War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy [849]
Return to text.
*209No, no, admit that it’s charming…this story of the bridge of Tabor…They crossed it without opposition.
Return to text.
*210That he only sees fire [i.e., is dazzled], and forgets that he ought to fire on the enemy.
Return to text.
†211It’s ingenious. Prince Auersperg’s honor is pricked, and he has the sergeant put under arrest. No, but admit that it’s charming, this whole story about the bridge of Tabor. It’s neither stupidity, nor cowardice…
Return to text.
*212It may be treason.
Return to text.
†213Not that either. It puts the court in too bad a fix…It’s neither treason, nor cowardice, nor stupidity; it’s like at Ulm…It’s…it’s like Mack. We’ve been macked.
Return to text.
*214We shall make this Russian army, which the gold of England has brought from the ends of the universe, experience the same fate (the fate of the army of Ulm).
Return to text.
*215There’s our dear Orthodox armed forces.
Return to text.
*216Ridiculousness.
Return to text.
*217To Prince Murat. Schönbrunn, 25 Brumaire [15 November], 1805, at eight o’clock a.m. It is impossible for me to find words to express to you my displeasure. You command only my vanguard and you do not have the right to make an armistice without my order. You are making me lose the fruits of a campaign. Break the armistice on the spot and march to the enemy. Declare to him that the general who signed this capitulation did not have the right to make it, that only the Emperor of Russia has that right.
Any time, however, that the Emperor of Russia will ratify the said convention, I will ratify it; but it is only a trick. March, destroy the Russian army…you are in a position to take their baggage and artillery.
The adjutant of the Emperor of Russia is a…Officers are nothing when they have no power: this one has none…The Austrians let themselves be fooled in the crossing of the bridge of Vienna, you are letting yourself be fooled by one of the Emperor’s adjutants. Napoleon.
Return to text.
*218That’s the pleasure of camp life, Prince.
Return to text.
*219What’s he singing?
Return to text.
†220Ancient history…The Emperor will show your Souvara, just like the others…
Return to text.
‡221In God’s name…
Return to text.
*222Very funny, my Mister Prince.
Return to text.
*223At this point an attack took place of which Thiers says: “Les russes se conduisirent vaillament, et chose rare à la guerre, on vit deux masses d’infanterie marcher resolument l’une contre l’autre sans qu’aucune des deux céda avant d’être abordée” (The Russians behaved valiantly and, a rare thing in war, one saw two masses of infantry marching resolutely against each other with neither of them giving way before they met.) And Napoleon on the island of St. Helena 19 said: “Quelques bataillons russes montrèrent de l’intrépidité” (Some Russian battalions showed dauntlessness). (Tolstoy’s note.)
Return to text.
*224You know that I am overburdened with business and that it is only out of pure charity that I concern myself with you, and then, too, you know very well that what I am proposing to you is the only feasible thing.
Return to text.
*225You will find with me the beautiful Hélène, whom one never tires of seeing.
Return to text.
*226Wait, I have plans for you this evening.
Return to text.
†227My good Hélène, you must be charitable towards my poor aunt, who adores you. Go and keep her company for ten minutes.
Return to text.
‡228And what bearing!
Return to text.
§229I hope you won’t go on saying that it’s boring in my house.
Return to text.
*230Good, I’ll leave you in your little corner. I see you’re doing very well there.
Return to text.
*231They say you’re redecorating your house in Petersburg.
Return to text.
†232That’s good, but don’t move out of Prince Vassily’s. It’s good to have a friend like the prince…I know something about it. Isn’t that so?
Return to text.
*233This is all well and good, but it must come to an end.
Return to text.
*234He’s such a fine and excellent man, our