第20章

theyhaveoftenhesitated，misunderstood，orpurposelyforgottentheirorders。Theyareintentonprovingtheincapacityofthearchdukesinordertooverthrowthem;andtheywellknowthattheyarerenderingaservicetotheemperorbydoingso，fortheyareawarethattheemperordoesnotlovehisbrothers。"

"No，yourimperialhighness，"exclaimedNugent，whenthearchdukepausedwithasigh。"Ihopethatthisisgoingtoofar，andthatyouarelikewisemistakenaboutit。Itisimpossiblethattheemperorshouldnotlovehisbrothers，whoaredoingsomuchhonortotheimperialhousebytheirsurpassingaccomplishments，virtues，andtalents。"

"Myfriend，youspeaklikeacourtier，"saidJohn，shakinghishead，"andyouexaggerateasafriend。Buteventhoughyouwereright，thosequalitieswouldnotbecalculatedtorendertheemperor\'sheartmoreattachedtous。Hewantstheemperoralonetoshedlustreon，anddohonortotheimperialhouse，andnotthearchdukes，hisfather\'syoungersons，whomhehates。"

"No，no，yourimperialhighness，itisimpossiblethattheemperorshouldhatehisbrothers！"

"Andwhyimpossible？"askedJohn，shrugginghisshoulders。"Donothisbrothers，thearchdukes，hateeachother？Ordoyoubelieve，perhaps，thattheArchdukeCharles，ourgeneralissimo，lovesme，orevenwishesmewell？Iwassounfortunateastobetwicevictoriousduringthepresentcampaign，whilehewastwicedefeated;IbeattheFrenchatSacileandSt。Boniface，whilehelostthebattlesofLandshutandRatisbon。Thisisacrimewhichthearchdukewillneverforgiveme，andforwhichhewillrevengehimself。"

"PerhapshethinksthathetookanobleandgloriousrevengeatthebattleofAspern？"

"Oh，myfriend，youforgotthatourmotherwasadaughterofItaly，andthatwe，therefore，donotcareforanobleandgloriousrevenge，butlongforanItalianvendetta。Thegeneralissimowillnotcontenthimselfwithhavingobtainedglory，butImustsufferadefeat，adisgrace，whichwillneutralizewhatfewlaurelsI

gatheredatSacileandSt。Boniface。Oh，Iknowmybrotherthegeneralissimo;Iseeallthelittlethreadswhichheisspinningaroundme，andwhich，assoonastheyarestrongenough，hewillconvertintoanet，inwhichhewillcatchme，inordertoexhibitmetotheworldasanignoramusanddreamer，destitutebothofabilityandluckasageneral。DonottellmethatIammistaken，myfriend;Ihavehithertoobservedeverythingwithcloseattention，andmyobservationsunfortunatelydonotdeceiveme。ThegeneralissimoisdesirousofpunishingmeformyvictoriesatSacileandSt。Boniface，andforadvocatingadeclarationofwarwhenhepronouncedthreetimesagainstit。HehasalreadyseveraltimestoldtheemperorthatIamself—willed，disobedient，andalwaysinclinedtoopposehisordersbywordsorevendeeds;andtheemperoralwaystakespleasureininformingmeofthegeneralissimo\'scomplaints。"

"Itistrue，"sighedCountNugent;"thisaversionofthegeneralissimotoyourimperialhighnessunfortunatelycannotbedenied，andyouyourselfhavetosufferbyit。"

"Oh，"criedJohn，impetuously，"ifthatwereall，Ishouldnotcomplain;Ishouldaddittothemanyotherpin—pricksofmyfate，andstrivetobearitwithoutmurmuring。ButmysoldiersandthegloryoftheAustrianarmssufferbyit，anditwilldestroythelibertyoftheTyrol。Itiswellknownthatthisismymostvulnerablepoint;thatIlovetheTyrol，andamdeterminedtoleavenothingundoneinordertoredeemtheemperor\'spledgestopreservetheTyroltotheimperialhouse，andrestoreitsancientprivilegesandliberties。Itisknown，too，thatIlongintenselytoliveinthefuturedaysofpeaceastheemperor\'slieutenantintheTyrol;

tolive，farfromthenoisybustleofthecapital，inthepeacefulseclusionofthemountaincountry，formyself，mystudies，andthemenwhomIlove，andwholoveme。Oh，mypoor，unfortunateTyrolwillgrievouslysufferforthelovewhichIbearit;Austriawillloseitasecondtime，andnow，perhaps，forever。"

"Doesyourimperialhighnessbelieveso？"criedNugent，indismay。

"Youbelieveso，evenaftercommunicatingtometheletterinwhichtheemperorpromisestotheTyrolesenevertosignapeacethatwillnotindissolublyincorporatetheTyrolandVorarlbergwithhismonarchy，andinwhichheannouncesthespeedyarrivalofhisbelovedbrotherJohn，whoistoputhimselfattheheadoftheTyrolese？"

"Myfriend，thesenumerousandliberalpromisesaretheverythingsthatmakemedistrustful，andconvincemethattheyarenotmeantseriously。IftheemperorhadthepreservationoftheTyrolreallyatheart，andintendedearnestlythatmyarmyshouldsuccorandsavetheTyrolese，wouldhenothaveleftmeatlibertytooperateaccordingtothedictatesofmyownjudgmentandinfullharmonywiththeTyrolese，insteadoftyingmyhands，andregardingandemployingmyforceonlyasasecondaryandentirelydependentcorpsofthegeneralissimo\'sarmy？Lookintothepast，Nugent，bearinmindallthathashappenedsincewetookthefield，andtellmethenwhetherIamrightornot？"

"Unfortunatelyyouare，"sighedNugent;"Icannolongercontradictyourimperialhighness，Icannotdenythatmanyawronghasbeeninflictedonyouandus;thatyouhavehavealwaysbeenpreventedfromtakingtheinitiativeinavigorousmanner;thatyouandyourarmyhaveconstantlybeenkeptinasecondaryanddependentposition;thatyourplanshaveincessantlybeenfrustrated，andthatyoursuperiorshaveoftendonethereverseofwhatyouwishedanddeemedprudentandadvisable。"

"MyfriendattheywillhereaftersaythatIwasalonetoblameforthefailureofmyplans，"criedthearchduke，withamournfulsmile;

"theywillchargemewithhavingbeenunabletocarryoutthegrandiloquentpromiseswhichImadetotheemperorandtheTyrolese，andtheemperorwillexultatthediscomfitureoftheboastfularchdukewhotookituponhimselftocalloutthewholepeopleoftheTyrol，puthimselfattheirhead，andsuccessfullydefendagainstallenemiesthisfortresswhichGodandNatureerectedforAustria。ThefaithfulTyrolesehavetakenuparms;Iamreadytoputmyselfattheirhead，butalreadyIhavebeenremovedfromtheTyrol，andmyarmisparalyzedsothatIcannolongerstretchitouttotakethehandwhichtheTyrolisholdingouttomebeseechingly。IfIhadbeenpermittedtoadvanceafterthevictorieswhichmyarmygainedovertheViceroyofItalyandMarmont，IshouldprobablynowalreadyhaveexpelledtheenemyfromUpperItalyandtheSouthernTyrol。ButIwasnotallowedtofollowupmysuccesses;

Iwasstoppedinthemidstofmyvictoriouscareer。Becausethegeneralissimo\'sarmyhadbeendefeatedatRatisbon，Iwascompelled，insteadofpursuingtheenemyenergeticallyandobliginghimtokeeponthedefensive，toretreatmyself，and，insteadofbeingthepursuer，bepursuedbytheforcesoftheviceroy。InsteadofgoingtotheTyrol，IwasorderedbythegeneralissimototurntowardHungaryandunitewiththevolunteersinthatcountry。NosoonerhadIdoneso，thanIwasorderedtoadvanceagaintowardtheSouthernTyrol，marchuponVillachandSalzburg，unitewithJellachich，formaconnectionwithField—MarshalGiulay，andoperatewiththemintherearoftheenemy，whowasalreadyintheimmediateneighborhoodofVienna。AndhewhogavemetheseordersdidnotknowthatJellachichhadinthemeantimebeenbeatenatWurzl;thatVillachhadbeenoccupiedbytheFrench;thatIwasnotintherearoftheenemy，butthattheenemywasinmyrear;bedidnotorwouldnotknowthattheViceroyofItalywasinmyrearwiththirty—sixthousandmen，andthattheDukeofDantzicwasinfrontofmypositionatSalzburg。

Sincethenwehavebeenmovingaboutamidstincessantskirmishesandincessantlosses;andscarcelyhadwereachedComorntore—organizeandre—enforcemylittlearmy，whenwereceivedorderstomarchtotheislandofSchuttandtowardPresburg。Ivainlytriedtoremonstrateandpointtotheweaknessandexhaustionofmytroops;I

vainlyaskedfortimetoreorganizemyforces，whenIwouldattackMacdonaldandpreventhimfromunitingwithNapoleon。Ivainlyprovedthatthiswashisintention，andthatnoonecouldhinderhimfromcarryingitintoeffect，sosoonasIhadtoturntowardPresburgandopentoMacdonaldtheroadtoVienna。Myremonstrancesweredisregarded;painsweretakentoprovetomethatIwasbutatool，awheelinthegreatmachineofstate，andtheorderswererenewedformetomarchintoHungary。Well，Iwillsubmitagain——I

willobeyagain;butIwillnotdosoinsilence;Iwill，atleast，telltheemperorthatIdoitinspiteofmyself，andwillmarchtoPresburgandRaabonlyifheapprovesofthegeneralissmo\'sorders。"

"Thatistosay，yourimperialhighnessisgoingtodeclareopenlyagainstthegeneralissimo？"

"No;itistosaythatIamgoingtoinformmysovereignofmydoubtsandfears，andunbosomtohimmywishesandconvictions。Yousmile，myfriend。Itistrue，Iamyetapoordreamer，speculatingontheheart，andbelievingthatthetruthmusttriumphintheend。

Ishall，however，atleastbeabletosaythatIhavedonemyduty，andhadthecouragetoinformtheemperorofthetruestateofaffairs。Ishallrepairthisverydaytohismajesty\'sheadquartersatWolkersdorf。Iwilldareoncemoretospeakfranklyandfearlesslytohim。Iwillopposemyenemiesatleastwithopenvisor，andshowtothemthatIamnotafraidofthem。Godknows，ifonlymyownpersonalhonorandsafetywereatstake，Ishouldwithdrawinsilence，andshutupmygriefandmyapprehensionsinmybosom;butmyfatherlandisatstake，andsoisthepoorTyrol，soenthusiasticinitslove，sounwaveringinitsfidelity;andsoarethehonorandgloryofourarms。Hence，Iwilldareoncemoretospeakthetruth，andmayGodimpartstrengthtomywords！"

CHAPTERXXV。

THEEMPERORFRANCISATWOLBERSDORF。

TheEmperorofAustriawasstillathisheadquartersatWolkersdorf。

ThenewsofthevictoryatAspernhadilluminatedtheEmperor\'sfacewiththefirstraysofhope，andgreatlylessenedtheinfluenceofthepeace—partyoverhim。Thewar—partybecamemoreconfident;thebeautiful，palefaceoftheEmpressLudovicabecameradiantasithadneverbeenseenbefore;andCountStadiontoldtheemperorhewouldsoonbeabletoreturntoVienna。

ButtheEmperorFrancisshookhisheadwithanincreduloussmile。

"YoudonotknowBonaparte，"hesaid，"ifyouthinkhewill，becausehehassufferedadefeat，beimmediatelyreadytomakepeaceandreturntoFrance。Nowhewillnotrestbeforehegainsavictoryandrepairstheblundershehascommitted。ThereiswildandinsidiousbloodcirculatinginBonaparte\'sveins，andthebattleofAspernhasenvenomeditmorethanever。Didyounothear，Stadion，ofwhatBonaparteisreportedtohavesaid？HedeclaredthattherewasnolongeradynastyoftheHapsburgs，butonlythepettyprincesofLorraine。AnddoyounotknowthathehasaddressedtotheHungariansaproclamationadvisingthemtodeposemewithoutfurtherceremony，andelectanotherking，ofcourseoneofthenew—fangledFrenchprinces？DoyounotknowthathehassenttoHungaryemissarieswhoarecallinguponthepeopletoriseagainstmeandconquertheirliberty，whichhe，Bonaparte，wouldprotect？Intruth，itislaughabletohearBonapartestillpratingaboutlibertyasthoughitwereapieceofsugarwhichhehasonlytoputintothemouthofthenations，whentheyarecryinglikebabies，inordertosilencethem，andthereuponpullthewoolquietlyovertheireyes。

Butitistrue，thenationsreallyarelikebabies;theydonotbecomereasonableandwise，andtheaccursedword\'liberty，\'whichBonaparteputsasafleaintotheirears，maddensthemstillasthoughatarantulahadbittenthem。TheyhaveseeninItalyandFrancewhatsortoflibertyNapoleonbringstothem，andwhatayokeheintendstolayontheirneckswhiletellingthemthathewishestomakefreemenofthem。Buttheydonotbecomewise，andwhoknowsiftheMagyarswillnotlikewiseallowthemselvestobefooledandbelieveinthelibertywhichBonapartepromisestothem？"

"No，yourmajesty，"saidCountStadion，"theMagyarsarenochildren;theyaremenwhoknowfullwellwhattothinkofBonaparte\'sinsidiousflatteries，andwillnotpermithimtomisleadthembyhisdeceptivepromises。TheyreceivedtheArchdukeJohnwithgenuineenthusiasm，andeverydayvolunteersareflockingtohisstandardstofightagainstthedespotwho，likeademonofterror，tramplesthepeaceandprosperityofallEuropeunderhisbloodyfeet。No，Bonapartecannolongercountuponthesympathiesofthenations;theyareallreadytoriseagainsthim，andintheendhatredwillaccomplishthatwhichloveandreasonwereunabletobringabout。ThehatredofthenationswillcrushBonaparteandhurlhimfromhisthrone。"

"ProvidedtheprincesoftheRhenishConfederationdonotsupporthim，orprovidedtheEmperorAlexanderofRussiadoesnotcatchhiminhisarms，"saidFrancis，shrugginghisshoulders。"Ihavenogreatconfidenceinwhatyoucallthenations;theyarereallyrecklessandchildishpeople。IfBonaparteisluckyagain，eventheGermanswillidolizehimbeforelong;butifheisunlucky，theywillstonehim。Justlookatmyillustriousbrother，thegeneralissimo。AfterthedefeatsofLandshutandRatisbon，andthehumbleletterwhichhewrotetoBonaparte，you，CountStadion，thoughtitwouldbegoodfortheArchdukeCharlesifwegavehimasuccessor，andifweremovedhim，tormentedasheisbyapainfuldisease，fromthecommand—in—chiefofthearmy。We，therefore，suggestedtothearchdukequietlytopresenthisresignationwhichwouldbepromptlyaccepted。Butthegeneralissimowouldnothearofit，andthoughthewouldhavefirsttomakeamendsforthedefeatswhichhehadsustainedatLandshutandRatisbon。Nowhehasdoneso;

hehasavengedhisformerdefeatsandachievedavictoryatAspern;

andafterthisbrilliantvictoryhecomesandoffershisresignation，statingthathisfeeblehealthcompelshimtolaydownthecommandandsurrenderiftosomeoneelse。Butallatoncemyministerofforeignaffairshaschangedhismind:thevictoryofAspernhasconvertedhim，andhethinksnowthatthegeneralissimomustremainattheheadofthearmy。IfsosagaciousandeminentamanasCountStadionallowssuccesstomouldhisopinion，amInotrightinnotbelievingthatthefrivolousfellowswhomyoucall\'thenations\'havenowell—settledopinionsatall？"

"Pardonme，sire，"saidCountStadion，smiling;"yourmajestycommitsaslighterror。Yourmajestyconfoundsprincipleswithopinions。Anhonorablemanandanhonorablenationmaychangetheiropinions，butneverwilltheychangetheirprinciples。Nowthefirmerandmoreimmovabletheirprinciplesare，themoreeasilytheymaycometochangetheiropinions;fortheyseekforinstrumentstocarryouttheirprinciples;theyprofitto—daybythecervicesofatoolwhichseemstothemsufficientlysharptoperformitstask，andtheycastitasideto—morrowbecauseithasbecomeblunt，andmustbereplacedbyanother。Thisiswhathappenstothenationsandtomyselfatthisjuncture。ThenationsarebitterlyopposedtoFrance;

thewholeGermanpeople，bothnorthandsouth，isunanimousinitsintensehatredagainstNapoleon。Thenationsdonotallowhimtodeceivethem;theyseethroughtheCaesareanmask，andperceivethefaceofthetyrant，despot，andintriguer，lurkingbehindit。Theydonotbelieveawordofhispacificprotestationsandpromisesoffreedomandliberalreforms;fortheyseethathealwaysmeanswarwhenhepratesaboutpeace，thathemeanstyrannywhenhepromisesliberty，andthathegivesDraconiclawsinsteadofestablishingliberalinstitutions。ThenationshateNapoleonandabhorhisdespoticsystem。Theyseekformeanstoannihilatehimanddeliveratlengththebloodyandtremblingworldfromhim。Iftheprinceswereasunanimousintheirhatredasthenationsare，Germanywouldstandasoneman，swordinhand;andthissublimeandimposingspectaclewouldcauseNapoleontoretreatwithhishostbeyondtheRhine，theGermanRhine，whosebankswouldbeguardedbytheunitedpeopleofGermany。""YouspeaklikeaUtopian，mydearcount，"saidtheemperor，withashrug。"IftheunitedpeopleofGermanyarealoneabletodefeatandexpelBonaparte，hewillneverhedefeatedandexpelled，forGermanywillneverbeunited;shewillneverstandupasoneman，butalwaysresembleanumberofratsgrowntogetherbytheirtails，andstrivingtomoveinoppositedirections。LetusspeaknomoreofaunitedGermany;itwasthephantomthatruinedmyuncle，theEmperorJoseph，whomenthusiastscalltheGreatJoseph。

ButIdonotwanttoberuined，andthereforeIdonotwanttohearanythingofaunitedGermany。ThankGod，since1806，IamnolongerEmperorofGermany，butonlyEmperorofAustria，andthatisenoughforme。IdonotcarewhattheprincesoftheConfederationoftheRhinearedoing，norwhatintriguesPrussiaisenteringintoinordertorisefromitshumiliatingprostration;IfixmyeyesonlyonAustria，andthinkonlywhetherAustriawillbeabletocopewithBonaparte，orwhethershemaynotultimatelyfareasbadlyasPrussiadid。WehaveunfortunatelyexperiencedalreadyoneAusterlitz;ifweshouldsufferanotherdefeatlikeit，wewouldbelost;hencewemustbecautious，andIaskyou，therefore，whyyoudonotwantmenowtoaccepttheresignationofthegeneralissimo，when，onlyafortnightago，youadvocatedhisremovalfromthecommand—in—chiefofthearmy？"

"Yourmajesty，becauseafortnightagohehadbeenrepeatedlydefeated，andbecausehehasnowgainedabrilliantvictory。Thisshowsyourmajestyagainthedifferencebetweenopinionsandprinciples。Opinionschangeandareinfluencedbysuccess。AfterthebattleofRatisbon，thegeneralissimowaslookeduponwithdistrustandanxietybyhisarmy，nay，bythewholepeopleofAustria，whoturnedtheireyestotheArchdukeJohn，thevictorofSacileandSt。

Boniface，andwantedtoseeattheheadofthearmyavictoriousgeneral，insteadofthedefeatedArchdukeCharles;butthelatterhasactedthehero，andbeenvictoriousatAspern，andtheloveandconfidenceofthearmyandpeoplearerestoredtohim;alllookuponhimastheliberatorofthefatherland，andwillstandbyhimuntil—

—"

"Untilhelosesanotherbattle，"interruptedtheemperor，sneeringly。"Mydearcount，oneswallowdoesnotmakeasummer，and—

—Well，whatisit，Leonard？"saidtheemperor，turningquicklytohisfootman，whoenteredtheroomatthismoment。

"Yourmajesty，hisimperialhighnesstheArchdukeJohnhasjustarrived，andrequestsanaudience。"

"Letthearchdukecomein，"saidtheemperor;andwhenthefootmanhadwithdrawn，Francisturnedagaintotheminister。"Heisthesecondswallowinwhichthechildishpeopleherearehoping，"hesaid。"Buttwoswallowsdonotmakeasummereither;theremaystillbeafrostunderwhichJohn\'syounglaurelsofSacileandSt。

Bonifacewillwither。——Ah，hereismybrother。"

TheemperoradvancedafewstepstomeettheArchdukeJohn，whohadjustcrossedthethreshold，andstoodstillatthedoortobowdeeplyandreverentiallytohisimperialbrother。

"Noceremonies，brother，noceremonies，"saidtheemperor，smiling;

"weareherenotintheimperialpalace，butinthecamp;mycrownisinVienna，andmyheadisthereforebare，whileyoursiswreathedwithlaurels。"

Theemperorsaidthisinsosarcasticatonethatthearchdukegaveastart，andhischeekscrimsonedwithindignation。Butherestrainedhisanger，andfixedhiseyescalmlyonthesneeringfaceoftheemperor。

"Yourmajestycondescendstojest，"hesaid，composedly，"andIamgladtoseefromthisthatmybrother，thevictorofAspern，hasgladdenedyourmajesty\'sheart。"

"Yourmajesty，"saidCountStadion，inalow，pressingtone，"willyounotgraciouslypermitmetowithdraw？"

"Ah，youthinkyourpresencewouldbeinconvenientduringourinterview，andmighthinderthefreeexchangeofourconfidentialcommunications？ButIdonotbelievethatIandmybrotherhaveanyspecialsecretstocommunicatetoeachother，sothatthepresenceofmyministerwouldbeinconvenienttous。However，letthearchdukedecidethispoint。Tellmetherefore，brother，isitnecessarythatyoushouldseemealoneandwithoutwitnesses？"

"Onthecontrary，yourmajesty，"saidJohn，calmly，"itwillbeagreeabletomeiftheministerofforeignaffairsispresentatourinterview;for，asyourmajestydeignedtoobserve，weneverhaveconfidentialcommunicationstomaketoeachother，andasweshallspeakonlyofbusinessaffairs，theministermaytakepartintheconversation。"

"Stay，then，count。Andnow，myesteemedbrother，mayItakethelibertyofaskingwhatinducedthecommanding—generalofmyarmyofUpperAustria，nowstationedatComorn，toleavehispostandpaymeafriendlyvisithereatWolkersdorf？"

"Yourmajesty，IcometoimploremysovereigntograciouslyfulfilthepromisewhichyourmajestyvouchsafedtomeatVienna。YourmajestypromisedmethatIshouldsuccorwiththeforcesintrustedtometheTyroleseintheirheroicstrugglefordeliverancefromtheforeignyoke，andthatImightdevoteallmyeffortstoaidingthisnobleandheroicpeople，whichhasrisenasonemaninordertobeincorporatedagainwithAustria。ItwasIwhoorganizedtheinsurrectionoftheTyrol，whoappointedtheleadersofthepeasants，andfixedthedayandhourwhentheinsurrectionwastobreakout。"

"Yes，yes，itistrue，"interruptedtheemperor;"youprovedthatyouwereaskilfulandshrewdrevolutionist，anditwasreallyfortunateformethatyouavailedyourselfofyourrevolutionarytalents，notAGAINSTme，butFORme。IfIshalleverrecoverfullpossessionoftheTyrol，IshallbeindebtedforitonlytotherevolutionaryskillofmybrotherJohn;andIshallalwayslookuponitasanactofgreatdisinterestednessonyourparttoleavemetheTyrol，andnotkeepitforyourself;foritisinyourhands，anditisyouwhomtheTyroleseintheirheartscalltheirrealemperor。"

"YourmajestyisdistrustfuloftheloveofthefaithfulTyrolese，"

saidJohn，mournfully，"andyettheyhavesealeditwiththeirbloodsincetheinsurrectionbrokeout;itwasalwaysthenameoftheirEmperorFranciswithwhichtheywentintobattle，thenameoftheEmperorFranciswithwhichtheyexultedtriumphantlywhenGodandtheirintrepiditymadethemvictorious。"

"No，archduke，Iknowbetter！"exclaimedtheEmperor，vehemently。

"Theydidnotconfinethemselvestorenderinghomagetome，butwhenthepeasantshadtakenInnspruck，theyplacedtheArchdukeJohn\'spictureonthetriumphalarchbythesideofmyownportrait，surroundeditwithcandles，andrenderedthesamehomagetoitastothatoftheemperor。"

"Itistrue，thehonestpeasantsknownothingofetiquette，"saidJohn，sadly。"Theybelievedintheirsimplicitythattheymightlovealittletheiremperor\'sbrother，whohadbeensenttotheirassistancebyhismajesty，andthattheymightplacehispicturewithoutfurtherceremonybythesideofthatoftheemperor。Butthattheyneverthelessknewverywellhowtodistinguishtheemperorfromthearchduke，andthattheygrantedtotheemperorthefirstplaceintheirhearts，anddeemedhimthesoleobjectoftheirloyalty，isprovedbythesongwhichtheTyrolesesangwithenthusiasticunanimityonfasteningtheAustrianeagletotheimperialpalaceatInnspruck。AssuchfullparticularsoftheeventsintheTyrolweresenttoyourmajesty，Iamsurethisbeautifulsongwaslikewisecommunicatedtoyou。"

"No，itwasnot，"saidtheemperor，carelessly。"Whatsongisit？"

"Yourmajesty，itisahymnofjoyandtriumphwhich，eversincethatday，issungbyallTyrolese，notonlybythemen，butalsobythewomenandchildren，andwhichresoundsnowasthespring—hymnofthenewerabothinthevalleysandonthesummitsofthemountains。

IamsorrythatIdonotknowthewordsbyhearts，butIshallhavethehonorofsendingthemtoyourmajesty。Irememberonlytherefrainofeveryverse，whichisasfollows:"

"\'Ueberalllebt\'stsehtreuundbieder，WoderAdlerunsangeschaut，Undnu\'habenwirunsernFranzelwieder，WeilwirhaltaufGottandihnvertraut。\'"[Footnote:"Farreachingastheeagle\'sview，Arebeatingloyalheartsandtrue;OncemoreourFranciscanweclaim，BecausewetrustinGod\'sgreatname！"]

"Thatisquitepretty，"saidtheemperor，smiling。"AndisthatthesongtheyaresingingnowintheTyrol？"

"Yourmajesty，theynotonlysingit，buttheybelieveinittoo。

Yes，theTyroleseconfideinyourmajesty;theybelieveimplicitlyinthepromiseswhichyourmajestyhasmadetothem，andtheywouldpunishasatraitoranyonewhoshoulddaretotellthemthatthesepromiseswouldnotbefulfilled。"

"Andwhoassertsthattheywillnotbefulfilled？"askedtheemperor。

"Yourmajesty，thefactswillunfortunatelysoonconvincetheTyrolesethattheymustnotlookforthefulfilmentofthesepromises，"saidthearchduke，sighing。"AttheverymomentwhentheTyrolisbeingthreatenedbytwohostilearmies，thoseoftheViceroyofItalyandtheDukeofDantzic，andwhentheTyrol，therefore，ifitisnottosuccumbagaintosuchenormousodds，urgentlyneedsassistanceandsuccor，IreceiveorderstoleavetheTyrolandmarchtoHungary。Thatistosay，IamtogiveupSalzburg，whichisoccupiedbytheFrench;IamnottosuccorInnspruck，whichismenacedbyBaraguayd\'Hilliers。NotonlyamI

nottolendanyassistancetotheTyrolese，butIamtobreaktheirmoralcourageandparalyzetheirenergy，byshowingtothembymyretreatthattheemperor\'spromiseswillnotbefulfilled，andthatthearmyofUpperAustriaabandonstheTyroltosuccorHungary。"

"Well，theTyrolisnotyetabandoned，eventhoughtheArchdukeJohnisnolongerthere，"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders。"Wehavetwogeneralswithcorpsthere，havewenot？ArenottheMarquisofChastelerandCountBuolthere？"

"Theyare，yourmajesty;buttheMarquisofChastelerismorallyparalyzedbythesentenceofoutlawrywhichNapoleonhasissuedagainsthim，andCountBuolhastoofewtroopstoopposetheenemy\'soperations，whicharenotcheckedbyanycorpsoutsidetheTyrol。"

"Ah，youwishtogivemeanotherproofofthefraternallovereigningbetweenyouandtheArchdukeCharles？"askedtheemperorsarcastically。"Youwishtoopposetheordersofyourgeneralissimo？"

"Iwishtoasktheemperor，mysovereign，whetherIamtogiveuptheTyrolornot;IwishtoaskhimifheordersmetomarchmyarmytoPresburg，unitewiththeinsurgentforces，andoperatethereagainsttheenemy。"

"Arethesethegeneralissimo\'sorders？"

"Theyare，yourmajesty。"

"Andwhatelsedoeshecommand？"

"Hecommandsme，further，tomakemyselfmasterofthetwoislandsofSchuttinfrontofPresburg，takeAltenburgbyacoupdemain，andgarrison，supply，andprovisionthetwofortressesofRaabandComornforsixmonths。"

Asarcasticexpressionoverspreadtheemperor\'sface。

"Well，theseareexcellentandmostenergeticorders，"hesaid。

"Carrythemout，therefore。"

"But，yourmajesty，itisnotinmypowertodoso。Theseorderslookveryfineonpaper，buttheycannotbecarriedintoeffect。I

haveneithertroopsnorsuppliesenoughtogarrison，supply，andprovisionRaabandComorn，andholdPresburg，evenaftereffectingajunctionwiththetroopsoftheArchdukePalatineandtheHungarianvolunteers。Andthegeneralissimoiswellawareofit，forIhavealwaysacquaintedhimwithwhatoccurredinmyarmy;heknowsthatmyforcesandthoseoftheArchdukePalatinetogetherarescarcelytwenty—fivethousandstrong，andthatone—halfofthesetroopsconsistsofundisciplinedrecruits。Heknowsthattheenemyisthreateningusonallsideswithfortythousandveterantroops。Thegeneralissimoissowellawareofthis，thathespokeoftheweaknessoftheremnantsofmyarmyinthedispatcheswhichheaddressedtomeonlyafewdaysago。ButthevictoryofAspernseemssuddenlytohavemadethegeneralissimobelievethat，inasmuchashehimselfhasperformedextraordinarythings，hemaydemandofmewhatisimpossible。"

"Whatisimpossible？"saidtheemperor，withmischievousjoy。"Sobraveandheroicasoldierasyou，archduke，willnotdeemimpossiblewhathischiefordershimtodo。TheArchdukeCharlesisyourchief，andyouhavetoobeyhim。HeordersyoutoholdRaabandPresburg。Go，then，andcarryouttheordersofyourcommander—in—

chief。"

"Asyourmajestycommandsmetodoso，Ishallobey，"saidJohn，calmly;"onlyIcallyourmajesty\'sattentiontothefactthat，iftheenemyaccelerateshisoperationsandcompelsmesoontogivebattle，IshallbeunabletoholdRaab，forwhichsolittlehagbeendonehitherto，andthatIshalllosethebattleunlessthegeneralissimosendsastrongcorpstomyassistance。"

"Itisyourbusinesstocometoanunderstandingwiththegeneralissimoastothatpoint。Hepossessesmyfullconfidence，forheshowedexcellentgeneralshipatAspern。ThereisnoreasonwhyI

shoulddistrusthim。"

"AndGodforbidthatIshouldwishtorenderyoudistrustfulofhim！"exclaimedJohn，vehemently。"IhopemybrotherCharleswillremainyetalongwhileattheheadofthearmy，andgivemanysuccessorstothevictoryofAspern。"

"Butyoudoubtifhewill，doyounot？"askedtheemperor，fixinghissmalllight—blueeyeswithasearchingexpressiononJohn\'sface。"YoudonotrejoicemuchatthebrilliantvictoryofAspern？

YoudonotthinkthatBonaparteisentirelycrushedandwillhastentoofferuspeace？"

"Yourmajesty，youyourselfdonotbelieveit，"saidJohn，withasmile。"Napoleonisnotthemantobedeterredbyadefeatfromfollowinguphisplans;hewillpursuethemonlythemoreenergetically，andhewillattainhisends，though，perhaps，somewhatlessrapidly，unlessweadoptmoredecisivemeasures。"

"Look，Stadion，"exclaimedtheemperor，smiling，"IamgladthattheArchdukeJohnagreeswithme。HerepeatsonlywhatIsaidtoyouaboutBonaparte。"

"But，yourmajesty，thearchdukeaddedsomethingtoit，"saidCountStadion，quickly;"hesaidAustriaoughttoadoptmoredecisivemeasures。"

"Ah，andnowyouhopethatthearchdukewillsaytomewhatyouhavealreadysaidsooften，andthathewillmakethesameproposalsinregardtomoredecisivemeasuresasyoudid，minister？"

"Yes，Idohopeit，yourmajesty。"

"Well，letussee，"exclaimedtheemperor，withgreatvivacity。

"Tellme，therefore，archduke，whatmoredecisivemeasuresyoureferredto。"

"Yourmajesty，"repliedJohn，quickly，"Imeantthatweshouldstrivetogetridofourisolatedposition，andlookaroundforallieswhowillaidusnotonlywithmoney，asEnglanddoes，butalsowithtroops。"

"AndwhatallieswouldbemostdesirableforAustria，accordingtoyouropinion，archduke？"

Thearchdukecastarapid，searchingglanceonthefaceoftheminister，whorespondedtoitbyascarcelyperceptiblenodofhishead。

"Yourmajesty，"saidArchdukeJohn，quickly，"PrussiawouldbethemostdesirableallyforAustria。"

Theemperorstartedback，andthenturnedalmostangrilytoStadion。

"Intruth，"hesaid，"itisjustasIthought;thearchdukerepeatsyourownproposals。Itseems，then，thattheformerlysocourageouswar—partyatmycourtsuddenlydroopsitswings，andthinksnolongerthatweareabletocopesingle—handedwithBonaparte。Hence，itsmembershaveagreedtourgemetoconcludeanalliancewithPrussia，andnowcomethebesiegingforceswhicharetoovercomemyrepugnance。Theministerhimselfwasthefirsttobreakthesubjecttome;nowhecallstheArchdukeJohntohisassistance，andtakespainstobepresentattheveryhourwhenthearchdukearrivesheretosecondhiseffortsinattackingme。Halfanhourlater，andtheempresswillmakeherappearancetoassistyou，andconvincemethatweoughttosecure，aboveallthings，theallianceofPrussia。"

"Pardonme，yourmajesty，"saidCountStadion，earnestly;"Ihave，unfortunately，notthehonorofbeingoneofthearchduke\'sconfidants，andIpledgeyoumywordofhonorthatIdidnotknowatallthathisroyalhighnesswascominghither。"