Music of whispering trees
Hushed by a broad-winged breeze
Where shaken water gleams;
And evening radiance falling
With reedy bird-notes calling.
O bear me safe through dark, you low-voiced streams.

I have no need to pray
That fear may pass away;
I scorn the growl and rumble of the fight
That summons me from cool
Silence of marsh and pool
And yellow lilies is landed in light
O river of stars and shadows, lead me through the night.
(Siegfried Loraine Sassoon, 1915)

The wars and battles led by Napoleon Bonaparte also affected the western part of the Slovak territory. Napoleon’s army first reached Slovak territory in November 1805. They occupied the right bank of the Danube River and subsequently entered the town of Bratislava. Their three-day
stay was related to the preparation of one of the largest battles of the Napoleonic period, which took place on December 2, 1805 at Austerlitz. This battle is known as the Battle of Three
Emperors. The final peace negotiations between Austrian and French diplomats took place at the end of December 1805 in Bratislava (Pressburg at that time).