Servitude and Grandeur of Arms

by Vigny, Alfred De; Gard, Roger

• ISBN13: 9780140446630
• ISBN10: 014044663X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-03-01
• Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Summary

Servitude and Grandeur of Arms consists of reflections, arguments and autobiographical anecdotes surrounding three longer narratives. These include an episode on the high seas with Admiral Collingwood, a glimpse into Marie-Antoinette's court, scenes from the campaign of 1814 against the Russians and the Paris revolution of 1830, and an overheard conversation between Napoleon and the Pope - part of what is probably the most telling and dramatic portrait of the emperor in literature. Yet these are essentially the stories of gruff and grizzled veterans, bound by a stern code of duty and honour, who reveal unexpected depths of humanity. De Vigny vividly conveys the savagery of war, the dreariness, deprivation and discipline of military service, but also its comradeship, stoicism and fundamental uprightness. The result is a strange and subtle masterpiece.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION	vii	(12)
NOTE ON THE TEXT AND TRANSLATION	xix
Memories of Military Servitude	3	(92)
BOOK I	3	(42)
1 Why I have assembled these recollections	3	(7)
2 On the character of armies in general	10	(4)
3 Of the servitude of the soldier and his individual character	14	(4)
LAURETTE, OR THE RED SEAL	18	(27)
4 Of an encounter I had one day on the high road	18	(5)
5 The story of the red seal	23	(16)
6 How I continued on my way	39	(6)
BOOK 2	45	(50)
1 On responsibility	45	(6)
AN EVENING AT VINCENNES	51	(44)
2 A soldier's honourable scruples	51	(4)
3 On the love of danger	55	(3)
4 The family concert	58	(4)
5 THE QUARTMASTER-SERGEANT MAJOR'S STORY The children of Montreuil and the stonecutter	62	(3)
6 A sigh	65	(1)
7 The lady in rose	66	(4)
8 Front-rank firing position	70	(4)
9 A sitting	74	(3)
10 A wonderful evening	77	(6)
11 The end of the Quartermaster-Sergeant Major's story	83	(2)
12 The awakening	85	(4)
13 A pencil drawing	89	(6)
Memories of Military Grandeur	95	(70)
BOOK 3	95	(70)
I	95	(2)
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CAPTIAN RENAUD, OR, THE MALACCA CANE	97	(68)
2 A memorable night	97	(6)
3 Malta	103	(4)
4 A plain letter	107	(5)
5 An unreported conversation	112	(12)
6 A man of the sea	124	(18)
7 A reception	142	(2)
8 The Russian guard-post	144	(9)
9 A marble	153	(6)
10 Conclusion	159	(6)
NOTES	165
INTRODUCTION	vii	(12)
NOTE ON THE TEXT AND TRANSLATION	xix
Memories of Military Servitude BOOK I	3	(15)
1 Why I have assembled these recollections	3	(7)
2 On the character of armies in general	10	(4)
3 Of the servitude of the soldier and his individual character	14	(4)
LAURETTE, OR THE RED SEAL	18	(27)
4 Of an encounter I had one day on the high road	18	(5)
5 The story of the red seal	23	(16)
6 How I continued on my way	39	(6)
BOOK 2	45	(6)
1 On responsibility	45	(6)
AN EVENING AT VINCENNES	51	(44)
2 A soldier's honourable scruples	51	(4)
3 On the love of danger	55	(3)
4 The family concert	58	(4)
5 THE QUARTERMASTER-SERGEANT MAJOR'S STORY The children of Montreuil and the stonecutter	62	(3)
6 A sigh	65	(1)
7 The lady in rose	66	(4)
8 Front-rank firing position	70	(4)
9 A sitting	74	(3)
10 A wonderful evening	77	(6)
The end of the Quartermaster-Sergeant Major's story	83	(2)
12 The awakening	85	(4)
13 A pencil drawing	89	(6)
Memories of Military Grandeur BOOK 3	95	(70)
1 THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CAPTAIN RENAUD, OR, THE MALACCA CANE	95	(2)
2 A memorable night	97	(6)
3 Malta	103	(4)
4 A plain letter	107	(5)
5 An unreported conversation	112	(12)
6 A man of the sea	124	(18)
7 A reception	142	(2)
8 The Russian guard-post	144	(9)
9 A marble	153	(6)
10 Conclusion	159	(6)
NOTES	165