The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 85

OFFICER

Klenau and Kollowrath are pounding on!

To turn the enemy's left with our strong right Is, after all, a plan that works out well.

Hiller and Lichtenstein conjoin therein.

FRANCIS

I hear from thence appalling cannonades.

OFFICER

'Tis their, your Majesty. Now we shall see If the French read that there the danger lies.

FRANCIS

I only pray that Bonaparte refrain From spying danger there till all too late!

OFFICER [involuntarily, after a pause]

Ah, Heaven!

FRANCIS [turning sharply]

Well, well? What changes figure now?

OFFICER

They pierce our centre, sire! We are, despite, Not centrally so weak as I supposed.

Well done, Bellegarde!

FRANCIS [glancing to the centre]

And what has he well done?

OFFICER

The French in fierce fume broke through Aderklaa; But Bellegarde, p.r.i.c.king along the plain behind, Has charged and driven them back disorderly.

The Archduke Charles bounds thither, as I shape, In person to support him!

[The EMPEROR returns to his spygla.s.s; and they and others watch in silence, sometimes the right of their front, sometimes the centre.]

FRANCIS

It is so!

That the right attack of ours spells victory, And Austria's grand salvation!... [Times pa.s.ses.] Turn your gla.s.s, And closely scan Napoleon and his aides Hand-galloping towards his centre-left To strengthen it against the brave Bellegarde.

Does your eye reach him?--That white horse, alone In front of those that move so rapidly.

OFFICER

It does, sire; though my gla.s.s can conjure not So cunningly as yours.... that horse must be The famed Euphrates--him the Persian king Sent Bonaparte as gift.

[A silence. NAPOLEON reaches a carriage that is moving across.

It bears Ma.s.sENA, who, having received a recent wound, in unable to ride.]

FRANCIS

See, the white horse and horseman pause beside A coach for some strange reason rolling there....

That white-horsed rider--yes!--is Bonaparte, By the aides hovering round....

New war-wiles have been worded; we shall spell Their purport soon enough! [An interval.]

The French take heart To stand to our battalions steadfastly, And hold their ground, having the Emperor near!

[Time pa.s.ses. An aide-de-camp enters.]

AIDE

The Archduke Charles is pierced in the shoulder, sire; He strove too far in beating back the French At Aderklaa, and was nearly ta'en.

The wound's not serious.--On our right we win, And deem the battle ours.

[Enter another aide-de-camp.]

SECOND AIDE

Your Majesty, We have borne them back through Aspern village-street And Essling is recovered. What counts more, Their bridges to the rear we have nearly grasped, And panic-struck they crowd the few left free, Choking the track, with cries of "All is lost!"

FRANCIS

Then is the land delivered. G.o.d be praised!

[Exeunt aides. An interval, during which the EMPEROR and his companions again remain anxiously at their gla.s.ses.]

There is a curious feature I discern To have come upon the battle. On our right We gain ground rapidly; towards the left We lose it; and the unjudged consequence Is that the armies; whole commingling ma.s.s Moves like a monstrous wheel. I like it not!

[Enter another aide-de-camp.]