NAPOLEON AND LUCIAN

New Zealand Tablet, 18 October 1906, Page 7

NAPOLEON AND LUCIAN

If you accompany me through the tortuous streets of Milan, we will tarry a moment or so opposite its miraculous Cathedral ; but as we shall in a short time return to examine it minutely, let me invite you to turn with me to the left, where in a room near by, one of those thrilling scenes which now and then attract public attention is about being enacted. Let us, then, enter the royal palace, ascend" the grand - staircase, and cross one of those apartments which- have been recently so beautifully decorated by the magic brush of Appian ; at another time we will linger before those frescoes representing the four quarters of the globe, and yonder ceiling, upon which are emblazoned the triumphs of Augustus ; but- just now • it is on living, actual realities we should gaze, 'it is of modern history we are about to write. Let us gently half open the door of this private apartment, and leave it ajar, " that we may- be unseen. Admirable ! you now see a man, do you'not ? And you recognise him by the simplicity of his green uniform, Ms tightly fitting white ' cashmere panta- ' i i I i S> *, an hls P llant boot s reaching to the knee. Be- - horn that head, modelled as of antique marble ; those blue eyes, whosa-^lances penetrate ' the very, future • those compressed lips— what composure !— it is the * consciousness of power, the serenity of the lion. When mai mouth opens, people listen ; when that eye lights Up v! h fu plams of Austerlitz emit volcanic names : when that brow becomes contracted, kings tremble on their very thrones. At this moment this man sways - the destinies of one hundred and twenty millions of people; ten nationalities, in as many different languages, smg praises in chorus to his name ; for he xs- greater than Caesar; he is equal to Charlemagne ; it is Napoleon-the Great, the thundering ♦ Jupiter of France. After a moment's calm expectant 011 ;!, J le * ?i es his e , ye U V° ll the opening door, which - 5* 35 ? urther . . end of the room admits- a man 52 nf »i,\ Wlie - CO 2 1 ' gre * Pantaloons, • below the" S?£L ? ul J ISO , hllssaL " boots > whose tops are f'2? kJ a heart. In looking" at him, a fesemb-""" lanjce between him and Napoleon is at once percepti--SirWr- kd? • H taller > less - corpulent, and perhaps Si nf J? I f Lucl f^' the true Koman the republi-, , Thw ? tii ™ dayS 'i, the , illvi nciWeone of- the .family. . o?^\,,^ Wrt-fW rt-f? cn -' h ° have not met since the -battle. tratP tJSI '„ Casi UJ ? on e f ach other looks which " P« ri e-^ tS nn»«S«i ce i 17 Souls . ; for Lucian alon « Possesses three P sTS? ° f Na ? oleon - After advancing three steps into the room, he stops. Napoleon 1 walk!

towards him, ■ extending his hand. 'My brother,' exclaims Lucian, -throwing his arms around Napoleon's neck ; 'My brother, how happy ' I am to see . you again.' 'Leave us, gentlemen,' said, the "Emperor ,'signifying his' 1 desire, with. a wave of Ms band to a group in another part" of the room. The' three comprising it bow, and retire without a word or even a murmur. Nevertheless, they who thus obey this simple motion are Duxic, „- Eugene and Murat ; one a marshal, the other a prince, and the other a king. ' I sent for you, Lucian,' ._says Napoleon, " when he saw they were alone. 1 And you see, ' replies Lucian', ' that I have hastened to obey you.' , . \ xMapoleon knits his brows almost imperceptibly, a<l- - ding : "No matter ! this is what I- desired, for I ' "wisn to speak with you.'" 'I am listening,' answers Lucian, bowing.- -. Napoleon takes one of the buttons of Lucian's .. coat between his fingers and ■ thumb, and fixing his eyes on .Lucian, asks of him, ' What are your designs V 'My designs ?' questions Lucian ; " ' my designs are those of one living in, retirement-, wii>h_ the hope of quietly finishing a poem which I have commenced.' ' *es,. yes,' answers Napoleon, ironically. 'I -had fotgottea— you are the poet of the family ; you compose verse, while I win battles and subjugate our enemies. VVhen i;ni no more, you will glorify me 'in song ; I shall thus have the advantage over Alexande'r — I shall have my Homer !' ! '.Which of "us is " the happier ?' asks Lucian. 'You, certainly you,' replies ' Napoleon, as with a humorous gesture he' lets go the.^button he' has been until now holding •; « for you have - mot ' the misfor- . tune of having diucrences, and perhaps rebels in. your family.' Lucian looks sadly, yet not without perceptible displeasure, art, the tmpeior, saying, ' lndifierentism ! Kemeniber the 18th Brumaire. Kebels ! Wherein have you ever known me to evoke rebellion ?' 'Lucian, it -is rebellion not to- assist" me; he who is not with me, is against me. Leb us see, Lucian. You know that of all my brothers, I love you best. You are the only one among them who can perpetuate what I have begun. Will you renounce the tacit "opposition which you have given me ? When now, all the powers of Europe are at my feet, would you deem it humiliating in you to bow your head 'mid the flatteiing corCege whiclf accompanies my triumphs ? Will your .voice be ever dinging in my ears, ''Caesar, forget not you must die : ' Come, now, Lucian, come; • will you follow me ?' ' What means your Majesty ?' asks Lucian, casting upon Napoleon a look of defiance. The- Emperor silently walks over to a table standing in the middle of the room, and placing his hand upon the coiner of a large map lying thereon,- he turns to Lucian, saying, ' 1 am now at the zenith of my fame, Lucian ; I have conquered Europe, and it now but remains for me to deal with it as I desire ; I am as victorious as was Alexander, as powerful as Augustus, and as great as "was Charlemagne ; whatsoever I wish I do, I can accomplish. ."-... Very well. 1 Napoleon now- takes the map, and . with a gracious yet listless motion unrolls It upon the table,- saying, ' Lucian, my brother, choose hereon the kingdom which most pleases you, and I ..promise you, on my word as an Emperor, the moment you shall have pointed it out to me, it shall be- yours.'': ' Why this proposition to me, rather than to any one of my brothers ?' asks Lucian. ' Because,' answers- Napoleon, ' you alone, are like me.' •. : • ' Hoav can tliis be, when our principles are not the same?' , • '- ■ ' I hoped, Lucian, that you had changed during those four years of our separation.' . . : 'Then, my brother,' replies Lucian, 'you are . mistaken. I am the selfsame Lucian you knew me to be in 1799. Never shall I barter my repose of mind and quietude for a throne.' (.To be concluded next week.) - „*_