There is this certain speech delivered by the great Napolean Bonaparte. I loved to say this speech when I was in school. U call this declamation.. Read and say if you like it too.
On his soldiers entering Milan
Soldiers; you have rushed like a torrent from the top of the Apennines;you have overthrown and scattered all that opposed your march. Piedmont deivered from Austrian tyranny, indulges her natural sentiments for peace and friendship towards France. Milan is yours, and the republican flag waves throughout Lombardy. The Dukes of Parma and Modena owe their political existence to your generosity alone.
The army which so proudly threatened you can find no barrier to protect it against your courage; neither the Po, the Ticino, nor the Adda could stop you for a single dat. These vaunted bulwarks of Italy opposed you in vain; you passed them as strong as the Apennanes.
These great successes have filled the heart of your country with joy. Your representatives have ordered a festival to commemorate your victories, which has been held in every district of the republic. There your fathers, your wives, sisters and mistresses rejoined in your good fortune and boasted of belonging to you.
Yes, soldiers, you have done much-but remains there nothin gmore to do? Shall it be sid of us that we have conqured but not how to make use of victory? Shall posterity reproach us with having found capus in Lombardy? but I see you hasten to arms. An effeminate response is tedious to you; the days which to glory are lost to your happiness. Well, then, let us set forth! We have still forced marches to make, enemies to subdue, laurels to gather, injuries to revenge. let those who have sharpened their daggers of civil war in France, who have dared to murder our ministers and burnt our ships at Toulon tremble!
The hour of vengeance has struck; but let the people of all countries be free from apprehension; we are the friends of the people everywhere, and of those great en, whom we have taken for our models. To restore the Capital, to replace the statues of the heroes who rendered it illustrious, to rouse the Roman people, stupefied by several ages of slavery-such will be the fruit of our victories, they will form an era of posterity, you will have the immortal glory of changing the face of the finest part of Europe. The French people, free and respecte dby the whole world will giev to Europe a glorious peace, which will indemnify them for the sacrifices of every kind which for the last six years they have been making. You will then return to your homes, and your country. Men will say, as they point you out, "he belongs to the army of Italy."
On his soldiers entering Milan
Soldiers; you have rushed like a torrent from the top of the Apennines;you have overthrown and scattered all that opposed your march. Piedmont deivered from Austrian tyranny, indulges her natural sentiments for peace and friendship towards France. Milan is yours, and the republican flag waves throughout Lombardy. The Dukes of Parma and Modena owe their political existence to your generosity alone.
The army which so proudly threatened you can find no barrier to protect it against your courage; neither the Po, the Ticino, nor the Adda could stop you for a single dat. These vaunted bulwarks of Italy opposed you in vain; you passed them as strong as the Apennanes.
These great successes have filled the heart of your country with joy. Your representatives have ordered a festival to commemorate your victories, which has been held in every district of the republic. There your fathers, your wives, sisters and mistresses rejoined in your good fortune and boasted of belonging to you.
Yes, soldiers, you have done much-but remains there nothin gmore to do? Shall it be sid of us that we have conqured but not how to make use of victory? Shall posterity reproach us with having found capus in Lombardy? but I see you hasten to arms. An effeminate response is tedious to you; the days which to glory are lost to your happiness. Well, then, let us set forth! We have still forced marches to make, enemies to subdue, laurels to gather, injuries to revenge. let those who have sharpened their daggers of civil war in France, who have dared to murder our ministers and burnt our ships at Toulon tremble!
The hour of vengeance has struck; but let the people of all countries be free from apprehension; we are the friends of the people everywhere, and of those great en, whom we have taken for our models. To restore the Capital, to replace the statues of the heroes who rendered it illustrious, to rouse the Roman people, stupefied by several ages of slavery-such will be the fruit of our victories, they will form an era of posterity, you will have the immortal glory of changing the face of the finest part of Europe. The French people, free and respecte dby the whole world will giev to Europe a glorious peace, which will indemnify them for the sacrifices of every kind which for the last six years they have been making. You will then return to your homes, and your country. Men will say, as they point you out, "he belongs to the army of Italy."
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