"Soldiers of my Old Guard, I bid you farewell. For 20 years I have constantly accompanied you on the road to honor and glory.
In these latter times, as in the days of our prosperity, you have invariably been models of courage and fidelity.
With men such as you our cause could not be lost; but the war would have been interminable; it would have been civil war, and that would have entailed deeper misfortunes on France.
I have sacrificed all of my interests to those of the country.
I go, but you, my friends, will continue to serve France.
Her happiness was my only thought. It will still be the object of my wishes.
Do not regret my fate; if I have consented to survive, it is to serve your glory.
I intend to write the history of the great achievements we have performed together.
Adieu, my friends. Would I could press you all to my heart. I embrace you all in the person of your general. Come, General Petit, that I may press you to my heart!
Bring me, the eagle that I may embrace it also!
Adieu, my children! Be always gallant and good.
Do not forget me."
In these latter times, as in the days of our prosperity, you have invariably been models of courage and fidelity.
With men such as you our cause could not be lost; but the war would have been interminable; it would have been civil war, and that would have entailed deeper misfortunes on France.
I have sacrificed all of my interests to those of the country.
I go, but you, my friends, will continue to serve France.
Her happiness was my only thought. It will still be the object of my wishes.
Do not regret my fate; if I have consented to survive, it is to serve your glory.
I intend to write the history of the great achievements we have performed together.
Adieu, my friends. Would I could press you all to my heart. I embrace you all in the person of your general. Come, General Petit, that I may press you to my heart!
Bring me, the eagle that I may embrace it also!
Adieu, my children! Be always gallant and good.
Do not forget me."
-Napoleon Bonaparte, 20 April 1814
0 reacted:
Post a Comment
THE COMMENT SECTION IS UNDER MARTIAL LAW!
Though unmoderated, the webmaster of The Pelican Spectator reserves the right to delete comment posts containing foul language and/or engaging in personal attacks against a person or an institution. Accusations and allegations will also be dismissed unless otherwise supported by verifiable facts. The moderator will also remove comments that are off-topic, and contain product, services and blog promotion.