The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 182

Ah--so it comes!

The Greys were bound to pay--'tis always so-- Full dearly for their dash so far afield.

Valour unballasted but lands its freight On the enemy's sh.o.r.e.--What has become of Hill?

AIDE

We have not seen him latterly, your Grace.

WELLINGTON

By G.o.d, I hope I haven't lost him, too?

BRIDGMAN [just come up]

Lord Hill's bay charger, being shot dead, your Grace, Rolled over him in falling. He is bruised, But hopes to be in place again betimes.

WELLINGTON

Praise Fate for thinking better of that frown!

[It is now nearing four o'clock. La Haye Sainte is devastated by the second attack of NEY. The farm has been enveloped by DONZELOT'S division, its garrison, the King's German Legion, having fought till all ammunition was exhausted. The gates are forced open, and in the retreat of the late defenders to the main Allied line they are nearly all cut or shot down.]

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

O Farm of sad vicissitudes and strange!

Farm of the Holy Hedge, yet fool of change!

Whence lit so sanct a name on thy now violate grange?

WELLINGTON [to m.u.f.fling, resolutely]

Despite their fierce advantage here, I swear By every G.o.d that war can call upon To hold our present place at any cost, Until your force cooperate with our lines!

To that I stand; although 'tis bruited now That Bulow's corps has only reached Ohain.

I've sent Freemantle hence to seek them there, And give them inkling we shall need them soon.

m.u.f.fLING [looking at his watch]

I had hoped that Blucher would be here ere this.

[The staff turn their gla.s.ses on the French position.]

UXBRIDGE

What movement can it be they contemplate?

WELLINGTON

A shock of cavalry on the hottest scale, It seems to me.... [To aide] Bid him to reinforce The front line with some second-line brigades; Some, too, from the reserve.

[The Brunswickers advance to support MAITLAND'S Guards, and the MITCh.e.l.l and ADAM Brigades establish themselves above Hougomont, which is still in flames.

NEY, in continuation of the plan of throwing his whole force on the British centre before the advent of the Prussians, now intensifies his onslaught with the cavalry. Terrific discharges of artillery initiate it to clear the ground. A heavy round- shot dashes through the tree over the heads of WELLINGTON and his generals, and boughs and leaves come flying down on them.]

WELLINGTON

Good practice that! I vow they did not fire So dexterously in Spain. [He calls up an aide.] Bid Ompteda Direct the infantry to lie tight down On the reverse ridge-slope, to screen themselves While these close shots and sh.e.l.ls are teasing us; When the charge comes they'll cease.

[The order is carried out. NEY'S cavalry attack now matures.

MILHAUD'S cuira.s.siers in twenty-four squadrons advance down the opposite decline, followed and supported by seven squadrons of cha.s.seurs under DESNOETTES. They disappear for a minute in the hollow between the armies.]

UXBRIDGE

Ah--now we have got their long-brewed plot explained!

WELLINGTON [nodding]

That this was rigged for some picked time to-day I had inferred. But that it would be risked Sheer on our lines, while still they stand unswayed, In conscious battle-trim, I reckoned not.

It looks a madman's cruel enterprise!

FITZROY SOMERSET

We have just heard that Ney embarked on it Without an order, ere its aptness riped.

WELLINGTON

It may be so: he's rash. And yet I doubt.

I know Napoleon. If the onset fail It will be Ney's; if it succeed he'll claim it!

[A dull reverberation of the tread of innumerable hoofs comes from behind the hill, and the foremost troops rise into view.]

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

Behold the gorgeous coming of those horse, Accoutered in kaleidoscopic hues That would persuade us war has beauty in it!-- Discern the troopers' mien; each with the air Of one who is himself a tragedy: The cuira.s.siers, steeled, mirroring the day; Red lancers, green cha.s.seurs: behind the blue The red; the red before the green: A lingering-on till late in Christendom, Of the barbaric trick to terrorize The foe by aspect!

[WELLINGTON directs his gla.s.s to an officer in a rich uniform with many decorations on his breast, who rides near the front of the approaching squadrons. The DUKE'S face expresses admiration.]