The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 168

d.u.c.h.eSS

Ought I to stop the ball? It hardly seems right to let it continue if all be true.

RICHMOND

I have put that very question to Wellington, my dear. He says that we need not hurry off the guests. The men have to a.s.semble some time before the officers, who can stay on here a little longer without inconvenience; and he would prefer that they should, not to create a panic in the city, where the friends and spies of Napoleon are all agog for some such thing, which they would instantly communicate to him to take advantage of.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Is it safe to stay on? Should we not be thinking about getting the children away?

RICHMOND

There's no hurry at all, even if Bonaparte were really sure to enter. But he's never going to set foot in Brussels--don't you imagine it for a moment.

d.u.c.h.eSS [anxiously]

I hope not. But I wish we had never brought them here!

RICHMOND

It is too late, my dear, to wish that now. Don't be flurried; make the people go on dancing.

[The d.u.c.h.eSS returns to her guests. The DUKE rejoins WELLINGTON, BRUNSWICK, m.u.f.fLING, and the PRINCE OF ORANGE in the alcove.]

WELLINGTON

We need not be astride till five o'clock If all the men are marshalled well ahead.

The Brussels citizens must not suppose They stand in serious peril... He, I think, Directs his main attack mistakenly; It should gave been through Mons, not Charleroi.

m.u.f.fLING

The Austrian armies, and the Russian too, Will show nowhere in this. The thing that's done, Be it a historied feat or nine days' fizz, Will be done long before they join us here.

WELLINGTON

Yes, faith; and 'tis pity. But, by G.o.d, Blucher, I think, and I can make a shift To do the business without troubling 'em!

Though I've an infamous army, that's the truth,-- Weak, and but ill-equipped,--and what's as bad, A d.a.m.ned unpractised staff!

m.u.f.fLING

We'll hope for luck.

Blucher concentrates certainly by now Near Ligny, as he says in his dispatch.

Your Grace, I glean, will ma.s.s at Quatre-Bras?

WELLINGTON

Ay, now we are sure this move on Charleroi Is no mere feint. Though I had meant Nivelles.

Have ye a good map, Richmond, near at hand?

RICHMOND

In the next room there's one. [Exit RICHMOND.]

[WELLINGTON calls up various general officers and aides from other parts of the room. PICTON, UXBRIDGE, HILL, CLINTON, VIVIAN, MAITLAND, PONSONBY, SOMERSET, and others join him in succession, receive orders, and go out severally.]

PRINCE OF ORANGE

As my divisions seem to lie around The probable point of impact, it behoves me To start at once, Duke, for Genappe, I deem?

Being in Brussels, all for this d.a.m.ned ball, The dispositions out there have, so far, Been made by young Saxe Weimar and Perponcher, On their own judgment quite. I go, your Grace?

WELLINGTON

Yes, certainly. 'Tis now desirable.

Farewell! Good luck, until we meet again, The battle won!

[Exit PRINCE OF ORANGE, and shortly after, m.u.f.fLING. RICHMOND returns with a map, which he spreads out on the table. WELLINGTON scans it closely.]

Napoleon has befooled me, By G.o.d he has,--gained four-and-twenty hours'

Good march upon me!

RICHMOND

What do you mean to do?

WELLINGTON

I have bidden the army concentrate in strength At Quatre-Bras. But we shan't stop him there; So I must fight him HERE. [He marks Waterloo with his thumbnail.]

Well, now I have sped, All necessary orders I may sup, And then must say good-bye. [To Brunswick.] This very day There will be fighting, Duke. You are fit to start?

BRUNSWICK [coming forward]

I leave almost this moment.--Yes, your Grace-- And I sheath not my sword till I have avenged My father's death. I have sworn it!