The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 44

WILTSHIRE

I hope no ugly European news To stop the honour of this visit, sir!

[They listen. The gallop of the horse grows louder, and is checked at the door of the house. There is a hasty knocking, and a courier, splashed with mud from hard riding, is shown into the gallery. He presents a dispatch to PITT, who sits down and hurriedly opens it.]

PITT [to himself]

O heavy news indeed!... Disastrous; dire!

[He appears overcome as he sits, and covers his forehead with his hand.]

WILTSHIRE

I trust you are not ill, sir?

PITT [after some moments]

Could I have A little brandy, sir, quick brought to me?

WILTSHIRE

In one brief minute.

[Brandy is brought in, and PITT takes it.]

PITT

Now leave me, please, alone. I'll call anon.

Is there a map of Europe handy here?

[WILTSHIRE fetches a map from the library, and spreads it before the minister. WILTSHIRE, courier, and servant go out.]

O G.o.d that I should live to see this day!

[He remains awhile in a profound reverie; then resumes the reading of the dispatch.]

"Defeated--the Allies--quite overthrown At Austerlitz--last week."--Where's Austerlitz?

--But what avails it where the place is now; What corpse is curious on the longitude And situation of his cemetery!...

The Austrians and the Russians overcome, That vast adventuring army is set free To bend unhindered strength against our strand....

So do my plans through all these plodding years Announce them built in vain!

His heel on Europe, monarchies in chains To France, I am as though I had never been!

[He gloomily ponders the dispatch and the map some minutes longer.

At last he rises with difficulty, and rings the bell. A servant enters.]

Call up my carriage, please you, now at once; And tell your master I return to Bath This moment--I may want a little help In getting to the door here.

SERVANT

Sir, I will, And summon you my master instantly.

[He goes out and re-enters with WILTSHIRE. PITT is a.s.sisted from the room.]

PITT

Roll up that map. 'Twill not be needed now These ten years! Realms, laws, peoples, dynasties, Are churning to a pulp within the maw Of empire-making l.u.s.t and personal Gain!

[Exeunt PITT, WILTSHIRE, and the servant; and in a few minutes the carriage is heard driving off, and the scene closes.]

SCENE VII

PARIS. A STREET LEADING TO THE TUILERIES

[It is night, and the dim oil lamps reveal a vast concourse of citizens of both s.e.xes around the Palace gates and in the neighbouring thoroughfares.]

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS [to the Spirit of Rumour]

Thou may'st descend and join this crowd awhile, And speak what things shall come into they mouth.

SPIRIT SINISTER

I'll harken! I wouldn't miss it for the groans on another Austerlitz!

[The Spirit of Rumour enters on the scene in the disguise of a young foreigner.]

SPIRIT [to a street-woman]

Lady, a late hour this to be afoot!

WOMAN

Poor profit, then, to me from my true trade, Wherein hot compet.i.tion is so rife Already, since these victories brought to town So many foreign jobbers in my line, That I'd best hold my tongue from praise of fame!

However, one is caught by popular zeal, And though five midnights have not brought a sou, I, too, chant _Jubilate_ like the rest.--

In courtesies have haughty monarchs vied Towards the Conqueror! who, with men-at-arms One quarter theirs, has vanquished by his nerve Vast mustering four-hundred-thousand strong, And given new tactics to the art of war Unparalleled in Europe's history!