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von Napoleon (Musical)

Act I
The Victim's Ball
A Cut-Throat Game
The Rest of My Life
The Road to Austria
The Dream Within
The Lover's Song
On That First Night
The Tale of Two Sculptors
The Calm Before The Storm
Timor Mortis
Sweet Victory Divine
Act II
Walls of Stone
The Last Crusade
The Friend You Were To Me
Waiting and Hoping
Napoleon's Return
Finale

A c t . I

It is 1796. At a decadent high society party in post-revolutionary
France. Madame Guillotine is mocked for the amusement of the surviving
Aristocracy.

The Victim's Ball

Chorus:

If you should number among the elite
Sentenced to die by the mob in the street
Now you need not be concerned in the least
The Terror is over!
We've all been released!

A few years ago life was free
Life was fun
I wasn't bothering anyone
Then came that damned Revolution in which
They jailed and assailed us
Because we're the rich

I lost a brother
I lost a son
I lost an uncle, my favourite one.
Friends and acquaintainces all guillotined!
We almost went with them
Thank God fate intervened!

Join in the party and bid you farewell
To that sharp-minded woman we've come to know well
Those with you necks
Pay your final respects
Say good-bye to our queen
It's the last she'll be seen
Say 'au revoir' to Madame Guillotine!

Enter the Directors

Here's the new government, rescued us all
Our gracious Directors, the hosts of the ball
Though they're corrupt they've got all of our votes
At least they're not peasants
With eyes on our throats!
Come to the Victim's Ball, bid your farewell
To the meanest misfortune that ever befell
She'd leave you stung
With one lash of her tongue
Madame's razor-sharp wit
Never dulled, never quit
Now, shout your 'hurrah', it's the last she'll be seen!
Say 'au revoir' to Madame Guillotine!

Citizeness Thérèse Tallien you are accused of having too much money.
How do you plead?
Thérèse:
Guilty! Guilty! Gloriously guilty!

Napoleon angrily walks away from the Directors having rejected his latest posting.

Barras:
Now, General Bonaparte,
Let's talk this through
Ducos:
How can you refuse
What we're offering you?
Napoleon:
You know the command of the army reserve
Is not the promotion I clearly deserve
The Austrian army is right at our door
Show me some trust and I'll win you the war

Napoleon notices Josephine.
Napoleon:
Lucien who is she?
Lucien:
Such beauty and elegance
Napoleon
Who can she be?
Thérèse:
Rose, look there,
I think you've been noticed
Josephine:
Thérèse, he's a boy
Thérèse:
A boy with his prospects
Is just what you need
He's moving towards us
Think of your debts
Josephine:
He's gaining potential the closer he gets.
Napoleon:
Dance with me, madame,
Do me the honour
Josephine:
The honour is mine

They dance. Napoleon's lack of sophistication becomes apparent.
Napoleon:
Madame, forgive my wretched dancing
Josephine:
You're forgiven
Napoleon:
How should I address you?
Josephine:
My name is Rose
Napoleon:
Just Rose?
Josephine:
Marie-Josèphe-Rose... Tascher.. de Beauharnais
Napoleon:
Josephine
I think that suits you better -- Josephine
Josephine:
A gentleman would be a bit less forward
Napoleon:
Should I tell you your beauty in enchanting?
Shall I say that I am spellbound by your charms?
Oh, I could try to play the patient lover
But all I want to do is take you in my arms
Josephine:
On first encounters,
One ought to keep one's distance
Napoleon:
Josephine, I hope we meet again

The Directors approach Napoleon.
Barras:
General, perhaps you were right after all
The offer we made was insultingly small
Moulins:
We're pleased to give you the promotion you seek
Ducos:
You have it!
Barras:
It's yours!
Moulins:
You depart in a week
Barras:
Go beat the Austrians
Moulins:
Every success!
Ducos: (aside)
If he should die we'll have one headache less!

All:
Well done, young Bonaparte
This is a coup!
We always believed
That you had it in you

My noble Directors
I hope for your sake
In trusting this man
You've not made a mistake!

Now one last time bid a rousing farewell
To that lady of ladies
The Mistress of Hell
No barber could shave you so close
But God save you
Her methods were mean
And her blade wasn't clean
And the price that you paid for a shave was obscene
So say 'au revoir' to Madame Guillotine!
Say 'au revoir' to Madame Guillotine!

[Top]

The guests leave. Talleyrand, Fouché and Garrau remain.

A Cut-Throat Game

Talleyrand:
Monsieur Fouché,
Monsiur Garrau,
Join me for a drink
Something in young Bonaparte
Really makes me think -
I've had a premonition
Strange as it may sound
My flawless intuition
Tells me we have found
A man we ought to watch
Ambitious, unafraid
A man who's going far
In politics one needs to hitch
One's wagon to a star
Fouché:
A toast to Minister Talleyrand!
Survival is his aim
Garrau:
A man from whom 'Duplicity'
Could be a middle name
Talleyrand:
Allegiance to a governmenet
Doesn't mean a thing
I'd be pleased with revolutionaries
Delighted with a King:
One has to be detatched
One has to be devoid
Of any sentimental ties
If on'es to be employed
Essentially, eventually
All leaders are destroyed

A toast to my two deputies
My faithful civil servants
Good health to men like you and me
Who honour strict observance
Of all the trick in politics
The secrets of the trade
Fouché:
Disloyalty
Garrau:
Dishonesty
Talleyrand:
One musn't be afraid
To use whatever means
To spot the winning horse
For politicians, foresight
Is a paramount resource!

I always hedge my bets
I always look ahead
Why stay on a sinking ship
When one can jump instead?
Oh, it's a business with no rules
That's the nature of the game
Be the leaders, wise or fools
To me it's all the same

I couldn't care who runs the show
The only thing I want to know
Is whom to bet upon
When those in charge lose their appeal:
I think this Bonaparte may some day prove ideal
Fouché + Garrau:
The man knows how to pick them
He's a master politician!
A glass of cheer to his career
A statesman and tactician
Talleyrand:
A toast to men like me
For whom endurance is the aim!
Political survival
Garrau:
Political survival
Fouché:
Political survival
All:
Is a cut-throat game!

[Top]

It is two weeks later. As Lucien Bonaparte watches his brother
Prepare to go out, he worries that they will grow apart in France.
Napoleon laughingly reassure him and leaves to call on Josephine.

The Rest of My Life

Napoleon:
I know it's late to call
But I must speak with you
Forgive me, Madame Beauharnais
Several timess this week
I have approached your door
Tonight I could not turn away
Josephine:
You're right, it's very late
You'd best get to the point
Napoleon:
I leave for my command in seven days
I haven't long
I'm tortured by the thought that I might lose you
While I'm gone
How can I say this
Without it sounding wrong?

If I had words to speak my heart
If only I knew where to start
I know you'd see much more in me
Than an ill-mannered man through and through
Or a boy unworthy of you

I'd find a way with poetry
To tell you what you've done to me
I'd write a verses the universe
Would recall as the best ever penned
By a hopeful lover and friend

I wake every day wanting you more and more
And I ache in a way
I have never before
Was it fate that we met?
From the first glance I knew
That I'd want to share
The rest of my life with you.

Napoleon: Josephine:
(I'd find a way I couldn't ever love him
With poetry Imagine him and me
To tell you what Two more different people
You've done to me There couldn't be
I'd write a verse And though his honesty
The universe has to be admired
Would recall His sweet naiveté
As the best leaves much to be desired
Ever penned He's so young
By a hopeful I ought to be as honest here
Lover and friend) as he.

And yet, he'd be
A way for me
At least to find
Imagine Security
A future, a life Imagine life
Without a care Without a care
You could see I could see
Your troubles Troubles come
Come to an end To an end
If you were If I were
My lover and friend His lover and friend

Josephine:
Every word you impart is as soft as a kiss
Napoleon:
It's absurd, but my heart never once felt like this
Josephine:
Was it fate that we met?
Napoleon:
From the first glance I knew
That I'd want to share
Josephine:
Could I share
Both:
The rest of my life
With you With you?
The rest of my life
With you With you?
Josephine:
You leave so soon
Napoleon:
Then marry me
Josephine:
Stay the night... and we'll see.

A week later, the army is departing. Napoleon says a
Tender goodbye to his new wife.

Napoleon:
Your faintest whisper wakens me
Your softest touch brings me to life
And when I feel your beating heart
I know I am alive

[Top]

The Road to Austria

Captain: (shouted)
Fall in!
Army:
For Freedom
For Justice
Our children
Our future

For Freedom
For Justice
Our children
Our future

Various soldiers during the march:
Two full days of marching
I've not even broken a sweat

Surely, little girlie
It's too early for a blister yet

Is that the new commander?
Heaven save us, he's a boy!
Watching him make a botch-up
Is a sight I will enjoy

Three days of marching
My boots are wearing through
Eight leagues already today
By sunset we'll have marched twenty-two!

This crate is full of wine!
Look, I don't believe it, Neufchatel!
The officerss have it easy
But for you and me war is hell

Napoleon:
Captain, I recognize him
What's the soldier's name?
Do you know?
Captain:
Sir, that's Sergeant Anton
Napoleon:
Served with me three years ago
Sergeant Anton
We've met before
Three years ago
In the thick of the war
The Battle of Toulon
You distinguished yourself
You fought as a hero
I saw it myself
Exit Napoleon
Anton:
That's amazing
To think that he'd remember me
One of a thousand
How cann it be?

Soldiers:
Five days of marching
There's not a part of me that doesn't ache
Lord, please have mercy on us
This pace is too hard to take

Army:
Eight days of marching
Eight days on little to eat
Soldiers:
The general's leading us towards defeat
The battle's already a loss
No matter how ready we are
The Austrians out-number us by far
Army:
Nine full days of marching towards the mountains
What happens now?
Soldiers:
We have to get around them
But I don't see how
General Bonaparte you must be mad
To cross the Alps is insane
Why risk the army?
Bonaparte:
The advantage is plain:
The Austrians won't expect us
If we come through this way
If Hannibal did it years ago
We can do it today
Soldiers:
Have you heard the orders?
We're all going to die
We can't cross the Alps
It's senseless to try
There's no route through the mountains
Just a mule-track four foot wide
Army:
It's madness to send an army
Along a storm-swept mountain side
Anton:
If Bonaparte says we can do it
We'll get through it
You will see
A journey with the general
Always leads to victory!

Against the odds, Napoleon and his men accomplish what
Seemed impossible -- crossing the Alps on foot, dragging
Heavy artillery.
Army:
Twelve days of exhaustion
How's a battle to be won?
Now the night before the battle
Has finally come...

[Top]

Napoleon, wandering amongst the weary and dispirited men, sees
Anton who as isolated himself from the rest.

The Dream Within

Napoleon:
Beneath this veneeer of courage
Under this brave charade
I am just the same as you are
Restless and afraid

I share the same existence
Governed by mortal fear
Even though I fight against it
Death is always near

I am not so different
Tonight, just like you all
I must face that question
The most human one of all:
Is tomorrow's battle
The one in which I'll fall

We have a dream within us
A will to improve our lot
In your heart you are a General
Don't believe you're not

Look at the world we live in
Men such as we can rise
Though we are of humble background
We can reach the skies
Anton:
Those we face tomorrow
Would take away that chance
Napoleon:
They'd rob you of ambition
Anton:
They would not let me advance
Tomorrow, when I fight them
I don't just fight for France
Napoloen: Anton:
Turn to the dream within you I needn't be afraid
Allow it to lead the way I know that I believe
No matter how they challenge us The dream
They can't take it away They can't take it away
Though we may be out-numbered Anything can be
We are a mighty throng And men like you and I
The cause for which we fight Can be
Makes us a thousand armies strong A thousand armies strong
Every man is equal Every man is equal
Every man stands tall Every man stands tall
Our dreams and our ambitions Our dreams
Have now become our call Have now become our call
In tomorrow's battle In tomorrow's battle
We will make a difference We will make a difference
I will make a difference
Even if I fall Even if I fall

The battle begins

Soldiers: Napoleon + Anton:
Trust in the dream within you We needn't be afraid
Allow it to lead the way
As long as we believe the dream No matter how they challenge us
They can't take it away They can't take it away

Though we may be outnumbered Anything can be
We are a mighty throng And men like you and I
The cause for which we fight can be
Makes us
All:
A thousand armies strong
Napoleon:
And so to glory
We will go
A better future
We will know
All: Napoleon:
Though we may be out numbered We know we will win
Onward and we will win We know we will win
Following Following
All:
Following the dream within

[Top]

The Lover's Song

In Napoleon's absense, Josephine has returned to her extravagant
Lifestyle of lavish parties, expensive clothing... and a lover.
Charles is lying on Josephine bed at Malmaison.

Charles:
All of Paris waits to see
The cuckold coming home
I wonder if he knows, my dear,
That you've not been alone
For countless hot impassioned night
I've had his wife on loan

He clearly thinks that he's the best
But he's been so misled
He might've won the big command
But I've come out ahead
Here in his wife's bed

It's been a joy to carry on
All this time that he's been gone
I've savoured every rendez-vous;
Each secret moment spent with you
But tonight will mean much more
Knowing he's next door

You can't resist a man like me
The danger of me haunts you
Come to me my Jezebel
Casanova wants you.

Bored with his bragging, Josephine throws him his jacket. After he
Has left, she is restless and discontented, thinking about her husband.
Somehow, her jaded attitude toward men doesn't seem to be serving her
As well as in the past.

Meanwhile, the conditions in France has come to a crisis. Angry crowds
Call for the overthrow of the of corrupt government which as failed to
Improve the terrible living conditions in Paris.

Rumours of Josephine's infidelity have reached Napoleon and there is a
Nasty scene between them on his victorios return. Talleyrand comes to
Napoleon to tell him that his popularity as "the hero of the people" not
Only offers him a unique opportunity -- it has also placed him under
Suspicion. If someone where to accus him of plotting a cout d'etat he
Would also be arrested. Talleyrand convinces Napoleon that his
Assistance is essential to Napoleon's success. The plot gains momentum
Until on the "Eighteenth of Brumaire", the Directors attempt to have
Napoleon arrested. Lucien seizes the moment and galvanizes the soldiers
And the crowd in Napoleon's favour. Napoleon wins the day.

[Top]

Josephine sits alone on the terrace at Malmaison

On That First Night

Josephine:
In the dusk I see
That fateful night
When you first came to me
We shared the dying day
You drew me near
And in your arms I lay
There, in the fading light
You warmed the coming night
And all of my defences fell away

Napoleon appears behind her
I need you
I cannot live withought you
I see now
My world would end without you
I need you touch
Your warm caress
Napoleon:
Hold me
Hold me close forever
Josephine:
Tell me we'll always be together
Napoleon:
Each night without you I need you more and more
Josephine:
I've been afraid to face the truth
I've been denying it,
Though all along I knew
It happened there
It happened then
On that first night
I fell in love with you
Napoleon:
That night beneath the stars
You broke the walls I built around my heart
Josephine:
There, against my plan
Your heated kiss
Began to take command
Both:
You breathed your fire into me
It slowly took control
A burning passion now consumes my soul
And now I know
The flames inside
Will never die

I need you
I cannot live without you
I see now
My world would end without you
I need your touch
Your warm caress
Napoleon:
Hold me,
Hold me close forever
Josephine:
Tell me we'll always be together
Napoleon
Each night without you
I need you more and more
Both:
Believe in me
As I believe in you
Josephine:
Look in my eye and see
Both:
That every word is true
It happened there
It happened then
On that first night
I fell in love with you

[Top]

Two years later, Napoleon's military success and revolutionary
Rhetoric have led the establishment of "A Secret Pact". The
Advisors to the royal houses of Europe plan to assassinate Napoleon.
The scene changes to a vaudeville performance in honour of
Napoleon and Josephine.

The Tale of Two Sculptors

Barrière:
Here's a tale you may not know
It happened not that long ago
Behold two sculptors of Par-ee
Lamenting what they'd come to be
Sculptors:
Woe... woe... woe
Barrière:
They had no money -- had no food
Their studio was cramped and crude
Then one day a man walked in
He wasn't French, but Cor-see-kin
He placed an order that fine day --
'I want a statue of myself for my hall-way'
Sculptor 1:
A wretched statue of a scrawny little general
Sculptor 2:
It's the only way these days to pay our debts
Sculptor 1:
It used to be that sculptors were respected artists
Sculptor 2:
Now this demeaning work is all one gets!
Sculptor 1:
All the great masters had it very easy
They created while their patrons kept them fed
Sculptor 2:
Not so long ago that fellow Michelangelo
Made his 'David' the way he pleased
Sculptor 1:
Now he's lucky to be dead
Both:
He'd have to carve this kind of shit instead
Barrièe:
But then he kept on coming in
With every battle, every win
And soon our little sculptor friends
Were doing more than meeting ends
Sculptor 2:
This General is really good for business!
Sculptor 1:
I've undergone a sudden change of heart!
Sculptor 2:
Today he placed an order for a hundred statues
Sculptor 1:
I could learn nto call this rubbish 'art'
Both:
It's a matter of basic economics
A simple question of supply and demand
We'll continue to supply 'em
For as long as he will buy 'em
Sculptor 1:
It's not the Venus di Milo
Sculptor 2:
But who cares when there's a pile-o'
Orders in your hand
Sculptor 1:
We just chip 'em
And ship 'em on command!
Barrièe:
So what's the moral of this tale?
Listen, it's of some avail:
Never underestimate
A person who believes he's great --

Short or tall
Fat or thin
Those of foreign origin
Looks of classic beauty,
Or a face that makes you wince,
Sculptors:
These fine days a common pauper
Can become a prince!
Barrièe:
He's a prince!
All:
The man's a prince!

[Top]

The evening's entertainment is drawing to a close with a tribute
To Napoleon, when there is an assassination attempt. Napoleon
Escapes with his life, but one of the 'sculptors' is killed. In the
Aftermath of the attempt, Talleyrand convinces Napoleon that he must
Take the crown for the good of the nation. Only the establishment of
A dynasty can protect him. Over Lucien's horrified objections,
Napoleon agrees. Lucien is arrested and thrown into prison.

The Calm Before the Storm

Lucien:
A blood-red sun
Hangs in a lifeless sky
It has begun
Those in the way will die
Does no one see?
Does no one know?
This is the calm before the storm

Soon the clouds
Will choke the light
Change the day
Into an endless night
And the wind will drive the rain
There'll be no shelter,
No escape

I remember when both of us were young
You were everything to me
There's been a change in you,
And now the brother that I knew
Somehow is not the man I see

What force has claimed you?
What spirit guides you?
What is this devil
That has taken you from me?

In the distance
There is thunder
Will no one hear
My desperate warning?

This is the calm
This is the calm before the storm.

Talleyrand tells Lucien he has been exiled from France.

[Top]

Napoleon is alone in the foreground, kneeling in the Chapel of
Notre Dame. The choir sings the service at his coronation.

Timor Mortis

Choir:
Timor mortis conturbat me
Quia in inferno
Nulla est redemptio
Timor mortis conturbat me

Miserere mei, Deus
Miserere mei, Deus
Et salva me!
Et salva me!

Kyrie eleison
Kyrie eleison
Kyrie eleison

Et salva me!
Et salva me!
Et salva me!
Et salva me!

(The fear of death troubles me -- for in hell there is no redemption)

[Top]

The gates behind Napoleon open and the candlelit interior is revealed.
The Pope moves to place the crown on Napoleon's head. The instant before
It touches his head, the action freezes.

Sweet Victory Divine

Napoleon:
I see the world spin away beneath me
As if I'm bourne up high into the air
Raised beyond the reach of failure
At last, I am delivered there
Unto my goddess
Unto my protector's care

There is a voice
That I alone can hear
A siren's love song
Ethreal and clear
Though there is danger
Her beauty leads me on
She bids me closer
And fearlessly I'm drawn
I'm in her power
She's claimed my soul
Over my destiny
She has control

Amid the flames of war
I have seen her face
The smoke of battle
Is her embrace
The more I want her
The stronger she becomes
By my own hand
Her will is done

When legions clash
When cannons roar
When Hell unleashes
Its deadly storm
She comes at least to me!

Sweet Victory divine
Tell me you are mine
None is more willing
To fulfill your grand design
Your burning touch
Commands my heart
If you demanded it
I'd tear the world apart

I know that I
Can't leave your fire
Now that I've kissed
The very flames of true desire
Draw me closer
Hold me for all time
Sweet Victory
Be mine!

The action around Napoleon resumes. He grabs the crown from the Pope
And crowns himself.

- - - Curtain - - -

[Top]

A c t . I I
Napoleon's dynastic ambitions require an heir. As Josephine is
Unable to bear him a child, Napoleon's advisors counsel him to
Divorce her and marry an Austrian princess. His ambition overrules
His heart -- Josephine stands between Napoleon and his destiny. He
Divorces her.

Walls of Stone

Josephine:
No one
And I mean no one
Gets the satisfaction of destroying me
Starting
From this moment
I'll shut the world out and I'll throw away the key
Walls of stone will rise around my heart
I'll take refuge in a life apart
Somewhere I can call my own
I'll build a fortress where I'll live alone

Look what happens when you let them in
When you don't heed your own advice
See the eangre and the pain it brings
It's a mistake I won't make twice

Watch me
Just you watch me
I need no one now,
I'll shut myself away
Hiding
From the sorrow
I won't care what people dare to think or say
I've been open
And I've found that it's no use
Let them pity me the poor recluse
Living behind my walls of stone
Within that fortress I'll be safe alone

[Top]

Some time later, Napoleon has gathered his advisors and generals

The Last Crusade

Napoleon:
Dear old friends, I bid you welcome
The reason I've recalled you all will soon be clear
Though you don't know it
You've been chosen to assist me
By the hand of a power Divine

You are more than my advisors
You're soon to be the founders of a new frontier
I've waited years
And now, my friends
At last it's time
It's time you knew my
Grand Design!

Russia just broke a treaty!
And so the choice to go to war has now been made
But Russia is just the start
For something bigger will begin once we invade:
Russia's the key
The gateway to the world!
The land from where I'll launch the last crusade!

Imagine a quest to build an Eden for mankind
A vast eternal Paradise;
The Human Spirit unconfined!

Our banner shall advance
As the light of France
Illuminates the dark oppresive night
Unto the world we shall bring the light

Russia
India
Persia
Asia
Arabia
Egypt
Algeria
The Sudan
Tunisia
The East Indies
The West Indies
The Orient
The Americas!

Behold my Grand Design
Human destiny
The enlightenment of man depends on me
History will call this my greatest victory

Radet: (aside)
History, I doubt, will be that kind

Napoleon:
What's that Radet?
What did you say?
Speak your mind

Radet:
Some may take a different view
I fear that history may well be hard on you

Napoleon:
Ah, Radet, what do you think they'll say?
Speak up...
Anyone! --
What do you think they'll say?

Will they call me a tyrant?
Was I an opprerssor?
No doubt that some will choose to see me in this light?
Was I dictator?
Or was I a despot?
Were all my motives in the wrong and not the right?

I rewrote the laws of France
So everyone would have the chance
To rise above their station
I brought emancipation
Equality for all!
That's not oppression.

Will they say I loved battle?
Was war an obsession?
I'm sure that some will say that's where my folly lay
I'd say to them clearly
I'd answer them plainly
That in the age I lived there was no other way

To achieve the Revolution
There was only one solution
We shed our blood for liberty
It was the cost of being free
To use the means at hand
Is not obsession!

Ah...
But what of ambition?
My blinding ambition
There was no one else in history with more

I freely admit it
I cannot deny it
But I would ask them,
'What was my ambition for?'

Every critic would have to confess
It wasn't all for selfishness
I fought to see the birth
Of an Elysium on earth:
A Kingdom of Reason
Where man could be his best!

Yes -- I had ambition.

So let them criticize me
Condemn me and despise me
Their words cannot erase the good I've done
I've served the human race far more than any one!

[Top]

Joesphine is alone at Malmaison, tending her beloved roses. Thérèse
Enters but is refused admittance by the maid who informs her that Josephine
Wishes to see no one. Thérèse refuses to accept this and comes over to
See Josephine

The Friend You Were To Me

Thérèse:
Is this all an act?
Just some point of pride?
Or have you decided
To keep me shut outside?

I've heard that things are bad --
Rumours, second-hand
You won't let me close to you
I don't understand

Yo'ure trying hard to tell me
You're coping on your own
But there are sometimes troubles
We cannot face alone

I just want you to know
If you wished it so
I would gladly be
The friend you were to me

You were always there
You were always strong
Ready with the answers
No matter what went wrong

When we were both afraid
You knew what to say
Always chose the perfect words
That drove my fear away

You could make it easy
By simply being you
Knowing you would listen
That's what saw me through

Keep silent if you must
We'll leave it undiscussed
But I would gladly be
The friend you were to me

I only want to be
The friend you were to me

Josephine:
There are sometime troubles
We cannot face alone...

Thérèse Josephine:
I just want you to know
I can't cope on my own
If you wished it so
Please don't let me go
I would gladly be
I won't forget
The friend you were to me The friend you were to me
I only want to be
The friend you were to me

[Top]

In Napoleon's absense, Tallyrand, Fouché and Garrau conduct
Affairs of state, dismissing terrible reports from the Russian campaign.
Meanwhile, in the ruins of a church in Russia, a group of starving
French soldiers who have been separated from the rest of the army have
Found shelter form the freezing cold, for the night. Haunted by a dying
Man's horrific memories of the campaign, Anton is the lsat to drift off,
Joining the men in their final sleep as they dream of the women they left
Behind to await their return.

Waiting and Hoping

Clarise:
He's getting close
I can feel it
I know that he'll arrive
He'll be along
He'll be smiling
People like him survive
I'm telling myself 'Don't you worry
Somewhere out there he's alive'

Waiting and hoping
Somehow I'm coping
Seeing his face in my mind
No sense in grieving
Firmly believing
He'd never leave me behind

Some won't come home
I know
Some girls will have to make due
Mine will be back
Yes, I'm sure,
He'll be one of those lucky few

Everyday praying
Never once saying
I might have to face life alone
No use in crying
Firmly denying
That he may never come home

Women:
Waiting and hoping
Everyday coping
Seeing his face in my mind
No sense in grieving
Firmly believing
He'd never leave me
He'd never leave me
He'd never leave me behind

Clarise:
He has a daughter
He has a family
He knows he has to take care of himself
Somehow he'll make it
Somehow he'll have to
He wouldn't want me to fend for myself

Women:
No use in crying
Firmly denying
They may never
They may never
They may never come home

Clarise:
Firmly denying
He may never come home
They may never come home

[Top]

With the failure of the Russian campaign, Napoleon's fortunes continue
To decline until he is forced to abdicate. He accuses Talleyrand of betrayal,
But the archpolitician is unabashed. Napoleon is exiled to Elba. Lucien
Returns from exile to visit Josphine at Malmaison. He finds her at death's
Door. Napoleon escapes from Elba. On hearing news, Talleyrand packs his bags.
The crowd is once again galvanized by Napoleon.

Napoleon's Return

Victory!
Once again the trumpet call
Calling out to one and all
The day is won,
The day is won!

Victory!
Everyone come raise the cry
Let the banners claim the sky
The day is won
Long live Napoleon!

[Top]

Lucien tells Napoleon of Josephine's death. There is no time to mourn. We
Hear the sounds of soldiers marching to the battlefield. Women gather on a
Hilltop. The fighting begins; wounded are carried off the field. Napoleon is
Strangely inactive, paralysed by his sense of loss. The battle is lost.

Finale

All the women except one have left the hilltop.
Napoleon:
Your fainest whisper wakens me
Your softest touch brings me to life
And when I feel your beating heart
I know I am alive

The women turns. It is Josephine.

Both:
Your fainest whisper wakens me
Your softest touch brings me to life
And when I feel your beating heart
I know I am alive
We would just destroy ourselves
If our worlds were kept apart

Napoleon: Josephine:
I've torn our world apart
I need you
I cannot live without you
Josephine forgive me
I've always loved you
How could I have harmed you?
I need you
I cannot live without you
You cannot stay with me
Hold me
Hold me close forever
You don't belong here
Your spirit must be free
I need you
No matter how I love you
I want you
We cannot be together
Go now to Heaven
And leave me to this Hell
Just let me hold you
Joephine you know
Before you make me go

Both:
I'll always love
Though you'll be far from me

Forever yours
Now go from me!
Your soul is free

Josephine walks into the mist of the battlefield below.

Napoleon is alone.

Napoleon:
I see the earth rise up to meet me
I am falling helpless to ground
The rocks below reach up to greet me
In my ear the wind makes such a sound
I fall, like Icarus in failure
How far away
That fateful day
The Corsican was crowned...

- - - Curtain - - -