The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 185

SOULT

I fear that Ney has compromised us here Just as at Jena; even worse!

NAPOLEON

No less Must we support him now he is launched on it....

The miracle is that he is still alive!

[NEY and his ma.s.s of cavalry again pa.s.s the English batteries and disappear amid the squares beyond.]

Their cannon are abandoned; and their squares Again environed--see! I would to G.o.d Murat could be here! Yet I disdained His proffered service.... All my star asks now Is to break some half-dozen of those blocks Of English yonder. He was the man to do it.

[NEY and D'ERLON'S squadrons are seen emerging from the English squares in a disorganized state, the attack having failed like the previous ones. An aide-de-camp enters to NAPOLEON.]

AIDE

The Prussians have debouched on our right rear From Paris-wood; and Losthin's infantry Appear by Plancenoit; Hiller's to leftwards.

Two regiments of their horse protect their front, And three light batteries.

[A haggard shade crosses NAPOLEON'S face.]

NAPOLEON

What then! That's not a startling force as yet.

A counter-stroke by Domon's cavalry Must shatter them. Lobau must bring his foot Up forward, heading for the Prussian front, Unrecking losses by their cannonade.

[Exit aide. The din of battle continues. DOMON'S horse are soon seen advancing towards and attacking the Prussian hussars in front of the infantry; and he next attempts to silence the Prussian batteries playing on him by leading up his troops and cutting down the gunners. But he has to fall back upon the infantry of LOBAU. Enter another aide-de-camp.]

AIDE

These tiding I report, your Majesty:-- Von Ryssel's and von Hacke's Prussian foot Have lately sallied from the Wood of Paris, Bearing on us; no vast array as yet; But twenty thousand loom not far behind These vanward marchers!

NAPOLEON

Ah! They swarm thus thickly?

But be they h.e.l.l's own legions we'll defy them!-- Lobau's men will stand firm.

[He looks in the direction of the English lines, where NEY'S cavalry-a.s.saults still linger furiously on.]

But who rides. .h.i.ther, Spotting the sky with clods in his high haste?

SOULT

It looks like Colonel Heymes--come from Ney.

NAPOLEON [sullenly]

And his face shows what clef his music's in!

[Enter COLONEL HEYMES, blood-stained, muddy, and breathless.]

HEYMES

The Prince of Moscow, sire, the Marshal Ney, Bids me implore that infantry be sent Immediately, to further his attack.

They cannot be dispensed with, save we fail!

NAPOLEON [furiously]

Infantry! Where the sacred G.o.d thinks he I can find infantry for him! Forsooth, Does he expect me to create them--eh?

Why sends he such a message, seeing well How we are straitened here!

HEYMES

Such was the prayer Of my commission, sire. And I say That I myself have seen his strokes must waste Without such backing.

NAPOLEON

Why?

HEYMES

Our cavalry Lie stretched in swathes, fronting the furnace-throats Of the English cannon as a breastwork built Of reeking copses. Marshal Ney's third horse Is shot. Besides the slain, Donop, Guyot, Lheritier, Piquet, Travers, Delort, more, Are vilely wounded. On the other hand Wellington has sought refuge in a square, Few of his generals are not killed or hit, And all is tickle with him. But I see, Likewise, that I can claim no reinforcement, And will return and say so.

[Exit HEYMES]

NAPOLEON [to Soult, sadly]

Ney does win me!

I fain would strengthen him.--Within an ace Of breaking down the English as he is, 'Twould write upon the sunset "Victory!"-- But whom may spare we from the right here now?

So single man!

[An interval.]

Life's curse begins, I see, With helplessness!... All I can compa.s.s is To send Durutte to fall on Papelotte, And yet more strongly occupy La Haye, To cut off Bulow's right from bearing up And checking Ney's attack. Further than this None but the G.o.ds can scheme!