L’Aiglon is a Webnovel created by Edmond Rostand.
This lightnovel is currently completed.
THE DUKE.
The clash of steeds and weapons! ‘Tis the Consul!
METTERNICH.
Lo! in a noisome crypt one fashions gold.
THE DUKE.
He fashions glory on the sands of Egypt.
METTERNICH.
Aha! Here’s Charles the Fifth, with hair cropped close, Dying for having sought self-burial!
THE DUKE.
Help!
Father!
METTERNICH.
The Escurial! Grisly phantoms And frowning walls!
THE DUKE.
Ah, hither! smiling visions: Compiegne and Malmaison!
METTERNICH.
You see them! see them!
THE DUKE.
Roll, drums of Arcola, and drown his voice!
METTERNICH.
The mirror’s teeming!
THE DUKE.
[_Twisting his wrist loose, but still holding the chandelier._]
I will shatter it!
METTERNICH.
Others, and others yet, arrive!
THE DUKE.
[_Hurling the chandelier into the mirror._]
‘Tis shattered!
Not one remains! Not one!
METTERNICH.
[_Pointing at the_ DUKE _with a terrible gesture._]
Yes!–One!
THE DUKE.
No, no!
It is not I! Not I!–My Father!–Help!
CURTAIN.
[Ill.u.s.tration: decoration of five torches with a hand for the flame.]
THE FOURTH ACT
_The Park at Schonbrunn. Ruins of a Roman Arch in the centre, in front of which is a fountain. Entrances on the right and on the left. Towards the right, in front, is a pile of stones, parts of columns, a head of Neptune, a broken urn, the whole covered with ivy and shrubs.
Orange-trees in boxes, bearing fruit and blossom, are dotted about, with lamps hanging in their foliage. At the rise of the curtain a gay throng of_ LORDS _and_ LADIES _in dominos and other disguises are moving about the stage._
FIRST MASK.
Who is the clown?
SECOND MASK.
Don’t know.
THIRD MASK.
The Cardinal?
FIRST MASK.
Don’t know.