(He rises and
goes to the fireplace. )
GIUSEPPE. They say you are careful of everything except human
life, excellency.
NAPOLEON. Human life, my friend, is the only thing that takes
care of itself. (He throws himself at his ease on the couch.)
GIUSEPPE (admiring him). Ah, excellency, what fools we all are
beside you! If I could only find out the secret of your success!
NAPOLEON. You would make yourself Emperor of Italy, eh?
GIUSEPPE. Too troublesome, excellency: I leave all that to you.
Besides, what would become of my inn if I were Emperor? See how
you enjoy looking on at me whilst I keep the inn for you and wait
on you! Well, I shall enjoy looking on at you whilst you become
Emperor of Europe, and govern the country for me. (Whilst he
chatters, he takes the cloth off without removing the map and
inkstand, and takes the corners in his hands and the middle of
the edge in his mouth, to fold it up.)
NAPOLEON. Emperor of Europe, eh? Why only Europe?
GIUSEPPE. Why, indeed? Emperor of the world, excellency! Why not?
(He folds and rolls up the cloth, emphasizing his phrases by the
steps of the process.
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