The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 115

Suddenly he turns, and gazes about with a ruffled face. He sees a tall, red-faced man near him--LORD MOIRA, one of his friends.]

PRINCE REGENT

d.a.m.ned hot here, Moira. Hottest of all for me!

MOIRA

Yes, it is warm, sir. Hence I do not dance.

PRINCE REGENT

H'm. What I meant was of another order; I spoke figuratively.

MOIRA

O indeed, sir?

PRINCE REGENT

She's here. I heard her voice. I'll swear I did!

MOIRA

Who, sir?

PRINCE REGENT

Why, the Princess of Wales. Do you think I could mistake those beastly German Ps and Bs of hers?--She asked to come, and was denied; but she's got here, I'll wager ye, through the chair-door in Warwick Street, which I arranged for a few ladies whom I wished to come privately. [He looks about again, and moves till he is by a door which affords a peep up the grand staircase.] By G.o.d, Moira, I see TWO figures up there who shouldn't be here--leaning over the bal.u.s.trade of the gallery!

MOIRA

Two figures, sir. Whose are they?

PRINCE REGENT

She is one. The Fitzherbert in t'other! O I am almost sure it is!

I would have welcomed her, but she bridled and said she wouldn't sit down at my table as a plain "Mrs." to please anybody. As I had sworn that on this occasion people should sit strictly according to their rank, I wouldn't give way. Why the devil did she come like this?

'Pon my soul, these women will be the death o' me!

MOIRA [looking cautiously up the stairs]

I can see nothing of her, sir, nor of the Princess either. There is a crowd of idlers up there leaning over the bannisters, and you may have mistaken some others for them.

PRINCE REGENT

O no. They have drawn back their heads. There have been such d.a.m.ned mistakes made in sending out the cards that the biggest w--- in London might be here. She's watching Lady Hertford, that's what she's doing.

For all their indifference, both of them are as jealous as two cats over the tom.

[Somebody whispers that a lady has fainted up-stairs.]

That's Maria, I'll swear! She's always doing it. Whenever I hear of some lady fainting about upon the furniture at my presence, and sending for a gla.s.s of water, I say to myself, There's Maria at it again, by G.o.d!

SPIRIT IRONIC

Now let him hear their voices once again.

[The REGENT starts as he seems to hear from the stairs the tongues of the two ladies growing louder and nearer, the PRINCESS pouring reproaches into one ear, and MRS. FITZHERBERT into the other.]

PRINCE REGENT

'Od seize 'em, Moira; this will drive me mad!

If men of blood must mate with only one Of those dear d.a.m.ned deluders called the s.e.x, Why has Heaven teased us with the taste for change?-- G.o.d, I begin to loathe the whole curst show!

How hot it is! Get me a gla.s.s of brandy, Or I shall swoon off too. Now let's go out, And find some fresher air upon the lawn.

[Exit the PRINCE REGENT, with LORDS MOIRA and YARMOUTH. The band strikes up "La Belle Catarina" and a new figure is formed.]

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

Phantoms, ye strain your powers unduly here, Making faint fancies as they were indeed The Mighty Will's firm work.

SPIRIT IRONIC

Nay, Father, nay; The wives prepared to hasten hitherward Under the names of some gone down to death, Who yet were bidden. Must they not by here?

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

There lie long leagues between a woman's word-- "She will, indeed she will!"--and acting on't.

Whether those came or no, thy antics cease, And let the revel wear it out in peace.

[Enter SPENCER PERCEVAL the Prime Minister, a small, pale, grave- looking man, and an Under-Secretary of State, meeting.]