Complete Works of Thomas Hardy (Illustrated)

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Complete Works of Thomas Hardy (Illustrated) Page 845

by Thomas Hardy


  [Exit BUSSY. The Secretary reads letters aloud in succession.

  He comes to the last; begins it; reaches a phrase, and stops

  abruptly.]

  Mind not! Read on. No doubt the usual threat,

  Or prophecy, from some mad scribe? Who signs it?

  SECRETARY

  The subscript is "The Duke of Enghien!"

  NAPOLEON [starting up]

  Bah, man! A treacherous trick! A hoax—no more!

  Is that the last?

  SECRETARY

  The last, your Majesty.

  NAPOLEON

  Then now I'll sleep. In two hours have me called.

  SECRETARY

  I'll give the order, sire.

  [The Secretary goes. The candles are removed, except one, and

  NAPOLEON endeavours to compose himself.]

  SPIRIT IRONIC

  A little moral panorama would do him no harm, after that reminder of

  the Duke of Enghien. Shall it be, young Compassion?

  SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

  What good—if that old Years tells us be true?

  But I say naught. To ordain is not for me!

  [Thereupon a vision passes before NAPOLEON as he lies, comprising

  hundreds of thousands of skeletons and corpses in various stages

  of decay. They rise from his various battlefields, the flesh

  dropping from them, and gaze reproachfully at him. His intimate

  officers who have been slain he recognizes among the crowd. In

  front is the DUKE OF ENGHIEN as showman.]

  NAPOLEON [in his sleep]

  Why, why should this reproach be dealt me now?

  Why hold me my own master, if I be

  Ruled by the pitiless Planet of Destiny?

  [He jumps up in a sweat and puts out the last candle; and the

  scene is curtained by darkness.]

  SCENE IV

  A CHAMBER OVERLOOKING A MAIN STREET IN BRUSSELS

  [A June sunrise; the beams struggling through the window-curtains.

  A canopied bed in a recess on the left. The quick notes of

  "Brighton Camp, or the "Girl I've left behind me," strike sharply

  into the room from fifes and drums without. A young lady in a

  dressing-gown, who has evidently been awaiting the sound, springs

  from the bed like a hare from its form, undraws window-curtains

  and opens the window.

  Columns of British soldiery are marching past from the Parc

  southward out of the city by the Namur Gate. The windows of

  other houses in the street rattle open, and become full of

  gazers.

  A tap at the door. An older lady enters, and comes up to the

  first.]

  YOUNGER LADY [turning]

  O mamma—I didn't hear you!

  ELDER LADY

  I was sound asleep till the thumping of the drums set me fantastically

  dreaming, and when I awoke I found they were real. Did they wake you

  too, my dear?

  Younger Lady [reluctantly]

  I didn't require waking. I hadn't slept since we came home.

  ELDER LADY

  That was from the excitement of the ball. There are dark rings round

  your eye. [The fifes and drums are now opposite, and thrill the air

  in the room.] Ah—that "Girl I've left behind me!"—which so many

  thousands of women have throbbed an accompaniment to, and will again

  to-day if ever they did!

  YOUNGER LADY [her voice faltering]

  It is rather cruel to say that just now, mamma. There, I can't look

  at them after it! [She turns and wipes her eyes.]

  ELDER LADY

  I wasn't thinking of ourselves—certainly not of you.—How they

  press on—with those great knapsacks and firelocks and, I am told,

  fifty-six rounds of ball-cartridge, and four days' provisions in

  those haversacks. How can they carry it all near twenty miles and

  fight with it on their shoulders!... Don't cry, dear. I thought

  you would get sentimental last night over somebody. I ought to

  have brought you home sooner. How many dances did you have? It

  was impossible for me to look after you in the excitement of the

  war-tidings.

  YOUNGER LADY

  Only three—four.

  ELDER LADY

  Which were they?

  YOUNGER LADY

  "Enrico," the "Copenhagen Waltz" and the "Hanoverian," and the

  "Prime of Life."

  ELDER LADY

  It was very foolish to fall in love on the strength of four dances.

  YOUNGER LADY [evasively]

  Fall in love? Who said I had fallen in love? What a funny idea!

  ELDER LADY

  Is it?... Now here come the Highland Brigade with their pipes

  and their "Hieland Laddie." How the sweethearts cling to the men's

  arms. [Reaching forward.] There are more regiments following.

  But look, that gentleman opposite knows us. I cannot remember his

  name. [She bows and calls across.] Sir, which are these?

  GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE

  The Ninety-second. Next come the Forty-ninth, and next the Forty-

  second—Sir Denis Pack's brigade.

  ELDER LADY

  Thank you.—I think it is that gentleman we talked to at the

  Duchess's, but I am not sure. [A pause: another band.]

  GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE

  That's the Twenty-eighth. [They pass, with their band and colours.]

  Now the Thirty-second are coming up—part of Kempt's brigade. Endless,

  are they not?

  ELDER LADY

  Yes, Sir. Has the Duke passed out yet?

  GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE

  Not yet. Some cavalry will go by first, I think. The foot coming

  up now are the Seventy-ninth. [They pass.]... These next are

  the Ninety-fifth. [They pass.]... These are the First Foot-

  guards now. [They pass, playing "British Grenadiers."]... The

  Fusileer-guards now. [They pass.] Now the Coldstreamers. [They

  pass. He looks up towards the Parc.] Several Hanoverian regiments

  under Colonel Best are coming next. [They pass, with their bands

  and colours. An interval.]

  ELDER LADY [to daughter]

  Here are the hussars. How much more they carry to battle than at

  reviews. The hay in those great nets must encumber them. [She

  turns and sees that her daughter has become pale.] Ah, now I know!

  HE has just gone by. You exchanged signals with him, you wicked

  girl! How do you know what his character is, or if he'll ever come

  back?

  [The younger lady goes and flings herself on her face upon the

  bed, sobbing silently. Her mother glances at her, but leaves

  her alone. An interval. The prancing of a group of horsemen

  is heard on the cobble-stones without.]

  GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE [calling]

  Here comes the Duke!

  ELDER LADY [to younger]

  You have left the window at the most important time! The Duke of

  Wellington and his staff-officers are passing out.

  YOUNGER LADY

  I don't want to see him. I don't want to see anything any more!

  [Riding down the street comes WELLINGTON in a grey frock-coat and

  small cocked hat, frigid and undemonstrative; accompanied by four

  or five Generals of his suite, the Deputy Quartermaster-general

  De LANCEY, LORD FITZROY SOMERSET, Aide-de-camp, and GENERAL

  MUFFLING.]

  GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE

  He is the Prussian officer attached to our headquarters, through whom

  Wellington
communicates with Blucher, who, they say, is threatened by

  the French at Ligny at this moment.

  [The elder lady turns to her daughter, and going to the bed bends

  over her, while the horses' tramp of WELLINGTON and his staff

  clatters more faintly in the street, and the music of the last

  retreating band dies away towards the Forest of Soignes.

  Finding her daughter is hysterical with grief she quickly draws

  the window-curtains to screen the room from the houses opposite.

  Scene ends.]

  SCENE V

  THE FIELD OF LIGNY

  [The same day later. A prospect of the battlefield of Ligny

  southward from the roof of the windmill of Bussy, which stands at

  the centre and highest point of the Prussian position, about six

  miles south-east of Quatre-Bras.

  The ground slopes downward along the whole front of the scene to

  a valley through which wanders the Ligne, a muddy stream bordered

  by sallows. On both sides of the stream, in the middle plane of

  the picture, stands the village of Ligny, composed of thatched

  cottages, gardens, and farm-houses with stone walls; the main

  features, such as the church, church-yard, and village-green

  being on the further side of the Ligne.

  On that side the land reascends in green wheatfields to an

  elevation somewhat greater than that of the foreground, reaching

  away to Fleurus in the right-hand distance.

  In front, on the slopes between the spectator and the village,

  is the First Corps of the Prussian army commanded by Zieten, its

  First Brigade under STEINMETZ occupying the most salient point.

  The Corps under THIELMANN is ranged to the left, and that of

  PIRCH to the rear, in reserve to ZIETEN. In the centre-front,

  just under the mill, BLUCHER on a fine grey charger is intently

  watching, with his staff.

  Something dark is seen to be advancing over the horizon by

  Fleurus, about three miles off. It is the van of NAPOLEON'S

  army, approaching to give battle.

  At this moment hoofs are heard clattering along a road that

  passes behind the mill; and there come round to the front the

  DUKE OF WELLINGTON, his staff-officers, and a small escort of

  cavalry.

  WELLINGTON and BLUCHER greet each other at the foot of the

  windmill. They disappear inside, and can be heard ascending

  the ladders.

  Enter on the roof WELLINGTON and BLUCHER, followed by FITZROY

  SOMERSET, GNEISENAU, MUFFLING, and others. Before renewing

  their conversation they peer through their glasses at the dark

  movements on the horizon. WELLINGTON'S manner is deliberate,

  judicial, almost indifferent; BLUCHER'S eager and impetuous.

  WELLINGTON

  They muster not as yet in near such strength

  At Quatre-Bras as here.

  BLUCHER

  'Tis from Fleurus

  They come debouching. I, perforce, withdrew

  My forward posts of cavalry at dawn

  In face of their light cannon.... They'll be here

  I reckon, soon!

  WELLINGTON [still with glass]

  I clearly see his staff,

  And if my eyes don't lie, the Arch-one too....

  It is the whole Imperial army, Prince,

  That we've before us. [A silence.] Well, we'll cope with them!

  What would you have me do?

  [BLUCHER is so absorbed in what he sees that he does not heed.]

  GNEISENAU

  Duke, this I'd say:

  Events suggest to us that you come up

  With all your force, behind the village here,

  And act as our reserve.

  MUFFLING

  But Bonaparte,

  Pray note, has redistributed his strength

  In fashion that you fail to recognize.

  I am against your scheme.

  BLUCHER [lowering his glass]

  Signs notify

  Napoleon's plans as changed! He purports now

  To strike our left—between Sombreffe and Brye....

  If so, I have to readjust my ward.

  WELLINGTON

  One of his two divisions that we scan

  Outspreading from Fleurus, seems bent on Ligny,

  The other on Saint-Amand.

  BLUCHER

  Well, I shall see

  In half an hour, your Grace. If what I deem

  Be what he means, Von Zieten's corps forthwith

  Must stand to their positions: Pirch out here,

  Henckel at Ligny, Steinmetz at La Haye.

  WELLINGTON

  So that, your Excellency, as I opine,

  I go and sling my strength on their left wing—

  Manoeuvring to outflank 'em on that side.

  BLUCHER

  True, true. Our plan uncovers of itself;

  You bear down everything from Quatre-Bras

  Along the road to Frasnes.

  WELLINGTON

  I will, by God.

  I'll bear straight on to Gosselies, if needs!

  GNEISENAU

  Your Excellencies, if I may be a judge,

  Such movement will not tend to unity;

  It leans too largely on a peradventure

  Most speculative in its contingencies!

  [A silence; till the officers of the staff remark to each other

  that concentration is best in any circumstances. A general

  discussion ensues.]

  BLUCHER [concludingly]

  We will expect you, Duke, to our support.

  WELLINGTON

  I must agree that, in the sum, it's best.

  So be it then. If not attacked myself

  I'll come to you.—Now I return with speed

  To Quatre-Bras.

  BLUCHER

  And I descend from here

  To give close eye and thought to things below;

  No more can well be studied where we stand.

  [Exeunt from roof WELLINGTON, BLUCHER and the rest. They reappear

  below, and WELLINGTON and his suite gallop furiously away in the

  direction of Quatre-Bras. An interval.]

  DUMB SHOW [below]

  Three reports of a cannon give the signal for the French attack.

  NAPOLEON'S army advances down the slopes of green corn opposite,

  bands and voices joining in songs of victory. The French come

  in three grand columns; VANDAMME'S on the left [the spectator's

  right] against Saint-Amand, the most forward angle of the Prussian

  position. GERARD'S in the centre bear down upon Ligny. GROUCHY'S

  on the French right is further back. Far to the rear can be

  discerned NAPOLEON, the Imperial Guard, and MILHAUD'S cuirassiers

  halted in reserve.

  This formidable advance is preceded by swarms of tirailleurs, who

  tread down the high wheat, exposing their own men in the rear.

  Amid cannonading from both sides they draw nearer to the Prussians,

  though lanes are cut through them by the latter's guns. They drive

  the Prussians out of Ligny; who, however, rally in the houses,

  churchyard, and village green.

  SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

  I see unnatural an Monster, loosely jointed,

  With an Apocalyptic Being's shape,

  And limbs and eyes a hundred thousand strong,

  And fifty thousand heads; which coils itself

  About the buildings there.

  SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

  Thou dost indeed.

  It is the Monster Devastation. Watch.

  Round the church they fight without quart
er, shooting face to face,

  stabbing with unfixed bayonets, and braining with the butts of

  muskets. The village catches fire, and soon becomes a furnace.

  The crash of splitting timbers as doors are broken through, the

  curses of the fighters, rise into the air, with shouts of "En

  avant!" from the further side of the stream, and "Vorwarts!" from

  the nearer.

  The battle extends to the west by Le Hameau and Saint-Amand la Haye;

  and Ligny becomes invisible under a shroud of smoke.

  VOICES [at the base of the mill]

  This sun will go down bloodily for us!

  The English, sharply sighed for by Prince Blucher,

  Cannot appear. Wellington words across

  That hosts have set on him at Quatre-Bras,

  And leave him not one bayonet to spare!

  The truth of this intelligence is apparent. A low dull sound heard

  lately from the direction of Quatre-Bras has increased to a roaring

  cannonade. The scene abruptly closes.

  SCENE VI

  THE FIELD AT QUATRE-BRAS

  [The same day. The view is southward, and the straight gaunt

  highway from Brussels [behind the spectator] to Charleroi over

  the hills in front, bisects the picture from foreground to

  distance. Near at hand, where it is elevated and open, there

  crosses it obliquely, at a point called Les Quatre-Bras, another

  road which comes from Nivelle, five miles to the gazer's right

  rear, and goes to Namur, twenty miles ahead to the left. At a

  distance of five or six miles in this latter direction it passes

  near the previous scene, Ligny, whence the booming of guns can

  be continuously heard.

  Between the cross-roads in the centre of the scene and the far

  horizon the ground dips into a hollow, on the other side of which

  the same straight road to Charleroi is seen climbing the crest,

  and over it till out of sight. From a hill on the right hand of

  the mid-distance a large wood, the wood of Bossu, reaches up

  nearly to the crossways, which give their name to the buildings

  thereat, consisting of a few farm-houses and an inn.

  About three-quarters of a mile off, nearly hidden by the horizon

  towards Charleroi, there is also a farmstead, Gemioncourt; another,

  Piraumont, stands on an eminence a mile to the left of it, and

  somewhat in front of the Namur road.]

  DUMB SHOW

  As this scene uncovers the battle is beheld to be raging at its

  height, and to have reached a keenly tragic phase. WELLINGTON has

  returned from Ligny, and the main British and Hanoverian position,

 

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