The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 126

In such an enterprise to die is rather The dawn of an eternal day, than death.

[_Count_ ARNOLD _and_ CaeSAR _advance_.

_Caes._ And the mere men--do they, too, sweat beneath The noon of this same ever-scorching glory?

_Bourb._ Ah!

Welcome the bitter Hunchback! and his master, The beauty of our host, and brave as beauteous, 220 And generous as lovely. We shall find Work for you both ere morning.

_Caes._ You will find, So please your Highness, no less for yourself.

_Bourb._ And if I do, there will not be a labourer More forward, Hunchback!

_Caes._ You may well say so, For _you_ have seen that back--as general, Placed in the rear in action--but your foes Have never seen it.

_Bourb._ That's a fair retort, For I provoked it:--but the Bourbon's breast Has been, and ever shall be, far advanced 230 In danger's face as yours, were you the _devil_.

_Caes._ And if I were, I might have saved myself The toil of coming here.

_Phil._ Why so?

_Caes._ One half Of your brave bands of their own bold accord Will go to him, the other half be sent, More swiftly, not less surely.

_Bourb._ Arnold, your Slight crooked _friend's_ as snake-like in his words As his deeds.

_Caes._ Your Highness much mistakes me.

The first snake was a flatterer--I am none; And for my deeds, I only sting when stung. 240

_Bourb._ You are brave, and _that's_ enough for me; and quick In speech as sharp in action--and that's more.

I am not alone the soldier, but the soldiers'

Comrade.

_Caes._ They are but bad company, your Highness; And worse even for their friends than foes, as being More permanent acquaintance.

_Phil._ How now, fellow!

Thou waxest insolent, beyond the privilege Of a buffoon.

_Caes._ You mean I speak the truth.

I'll lie--it is as easy: then you'll praise me For calling you a hero.

_Bourb._ Philibert! 250 Let him alone; he's brave, and ever has Been first, with that swart face and mountain shoulder, In field or storm, and patient in starvation; And for his tongue, the camp is full of licence, And the sharp stinging of a lively rogue Is, to my mind, far preferable to The gross, dull, heavy, gloomy execration Of a mere famished sullen grumbling slave,[dl]

Whom nothing can convince save a full meal, And wine, and sleep, and a few Maravedis, 260 With which he deems him rich.

_Caes._ It would be well If the earth's princes asked no more.

_Bourb._ Be silent!

_Caes._ Aye, but not idle. Work yourself with words![dm]

You have few to speak.

_Phil._ What means the audacious prater?

_Caes._ To prate, like other prophets.

_Bourb._ Philibert!

Why will you vex him? Have we not enough To think on? Arnold! I will lead the attack To-morrow.

_Arn._ I have heard as much, my Lord.

_Bourb._ And you will follow?

_Arn._ Since I must not lead.

_Bourb._ 'Tis necessary for the further daring Of our too needy army, that their chief Plant the first foot upon the foremost ladder's First step.

_Caes._ Upon its topmost, let us hope: So shall he have his full deserts.

_Bourb._ The world's Great capital perchance is ours to-morrow.[dn]

Through every change the seven-hilled city hath Retained her sway o'er nations, and the Caesars But yielded to the Alarics, the Alarics Unto the pontiffs. Roman, Goth, or priest.

Still the world's masters! Civilised, barbarian, Or saintly, still the walls of Romulus Have been the circus of an Empire. Well!

'Twas _their_ turn--now 'tis ours; and let us hope That we will fight as well, and rule much better.

_Caes._ No doubt, the camp's the school of civic rights.

What would you make of Rome?

_Bourb._ That which it was.

_Caes._ In Alaric's time?

_Bourb._ No, slave! in the first Caesar's, Whose name you bear like other curs----

_Caes._ And kings!

'Tis a great name for blood-hounds.

_Bourb._ There's a demon In that fierce rattlesnake thy tongue. Wilt never Be serious?

_Caes._ On the eve of battle, no;-- That were not soldier-like. 'Tis for the general To be more pensive: we adventurers Must be more cheerful. Wherefore should we think?

Our tutelar Deity, in a leader's shape, Takes care of us. Keep thought aloof from hosts!

If the knaves take to thinking, you will have To crack those walls alone.

_Bourb._ You may sneer, since 'Tis lucky for you that you fight no worse for 't.

_Caes._ I thank you for the freedom; 'tis the only 300 Pay I have taken in your Highness' service.

_Bourb._ Well, sir, to-morrow you shall pay yourself.

Look on those towers; they hold my treasury: But, Philibert, we'll in to council. Arnold, We would request your presence.

_Arn._ Prince! my service Is yours, as in the field.

_Bourb._ In both we prize it, And yours will be a post of trust at daybreak.