The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 29

Captain Adair, part those marines of yours, And hasten to disperse them round the ship.-- Your place is down below, Burke, not up here; Ah, yes; like David you would see the battle!

[A heavy discharge of musket-shot comes from the tops of the "Santisima Trinidad. ADAIR and PASCO fall. Another swathe of Marines is mowed down by chain-shot.]

SCOTT

My lord, I use to you the utmost prayers That I have privilege to shape in words: Remove your stars and orders, I would beg; That shot was aimed at you.

NELSON

They were awarded to me as an honour, And shall I do despite to those who prize me, And slight their gifts? No, I will die with them, If die I must.

[He walks up and down with HARDY.]

HARDY

At least let's put you on Your old greatcoat, my lord--[the air is keen.].-- 'Twill cover all. So while you still retain Your dignities, you baulk these deadly aims

NELSON

Thank 'ee, good friend. But no,--I haven't time, I do a.s.sure you--not a trice to spare, As you well will see.

[A few minutes later SCOTT falls dead, a bullet having pierced his skull. Immediately after a shot pa.s.ses between the Admiral and the Captain, tearing the instep of Hardy's shoe, and striking away the buckle. They shake off the dust and splinters it has scattered over them. NELSON glances round, and perceives what has happened to his secretary.]

NELSON

Poor Scott, too, carried off! Warm work this, Hardy; Too warm to go on long.

HARDY

I think so, too; Their lower ports are blocked against our hull, And our charge now is less. Each knock so near Sets their old wood on fire.

NELSON

Ay, rotten as peat.

What's that? I think she has struck, or pretty nigh!

[A cracking of musketry.]

HARDY

Not yet.--Those small-arm men there, in her tops, Thin our crew fearfully. Now, too, our guns Have dipped full down, or they would rake The "Temeraire" there on the other side.

NELSON

True.--While you deal good measure out to these, Keep slapping at those giants over here-- The "Trinidad," I mean, and the "Bucentaure,"

To win'ard--swelling up so pompously.

HARDY

I'll see no slackness shall be shown that way.

[They part and go in their respective directions. Gunners, naked to the waist and reeking with sweat, are now in swift action on the several decks, and firemen carry buckets of water hither and thither. The killed and wounded thicken around, and are being lifted and examined by the surgeons. NELSON and HARDY meet again.]

NELSON

Bid still the firemen bring more bucketfuls, And dash the water into each new hole Our guns have gouged in the "Redoubtable,"

Or we shall all be set ablaze together.

HARDY

Let me once more advise, entreat, my lord, That you do not expose yourself so clearly.

Those fellows in the mizzen-top up there Are peppering round you quite perceptibly.

NELSON

Now, Hardy, don't offend me. They can't aim; They only set their own rent sails on fire.-- But if they could, I would not hide a b.u.t.ton To save ten lives like mine. I have no cause To prize it, I a.s.sure 'ee.--Ah, look there, One of the women hit,--and badly, too.

Poor wench! Let some one shift her quickly down.

HARDY

My lord, each humblest sojourner on the seas, Dock-labourer, lame longsh.o.r.e-man, bowed bargee, Sees it as policy to shield his life For those dependent on him. Much more, then, Should one upon whose priceless presence here Such issues hang, so many strivers lean, Use average circ.u.mspection at an hour So critical for us all.

NELSON

Ay, ay. Yes, yes; I know your meaning, Hardy,; and I know That you disguise as frigid policy What really is your honest love of me.

But, faith, I have had my day. My work's nigh done; I serve all interests best by chancing it Here with the commonest.--Ah, their heavy guns Are silenced every one! Thank G.o.d for that.

HARDY

'Tis so. They only use their small arms now.

[He goes to larboard to see what is progressing on that side between his ship and the "Santisima Trinidad."]