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。"