Napoleon having now resigned himself entirely to his fate, whether for
good or evil, prepared, on the 20th of April, to depart for his place of
retreat. But first, he had the painful task of bidding farewell to the
body in the universe most attached to him, and to which he was probably
most attached,--his celebrated Imperial Guard. Such of them as could be
collected were drawn out before him in review. Some natural tears
dropped from his eyes, and his features had the marks of strong emotion
while reviewing for the last time, as he must then have thought likely,
the companions of so many victories. He advanced to them on horseback,
dismounted, and took his solemn leave. "All Europe," he said, "had armed
against him; France herself had deserted him, and chosen another
dynasty. He might," he said, "have maintained with his soldiers a civil
war of years, but it would have rendered France unhappy. Be faithful,"
he continued, (and the words were remarkable,) "to the new sovereign
whom France has chosen. Do not lament my fate; I will always be happy
while I know you are so. I could have died--nothing was easier--but I
will always follow the road of honour. I will record with my pen the
deeds we have done together. I cannot embrace you all, but I embrace
your general,"--(he pressed the general to his bosom.)--"Bring hither
the eagle,"--(he embraced the standard, and concluded)--"Beloved eagle,
may the kisses I bestow on you long resound in the hearts of the
brave!--Adieu, my children,--Adieu, my brave companions.--Surround me
once more--Adieu." Drowned in grief, the veteran soldiers heard the
farewell of their dethroned leader; sighs and murmurs broke from their
ranks, but the emotion burst out in no threats or remonstrances. They
appeared resigned to the loss of their general, and to yield, like him,
to necessity.--_Scott's Napoleon_.
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