Complete Works of Thomas Hardy (Illustrated)

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Complete Works of Thomas Hardy (Illustrated) Page 808

by Thomas Hardy


  Under the fog's kind shroud; descend the slope,

  And cross the stream below the Russian lines:

  There halt concealed, till I send down the word.

  [NAPOLEON and his staff retire to the hill south-east of Bellowitz

  and the day dawns pallidly.]

  'Tis good to get above that rimy cloak

  And into cleaner air. It chilled me through.

  [When they reach the summit they are over the fog: and suddenly

  the sun breaks forth to the left of Pratzen, illuminating the

  ash-hued face of NAPOLEON and the faces of those around him.

  All eyes are turned first to the sun, and thence to look for

  the dense masses of men that had occupied the upland the night

  before.]

  MURAT

  I see them not. The plateau seems deserted!

  NAPOLEON

  Gone; verily!—Ah, how much will you bid,

  An hour hence, for the coign abandoned now!

  The battle's ours.—It was, then, their rash march

  Downwards to Tilnitz and the Goldbach swamps

  Before dawn, that we heard.—No hurry, Lannes!

  Enjoy this sun, that rests its chubby jowl

  Upon the plain, and thrusts its bristling beard

  Across the lowlands' fleecy counterpane,

  Peering beneath our broadest hat-brims' shade....

  Soult, how long hence to win the Pratzen top?

  SOULT

  Some twenty minutes or less, your Majesty:

  Our troops down there, still mantled by the mist,

  Are half upon the way.

  NAPOLEON

  Good! Set forthwith

  Vandamme and Saint Hilaire to mount the slopes—-

  [Firing begins in the marsh to the right by Tilnitz and the pools,

  though the thick air yet hides the operations.]

  O, there you are, blind boozy Buxhovden!

  Achieve your worst. Davout will hold you firm.

  [The head of and aide-de-camp rises through the fog on that

  side, and he hastens up to NAPOLEON and his companions, to whom

  the officer announces what has happened. DAVOUT rides off,

  disappearing legs first into the white stratum that covers the

  attack.]

  Lannes and Murat, you have concern enough

  Here on the left, with Prince Bagration

  And all the Austro-Russian cavalry.

  Haste off. The victory promising to-day

  Will, like a thunder-clap, conclude the war!

  [The Marshals with their aides gallop away towards their respective

  divisions. Soon the two divisions under SOULT are seen ascending

  in close column the inclines of the Pratzen height. Thereupon the

  heads of the Russian centre columns disclose themselves, breaking

  the sky-line of the summit from the other side, in a desperate

  attempt to regain the position vacated by the Russian left. A

  fierce struggle develops there between SOULT'S divisions and these,

  who, despite their tardy attempt to recover the lost post of

  dominance, are pressed by the French off the slopes into the

  lowland.]

  SEMICHORUS I OF THE PITIES [aerial music]

  O Great Necessitator, heed us now!

  If it indeed must be

  That this day Austria smoke with slaughtery,

  Quicken the issue as Thou knowest how;

  And dull their lodgment in a flesh that galls!

  SEMICHORUS II

  If it be in the future human story

  To lift this man to yet intenser glory,

  Let the exploit be done

  With the least sting, or none,

  To those, his kind, at whose expense such pitch is won!

  SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

  Again ye deprecate the World-Soul's way

  That I so long have told? Then note anew

  [Since ye forget] the ordered potencies,

  Nerves, sinews, trajects, eddies, ducts of It

  The Eternal Urger, pressing change on change.

  [At once, as earlier, a preternatural clearness possesses the

  atmosphere of the battle-field, in which the scene becomes

  anatomized and the living masses of humanity transparent. The

  controlling Immanent Will appears therein, as a brain-like

  network of currents and ejections, twitching, interpenetrating,

  entangling, and thrusting hither and thither the human forms.]

  SEMICHORUS I OF IRONIC SPIRITS [aerial music]

  O Innocents, can ye forget

  That things to be were shaped and set

  Ere mortals and this planet met?

  SEMICHORUS II

  Stand ye apostrophizing That

  Which, working all, works but thereat

  Like some sublime fermenting-vat.

  SEMICHORUS I

  Heaving throughout its vast content

  With strenuously transmutive bent

  Though of its aim insentient?—

  SEMICHORUS II

  Could ye have seen Its early deeds

  Ye would not cry, as one who pleads

  For quarter, when a Europe bleeds!

  SEMICHORUS I

  Ere ye, young Pities, had upgrown

  From out the deeps where mortals moan

  Against a ruling not their own,

  SEMICHORUS II

  He of the Years beheld, and we,

  Creation's prentice artistry

  Express in forms that now unbe

  SEMICHORUS I

  Tentative dreams from day to day;

  Mangle its types, re-knead the clay

  In some more palpitating way;

  SEMICHORUS II

  Beheld the rarest wrecked amain,

  Whole nigh-perfected species slain

  By those that scarce could boast a brain;

  SEMICHORUS I

  Saw ravage, growth, diminish, add,

  Here peoples sane, there peoples mad,

  In choiceless throws of good and bad;

  SEMICHORUS II

  Heard laughters at the ruthless dooms

  Which tortured to the eternal glooms

  Quick, quivering hearts in hecatombs.

  CHORUS

  Us Ancients, then, it ill befits

  To quake when Slaughter's spectre flits

  Athwart this field of Austerlitz!

  SHADE OF THE EARTH

  Pain not their young compassions by such lore,

  But hold you mute, and read the battle yonder:

  The moment marks the day's catastrophe.

  SCENE IV

  THE SAME. THE RUSSIAN POSITION

  [It is about noon, and the vital spectacle is now near the village

  of Tilnitz. The fog has dispersed, and the sun shines clearly,

  though without warmth, the ice on the pools gleaming under its

  radiance.

  GENERAL BUXHOVDEN and his aides-de-camp have reined up, and remain

  at pause on a hillock. The General watches through a glass his

  battalions, which are still disputing the village. Suddenly

  approach down the track from the upland of Pratzen large companies

  of Russian infantry helter-skelter. COUNT LANGERON is beheld to

  be retreating with them; and soon, pale and agitated, he hastens

  up to GENERAL BUXHOVDEN, whose face is flushed.]

  LANGERON

  While they are upon us you stay idle here!

  Prschebiszewsky's column is distraught and rent,

  And more than half my own made captive! Yea,

  Kreznowitz carried, and Sokolnitz hemmed:

  The enemy's whole strength will stound you soon!

  BUXHOVDEN

  You seem to see the enemy everywhere.

  LANGERON

  You cannot see them
, be they here or no!

  BUXHOVDEN

  I only wait Prschebiszewsky's nearing corps

  To join Dokhtorof's to them. Here they come.

  [SOULT, supported by BERNADOTTE and OUDINOT, having cleared and

  secured the Pratzen height, his battalions are perceived descending

  from it on this side, behind DOKHTOROF'S division, so placing the

  latter between themselves and the pools.]

  LANGERON

  You cannot tell the Frenchmen from ourselves!

  These are the victors.—Ah—Dokhtorof—lost!

  [DOKHTOROF'S troops are seen to be retreating towards the water.

  The watchers stand in painful tenseness.]

  BUXHOVDEN

  Dokhtorof tell to save him as he may!

  We, Count, must gather up our shaken flesh

  And hurry them by the road through Austerlitz.

  [BUXHOVDEN'S regiments and the remains of LANGERON'S are rallied

  and collected, and they retreat by way of the hamlet of Aujezd.

  As they go over the summit of a hill BUXHOVDEN looks back.

  LANGERON'S columns, which were behind his own, have been cut

  off by VANDAMME'S division coming down from the Pratzen plateau.

  This and some detachments from DOKHTOROF'S column rush towards

  the Satschan lake and endeavour to cross it on the ice. It

  cracks beneath their weight. At the same moment NAPOLEON and

  his brilliant staff appear on the top of the Pratzen.

  The Emperor watches the scene with a vulpine smile; and directs

  a battery near at hand to fire down upon the ice on which the

  Russians are crossing. A ghastly crash and splashing follows

  the discharge, the shining surface breaking into pieces like a

  mirror, which fly in all directions. Two thousand fugitives are

  engulfed, and their groans of despair reach the ears of the

  watchers like ironical huzzas.

  A general flight of the Russian army from wing to wing is now

  disclosed, involving in its current the EMPEROR ALEXANDER and

  the EMPEROR FRANCIS, with the reserve, who are seen towards

  Austerlitz endeavouring to rally their troops in vain. They

  are swept along by the disordered soldiery.]

  SCENE V

  THE SAME. NEAR THE WINDMILL OF PALENY

  [The mill is about seven miles to the southward, between French

  advanced posts and the Austrians.

  A bivouac fire is burning. NAPOLEON, in grey overcoat and

  beaver hat turned up front to back, rides to the spot with

  BERTHIER, SAVARY, and his aides, and alights. He walks to

  and fro complacently, meditating or talking to BERTHIER. Two

  groups of officers, one from each army, stand in the background

  on their respective sides.]

  NAPOLEON

  What's this of Alexander? Weep, did he,

  Like his old namesake, but for meaner cause?

  Ha, ha!

  BERTHIER

  Word goes, you Majesty, that Colonel Toll,

  One of Field-Marshal Price Kutuzof's staff,

  In the retreating swirl of overthrow,

  Found Alexander seated on a stone,

  Beneath a leafless roadside apple-tree,

  Out here by Goding on the Holitsch way;

  His coal-black uniform and snowy plume

  Unmarked, his face disconsolate, his grey eyes

  Mourning in tears the fate of his brave array—

  All flying southward, save the steadfast slain.

  NAPOLEON

  Poor devil!—But he'll soon get over it—

  Sooner than his employers oversea!—

  Ha!—this well make friend Pitt and England writhe,

  And cloud somewhat their lustrous Trafalgar.

  [An open carriage approaches from the direction of Holitsch,

  accompanied by a small escort of Hungarian guards. NAPOLEON

  walks forward to meet it as it draws up, and welcomes the

  Austrian Emperor, who alights. He is wearing a grey cloak

  over a white uniform, carries a light walking-cane, and is

  attended by PRINCE JOHN OF LICHTENSTEIN, SWARZENBERG, and

  others. His fresh-coloured face contrasts strangely with the

  bluish pallor of NAPOLEON'S; but it is now thin and anxious.

  They formally embrace. BERTHIER, PRINCE JOHN, and the rest

  retire, and the two Emperors are left by themselves before the

  fire.]

  NAPOLEON

  Here on the roofless ground do I receive you—

  My only mansion for these two months past!

  FRANCIS

  Your tenancy thereof has brought such fame

  That it must needs be one which charms you, Sire.

  NAPOLEON

  Good! Now this war. It has been forced on me

  Just at a crisis most inopportune,

  When all my energies and arms were bent

  On teaching England that her watery walls

  Are no defence against the wrath of France

  Aroused by breach of solemn covenants.

  FRANCIS

  I had no zeal for violating peace

  Till ominous events in Italy

  Revealed the gloomy truth that France aspires

  To conquest there, and undue sovereignty.

  Since when mine eyes have seen no sign outheld

  To signify a change of purposings.

  NAPOLEON

  Yet there were terms distinctly specified

  To General Giulay in November past,

  Whereon I'd gladly fling the sword aside.

  To wit: that hot armigerent jealousy

  Stir us no further on transalpine rule,

  I'd take the Isonzo River as our bounds.

  FRANCIS

  Roundly, that I cede all!—And how may stand

  Your views as to the Russian forces here?

  NAPOLEON

  You have all to lose by that alliance, Sire.

  Leave Russia. Let the Emperor Alexander

  Make his own terms; whereof the first must be

  That he retire from Austrian territory.

  I'll grant an armistice therefor. Anon

  I'll treat with him to weld a lasting peace,

  Based on some simple undertakings; chief,

  That Russian armies keep to the ports of his domain.

  Meanwhile to you I'll tender this good word:

  Keep Austria to herself. To Russia bound,

  You pay your own costs with your provinces,

  Alexander's likewise therewithal.

  FRANCIS

  I see as much, and long have seen it, Sire;

  And standing here the vanquished, let me own

  What happier issues might have left unsaid:

  Long, long I have lost the wish to bind myself

  To Russia's purposings and Russia's risks;

  Little do I count these alliances

  With Powers that have no substance seizable!

  [As they converse they walk away.]

  AN AUSTRIAN OFFICER

  O strangest scene of an eventful life,

  This junction that I witness here to-day!

  An Emperor—in whose majestic veins

  Aeneas and the proud Caesarian line

  Claim yet to live; and, those scarce less renowned,

  The dauntless Hawks'-Hold Counts, of gallantry

  So great in fame one thousand years ago—

  To bend with deference and manners mild

  In talk with this adventuring campaigner,

  Raised but by pikes above the common herd!

  ANOTHER AUSTRIAN OFFICER

  Ay! There be Satschan swamps and Pratzen heights

  In royal lines, as here at Austerlitz.

  [The Emperors again draw near.
]

  FRANCIS

  Then, to this armistice, which shall be called

  Immediately at all points, I agree;

  And pledge my word that my august ally

  Accept it likewise, and withdraw his force

  By daily measured march to his own realm.

  NAPOLEON

  For him I take your word. And pray believe

  That rank ambitions are your own, not mine;

  That though I have postured as your enemy,

  And likewise Alexander's, we are one

  In interests, have in all things common cause.

  One country sows these mischiefs Europe through

  By her insidious chink of luring ore—

  False-featured England, who, to aggrandize

  Her name, her influence, and her revenues,

  Schemes to impropriate the whole world's trade,

  And starves and bleeds the folk of other lands.

  Her rock-rimmed situation walls her off

  Like a slim selfish mollusk in its shell

  From the wide views and fair fraternities

  Which on the mainland we reciprocate,

  And quicks her quest for profit in our woes!

  FRANCIS

  I am not competent, your Majesty,

  To estimate that country's conscience now,

  Nor engage on my ally's behalf

  That English ships be shut from Russian trade.

  But joyful am I that in all things else

  My promise can be made; and that this day

  Our conference ends in friendship and esteem.

  NAPOLEON

  I will send Savary at to-morrow's blink

  And make all lucid to the Emperor.

  For us, I wholly can avow as mine

  The cordial spirit of your Majesty.

  [They retire towards the carriage of FRANCIS. BERTHIER, SAVARY,

  LICHTENSTEIN, and the suite of officers advance from the background,

  and with mutual gestures of courtesy and amicable leave-takings

  the two Emperors part company.]

  CHORUS OF THE PITIES [aerial music]

  Each for himself, his family, his heirs;

  For the wan weltering nations who concerns, who cares?

  CHORUS OF IRONIC SPIRITS

  A pertinent query, in truth!—

  But spoil not the sport by your ruth:

  'Tis enough to make half

  Yonder zodiac laugh

  When rulers begin to allude

  To their lack of ambition,

  And strong opposition

  To all but the general good!

  SPIRIT OF THE YEARS

  Hush levities. Events press: turn ye westward.

  [A nebulous curtain draws slowly across.]

  SCENE VI

  SHOCKERWICK HOUSE, NEAR BATH

  [The interior of the Picture Gallery. Enter WILTSHIRE, the owner,

 

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