The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 174

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 c.o.c.ked 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 m.u.f.fLING.]

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 pa.s.ses 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, m.u.f.fLING, and others. Before renewing their conversation they peer through their gla.s.ses 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 gla.s.s]

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.

m.u.f.fLING

But Bonaparte, Pray note, has redistributed his strength In fas.h.i.+on that you fail to recognize.

I am against your scheme.

BLUCHER [lowering his gla.s.s]

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