-blower has stolen.

[_Handing back the paper._]

You'll wed your child to her Bohemian lover.

THE HUSBANDMAN.

But--

THE EMPEROR.

I'll endow him.

THE CHAMBERLAIN.

Name?

THE HUSBANDMAN.

Johannes Schmoll.
I kiss your hands.

THE EMPEROR.

[_Taking another paper._]

"A shepherd of the Tyrol,
A friendless orphan, robbed of all his land,
Driven from his homestead by his father's foes,
Yearns for his native woods and skies"--how touching!--
"And his paternal meadow." 'Tis restored.

THE CHAMBERLAIN.

What is the shepherd's name, who asks for help?

THE SHEPHERD.

The Duke of Reichstadt! And the meadow's France!

THE EMPEROR.

[_To the_ PETITIONERS.]

Begone!

[_All go._]

What's this?

THE DUKE.

It seems if I were only
A mountain shepherd or a forester,
With nothing to attract your notice, Sire,
Save a cock's feather in my huntsman's hat,
You would have drawn me to your melting heart.

THE EMPEROR.

But Franz--!

THE DUKE.

Ah, now I know why all your subjects,
All those who are unhappy, call themselves
Your sons as much as we; but is it just,
Sire, is it just, that I, when I'm unhappy,
Have less of kinship than the least of these?

THE EMPEROR.

But why just now--for I must scold you, sir--
When I was busy with these wretched people--
Why come to me just now, and not in private?

THE DUKE.

I wished to find you when your heart was open.

THE EMPEROR.

My heart--my heart!--You're somewhat over-bold!

THE DUKE.

I know that you can do the thing I ask,
That I am wretched almost past endurance,
And that you are my Grandfather--that's all.

THE EMPEROR.

But there is Europe--England--above all,
There's Metternich.

THE DUKE.

You are my Grandfather.

THE EMPEROR.

You don't know half the difficulties.

THE DUKE.

But
I am the grandson of your Majesty.

THE EMPEROR.

But--

THE DUKE.

Sire, in whom alone I place my trust,
Be Grandfather a little while!

THE EMPEROR.

But I--

THE DUKE.

Just for a moment drop the Emperor.

THE EMPEROR.

Ah, what a coaxing way you always had.

THE DUKE.

You know I cannot bear you when you look
Like the great portrait hanging in the throne-room,
With the ermine cl