The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 110

And what is it now?

FIRST ATTENDANT

Now, sir, it is the beginning of June.

KING

Ah, June, I remember!... The June flowers are not for me. I shall never see them; nor will she. So fond of them as she was.

... Even if I were living I would never go where there are flowers any more! No: I would go to the bleak, barren places that she never would walk in, and never knew, so that nothing might remind me of her, and make my heart ache more than I can bear!... Why, the beginning of June?--that's when they are coming to examine me! [He grows excited.]

FIRST ATTENDANT [to second attendant, aside]

Dr. Reynolds ought not have reminded him of their visit. It only disquiets him and makes him less fit to see them.

KING

How long have I been confined here?

FIRST ATTENDANT

Since November, sir; for your health's sake entirely, as your Majesty knows.

KING

What, what? So long? Ah, yes. I must bear it. This is the fourth great black gulf in my poor life, is it not? The fourth.

[A signal from the door. The second attendant opens it and whispers.

Enter softly SIR HENRY HALFORD, DR. WILLIAM HEBERDEN, DR. ROBERT WILLIS, DR. MATTHEW BAILLIE, the KING'S APOTHECARY, and one or two other gentlemen.]

KING [straining his eye to discern them]

What! Are they come? What will they do to me? How dare they! I am Elector of Hanover! [Finding Dr. Willis is among them he shrieks.]

O, they are going to bleed me--yes, to bleed me! [Piteously.] My friends, don't bleed me--pray don't! It makes me so weak to take my blood. And the leeches do, too, when you put so many. You will not be so unkind, I am sure!

WILLIS [to Baillie]

It is extraordinary what a vast aversion he has to bleeding--that most salutary remedy, fearlessly practised. He submits to leeches as yet but I won't say that he will for long without being strait- jacketed.

KING [catching some of the words]

You will strait-jacket me? O no, no!

WILLIS

Leeches are not effective, really. Dr. Home, when I mentioned it to him yesterday, said he would bleed him till he fainted if he had charge of him!

KING

O will you do it, sir, against my will, And put me, once your king, in needless pain?

I do a.s.sure you truly, my good friends, That I have done no harm! In sunnier years Ere I was throneless, withered to a shade, Deprived of my divine authority-- When I was hale, and ruled the English land-- I ever did my utmost to promote The welfare of my people, body and soul!

Right many a morn and night I have prayed and mused How I could bring them to a better way.

So much of me you surely know, my friends, And will not hurt me in my weakness here! [He trembles.]

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

The tears that lie about this plightful scene Of heavy travail in a suffering soul, Mocked with the forms and feints of royalty While scarified by briery Circ.u.mstance, Might drive Compa.s.sion past her patiency To hold that some mean, monstrous ironist Had built this mistimed fabric of the Spheres To watch the throbbings of its captive lives, [The which may Truth forfend], and not thy said Unmaliced, unimpa.s.sioned, nescient Will!

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

Mild one, be not touched with human fate.

Such is the Drama: such the Mortal state: No sigh of thine can null the Plan Predestinate!

HALFORD

We have come to do your Majesty no harm.

Here's Dr. Heberden, whom I am sure you like, And this is Dr. Baillie. We arrive But to inquire and gather how you are, Thereon to let the Privy Council know, And give a.s.surances for you people's good.

[A bra.s.s band is heard playing in the distant part of Windsor.]

KING

Ah--what does that band play for here to-day?

She has been dead and I so short a time!...

Her little hands are hardly cold as yet; But they can show such cruel indecency As to let trumpets play!

HALFORD

They guess not, sir, That you can hear them, or their chords would cease.

Their boisterous music fetches back to me That, of our errands to your Majesty, One was congratulation most sincere Upon this glorious victory you have won.

The news is just in port; the band booms out To celebrate it, and to honour you.