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.

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