Act IV
The theatre represent the plains of Fleurus.
This act is almost entirely in mime and can only be represented successfully on a stage constructed
for melodrama or grand opera
Scene 1
Buonaparte, his staff, the army
Buonaparte in the midst of his officers haranguing his soldiers who can’t hear him
Soldiers! the moment has come to show Europe that we are still the same, that our moderation was
a ruse and that our promises but a game: let us swoop down on these foreigners whom we swore
we’d await. We have little to fear – we are numerous and in front of us just the English and the
Prussians. It’s now or never. (The rain is pouring down). The Austerlitz sun still shines for us. If you
have complete confidence in my merit (which everyone apart from you is now calling into question),
if you still attach a price as you once did to letting yourself be exterminated on my command, then
there is no doubt that I will restore my reputation and that you will gain great profit from it. Soldiers,
I expect everything from you.
The officers
Long live the Emperor!
the soldiers, enthused by their leaders
Long live the Emperor!
Buonaparte
Go on, attack, and bear in mind that your Emperor is watching
(The soldiers rush in, engage, fight; military music which expresses the curses and swearing of the
soldiers, the cries of the injured and dying: canon can be heard very frequently.)
Scene 2
Buonaparte, his officers, an aide-de-camp
The aide-de-camp
Sire, the enemy is retreating.
Buonaparte
in that case, let us advance
An old offier
Be careful, sire, it may be a trick.
Buonaparte
I know nothing of that, Monsieur, I only go forwards.
Scene III
as before + a second aide-de-camp
The second aide-de-camp
Sire the battlefield is ours. Your army has shown prodigious valour.
Buonaparte
It could not be otherwise. I was here.
the second aide-de-camp
But the fight has been cruelly costly in lives.
Buonaparte
I didn’t ask about that.
the second aide-de-camp
We think brave Letort has been killed.
Buonaparte
I’m delighted. Quick, send a courier to Paris…. What did you say about Letort?
the second aide-de-camp
I said, sire that we think he has been killed.
Buonaparte
A small misfortune. Putin the bulletin that I am deeply saddened. (to those around him). I told you
that I would be victorious.
All the officers
Sire, your majesty is never wrong. You are the greatest captain the world has ever seen.
Buonaparte
I award pensions to you all, messieurs.. But let us go and take a look at the battlefield, It’s a long
time since I was able to enjoy such a sweet sight.
Scene 4
The theatre represents the battlefield.
Buonaparte, his staff, a number of dying officers and soldiers
Several voices
ah, what pain, what terrible suffering, death is cruelly taking so long to come to us.
Others
Avenging heavens, must so many perish victims of one man’s ambition?
Buonaparte, turning round
We’ve got through a lot of men. Ah! If I’m not mistaken, I can see Letort. (To Letort) Well, my brave
man, they told me you were dead.
Letort
Go away, leave me to expiate in peace the crime of having embraced your cause, execrable tyrant!
Buonaparte
What is he saying?
Letort
cursed be the day when your too indulgent victors let you keep a life tarnished with so many crimes
and so disastrous for humanity.
Buonaparte
I see what’s the matter. He’s having a fit. Let us move away – I don’t want to see him.
Several voices
Here he is, the monster. He’s come to feast his eyes on the last convulsions of the dying and breathe
in with delight the smell of our blood.
Buonaparte, leaving
You must put in the bulletin that our losses were slight and that Letort is better.
Scene 5
The theatre represents the battlefield of Waterloo.
Buonaparte and the whole army
Soldiers. One more small harangue. For as long as men have benefited from war, soldiers have been
open to harangues and I don’t want to miss this easy opportunity to lead you astray and to fire your
blood. Today is a great day, my children: it offers us nothing less than the submission of Belgium, the
total destruction of Blücher’s army, the conquest of the Hanseatic towns, Prussia, Sweden, Russia,
etc etc etc; but if we are defeated, the misfortune that awaits us is incalculable. The moment has
come for all French men who have a heart to win or die. Do you promise me to do that?
the soldiers
we promise!
Buonaparte
I will double your rations of brandy.
Soldiers, drinking
Long live father Violet!
Buonaparte, once they have drunk
Go now. I will find myself a place on raised ground from where I watch without running any risk to
my life.
(the combat commences. The same music as in scene 1, only a little quicker and the cannons are
louder and more frequent)
scene 6.
Buonaparte, orderlies, aide-de-camp etc.
the aide-de-camp
Sire, we are engaged on all fronts. Your soldiers are making incredible efforts but they are not
advancing. The left has suffered a lot already.
Buonaparte
quick, take the 30,000 men who are the reserve force for the right and send them to the left. (this
movement of men is carried out)
scene 7
as before, a 2nd aide-de-camp
second aide-de-camp
Sire, the right needs reinforcing, no-one knows what has happened to a column of 30000 men which
it had in reserve.
Buonaparte, to an orderly
Run bring them back. to the aide de camp: announce the column, it’s coming. I thought you didn’t
need it so I redeployed it.
scene 8
Buonaparte, officers, a 3rd aide-de-camp
3rd aide-de-camp
Sire, the centre has given way, been overwhelmed. If you don’t use all your resources, all will be lost.
Buonaparte
come come, this is no place for jokes. Quick, my guard. The Guard file in quickly.
Scene 9
Buonaparte, officers, first aide-de-camp
1st aide-de-camp
Sire, the lack of reinforcements has been disastrous for us, the right is put to rout.
Buonaparte, taking snuff
Ah! Ah!
Scene 10
the same, 2nd aide-de-camp
Sire, the counter-order that you gave to the reinforcements has been disastrous for us – the left is
cut off.
Buonaparte, taking more snuff.
what a nuisance
scene 11
as before, 3rd aide-de-camp
3rd aide-de-camp
Ah, Sire, the fanatical enthusiasm you have inspired in your soldiers has been disastrous for us –
your Guard has been cut to pieces.
Buonaparte
deuce!
3rd aide-de-camp
It rushed in too blindly and was surrounded. Surrender brave men surrender was the cry from all
sides. ‘The Guard dies, it does not surrender’, replied General Cambrone proudly; and the guard is
no more.
Buonaparte
You mean Cambrone is dead?
3rd aide-de-camp
No, sire, he surrendered.
Buonaparte
How come after having said that the guard would die and not surrender.
3rd aide-de-camp
Sire, he was injured.
Buonaparte
what a rubbish excuse… What are those troops over there that I see with their guns ready?
1st aide-de-camp
Sire, those are the 30000 men you took off us at just the wrong time.
2nd aide-de-camp
and which your majesty didn’t send us
Buonaparte
you mean that they’ve not fired a shot all day?
an officer
no sire.
Buonaparte, taking more snuff
I’ve made a right blunder there but never mind, march them into the centre.
3rd aide-de-camp
It’s too late, sire.
Buonaparte
Leave it be, Monsieur, there’s always time to send people to their deaths.
scene 12 as before, Bertrand
Bertrand
Ah Sire, ah, my master, everything is lost, all that is left is for us to die.
Buonaparte
what do you mean?
Bertrand
We’re beaten, completely beaten, sire.
Buonaparte
I don’t believe you
Bertrand
Just look all around you. what chaos, what confusion.
Buonaparte, looks with his eye glass/ opera glasses
Yes, it does seem in effect, Dash it! My friend, let's go to Paris. This Belgian air really doesn't
suit me. (to an officer) Gourgaud: rally all those soldiers over there. Take great care to arrest
any deserters. I'm off.
an officer
what? He’s off, he’s abandoning us?
Gourgaud
Are you surprised? It’s not the first time he’s done it.
End of act 4.