHE

He was monarchist, sir.

(aside)

That's the right word.

(aloud)

But not a partisan of the old monarchy, no no -- he dreamed of a new dynasty -- a military throne -- he said as did Voltaire -- "the first became king" -- How happy he would be today -- if he weren't dead -- a victim of --

CHARLES

But you're never been able to support your claims by a death certificate.

LABREDECHE

What do you want? The archives burned. I hope to have part of the benefits that will be granted on the occasion of a great day.

CHARLES

But if you are so devoted to the Emperor, why not enlist? His Majesty will have need of men.

LABREDECHE

Enlist -- me? Me? I am the only child of a widow.

(aside)

Having killed my father, I'd better revive my mother.

(aloud)

But with your protection, Citizen Secretary -- if you would --

CHARLES

Give it here.

LABREDECHE

Twelve hundred francs -- a pension of twelve hundred francs or a place in the bureaucracy

(near the bureau)

When I think that the great man sat here even yesterday --

(returning)

You see a place in the bureaucracy would perhaps be more agreeable than a pension -- because in the bureaucracy. A situation of fifteen hundred francs with a little economy, one can put, by six or seven thousand francs on the side.

(dreaming of the bureau)

That it was on this desk he signed his immortal decrees -- that this pen, still wet with ink is that with which he will sign my pension. Because, all things considered, I prefer a pension to a place -- it doesn't entail hours in an office -- it presents itself every trimester -- every trimester -- right?

CHARLES

Yes.

LABREDECHE

Be easy, I will be precise. Sir, you are good enough to tell me that you regard this favor as already granted.

CHARLES

Me? Not at all!

LABREDECHE

I beg your pardon indeed -- this all escapes you. But you wish avoid my recognition that you're a fine fellow. If I could show you my soul, you would see it isn't unworthy, sir. Here's the pen -- here's the petition -- a signature by Bonaparte, I mean to say by Napoleon --

CHARLES

I will put it before his eyes. That's all I can tell you.

LABREDECHE

(aside)

And I will run all the way to Notre Dame to put it before him again because this one will forget me.

(aloud)

Goodbye sir, Goodbye my benefactor! I'm going to join my voice to all those who praise and bless him!

(to usher)

You see I am with the Citizen Secretary: he desires that henceforth I never wait in the antechamber

(Exit Labredeche)

CHARLES

Usher -- did you see that gentleman who just left?

USHER

Yes, sir.

CHARLES

Well, remember never to let him enter again.

(Blackout)

Fourth Tableau

The Garden of the Tuileries.

(Lorrain is seen amongst the people, Bourgeois, soldiers.)

SEVERAL VOICES

There he is! There he is! No -- yes -- not yet.

VOICES

I tell you that the cortege is going to pass at eleven o'clock precisely. Here's the schedule.

GENTLEMAN

It's eleven-fifteen.

LORRAIN

Say then, have you been charged with making the roll call citizen? It seems to me that he is free to leave when he wishes.

WOMAN

They say that Empress is sick.

LORRAIN

I believe rather it's the Pope. When we had surrounded him at Avignon -- he was already very sick, that he made me feel bad.

GENTLEMAN

Oh no -- he's very well.

LORRAIN

Ah -- he's all right? That's why my commanding officer who commanded his escort was so frightened the Pope would die on his hands. So he got a receipt from the officer of the other escort bringing the Pope to Paris from Avignon. He put on the aforesaid receipt "(Received a pope in bad condition)" That's what good shape he's in. So it's probably His Holiness who makes us all wait.

(Enter Labredeche)

(Then Bonaparte at the Balcony of the Tuileries)

LABREDECHE

(to Lorrain)

Not at all, my friend, not at all -- it is the Emperor receiving the Senate -- Me, I just left the Emperor's office -- but for that nothing could have kept me.

PEOPLE

Ah, the window's opening.

GENTLEMEN

He's going to appear -- the Emperor is coming to the balcony -- here he is -- here he is.

LABREDECHE

Let me pass.

LORRAIN

Say then citizen you have a sharp elbow I tell you that.

WOMAN

He's dishonest, this man. You see indeed that you cannot pass.

LORRAIN

The Emperor must see me.

LABREDECHE

The Emperor must listen to me.

ALL

Here he is! Here he is!

ALL

Long Live the First consul.

(Bonaparte salutes the crowd.)

ALL

Long Live the Emperor.

LABREDECHE

Long live Napoleon the Great.

LORRAIN

(taking off his hat)

Long live General Bonaparte.

(CURTAIN)

ACT III

Fifth Tableau

The interior of the Palace of the King at Dresden.

BONAPARTE

(dictating to Berthier)

Arrived at the Niemen, the army disposes itself thus: at the extreme right leaving from Galicia by way of Droguizzin - Prince Schwarzenberg and 34,000 Austrians -- to their left coming from Varsovy and marching through Bialy stock and Grodno, the King of Westphalia with 69,200 Westphalian Saxons and Poles, beside them Prince Eugene reuniting, towards Mariendal and Peinoy 79,500 Bavarians, Italians and French, then the Emperor with 220 thousand men commanded by the King of Naples and the Prince d'Eckmuhl, the Dukes of Dantzig, d'Istria, de Reggio, d'Elchingen. Then before Tilsit, MacDonald and 32,500 Prussians, Bavarians, Poles, form the extreme left of the Grand Army." So Berthier, how many men in motion from the Guadalquiver and the Sea of Calobria to the Vistula?

BERTHIER

617,000

BONAPARTE

How many infantry?

BERTHIER

Four hundred twenty thousand.

BONAPARTE

How many bridge pontoons?

BERTHIER

Six.

BONAPARTE

Carriages and food wagons?

BERTHIER

11,000.

BONAPARTE

Cannons?

BERTHIER

1372.

BONAPARTE

Good.

BERTHIER

And does your Majesty, count on the 60,000 Austrians, Prussians and Spanish who marched in the Army?

BONAPARTE

Yes.

BERTHIER

Your majesty doesn't fear that they have not forgotten Wagram, Jena and Saragossa?

BONAPARTE

They won't forget, so long as I conquer. One must help one's self by one's conquests to conquer yet again -- besides the campaign won't be lengthy. It's a political war, I am attacking the English in Russia. Then they will be quiet -- the fifth act, the denouement. Date my orders from here -- from Dresden and send my orders to the papers in Paris. You will come with Caulaincourt, Murat, Ney and our other Marshalls.

BERTHIER

Will your Majesty receive this morning the Kings of Wurtemberg, Prussia and Westphalia and several others who wish to pay their court to your Majesty?

BONAPARTE

Later! I'm waiting for Talma. Invite them to this spectacle for this evening and I will receive them there. Go!

(Exit Bertier)

(Enter an usher)

USHER

Mr. Talma

BONAPARTE

Have him come in.

(Talma Enters, the usher leaves)

BONAPARTE

You've been waiting for some time, Talma.

TALMA

Sire, it's not my fault. On entering the court, I found myself in the midst of an embarrassment of Kings from whom I had great trouble in extricating myself.

BONAPARTE

When did you get here?

TALMA

Yesterday evening, sire.

BONAPARTE

Are you too fatigued to play today?

TALMA

No, sire.

BONAPARTE

Remember, you will have a theatre of crowned heads -- what news of the Theatre Francais?

TALMA

Some quarrels.

BONAPARTE

Endlessly! Between -- ?

TALMA

Between the societaires for the roles, for the jobs.

BONAPARTE

I will regulate all this from Moscow. Your Republic of the rue Richelieu gives me more trouble than some kingdoms.

TALMA

And what shall I play? Mahomet?

BONAPARTE

No, no -- they will take that as an excuse for an application to me. Besides since I've seen Egypt, I find Voltaire more false than I used to.

TALMA

I have sometimes heard your Majesty praise Voltaire's Oedipus.

BONAPARTE

The ancient fatality followed him. You see, the entire theatre of Voltaire is a system of which '93 is the last play. But tell me Talma, how do you explain with his hatred for Kings his exaggerated praise for Louis XIV, King of Opera, who fully understood the "mise en scene" of royalty, nothing more, who gave 6,000 francs pension to Boileau and let Corneille die of hunger. -- Corneille I would have made minister if he had lived in my time.

TALMA

I see I shall play Corneille tonight.

BONAPARTE

Yes, he's always beautiful without ever being false. He aggrandizes the heroes he creates -- he doesn't force them to lower themselves to enter the little stairways of Versailles and the doors of L'Oeil de-boeuf. His Greeks are Greeks, his Romans, Romans. They are nude naked arms and legs and don't dress in the livery of Louis XIV.

TALMA

Your Majesty seems to me quite severe.

BONAPARTE

Ah, I don't like your modern literature, Talma. It has taken more trouble to separate itself from its two great models Corneille and Moliere than the Greeks took to resemble Aeschylus and Aristophanes, Legouvé and Belloy had both the intention of giving us a national literature, but like the guardians charged with protecting medieval monuments, who whiten the old statues -- sleeping on the old tombs -- Du Belloy white washes Bayard and Legoure regrets Henry IV. When we imitate the Greeks, it must be on Greek subjects and then not discard their beautiful simplicity. Take the Agamemnon of Lemercier. It's not necessary now to come there, Talma, when one speaks of nature. I suppose one day they'll put me in a play. Me! Believe me, I will appear like myself only to the extent I will speak in sonorous phrases and bold gestures, whereas I, poor fellow, have eloquence only by and govern this world with bayonets.

TALMA

Your Majesty must see that your opinion is mine.

BONAPARTE

Yes, yes, you are always simple and natural. Moreover, it's taken a long time for you to be understood. You will play the role of Augustus, Talma -- and I wish Czar Alexander were here to hear you say, "Let's be friends, Cinna." Goodbye -- here's Caulaincourt, whom I've been asking for.

TALMA

Goodbye sire.

(Enter Caulaincourt)

BONAPARTE

By the way, they said it's you who taught me to hold my throne. It's because of that I play the role so well. Till this evening,

(exit Talma. Napoleon turns to Caulaincourt )

I am not pleased with you Caulaincourt.

CAULAINCOURT

(advancing)

And how have I had the misfortune to displease Your Majesty?

BONAPARTE

You loudly censure the Russian campaign.

CAULAINCOURT

Yes, sire.

BONAPARTE

And what are your motives? Speak -- you know I love to be frank.

CAULAINCOURT

Sire, up to now we have fought only with men and we have won. But Russia! It isn't possible except from June to October. Except for this interval between these two epochs our army is engaged in deserts of mud or ice and perishes entirely without glory. Lithuania is more like Asia than Spain is like Africa. The French won't recognize themselves in a country whose frontier has no limit. They cannot remain without weakening themselves. It is to lose France in Europe for when Europe becomes France, there will be no more France. Already before the departure of your Majesty, it is left solitary, deserted, without a chief, without an army. Who will defend it then?

BONAPARTE

My renown. I leave it my name and the fear which an armed nation inspires.

CAULAINCOURT

I am not speaking of success -- but in case of retreat. What will support your Majesty? The Prussians, whom we devoured less than five years ago, and whose alliance is only a feint or forced?

BONAPARTE

Am I not assured of Prussia's tranquility by the care I have taken (leaving no stone unturned) even in the case of a defeat? Do you forget I hold in my hand its police and military? Besides, can I not count on seven Kings who owe me their new titles? Don't six marriages league France with the house of Baden, Bavaria, and Austria? All the sovereigns of Europe ought they not to be as frightened as I am of the military and conquering government of Russia, it's savage population which increases by a half million a year? What means my absence? Different parties in the interior of the Empire? I see only one -- that of some royalists. Well, do I really need them? When I subdued them I really wronged myself in the minds of the people? The King of the 3rd estate -- not being on the throne it followed I must subdue it as I have done -- by glory. A simple citizen as I was, become sovereign as I am -- cannot be stopped -- he must rise without cease -- or he'll fall back down, rest assured, when he remains stationary. These men that my fortune has raised after it had already more than enough for a marshall's baton. It's they who would exchange it for a scepter or a crown. My family tugs at all sides of my imperial mantle -- each calls for a throne or at least a grand duchy. It seems to hear my friends that I have devoured the inheritance of the deceased king, our father. Well, the way to contain all these ambitions, to realize all these hopes -- is war, always war! And do you believe that I am not bored of war? The Emperor Alexander stands alone facing the summit of the immense edifice I have raised. He stands young, full of life. His forces are augmenting when already mine decrease. He waits only for my death to tear from my cadaver the scepter of Europe. It's necessary that I prevent this danger while Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Prussia and Austria march under my eagles, and that I consolidate the great Empire while disposing of Alexander and the power of Russia, weakened by the loss of all Poland and Borysthenia.

CAULAINCOURT

Your Majesty speaks of his death, and if, on the battlefield, where it is exposed like the least of his soldiers -- ?

BONAPARTE

You fear the war will end my days? Now is the time of conspiracies. They wanted to frighten me with Cadoudal. He intends to fire on me? Well he killed my aide-decamp. When my hour is come, a fever, a fall from a horse in the hunt will kill me as effectively as a bullet. The days are written.

CAULAINCOURT

Sire.

BONAPARTE

(conducting him to a window)

Do you see the height of that star?

CAULAINCOURT

No, sire.

BONAPARTE

Look closely.

CAULAINCOURT

I don't see it, sire.

BONAPARTE

Well, I - I see it. Let's go to the salon. The time for the reception has come.

(The enter the salon at center, the door remains open)

USHER

(announcing)

His Majesty - the King of Saxony
His Majesty - the King of Wurtemberg
His Majesty - the Emperor of Austria
His Majesty - the King of Naples
His Majesty - the King of Bavaria
His Majesty - the King of Prussia

(As each King enters. Napoleon greets him.)

(Blackout)

Sixth Tableau

The Heights of Borodino.

(Murat, and an officer at the head of a column.)

SOLDIER

Halt.

MURAT

(to his domestic servant)

Julien take care of my hors and bring me another. Wash the wound he received in his flank with eau de vie and salt. And get me a saber heavier than this one. These Russians must be split right down the middle before they fall.

SOLDIER

It's very happy to meet them, these scoundrels here. We've marched four hundred leagues and we haven't yet had the

pleasure of saying two words to them except at Vitepsk and at Smolensk.

MURAT

I believe they are waiting for us here, my brave ones. Bagration, Barclay and Koutosof are reunited and we will have need of luck tomorrow, or I'm much mistaken.

(throwing one of his gloves)

Here, the tent of the Emperor. Here's mine. And you all around us -- sleep with your arms and with only one eye shut.

DOMESTIC

(entering)

Here's the saber, your Majesty asked for -- your horse awaits you.

MURAT

Good -- Gentlemen -- come with me to inspect the flanks.

(Exit Murat.)

(The soldiers begin bivouacking.)

FIRST SOLDIER

Here's one who has good legs -- about time.

SECOND SOLDIER

They say he intends to become King of the Cossacks.

THIRD SOLDIER

Bah -- and his realm of Naples?

FIRST SOLDIER

They'll give him another one then! Oh that's it! What is there for the saucepan, children?

(turning)

Tell us then, old veterans, can we ask you for a smoke? These gay dogs! They have great boiled beef broth!

Ah! That's it! You see take it to the troops and there'll be order everywhere.

(the soldiers open successively their knapsacks)

Flour, flour, and more flour. Well, with that we will have a first course of pudding, and a second course of pudding and a third course of pudding. Thousand gods! In Prussia, in Germany, they always have some turkey and chicken.

(Enter Lorrain, passing an egg in front of his nose)

LORRAIN

What's that you say, there old boy?

FIRST SOLDIER

I say that if it was in our pudding it would give it a famous color.

LORRAIN

(putting the egg in the saucepan)

Well, watch out for a splash and make a place by the fire, place of a soldier. Nothing to it because they cannot read. The space of the hand between the knees -- there!

FIRST SOLDIER

Ah, so -- but where are you come from? You are not of our squad.

LORRAIN

I've come from Andalusia, and I give the Andalusians to you.

(he blows a kiss)

I didn't tell you that. As for the Spanish men, you see, they're comical -- capes which march and swords that never rest -- that's all.

FIRST SOLDIER

And what do they eat? Do they eat?

LORRAIN

They eat garlic and chocolate or chocolate and garlic. I don't know exactly. This is called noble like Abraham's thigh. It hasn't a sou in its pocket, it's dry like tinderwood, black like a coal and it smokes like a frying pan. That's your Spaniard.

FIRST SOLDIER

They're a pretty people all the same.

LORRAIN

And the Russians -- what are they like? For one must got to know one's new friends.

FIRST SOLDIER

But the Cavalry -- that are vulgarly called Cossacks -- they're horses with ropes, lances with nails, faces with beards. As to what they eat -- one cannot say -- one cannot find anything in the country -- not even a specimen.

LORRAIN

And the country itself -- is it agricultural?

FIRST SOLDIER

Agreeable?

LORRAIN

Agreeable or agricultural, as you prefer.

FIRST SOLDIER

Not at all! For example, this fog has to be cut with a knife.

LORRAIN

Fog -- there's a great affair! I've been in some countries where the cavaliers are used only to polish their boots -- because of the Poles.

FIRST SOLDIER

(to his neighbor)

What did he say?

SECOND SOLDIER

I don't know. He said the Poles.

THIRD SOLDIER

Bah! Your Spaniards! A pretty people. Not gay at all.

LORRAIN

Not gay. They sing all day.

THIRD SOLDIER

What?

LORRAIN

Vespers.

THIRD SOLDIER

Thanks.

LORRAIN

Listen to me. I'm going to give you an idea of the national song. It's the story of an old Christian -- brave man -- word of honor. Listen -- the refrain and chorus (to Drummer). Let's see -- Give your 'la' there.

(he pulls out castanets)

And you too -- fife it! Forward, march!

Death surprised in a corner
    The Valorous Don Sancho
He is dead; cup in his snout
    Sleeping on his board.

(with castanets)

        Tra, tra, etc.

Son of a proud nobleman.
    Born in Castille
Where -- with piety
    His mother died -- as a virgin
        Tra, tra, etc.

A quarter of an hour before his death
    His redoubtable father
Named him beneficiary
    Of a fortune he did not have
        Tra, tra, etc.

From scarcity when the wind
    Into his kitchen blew in
He treated himself gravely to
    The tune of a mandolin
        Tra, tra, etc.

The blue and red of flowers
    Shined on his sash
Cupid suspended hearts on the
    Hook of his mustache
        Tra, tra, etc.

This one is sung with crepe on your arm, tears in your eyes

(with a frown)

To pay for his burial
    His decrepit mistresses
With their rings of gold
    Sold their falsies.

(noise of a drum)

SOLDIER

The Emperor!

ALL

(rising)

The Emperor.

LORRAIN

The Emperor. Sacred dog! It's four years since we last saw each other. We are going to find each other much changed.

(Enter Napoleon, Davoust, and his suite.)

BONAPARTE

Good evening boys -- good evening. I intend to spend this night with you. It seems then they are going to wait for us.

FIRST SOLDIER

Because they don't evacuate at night from custom.

BONAPARTE

No, no -- Murat has recognized their fires. It's a decisive battle boys -- like at the Pyramids -- my braves -- for you were there.

FIRST SOLDIER

A few.

BONAPARTE

(to another)

You remember Austerlitz -- it was there you got the Cross ...

SECOND SOLDIER

For having ...

BONAPARTE

... captured a flag! Well are you content, my friends? Your captain does he take care of you? Is your money paid on time?

FIRST SOLDIER

Oh, the money is current. It's only the rations that are late.

BONAPARTE

Let's see your soup (tastes it). It's good.

FIRST SOLDIER

I believe it! I broke an egg in it. A raw egg which came from the Midi. A sign of cold.

BONAPARTE

(aside)

Yes, a sign of cold.

(aloud)

But we will leave a great fire at Moscow my friend -- and we will stay there till spring -- I'm thirsty -- is there water in the canteen?

LORRAIN

No -- but I saw a source coming here. Wait.

(Lorrain goes out)

BONAPARTE

(to Prince d'Eckmuhl)

Davoust, do you know that the retreat of these people astonishes me! All is burned on the way. This resembles a deliberate plan. They say that all their positions have been taken stage by stage from the first. Alexander is silent. I have neglected no opportunity to propose peace to him. It's necessary that I take Moscow to make him decide -- if not, we will take winter quarters.

(Enter Lorrain, face covered with blood carrying water)

LORRAIN

Here's water.

BONAPARTE

What happened to you?

LORRAIN

Nothing. I didn't see a ravine and I rolled down. Story of a quick arrival.

BONAPARTE

Wipe off the blood, it prevents seeing your scars.

(After having drunk).

Your water is excellent. Your scars become you. Ah -- here's one that I never saw before.

LORRAIN

Ah -- it's Spanish. A gift from a senior who sent it to me from behind a hedge. My map to the next world. Happily I stopped halfway there.

BONAPARTE

You cannot read -- right?

LORRAIN

No, sire, but it's no shame -- it's my father's fault.

BONAPARTE

For brave men like you who don't know how to write, I've created stations as guards of the Eagles. They have the grade of officer. They are those who watch each side of the flag and they have other functions besides defending it. I make you guard of the Eagle of the 6th.

LORRAIN

Thanks, my Emperor. Come, Come! Here's my marshall's baton.

(Napoleon retires under his tent with Davoust. Then Murat enters. )

BONAPARTE

Ah, there you are, Murat. Well?

MURAT

They are holding. The forts stretch the length of the Moscova river. All this indicates that tomorrow we will find them in their trenches.

BONAPARTE

It will be an artillery battle that decides things -- so much the better.

MURAT

(to Davoust)

Speaking of artillery, prince -- Yesterday one of your batteries refused to fire on my express order. Why?

DAVOUST

Because I manage my soldiers and I don't shed their blood except when it's absolutely necessary.

MURAT

Yes, you are prudent.

DAVOUST

And Your Majesty is too daring -- besides we'll see what remains of your cavalry at the end of the campaign. It belongs to you and you can dispose of it -- as for the Infantry of the 1st Corps, it will be under my orders, and I will not allow it to be squandered.

MURAT

Do you forget that if you command the Infantry I command you? The Emperor has placed you under my orders.

DAVOUST

Your Majesty condescends to battle with a simple Marshall?

MURAT

I even battle with a Cossack.

BONAPARTE

(rolling a bullet with his foot)

That's enough gentlemen -- I desire that in the future you work better together, for you are both necessary to me. Murat with his boldness and you Davoust with your prudence. Go get your sleep -- you won't find it useless for tomorrow's work.

(they leave)

This will be a terrible battle -- but I have 80,000 men. I will lose 20,000. I will enter Moscow with 60,000 the trainees will rejoin us, then the marching battalions and we will be stronger than before the battle. Four hours from dawn. All sleep. Only I watch with my thoughts -- thoughts of war and destruction! Oh sleep, children, dream of your mothers and your country -- tomorrow thousands of you will be sleeping again but on frozen and bloody earth.

(pause)

What a strange fortune is mine! A man as obscure as they are -- who leads in his wake millions of men! Oh, there are moments when I am alone, face to face with my genius, I tremble because I doubt! If I believed that my star was only audacity and my genius -- chance. What a frightful responsibility -- a life that so many million men will rise one day, bloody and mutilated to accuse me before God and say, "You had no mission to do what you have done -- so let the tears and the blood fall back on your head." Oh -- it's impossible! What men! Don't they speak of a race apart having several existences to lose? It's thirteen years since with them I tested the Orient through Egypt and broke them against it's gates. In the interval we've conquered Europe -- and here they are coming from the North into Asia to be broken again, perhaps? Who has shoved them into this wandering and adventurous life? They are not barbarians seeking for better climates, better living conditions, spectacles more drunken -- on the contrary, they possess all their wealth, they have abandoned it to live without shelter, without bread, and to fall each successive day -- dead or mutilated on the road I travel -- which embraces the circle of the globe that I sow with graves and that leads to immortality, to nothingness.

(one hears the reveille)

The day -- already day.

(everybody is up)

Well, Duroc?

(Enter Duroc, followed by several Marshalls.)

DUROC

The enemy is holding his position.

BONAPARTE

Let's attack! My friend -- there's the Sun of Austerlitz.

MURAT

What are Your Majesty's orders?

BONAPARTE

(to the Marshalls who surround him)

Here's the general plan! During the combat my aides de camps will carry my special orders to you. Eugene will be the pivot. The right will engage first. Under cover of the woods it will take the opposing forts, it will move to it's left, working on the Russian Flank, rolling and driving back all their army on their right and into the Kalouga. Three batteries of cannons each will be trained on the Russian forts, two on their left and one on the center. Poniatowski and his army will advance by the Old Smolensk road -- you will wait for his first cannon fire. That will be the signal. Go, gentlemen!

SOLDIERS

Here's the battle!

BONAPARTE

You've wanted so much. From now on the Victory depends on you. We need it. It will give you abundance -- good winter quarters and a prompt return home. Behave as you did at Austerlitz, at Friedland, at Vitepsk and at Smolensk. Let our most distant posterity cite your conduct this day -- so they will say of you -- "He was at this great battle before the gates of Moscow. "

(Blackout)

Seventh Tableau

In Moscow -- a hall in the Kremlin.

BONAPARTE

(entering with his Marshalls)

Moscow empty! Moscow deserted -- are you quite sure? Go Mural -- and try to discover some inhabitants. Here all is new -- we for them, they for us -- perhaps they don't know how to surrender. Not the least smoke, not the least noise -- it's the immobility of Thebes -- the silence of the desert. Trevise at the time of pillage! You will answer to me with your head. Here I am the, in Moscow -- in the ancient place of the Czar -- in the Kremlin! It was time. Where is Mural?

A MARSHALL

At the head of his cavalry pursuing the Russian rear guard on the way to Vladimir.

BONAPARTE

I love him, this Murat! Always ardent, tireless, as in Italy as in Egypt. Six hundred leagues and sixty battles haven't tired him. He crosses Moscow without stopping at the Kremlin -- where I stopped I! -- Are you all cold, gentlemen? Do you realize where we are?

BERTHIER

Yes, Sire, 600 leagues from Paris, with an army diminished by 40,000 men by the Battle of Moscow -- without supplies, clothes, munitions.

BONAPARTE

Well -- aren't we in the enemy's capital? Moscow widow of 300,000 inhabitants. You appear too small to lodge 80,000 men? These palaces that you share between you -- are they less sumptuous or less agreeable than the hotels of the Faubourg Saint Honore -- or the quai d'Orsay? As for me, I admit, that I prefer my Tuileries and my Louvre but for this winter, I will content myself with the palace of the Romanovs and Rurik.

VOICES

(outside)

A Frenchman, a Frenchman.

BONAPARTE

Do you hear? A Frenchman -- bring him here -- so I can learn something of this bizarre secret. Moscow deserted.

(perceiving the Spy)

Ah, it's you.

SPY

(entering)

Yes, Sire.

BONAPARTE

Where are you coming from?

SPY

Prison.

BONAPARTE

From prison?

SPY

I was recognized as French and arrested at Moscow when Your Majesty had passed the Niemen.

BONAPARTE

Is it true that the City is deserted?

SPY

I saw the last Russians leave by the Kolonina Gate.

BONAPARTE

Ah! The Russians don't yet realize the effect that will be produced on them by the loss of their capital. You have heard him, gentlemen. Moscow is ours, entirely ours. Let each establish his quarters in the part of the city that pleases him but with order. Think that this is our Paris for this winter. Go, gentlemen, and send me the work from Paris. I haven't worked on that since Smolensk. Starting from today my decrees will be dated from the Kremlin.

(they leave -- to the Spy)

Well -- what have you seen in this Russia?

SPY

A people bitter and hard like its earth -- molded for slavery, ignorant for another century at least, and suppressing civilization as others suppress despotism.

BONAPARTE

Yes, yes, and still more dangerous because the will of one man moves these enormous masses. Misfortune, misfortune for Europe if I don't stifle this colossus to the heart, for if I fail who will kill it? But from here I watch, sentinel of civilization, one foot in Asia, one foot in Europe. Children! They haven't seen in my desire to arrive in Moscow anything but vanity to sign a decree dated from the holy city, seated on the throne of Russia and sheltered by the gold cross of the Great Ivan.

God give me the time and the strength and I will make Moscow one of the ports of entry into my European realm. From here I will call the universe to civilization as the muezzin calls the Mahometans to prayer from the height of the minarets. And then (looking around him) what voice will rise to say, "Isn't Napoleon the envoy of God?" And when I think that if I did not reach this Moscow, being stopped by a fever, a fall from a horse, a bullet -- and that they believed this proud alliance to be an ordinary war, a quarrel between the Emperor and Emperor, a vulgar invasion of territory --

SPY

Bonaparte, Napoleon, it isn't I at least who you will accuse of not having understood you.

BONAPARTE

No, no, I know it, and I do you justice. But go, here's the Paris portfolio, and my minister travels with me.

(Exit Spy, enter the Minister.)

BONAPARTE

Have you prepared the three decrees I asked of you?

MINISTER

Yes, Sire.

BONAPARTE

Let's see what we have here.

MINISTER

It is relative to houses of readiness, actually existing in the city of Florence.

BONAPARTE

Ah, it's defense to receive a depot to ready it as security isn't it? Add in the mount of piety of the city of Florence is preserved -- all arts relative to its establishment will be exempt from stamp duty and registration. In this manner, one can at 8 to the hundred at least and not ruining them in preparing them at 15 to 20. What is that?

MINISTER

The creation of a special fund for the execution of work restoring and enlarging the garden.

BONAPARTE

Well -- with God's help. I hope in ten years. France will be traversed in every way by 30 navigable canals. And this here?

MINISTER

A rule on the Theater Francais on the employment of societaries, on their pensions, on that of Talma whose stipend raised to 30,000 francs.

BONAPARTE

Give it here. If we spend the winter in Moscow I intend to have half of my troops here -- I will order him to be here by the end of October. What's that? It cannot be day again?

VOICES

(outside)

Fire -- fire.

BONAPARTE

(hurling himself towards the window)

Fire in the merchant's palace in the center of the city in its richest quarter -- misfortune! It's some drunken soldier who'll burn us in a palace.

MORTIER

(entering)

Sire, Sire - fire!

BONAPARTE

Well, I know it, I can see it from here. Ah! I'm not deceived -- from there towards the Dorogonulof Gate -- more fire -- Trevise, well -- you see it, I place you in charge of the city police. I give you Moscow, the rich sleeping Moscow -- in your hands -- and on all sides flames are surging.

MORTIER

Sire, I know, but the flames are coming from houses boarded up -- the fire comes from within --

BONAPARTE

The fire's been set. Yes, by some pillager who wants to separate gold from stuffing -- Oh -- look, look and get help.

MURAT

(entering)

Sire, the pumps are broken. It's a plot. It's the Russians who are burning us -- they have turned Moscow into an infernal machine.

BONAPARTE

You see the fire spreads! Is the wind an accomplice?

SPY

(entering)

Sire, Sire, pardon! Everything is burning -- all is on fire.

BONAPARTE

Who's burning the city? Who set the fire?

SPY

The Russians! The Muzhiks.

BONAPARTE

Impossible.

SPY

Look, I can see them running in the middle of this furnace.

BONAPARTE

Put the fire out -- kill them like wild beasts. But this city is built of wood and resin.

VOICES

(outside)

The fire at the Kremlin. The fire.

MURAT

Let us leave, Sire, let us leave.

BONAPARTE

Oh, stay Gentlemen. You aren't afraid this palace will fall on your head? Stay and listen: To the struggle with the flames of Moscow lit by the Russians, eternal war with the Russians. They drive us from their first capital -- follow them to the second. Let it burn and listen to me.

SOLDIERS

(outside)

The Emperor, the Emperor.

BONAPARTE

(at the window)

Here I am boys, fear nothing. I watch over you and God watches over me. Let it burn gentlemen and if the fire spares something -- annihilate what the fire spares. Counting from now, Moscow no longer exists on the map of the world. Russia has only one capital -- Saint Petersburg and in twelve days we will be there.

ALL

Saint Petersburg.

A MARSHALL

Sire, what are you thinking of? St. Petersburg? Impossible!

BONAPARTE

Are you soldiers of fortune, children of war, astonished by a great resolution? Don't you see we are totally lost if we retreat? The winter, the bitter winter of Russia will seize us -- halfway on the road to France.

ANOTHER MARSHALL

Sire, Sire, the fire!

BONAPARTE

And what will you do then? My soldiers, my boys, what will they do when your hands freeze on the points of your sabres, and the cannon? When they fall at each step and cannot get up again? When they must retreat by a route devastated by their passage? Our strength is more moral than material, prestige surrounds us! Up to the present we are invincible. A step back and the prestige is destroyed.

(pushing his hand on a map)

Here's Moscow, Paris and St. Petersburg -- look and choose.

MARSHALLS

Paris.

BONAPARTE

Ah, yes, Paris! There are splendid hotels, coaches with six horses, your royal lands. Paris -- and when you get there -- this Paris will make you timid, cowardly, traitorous?

A MARSHALL

Sire, the fire, the fire -- we cannot stay here!

BONAPARTE

(stamping his foot)

I can stay here quite well myself -- and destroy rather than leave to return to France! To St. Petersburg then, there, peace, glory, the regards of the world, the applause of the universe! No, you won't do it? Well kill the most gigantic project which was born in the skull of a man. You don't realize that in separating me from Moscow you are tearing me from the world.

(he tears the map)

You want to retreat? Well you will have it. And on you will fall all the misfortunes of this funereal retreat. Go -- arrange it and leave me. Ah, leave me. I tell you -- I order you and I mean it.

(The Marshalls leave)

BONAPARTE

Oh, it is a sea of fire. Human weakness -- the breath of God above could light this fire. 0 Napoleon -- you think yourself more than man, because you cover half the world with tents and with soldiers, because at only a word from you kings tremble and thrones overturn. Well you are weak, without power in the face of this conflagration. Each foot of earth that it wins devours your empire, Napoleon! Napoleon! Well try your power, order this fire to be extinguished, for this conflagration to retreat, and if it obeys you, you are more than man -- you are simply a God. Oh, my most beautiful provinces for Moscow! Rome, Naples, Florence, my entire Italy, I can take it back; but Moscow, Moscow -- never!

SPY

(rushing in)

Sire, in the name of heaven! Sire, the Kremlin is mined! My God, the stairs crack, the gates are glowing. You are under a heaven of fire, an earth of fire between walls of fire.

BONAPARTE

Moscow! Moscow!

SPY

(turning towards the door)

Grenadiers, to me, to the Emperor! Save the Emperor. He doesn't wish to leave and the Kremlin is mined.

(The Grenadiers enter. Napoleon turns toward them calmly.)

BONAPARTE

Soldiers, take down the Golden cross of Ivan the Great -- it will go well on the dome of the Invalides.

(he leaves)

(Blackout)

Eighth Tableau

A hovel on the border of Beresina.

(The Spy enters, long beard and covered with icicles and snow.)

SPY

A hovel! At least Napoleon will have some shelter for the night. What times! What a country! Desolation -- ah there is a fire. The Cossacks have hardly abandoned it -- but how to relight it.

(tearing a window slatter)

Good! This outside slatter! My cloak will replace it.

(he relights the fire -- hangs his cloak before the window)

YOUNG MAN

(firing at the door)

Fire! Pity. Help!

SPY

(taking his weapon)

Get out -- this is the Emperor's cabin.

YOUNG MAN

Oh! in the name of the Emperor -- grace -- grace -- I am a woman.

SPY

A woman?

WOMAN

Yes, yes. Will you save me if I am a woman?

SPY

Come here -- and warm up.

WOMAN

You have nothing to give me?

SPY

Some drops of wine.

(giving her a gourd)

What you leave will be for the Emperor -- he is saved, isn't he?

WOMAN

Yes -- for a time. You didn't know the bridge gave way?

SPY

Yes, yes, I know it.

(to some military who wish to enter)

Get back -- this is the Emperor's cabin.

SOLDIERS

Let's go further.

WOMAN

And do you believe that the Emperor will find this cabin?

SPY

(taking a brand and waving it before the door)

The Emperor, the Emperor.

SOLDIERS

(in the distance)

Ha!

OTHER SOLDIERS

(to the Spy)

Comrade -- fire huh? Give us some fire.

SPY

Take some.

(they take the fire and leave)

SOLDIERS

(outside)

Have you some wood -- where is there wood?

BONAPARTE

(at the door)

My friends -- demolish this cabin -- take the thatch roof which covers it -- make fires, make fires!

SOLDIERS

And you? And Your Majesty?

BONAPARTE

(removing his glove and taking their hands)

Me -- I'm hot -- hold on.

FIRST SOLDIER

No Sire, we much prefer to die.

NAPOLEON

My children.

SPY

Go on!

BONAPARTE

Let the guards of the Eagles enter -- they must warm their hands to hold their flags.

(the Flag and Eagle Guards enter)

LORRAIN

(to the Spy)

Oh! If you please, Comrade -- a little place by the fire, place for a sub officer -- sacred rascal -- I have hands swollen like gourds. Tell me Comrade, can one ask you without indiscretion? What you have frozen?

SPY

Nothing.

LORRAIN

You are very happy! Do me the pleasure of saying that I still have my nose -- I no longer sense it since Smolensk. And with that I'm hungry. Come, come, we will notch our belts. I've dined.

BONAPARTE

The cannon! The cannon! It's Koutezov's advance guard and Wittgenstein who has joined my rear guard. But Ney is there -- Ney, the bravest of the brave! Charles XII, Charles the XII!

(to the Aide de Corps)

Well, the cannons have changed direction. Whose cannon?

AIDE DE CORPS

Thitchikov with 30,000 men who attacks our flank.

BONAPARTE

And the Army, the Army has it passed the Beresina?

AIDE DE CORPS

A 3rd crossed, almost less -- but the bridge gave way.

BONAPARTE

I know it.

AIDE DE CORPS

And from one moment to the other.

BONAPARTE

Silence! And you say that Thitchikov -- ?

AIDE DE CORPS

That's his cannon approaching.

BONAPARTE

Does the sacred battalion still have men?

AIDE DE CORPS

Five hundred, -- a little less.

BONAPARTE

Let them hold Thitchikov and his 30,000 men and give the Army time to pass the Beresina. By deploying them in a single line they will appear to be triple that number. Go -- Oh the bridge, the bridge -- I had told Eble that the trestles were not strong enough. At each instant I dread to hear the sound of thousands of unfortunate who have drowned. My God! Someone got any wine!

SPY

Here's some drops.

BONAPARTE

Thanks.

(he's going to drink and sees one of his Grenadiers dying, suffering -- he brings him the gourd)

Hold, my brave fellow!

(cries of distress mingled with shouts of hurrahs from the Cossacks)

Ah! The bridge is broken.

VOICES

(outside)

The bridge, the bridge.

OTHER VOICES

The enemy! The Cossacks!

BONAPARTE

To us, boys! Outside and march. Half the Army is drowned -- we must save the rest.

WOMAN

(to the Spy)

Oh from pity don't leave me here. I cannot march.

(The Spy wraps her in his cape and carries her in his arms)

SPY

Come. I still have some strength left.

(Blackout)

Ninth Tableau

(Napoleon -- stick in hand followed by some soldiers, troops marching. )

MUSICIANS

(of the 1st Corps -- seeing Napoleon)

The Emperor! The Emperor!

(They play "Where Could It Be Bitter?)

BONAPARTE

No -- boys -- play "Let's Stand To Salute The Empire"!

(at length the music moves off the soldiers, becomes more scattered, they fall -- the snow covers them!)

(CURTAIN)

ACT IV

Tenth Tableau

The Emperor's office at the Tuileries.

(Napoleon, a Minister, Secretaries, Envoys)

BONAPARTE

(to Envoy)

A year ago all Europe marched with us. Today all Europe marches against us. I need a levee of 300,000 men; tell the Senate in my name that I am counting on it.

ENVOY

Sire, the Senate begs you to try a last effort for making peace. It is the need of France and the wish of humanity. The people also ask guarantees. Without that, it is impossible.

BONAPARTE

Gentlemen, with this language, instead of uniting us, you will divide us. Are you unaware that in a monarchy the throne and the monarch cannot be separated? What is the throne? A stick of wood covered with silk -- but in the language of monarchy: I am the throne. You speak of the people; are you unaware that it is I who represent the people above all? One cannot attack me without attacking the nation itself. If there is some abuse, is this the moment to make a remonstrance when 200,000 Cossacks are ready to cross our frontiers? You ask in the name of France guarantees against power? Listen to France -- she asks guarantees only against the enemy. If France knows among my marshal Is a general who is more capable of resisting foreign aggression, then name him, and I will put myself, put my sword under him. Go gentlemen, and convey my orders to the Senate.

(to a Secretary)

Write: Engineers will be sent on the routes in the North.

(to another Secretary)

Write: The arms manufacturers of St. Etienne Liege, and Mauberg will put at the disposition of the government

FIRST SECRETARY

(repeating)

"in the North."

BONAPARTE

(going to him)

They will be charged with rebuilding ancient walls which served as the ramparts of Old France --

(to another Secretary)

Write: "The German Army has just crossed our borders by the bridges at Mayence. "

SECOND SECRETARY

"Of the government."

BONAPARTE

"One Hundred Fifty Thousand rifles and 30,000 sabers not later than fifteen days from today." Give it to me.

(signing)

THIRD SECRETARY

(repeating)

"by the bridges at Mayence."

BONAPARTE

"It will form and extend its line from Hunigue to the sands of Holland." Give it to me.

FIRST SECRETARY

"the ancient walls which served as the ramparts of Old France."

BONAPARTE

Of Old France: to layout the forts on heights to serve as rallying points in case of retreat." Put the seal on it, gentlemen and hurry "in case of retreat."

FIRST SECRETARY

I cannot do it, Sire.

BONAPARTE

Very well.

(to another)

Sit at my desk and write. "Minister of War -- the Minister of the Royal Treasury, will convey to the hands of the Minister of War.

FIRST SECRETARY

(repeating)

"In case of retreat."

BONAPARTE

"Then do all to prepare for the destruction of the dikes and bridges which must be abandoned."

THIRD SECRETARY

(repeating)

To the Minister of War.

BONAPARTE

"The sum of 30 million francs --

MINISTER

Your Majesty knows that the Treasury has no money left.

BONAPARTE

Ah -- well, then, tear it up.

(writing)

Here's a good 30 million from my privy purse.

MINISTER

From your privy purse? Your Majesty knows that these funds were destined for secret placements to assure the fate of your family in case of reversals.

BONAPARTE

(severely)