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。\"
