As a necessary sequel to these proceedings in Paris, the senators of the Italian republic now sent in their humble petition, that their president might be pleased to do them also the favour to be crowned as their king at Milan.  The Emperor proceeded to that city accordingly, and in like fashion, on the 26th of May, 1805, placed on his own head the old iron crown of the Lombard kings, uttering the words which, according to tradition, they were accustomed to use on such occasions, “God hath given it me.  Beware who touches it.”—­Napoleon henceforth styled himself Emperor of the French and King of Italy, but announced that the two crowns should not be held by the same person after his death.

It was not, however, for mere purposes of ceremonial that he had once more passed the Alps.  The Ligurian republic sent the Doge to Milan to congratulate the King of Italy, and also to offer their territories for the formation of another department of the French empire.  But this was a step of his ambition which led to serious results.

Meanwhile Eugene Beauharnois, son to Josephine, was left Viceroy at Milan, and the imperial pair returned to Paris.

[Footnote 47:  To this period belong Sir W. Scott’s song to the Edinburgh Volunteers:—­

      “If ever breath of British gale
      Shall fan the tricolor,
    Or footstep of invader rude,
    With rapine foul and red with blood,
      Pollute our happy shore—­
    Then farewell home! and farewell friends! 
      Adieu each tender tie! 
    Resolved, we mingle in the tide
    Where charging squadron furious ride,
      To conquer or to die,” &c.

And various sonnets of Mr. Wordsworth; such as—­

    “It is not to be thought of that the flood
      Of British freedom,” &c.

    “Vanguard of liberty! ye men of Kent,
    Ye children of a soil that doth advance
    Its haughty brow against the coast of France,
    Now is the time to prove your hardiment!” &c.
]

[Footnote 48:  This account was published more than twenty years afterwards, in consequence of a pamphlet by Savary (Duke of Rovigo).]

[Footnote 49:  About a year afterwards Captain Wright was found dead in his dungeon in the Temple, with his throat cut from ear to ear.  This mystery has hitherto remained in equal darkness; but Buonaparte was far from Paris at the period of Wright’s death, and, under all the circumstances of the case, there seems to be no reason for supposing that he could have had any concern in that tragedy.]

[Footnote 50:  i.e. Kill-king.]

CHAPTER XIX