The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 117

He seemed to know a d.a.m.n sight more about what's going on in Europe, sir [to Perceval], than your Government does, with all its secret information.

PERCEVAL

He is recently over, I conjecture, your royal Highness, and brings the latest impressions.

PRINCE REGENT

By Gad, sir, I shall have a comfortable time of it in my regency, or reign, if what he foresees be true! But I was born for war; it is my destiny!

[He draws himself up inside his uniform and stalks away. The group dissolves, the band continuing stridently, "Down with the French,"

as dawn glimmers in. Soon the REGENT'S guests begin severally and in groups to take leave.]

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

Behold To-morrow riddles the curtains through, And labouring life without shoulders its cross anew!

CHORUS OF THE YEARS [aerial music]

Why watch we here? Look all around Where Europe spreads her crinkled ground, From Osmanlee to Hekla's mound, Look all around!

Hark at the cloud-combed Ural pines; See how each, wailful-wise, inclines; Mark the mist's labyrinthine lines;

Behold the tumbling Biscay Bay; The Midland main in silent sway; As urged to move them, so move they.

No less through regal puppet-shows The rapt Determinator throes, That neither good nor evil knows!

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

Yet I may wake and understand Ere Earth unshape, know all things, and With knowledge use a painless hand, A painless hand!

[Solitude reigns in the chambers, and the scene shuts up.]

PART THIRD

CHARACTERS

I. PHANTOM INTELLIGENCES

THE ANCIENT SPIRIT OF THE YEARS/CHORUS OF THE YEARS.

THE SPIRIT OF THE PITIES/CHORUS OF THE PITIES.

SPIRITS SINISTER AND IRONIC/CHORUSES OF SINISTER AND IRONIC SPIRITS.

THE SPIRIT OF RUMOUR/CHORUS OF RUMOURS.

THE SHADE OF THE EARTH.

SPIRIT MESSENGERS.

RECORDING ANGELS.

II. PERSONS

MEN [The names in lower case are mute figures.]

THE PRINCE REGENT.

The Royal Dukes.

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND.

The Duke of Beaufort.

CASTLEREAGH, Prime Minister.

Palmerston, War Secretary.

PONSONBY, of the Opposition.

BURDETT, of the Opposition.

WHITBREAD, of the Opposition.

Tierney, Romilly, of the Opposition Other Members of Parliament.

TWO ATTACHES.

A DIPLOMATIST.

Amba.s.sadors, Ministers, Peers, and other persons of Quality and Office.

WELLINGTON.

UXBRIDGE.

PICTON.

HILL.

CLINTON.

Colville.

COLE.

BERESFORD.

Pack and Kempt.

Byng.

Vivian.

W. Ponsonby, Vandeleur, Colquhoun-Grant, Maitland, Adam, and C. Halkett.