The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 128

_Bourb._ Hold, Arnold! I am first.

_Arn._ Not so, my Lord.

_Bourb._ Hold, sir, I charge you! Follow! I am proud Of such a follower, but will brook no leader.

[BOURBON _plants his ladder, and begins to mount_.

Now, boys! On! on!

[_A shot strikes him, and_ BOURBON _falls_.

_Caes._ And off!

_Arn._ Eternal powers!

The host will be appalled,--but vengeance! vengeance!

_Bourb._ 'Tis nothing--lend me your hand.

[BOURBON _takes_ ARNOLD _by the hand, and rises; but as he puts his foot on the step, falls again_.

Arnold! I am sped.

Conceal my fall[241]--all will go well--conceal it!

Fling my cloak o'er what will be dust anon; 130 Let not the soldiers see it.

_Arn._ You must be Removed; the aid of----

_Bourb._ No, my gallant boy!

Death is upon me. But what is _one_ life?

The Bourbon's spirit shall command them still.

Keep them yet ignorant that I am but clay, Till they are conquerors--then do as you may.

_Caes._ Would not your Highness choose to kiss the cross?

We have no priest here, but the hilt of sword May serve instead:--it did the same for Bayard[242].

_Bourb._ Thou bitter slave! to name _him_ at this time! 140 But I deserve it.

_Arn._ (_to_ CaeSAR). Villain, hold your peace!

_Caes._ What, when a Christian dies? Shall I not offer A Christian "Vade in pace[243]?"

_Arn._ Silence! Oh!

Those eyes are glazing which o'erlooked the world, And saw no equal.

_Bourb._ Arnold, shouldst thou see France----But hark! hark! the a.s.sault grows warmer--Oh!

For but an hour, a minute more of life, To die within the wall! Hence, Arnold, hence!

You lose time--they will conquer Rome without thee.

_Arn._ And without _thee_.

_Bourb._ Not so; I'll lead them still 150 In spirit. Cover up my dust, and breathe not That I have ceased to breathe. Away! and be Victorious.

_Arn._ But I must not leave thee thus.

_Bourb._ You must--farewell--Up! up! the world is winning.

[BOURBON _dies_.

_Caes._ (_to_ ARNOLD). Come, Count, to business.

_Arn._ True. I'll weep hereafter.

[ARNOLD _covers_ BOURBON'S _body with a mantle, mounts the ladder, crying_

The Bourbon! Bourbon! On, boys! Rome is ours!

_Caes._ Good night, Lord Constable! thou wert a Man.

[CaeSAR _follows_ ARNOLD; _they reach the battlement;_ ARNOLD _and_ CaeSAR _are struck down_.

_Caes._ A precious somerset! Is your countship injured?

_Arn._ No. [_Remounts the ladder_.

_Caes._ A rare blood-hound, when his own is heated!

And 'tis no boy's play. Now he strikes them down! 160 His hand is on the battlement--he grasps it As though it were an altar; now his foot Is on it, and----What have we here?--a Roman?

The first bird of the covey! he has fallen [_A man falls_.

On the outside of the nest. Why, how now, fellow?

_Wounded Man_. A drop of water!

_Caes._ Blood's the only liquid Nearer than Tiber.

_Wounded Man_. I have died for Rome. [_Dies_.

_Caes._ And so did Bourbon, in another sense.

Oh, these immortal men! and their great motives!

But I must after my young charge. He is 170 By this time i' the Forum. Charge! charge!

[CaeSAR _mounts the ladder; the scene closes_.

SCENE II.--_The City_.--_Combats between the Besiegers and Besieged in the streets_. _Inhabitants flying in confusion_.

_Enter_ CaeSAR.

_Caes._ I cannot find my hero; he is mixed With the heroic crowd that now pursue The fugitives, or battle with the desperate.

What have we here? A Cardinal or two That do not seem in love with martyrdom.

How the old red-shanks scamper! Could they doff Their hose as they have doffed their hats, 'twould be A blessing, as a mark[244] the less for plunder.

But let them fly; the crimson kennels now Will not much stain their stockings, since the mire 10 Is of the self-same purple hue.

_Enter a Party fighting_--ARNOLD _at the head of the Besiegers_.

He comes, Hand in hand with the mild twins--Gore and Glory.[dq]

Holla! hold, Count!