The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 22

The thoughts I have laid before your Majesty Would make for this, in sum:-- That Mr. Fox, Lord Grenville, and their friends, Be straightway asked to join. With Melville gone, With Sidmouth, and with Buckinghams.h.i.+re too, The steerage of affairs has stood of late Somewhat provisional, as you, sir, know, With stop-gap functions thrust on offices Which common weal can tolerate but awhile.

So, for the weighty reasons I have urged, I do repeat my most respectful hope To win your Majesty's ungrudged a.s.sent To what I have proposed.

KING

But nothing, sure, Has been more plain to all, dear Mr. Pitt, Than that your own proved energy and scope Is ample, without aid, to carry on Our just crusade against the Corsican.

Why, then, go calling Fox and Grenville in?

Such helps we need not. Pray you think upon't, And speak to me again.--We've had alarms Making us skip like crackers at our heels, That Bonaparte had landed close hereby.

PITT

Such rumours come as regularly as harvest.

KING

And now he has left Boulogne with all his host?

Was it his object to invade at all, Or was his vast a.s.semblage there a blind?

PITT

Undoubtedly he meant invasion, sir, Had fortune favoured. He may try it yet.

And, as I said, could we but close with Fox---

KING

But, but;--I ask, what is his object now?

Lord Nelson's Captain--Hardy--whose old home Stands in a peaceful vale hard by us here-- Who came two weeks ago to see his friends, I talked to in this room a lengthy while.

He says our navy still is in thick night As to the aims by sea of Bonaparte Now the Boulogne attempt has fizzled out, And what he schemes afloat with Spain combined.

The "Victory" lay that fortnight at Spithead, And Nelson since has gone aboard and sailed; Yes, sailed again. The "Royal Sovereign" follows, And others her. Nelson was hailed and cheered To huskiness while leaving Southsea sh.o.r.e, Gentle and simple wildly thronging round.

PITT

Ay, sir. Young women hung upon his arm, And old ones blessed, and stroked him with their hands.

KING

Ah--you have heard, of course. G.o.d speed him, Pitt.

PITT

Amen, amen!

KING

I read it as a thing Of signal augury, and one which bodes Heaven's confidence in me and in my line, That I should rule as King in such an age!...

Well, well.--So this new march of Bonaparte's Was unexpected, forced perchance on him?

PITT

It may be so, your Majesty; it may.

Last noon the Austrian amba.s.sador, Whom I consulted ere I posted down, a.s.sured me that his latest papers word How General Mack and eighty thousand men Have made good speed across Bavaria To wait the French and give them check at Ulm, That fortress-frontier-town, entrenched and walled, A place long chosen as a vantage-point Whereon to encounter them as they outwind From the blind shades and baffling green defiles Of the Black Forest, worn with wayfaring.

Here Mack will intercept his agile foe Hasting to meet the Russians in Bohemia, And cripple him, if not annihilate.

Thus now, sir, opens out this Great Alliance Of Russia, Austria, England, whereto I Have lent my earnest efforts through long months, And the realm gives her money, s.h.i.+ps, and men.-- It claps a m.u.f.fler round the c.o.c.k's steel spurs, And leaves me sanguine on his overthrow.

But, then,--this coalition of resources Demands a strong and active Cabinet To aid your Majesty's directive hand; And thus I urge again the said additions-- These brilliant intellects of the other side Who stand by Fox. With us conjoined, they---

KING

What, what, again--in face of my sound reasons!

Believe me, Pitt, you underrate yourself; You do not need such aid. The splendid feat Of banding Europe in a righteous cause That you have achieved, so soon to put to shame This wicked bombardier of dynasties That rule by right Divine, goes straight to prove We had best continue as we have begun, And call no partners to our management.

To fear dilemmas horning up ahead Is not your wont. Nay, nay, now, Mr. Pitt, I must be firm. And if you love your King You'll goad him not so rashly to embrace This Fox-Grenville faction and its friends.

Rather than Fox, why, give me civil war!

Hey, what? But what besides?

PITT

I say besides, sir,... nothing!

[A silence.]

KING [cheerfully]

The Chancellor's here, and many friends of mine: Lady Winchelsea, Lord and Lady Chesterfield, Lady Bulkeley, General Garth, and Mr.

Phipps the oculist--not the least important to me. He is a worthy and a skilful man. My eyes, he says, are as marvellously improved in durability as I know them to be in power. I have arranged to go to-morrow with the Princesses, and the Dukes of c.u.mberland, Suss.e.x, and Cambridge [who are also here] for a ride on the Ridgeway, and through the Camp on the downs. You'll accompany us there?

PITT

I am honoured by your Majesty's commands.

[PITT looks resignedly out of the window.]

What curious structure do I see outside, sir?

KING