The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 36

FIRST CITIZEN

It's the news--no more. His spirits are up like a rocket for the moment.

BOY

Is it because Trafalgar is near Portugal that he loves Port wine?

SECOND CITIZEN

Ah, as I said, friend; this boy must go home and be carefully put to bed!

FIRST CITIZEN

Well, whatever William's faults, it is a triumph for his virtues to-night!

[PITT having disappeared, the Guildhall doors are closed, and the crowd slowly disperses, till in the course of an hour the street shows itself empty and dark, only a few oil lamps burning.

The SCENE OPENS, revealing the interior of the Guildhall, and the brilliant a.s.sembly of City magnates, Lords, and Ministers seated there, Mr. PITT occupying a chair of honour by the Lord Mayor. His health has been proposed as that of the Saviour of England, and drunk with acclamations.]

PITT [standing up after repeated calls]

My lords and gentlemen:--You have toasted me As one who has saved England and her cause.

I thank you, gentlemen, unfeignedly.

But--no man has saved England, let me say: England has saved herself, by her exertions: She will, I trust, save Europe by her example!

[Loud applause, during which he sits down, rises, and sits down again. The scene then shuts, and the night without has place.]

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

Those words of this man Pitt--his last large words, As I may prophesy--that ring to-night In their first mintage to the feasters here, Will spread with ageing, lodge, and crystallize, And stand embedded in the English tongue Till it grow thin, outworn, and cease to be.-- So is't ordained by That Which all ordains; For words were never winged with apter grace.

Or blent with happier choice of time and place, To hold the imagination of this strenuous race.

SCENE VI[10]

AN INN AT RENNES

[Night. A sleeping-chamber. Two candles are burning near a bed in an alcove, and writing-materials are on the table.

The French admiral, VILLENEUVE, partly undressed, is pacing up and down the room.]

VILLENEUVE

These hauntings have at last nigh proved to me That this thing must be done. Ill.u.s.trious foe And teacher, Nelson: blest and over blest In thy outgoing at the noon of strife When glory clasped thee round; while wayward Death Refused my coaxings for the like-timed call!

Yet I did press where thickest missiles fell, And both by precept and example showed Where lay the line of duty, patriotism, And honour, in that combat of despair.

[He see himself in the gla.s.s as he pa.s.ses.]

Unfortunate Villeneuve!--whom fate has marked To suffer for too firm a faithfulness.-- An Emperor's chide is a command to die.-- By him accursed, forsaken by my friend, Awhile stern England's prisoner, then unloosed Like some poor dolt unworth captivity, Time serves me now for ceasing. Why not cease?...

When, as Shades whisper in the chasmal night, "Better, far better, no percipience here."-- O happy lack, that I should have no child To come into my hideous heritage, And groan beneath the burden of my name![11]

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

I'll speak. His mood is ripe for such a parle.

[Sending a voice into VILLENEUVE'S ear.]

Thou dost divine the hour!

VILLENEUVE

But those stern Nays, That heretofore were audible to me At each unhappy time I strove to pa.s.s?

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

Have been annulled. The Will grants exit freely; Yea, It says "Now." Therefore make now thy time.

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

May his sad sunken soul merge into nought Meekly and gently as a breeze at eve!

VILLENEUVE

From skies above me and the air around Those callings which so long have circled me At last do whisper "Now." Now it shall be!

[He seals a letter, and addresses it to his wife; then takes a dagger from his accoutrements that are hanging alongside, and, lying down upon his back on the bed, stabs himself determinedly in many places, leaving the weapon in the last wound.]

Ungrateful master; generous foes; Farewell!

[VILLENEUVE dies; and the scene darkens.]

SCENE VII

KING GEORGE'S WATERING-PLACE, SOUTH WESs.e.x