The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 171

CHARLEROI. NAPOLEON'S QUARTERS

[The same midnight. NAPOLEON is lying on a bed in his clothes.

In consultation with SOULT, his Chief of Staff, who is sitting near, he dictates to his Secretary orders for the morrow. They are addressed to KELLERMANN, DROUOT, LOBAU, GERARD, and other of his marshals. SOULT goes out to dispatch them.

The Secretary resumes the reading of reports. Presently MARSHAL NEY is announced He is heard stumbling up the stairs, and enters.]

NAPOLEON

Ah, Ney; why come you back? Have you secured The all-important Crossways?--safely sconced Yourself at Quatre-Bras?

NEY

Not, sire, as yet.

For, marching forwards, I heard gunnery boom, And, fearing that the Prussians had engaged you, I stood at pause. Just then---

NAPOLEON

My charge was this: Make it impossible at any cost That Wellington and Blucher should unite.

As it's from Brussels that the English come, And from Namur the Prussians, Quatre-Bras Lends it alone for their forgathering: So, why exists it not in your hands/

NEY

My reason, sire, was rolling from my tongue.-- Hard on the boom of guns, dim files of foot Which read to me like ma.s.sing Englishry-- The vanguard of all Wellington's array-- I half-discerned. So, in pure wariness, I left the Bachelu columns there at Frasnes, And hastened back to tell you.

NAPOLEON

Ney; O Ney!

I fear you are not the man that once you were; Of your so daring, such a faint-heart now!

I have ground to know the foot that fl.u.s.tered you Were but a few stray groups of Netherlanders; For my good spies in Brussels send me cue That up to now the English have not stirred, But cloy themselves with nightly revel there.

NEY [bitterly]

Give me another opportunity Before you speak like that!

NAPOLEON

You soon will have one!...

But now--no more of this. I have other glooms Upon my soul--the much-disquieting news That Bourmont has deserted to our foes With his whole staff.

NEY

We can afford to let him.

NAPOLEON

It is what such betokens, not their worth, That whets it!... Love, respect for me, have waned; But I will right that. We've good chances still.

You must return foot-hot to Quatre-Bras; There Kellermann's cuira.s.siers will promptly join you To bear the English backward Brussels way.

I go on towards Fleurus and Ligny now.-- If Blucher's force retreat, and Wellington's Lie somnolent in Brussels one day more, I gain that city sans a single shot!...

Now, friend, downstairs you'll find some supper ready, Which you must tuck in sharply, and then off.

The past day has not ill-advantaged us; We have stolen upon the two chiefs unawares, And in such sites that they must fight apart.

Now for a two hours' rest.--Comrade, adieu Until to-morrow!

NEY

Till to-morrow, sire!

[Exit NEY. NAPOLEON falls asleep, and the Secretary waits till dictation shall be resumed. BUSSY, the orderly officer, comes to the door.

BUSSY

Letters--arrived from Paris. [Hands letters.]

SECRETARY

He shall have them The moment he awakes. These eighteen hours He's been astride; and is not what he was.-- Much news from Paris?

BUSSY

I can only say What's not the news. The courier has just told me He'd nothing from the Empress at Vienna To bring his Majesty. She writes no more.

SECRETARY

And never will again! In my regard That bird's forsook the nest for good and all.

BUSSY

All that they hear in Paris from her court Is through our spies there. One of them reports This rumour of her: that the Archduke John, In taking leave to join our enemies here, Said, "Oh, my poor Louise; I am grieved for you And what I hope is, that he'll be run through, Or shot, or break his neck, for your own good No less than ours.

NAPOLEON [waking]

By "he" denoting me?