The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 32

Two who were badly hit by now, my lord; Lieutenant Ram and Mr. Whipple.

NELSON

Ah!

So many lives--in such a glorious cause....

I join them soon, soon, soon!--O where is Hardy?

Will n.o.body bring Hardy to me--none?

He must be killed, too. Surely Hardy's dead?

A MIDSHIPMAN

He's coming soon, my lord. The constant call On his full heed of this most mortal fight Keeps him from hastening hither as he would.

NELSON

I'll wait, I'll wait. I should have thought of it.

[Presently HARDY comes down. NELSON and he grasp hands.]

Hardy, how goes the day with us and England?

HARDY

Well; very well, thank G.o.d for't, my dear lord.

Villeneuve their Admiral has this moment struck, And put himself aboard the "Conqueror."

Some fourteen of their first-rates, or about, Thus far we've got. The said "Bucentaure" chief: The "Santa Ana," the "Redoubtable,"

The "Fougueux," the "Santisima Trinidad,"

"San Augustino, "San Francisco," "Aigle"; And our old "Swiftsure," too, we've grappled back, To every seaman's joy. But now their van Has tacked to bear round on the "Victory"

And crush her by sheer weight of wood and bra.s.s: Three of our best I am therefore calling up, And make no doubt of worsting theirs, and France.

NELSON

That's well. I swore for twenty.--But it's well.

HARDY

We'll have 'em yet! But without you, my lord, We have to make slow plodding do the deeds That sprung by inspiration ere you fell; And on this ship the more particularly.

NELSON

No, Hardy.--Ever 'twas your settled fault So modestly to whittle down your worth.

But I saw stuff in you which admirals need When, taking thought, I chose the "Victory's" keel To do my business with these braggarts in.

A business finished now, for me!--Good friend, Slow shades are creeping me... I scarce see you.

HARDY

The smoke from ships upon our win'ard side, And the dust raised by their worm-eaten hulks, When our b.a.l.l.s touch 'em, blind the eyes, in truth.

NELSON

No; it is not that dust; 'tis dust of death That darkens me.

[A shock overhead. HARDY goes up. On or two other officers go up, and by and by return.]

What was that extra noise?

OFFICER

The "Formidable' pa.s.sed us by, my lord, And thumped a stunning broadside into us.-- But, on their side, the "Hero's" captain's fallen; The "Algeciras" has been boarded, too, By Captain Tyler, and the captain shot: Admiral Gravina desperately holds out; They say he's lost an arm.

NELSON

And we, ourselves-- Who have we lost on board here? Nay, but tell me!

BEATTY

Besides poor Scott, my lord, and Charles Adair, Lieutenant Ram, and Whipple, captain's clerk, There's Smith, and Palmer, midshipmen, just killed.

And fifty odd of seamen and marines.

NELSON

Poor youngsters! Scarred old Nelson joins you soon.

BEATTY

And wounded: Bligh, lieutenant; Pasco, too, and Reeves, and Peake, lieutenants of marines, And Rivers, Westphall, Bulkeley, midshipmen, With, of the crew, a hundred odd just now, Unreckoning those late fallen not brought below.

BURKE

That fellow in the mizzen-top, my lord, Who made it his affair to wing you thus, We took good care to settle; and he fell Like an old rook, smack from his perch, stone dead.

NELSON