My return brings to mind the the dramatic return of Napoleon to France from exile in Elba in 1815.
Louis XVIII had surrounded himself with a gauche, unrefined, insular, uneducated and regressive group of diletantes. They were terrified at the news that the great man was back in France but certain that he could quickly be brought to heel and had already declared that it was every soldier’s duty to shoot Napoleon on sight. As Napoleon’s band approached Grenoble, a royalist General made a stand with his troops at a narrow pass approaching the city, near the village of Laffray.
Napoleon was determined that his return to power would be a bloodless coup; that the people of France would be seen to have welcomed him back with open arms. A messenger was sent to the troops at Laffray.
‘The Emperor is on the point of advancing towards you. If you fire he will be the first to fall and you will answer for it to the whole of France.’
On Napoleon’s orders, the Guard advanced with their muskets reversed, with Napoleon himself at their front. The commanding officer of the government troops gave the order to fire. The soldiers disobeyed and refused. Napoleon continued to walk on, to within easy range of the guns.
‘Soldiers, I am your emperor. Know me! If there is one of you who would kill his Emperor, here I am’.
He threw open his famous grey greatcoat, inviting a shot.
It was more than the government soldiers could bear; they abandoned their weapons and ran towards the invaders, shouting ‘Vive l’Empereur!’
They tore the white royalist cockades off their shakos and threw them to the ground. They clamoured around Napoleon, reaching out to touch him, weeping. Their great leader was back amongst them.
Later that day, the hapless informant who had caused The Emperor’s exile offered his sword to Napoleon and may well have feared the worst. Instead he was swept into a forgiving embrace and offered his old position back, that of the Emperor’s personal Master of The Stool.
Napoleon was to enter the capital only twenty days later, carried into the Tuileries on the shoulders of an adoring army. That night he stood on a table at Europe’s finest fleshpot, le Moulin Rouge and proclaimed;
The bullet that will kill me has not yet been cast.
P.S. No unimaginative retorts about Josephine, Waterloo, small members or failed invasions of Russia. I thank you and salute you!
Ok, DJ Lapsy, hit up the room with some groovy Summer tunes and let the celebrations begin;
I wanna dance by water 'neath the Mexican sky Drink some Margaritas by a string of blue lights Listen to the Mariachi play at midnight Are you with me, are you with me?
P.S. No unimaginative retorts about Josephine, Waterloo, small members or failed invasions of Russia. I thank you and salute you!Ok, DJ Lapsy, hit up the room with some groovy Summer tunes and let the celebrations begin;I wanna dance by water 'neath
Welcome back, I was playing whilst so the dj duty was neglected,twas a tough decision but given your hipster image and aqquaintance with M O L, i came up with this modern clubby thing. Just enter "Gigi vs darude-i'll fly with you" into you tube(12.32m)
Welcome back,I was playing whilst so the dj duty was neglected,twas a tough decision but given your hipster image and aqquaintance with M O L, i came up with this modern clubby thing.Just enter "Gigi vs darude-i'll fly with you" into you tube(12.32m)
F**k me this place has changed, Lapsy is now into upbeat and progressive trance . Gym bunnies will recognise that track (roughly 4minutes in) from way back Body Combat 3 (we are now on number 60 something). More of a Body Pump man these days, easier on the knees.
Anyway, thanks to all for the welcome back and the kind words
F**k me this place has changed, Lapsy is now into upbeat and progressive trance . Gym bunnies will recognise that track (roughly 4minutes in) from way back Body Combat 3 (we are now on number 60 something). More of a Body Pump man these days, easier
I wish to take this opportunity to apologise for bullying you in the past. I will do my best to ensure to does it happen going forward.
Very refreshed, Wonks, thank you.I wish to take this opportunity to apologise for bullying you in the past. I will do my best to ensure to does it happen going forward.
PBK 23 May 15 20:54 Joined: 11 Sep 10 | Topic/replies: 6,501 | Blogger: PBK's blog Well known that me and Ozy didn't get on and TBF I probably said plenty to him that could of got me banned and vice versa BUT I'd take Ozy anyday over a grass
Welcome back Ozy, it's already becoming interesting
PBK 23 May 15 20:54 Joined: 11 Sep 10 | Topic/replies: 6,501 | Blogger: PBK's blogWell known that me and Ozy didn't get on and TBF I probably said plenty to him that could of got me banned and vice versa BUT I'd take Ozy anyday over a grassWelcome ba