Part 7
At last Villeneuve accepts the sea and fate, Despite the Cadiz council called of late, Whereat his stoutest captains--men the first To do all mortals durst-- Willing to sail, and bleed, and bear the worst, Short of cold suicide, did yet opine That plunging mid those teeth of treble line In jaws of oaken wood Held open by the English navarchy With suasive breadth and artful modesty, Would smack of purposeless foolhardihood.
RECORDING ANGEL II
But word came, writ in mandatory mood, To put from Cadiz, gain Toulon, and straight At a said sign on Italy operate. Moreover that Villeneuve, arrived as planned, Would find Rosily in supreme command.-- Gloomy Villeneuve grows rash, and, darkly brave, Leaps to meet war, storm, Nelson--even the grave.
SEMICHORUS I OF THE YEARS [aerial music]
Ere the concussion hurtle, draw abreast Of the sea.
SEMICHORUS II
Where Nelson's hulls are rising from the west, Silently.
SEMICHORUS I
Each linen wing outspread, each man and lad Sworn to be
SEMICHORUS II
Amid the vanmost, or for Death, or glad Victory!
[The point of sight descends till it is near the deck of the “Bucentaure,” the flag-ship of VILLENEUVE. Present thereupon are the ADMIRAL, his FLAG-CAPTAIN MAGENDIE, LIEUTENANT DAUDIGNON, other naval officers and seamen.]
MAGENDIE
All night we have read their signals in the air, Whereby the peering frigates of their van Have told them of our trend.
VILLENEUVE
The enemy Makes threat as though to throw him on our stern: Signal the fleet to wear; bid Gravina To come in from manoeuvring with his twelve, And range himself in line.
[Officers murmur.]
I say again Bid Gravina draw hither with his twelve, And signal all to wear!--and come upon The larboard tack with every bow anorth!-- So we make Cadiz in the worst event. And patch our rags up there. As we head now Our only practicable thoroughfare Is through Gibraltar Strait--a fatal door!
Signal to close the line and leave no gaps. Remember, too, what I have already told: Remind them of it now. They must not pause For signallings from me amid a strife Whose chaos may prevent my clear discernment, Or may forbid my signalling at all. The voice of honour then becomes the chief's; Listen they thereto, and set every stitch To heave them on into the fiercest fight. Now I will sum up all: heed well the charge; EACH CAPTAIN, PETTY OFFICER, AND MAN IS ONLY AT HIS POST WHEN UNDER FIRE.
[The ships of the whole fleet turn their bows from south to north as directed, and close up in two parallel curved columns, the concave side of each column being towards the enemy, and the interspaces of the first column being, in general, opposite the hulls of the second.]
AN OFFICER [straining his eyes towards the English fleet]
How they skip on! Their overcrowded sail Bulge like blown bladders in a tripeman's shop The market-morning after slaughterday!
PETTY OFFICER
It's morning before slaughterday with us, I make so bold to bode!
[The English Admiral is seen to be signalling to his fleet. The signal is: “ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY.” A loud cheering from all the English ships comes undulating on the wind when the signal is read.]
VILLENEUVE
They are signalling too--Well, business soon begins! You will reserve your fire. And be it known That we display no admirals' flags at all Until the action's past. 'Twill puzzle them, And work to our advantage when we close.-- Yes, they are double-ranked, I think, like us; But we shall see anon.
MAGENDIE
The foremost one Makes for the “Santa Ana.” In such case The “Fougueux” might assist her.
VILLENEUVE
Be it so-- There's time enough.--Our ships will be in place, And ready to speak back in iron words When theirs cry Hail! in the same sort of voice.
[They prepare to receive the northernmost column of the enemy's ships headed by the “Victory,” trying the distance by an occasional single shot. During their suspense a discharge is heard southward, and turning they behold COLLINGWOOD at the head of his column in the “Royal Sovereign,” just engaging with the Spanish “Santa Ana.” Meanwhile the “Victory's” mizzen-topmast, with spars and a quantity of rigging, is seen to have fallen, her wheel to be shot away, and her deck encumbered with dead and wounded men.]
VILLENEUVE
'Tis well! But see; their course is undelayed, And still they near in clenched audacity!
DAUDIGNON
Which aim deft Lucas o' the “Redoubtable” Most gallantly bestirs him to outscheme.-- See, how he strains, that on his timbers fall Blows that were destined for his Admiral!
[During this the French ship “Redoubtable” is moving forward to interpose itself between the approaching “Victory” and the “Bucentaure.”]
VILLENEUVE
Now comes it! The “Santisima Trinidad,” The old “Redoubtable's” hard sides, and ours, Will take the touse of this bombastic blow. Your grapnels and your boarding-hatchets--ready! We'll dash our eagle on the English deck, And swear to fetch it!
CREW
Ay! We swear. Huzza Long live the Emperor!
[But the “Victory” suddenly swerves to the rear of the “Bucentaure,” and crossing her stern-waters, discharges a broadside into her and the “Redoubtable” endwise, wrapping the scene in folds of smoke. The point of view changes.]
## SCENE II
THE SAME. THE QUARTER-DECK OF THE “VICTORY”
[The van of each division of the English fleet has drawn to the windward side of the combined fleets of the enemy, and broken their order, the “Victory” being now parallel to and alongside the “Redoubtable,” the “Temeraire” taking up a station on the other side of that ship. The “Bucentaure” and the “Santisima Trinidad” become jammed together a little way ahead. A smoke and din of cannonading prevail, amid which the studding-sail booms are shot away.
NELSON, HARDY, BLACKWOOD, SECRETARY SCOTT, LIEUTENANT PASCO, BURKE the Purser, CAPTAIN ADAIR of the Marines, and other officers are on or near the quarter-deck.]
NELSON
See, there, that noble fellow Collingwood, How straight he helms his ship into the fire!-- Now you'll haste back to yours [to BLACKWOOD]. --We must henceforth Trust to the Great Disposer of events, And justice of our cause!...
[BLACKWOOD leaves. The battle grows hotter. A double-headed shot cuts down seven or eight marines on the “Victory's” poop.]
Captain Adair, part those marines of yours, And hasten to disperse them round the ship.-- Your place is down below, Burke, not up here; Ah, yes; like David you would see the battle!
[A heavy discharge of musket-shot comes from the tops of the “Santisima Trinidad. ADAIR and PASCO fall. Another swathe of Marines is mowed down by chain-shot.]
SCOTT
My lord, I use to you the utmost prayers That I have privilege to shape in words: Remove your stars and orders, I would beg; That shot was aimed at you.
NELSON
They were awarded to me as an honour, And shall I do despite to those who prize me, And slight their gifts? No, I will die with them, If die I must.
[He walks up and down with HARDY.]
HARDY
At least let's put you on Your old greatcoat, my lord--[the air is keen.].-- 'Twill cover all. So while you still retain Your dignities, you baulk these deadly aims
NELSON
Thank 'ee, good friend. But no,--I haven't time, I do assure you--not a trice to spare, As you well will see.
[A few minutes later SCOTT falls dead, a bullet having pierced his skull. Immediately after a shot passes between the Admiral and the Captain, tearing the instep of Hardy's shoe, and striking away the buckle. They shake off the dust and splinters it has scattered over them. NELSON glances round, and perceives what has happened to his secretary.]
NELSON
Poor Scott, too, carried off! Warm work this, Hardy; Too warm to go on long.
HARDY
I think so, too; Their lower ports are blocked against our hull, And our charge now is less. Each knock so near Sets their old wood on fire.
NELSON
Ay, rotten as peat. What's that? I think she has struck, or pretty nigh!
[A cracking of musketry.]
HARDY
Not yet.--Those small-arm men there, in her tops, Thin our crew fearfully. Now, too, our guns Have dipped full down, or they would rake The “Temeraire” there on the other side.
NELSON
True.--While you deal good measure out to these, Keep slapping at those giants over here-- The “Trinidad,” I mean, and the “Bucentaure,” To win'ard--swelling up so pompously.
HARDY
I'll see no slackness shall be shown that way.
[They part and go in their respective directions. Gunners, naked to the waist and reeking with sweat, are now in swift action on the several decks, and firemen carry buckets of water hither and thither. The killed and wounded thicken around, and are being lifted and examined by the surgeons. NELSON and HARDY meet again.]
NELSON
Bid still the firemen bring more bucketfuls, And dash the water into each new hole Our guns have gouged in the “Redoubtable,” Or we shall all be set ablaze together.
HARDY
Let me once more advise, entreat, my lord, That you do not expose yourself so clearly. Those fellows in the mizzen-top up there Are peppering round you quite perceptibly.
NELSON
Now, Hardy, don't offend me. They can't aim; They only set their own rent sails on fire.-- But if they could, I would not hide a button To save ten lives like mine. I have no cause To prize it, I assure 'ee.--Ah, look there, One of the women hit,--and badly, too. Poor wench! Let some one shift her quickly down.
HARDY
My lord, each humblest sojourner on the seas, Dock-labourer, lame longshore-man, bowed bargee, Sees it as policy to shield his life For those dependent on him. Much more, then, Should one upon whose priceless presence here Such issues hang, so many strivers lean, Use average circumspection at an hour So critical for us all.
NELSON
Ay, ay. Yes, yes; I know your meaning, Hardy,; and I know That you disguise as frigid policy What really is your honest love of me. But, faith, I have had my day. My work's nigh done; I serve all interests best by chancing it Here with the commonest.--Ah, their heavy guns Are silenced every one! Thank God for that.
HARDY
'Tis so. They only use their small arms now.
[He goes to larboard to see what is progressing on that side between his ship and the “Santisima Trinidad.”]
OFFICER [to seaman]
Swab down these stairs. The mess of blood about Makes 'em so slippery that one's like to fall In carrying the wounded men below.
[While CAPTAIN HARDY is still a little way off, LORD NELSON turns to walk aft, when a ball from one of the muskets in the mizzen- top of the “Redoubtable” enters his left shoulder. He falls upon his face on the deck. HARDY looks round, and sees what has happened.]
HARDY [hastily]
Ah--what I feared, and strove to hide I feared!...
[He goes towards NELSON, who in the meantime has been lifted by SERGEANT-MAJOR SECKER and two seamen.]
NELSON
Hardy, I think they've done for me at last!
HARDY
I hope not!
NELSON
Yes. My backbone is shot through. I have not long to live.
[The men proceed to carry him below.]
Those tiller ropes They've torn away, get instantly repaired!
[At sight of him borne along wounded there is great agitation among the crew.]
Cover my face. There will be no good be done By drawing their attention off to me. Bear me along, good fellows; I am but one Among the many darkened here to-day!
[He is carried on to the cockpit over the crowd of dead and wounded.]
Doctor, I'm gone. I am waste o' time to you.
HARDY [remaining behind]
Hills, go to Collingwood and let him know That we've no Admiral here.
[He passes on.]
A LIEUTENANT
Now quick and pick him off who did the deed-- That white-bloused man there in the mizzen-top.
POLLARD, a midshipman [shooting]
No sooner said than done. A pretty aim!
[The Frenchman falls dead upon the poop.
The spectacle seems now to become enveloped in smoke, and the point of view changes.]
## SCENE III
THE SAME. ON BOARD THE “BUCENTAURE”
[The bowsprit of the French Admiral's ship is stuck fast in the stern-gallery of the “Santisima Trinidad,” the starboard side of the “Bucentaure” being shattered by shots from two English three- deckers which are pounding her on that hand. The poop is also reduced to ruin by two other English ships that are attacking her from behind.
On the quarter-deck are ADMIRAL VILLENEUVE, the FLAG-CAPTAIN MAGENDIE, LIEUTENANTS DAUDIGNON, FOURNIER, and others, anxiously occupied. The whole crew is in desperate action of battle and stumbling among the dead and dying, who have fallen too rapidly to be carried below.]
VILLENEUVE
We shall be crushed if matters go on thus.-- Direct the “Trinidad” to let her drive, That this foul tangle may be loosened clear!
DAUDIGNON
It has been tried, sir; but she cannot move.
VILLENEUVE
Then signal to the “Hero” that she strive Once more to drop this way.
MAGENDIE
We may make signs, But in the thickened air what signal's marked?-- 'Tis done, however.
VILLENEUVE
The “Redoubtable” And “Victory” there,--they grip in dying throes! Something's amiss on board the English ship. Surely the Admiral's fallen?
A PETTY OFFICER
Sir, they say That he was shot some hour, or half, ago.-- With dandyism raised to godlike pitch He stalked the deck in all his jewellery, And so was hit.
MAGENDIE
Then Fortune shows her face! We have scotched England in dispatching him. [He watches.] Yes! He commands no more; and Lucas, joying, Has taken steps to board. Look, spars are laid, And his best men are mounting at his heels.
VILLENEUVE
Ah, God--he is too late! Whence came the hurl Of heavy grape? The smoke prevents my seeing But at brief whiles.--The boarding band has fallen, Fallen almost to a man.--'Twas well assayed!
MAGENDIE
That's from their “Temeraire,” whose vicious broadside Has cleared poor Lucas' decks.
VILLENEUVE
And Lucas, too. I see him no more there. His red planks show Three hundred dead if one. Now for ourselves!
[Four of the English three-deckers have gradually closed round the “Bucentaure,” whose bowsprit still sticks fast in the gallery of the “Santisima Trinidad.” A broadside comes from one of the English, resulting in worse havoc on the “Bucentaure.” The main and mizzen masts of the latter fall, and the boats are beaten to pieces. A raking fire of musketry follows from the attacking ships, to which the “Bucentaure” heroically continues still to keep up a reply.
CAPTAIN MAGENDIE falls wounded. His place is taken by LIEUTENANT DAUDIGNON.]
VILLENEUVE
Now that the fume has lessened, code my biddance Upon our only mast, and tell the van At once to wear, and come into the fire. [Aside] If it be true that, as HE sneers, success Demands of me but cool audacity, To-day shall leave him nothing to desire!
[Musketry continues. DAUDIGNON falls. He is removed, his post being taken by LIEUTENANT FOURNIER. Another crash comes, and the deck is suddenly encumbered with rigging.]
FOURNIER
There goes our foremast! How for signalling now?
VILLENEUVE
To try that longer, Fournier, is in vain Upon this haggard, scorched, and ravaged hulk, Her decks all reeking with such gory shows, Her starboard side in rents, her stern nigh gone! How does she keep afloat?-- “Bucentaure,” O lucky good old ship! My part in you is played. Ay--I must go; I must tempt Fate elsewhere,--if but a boat Can bear me through this wreckage to the van.
FOURNIER
Our boats are stove in, or as full of holes As the cook's skimmer, from their cursed balls!
[Musketry. VILLENEUVE'S Head-of-Staff, DE PRIGNY, falls wounded, and many additional men. VILLENEUVE glances troublously from ship to ship of his fleet.]
VILLENEUVE
How hideous are the waves, so pure this dawn!-- Red-frothed; and friends and foes all mixed therein.-- Can we in some way hail the “Trinidad” And get a boat from her?
[They attempt to distract the attention of the “Santisima Trinidad” by shouting.]
Impossible; Amid the loud combustion of this strife As well try holloing to the antipodes!... So here I am. The bliss of Nelson's end Will not be mine; his full refulgent eve Becomes my midnight! Well; the fleets shall see That I can yield my cause with dignity.
[The “Bucentaure” strikes her flag. A boat then puts off from the English ship “Conqueror,” and VILLENEUVE, having surrendered his sword, is taken out from the “Bucentaure.” But being unable to regain her own ship, the boat is picked up by the “Mars,” and the French admiral is received aboard her. Point of view changes.]
## SCENE IV
THE SAME. THE COCKPIT OF THE “VICTORY”
[A din of trampling and dragging overhead, which is accompanied by a continuos ground-bass roar from the guns of the warring fleets, culminating at times in loud concussions. The wounded are lying around in rows for treatment, some groaning, some silently dying, some dead. The gloomy atmosphere of the low- beamed deck is pervaded by a thick haze of smoke, powdered wood, and other dust, and is heavy with the fumes of gunpowder and candle-grease, the odour of drugs and cordials, and the smell from abdominal wounds.
NELSON, his face now pinched and wan with suffering, is lying undressed in a midshipman's berth, dimly lit by a lantern. DR. BEATTY, DR. MAGRATH, the Rev. DR. SCOTT the Chaplain, BURKE the Purser, the Steward, and a few others stand around.]
MAGRATH [in a low voice]
Poor Ram, and poor Tom Whipple, have just gone..
BEATTY
There was no hope for them.
NELSON [brokenly]
Who have just died?
BEATTY
Two who were badly hit by now, my lord; Lieutenant Ram and Mr. Whipple.
NELSON
Ah! So many lives--in such a glorious cause.... I join them soon, soon, soon!--O where is Hardy? Will nobody bring Hardy to me--none? He must be killed, too. Surely Hardy's dead?
A MIDSHIPMAN
He's coming soon, my lord. The constant call On his full heed of this most mortal fight Keeps him from hastening hither as he would.
NELSON
I'll wait, I'll wait. I should have thought of it.
[Presently HARDY comes down. NELSON and he grasp hands.]
Hardy, how goes the day with us and England?
HARDY
Well; very well, thank God for't, my dear lord. Villeneuve their Admiral has this moment struck, And put himself aboard the “Conqueror.” Some fourteen of their first-rates, or about, Thus far we've got. The said “Bucentaure” chief: The “Santa Ana,” the “Redoubtable,” The “Fougueux,” the “Santisima Trinidad,” “San Augustino, “San Francisco,” “Aigle”; And our old “Swiftsure,” too, we've grappled back, To every seaman's joy. But now their van Has tacked to bear round on the “Victory” And crush her by sheer weight of wood and brass: Three of our best I am therefore calling up, And make no doubt of worsting theirs, and France.
NELSON
That's well. I swore for twenty.--But it's well.
HARDY
We'll have 'em yet! But without you, my lord, We have to make slow plodding do the deeds That sprung by inspiration ere you fell; And on this ship the more particularly.
NELSON
No, Hardy.--Ever 'twas your settled fault So modestly to whittle down your worth. But I saw stuff in you which admirals need When, taking thought, I chose the “Victory's” keel To do my business with these braggarts in. A business finished now, for me!--Good friend, Slow shades are creeping me... I scarce see you.
HARDY
The smoke from ships upon our win'ard side, And the dust raised by their worm-eaten hulks, When our balls touch 'em, blind the eyes, in truth.
NELSON
No; it is not that dust; 'tis dust of death That darkens me.
[A shock overhead. HARDY goes up. On or two other officers go up, and by and by return.]
What was that extra noise?
OFFICER
The “Formidable' passed us by, my lord, And thumped a stunning broadside into us.-- But, on their side, the “Hero's” captain's fallen; The “Algeciras” has been boarded, too, By Captain Tyler, and the captain shot: Admiral Gravina desperately holds out; They say he's lost an arm.
NELSON
And we, ourselves-- Who have we lost on board here? Nay, but tell me!
BEATTY
Besides poor Scott, my lord, and Charles Adair, Lieutenant Ram, and Whipple, captain's clerk, There's Smith, and Palmer, midshipmen, just killed. And fifty odd of seamen and marines.
NELSON
Poor youngsters! Scarred old Nelson joins you soon.
BEATTY
And wounded: Bligh, lieutenant; Pasco, too, and Reeves, and Peake, lieutenants of marines, And Rivers, Westphall, Bulkeley, midshipmen, With, of the crew, a hundred odd just now, Unreckoning those late fallen not brought below.
BURKE
That fellow in the mizzen-top, my lord, Who made it his affair to wing you thus, We took good care to settle; and he fell Like an old rook, smack from his perch, stone dead.
NELSON
'Twas not worth while!--He was, no doubt, a man Who in simplicity and sheer good faith Strove but to serve his country. Rest be to him! And may his wife, his friends, his little ones, If such be had, be tided through their loss, And soothed amid the sorrow brought by me.
[HARDY re-enters.]
Who's that? Ah--here you come! How, Hardy, now?
HARDY
The Spanish Admiral's rumoured to be wounded, We know not with what truth. But, be as 'twill, He sheers away with all he could call round, And some few frigates, straight to Cadiz port.
[A violent explosion is heard above the confused noises on deck. A midshipman goes above and returns.]
MIDSHIPMAN [in the background]
It is the enemy's first-rate, the “Achille,” Blown to a thousand atoms!--While on fire, Before she burst, the captain's woman there, Desperate for life, climbed from the gunroom port Upon the rudder-chains; stripped herself stark, And swam for the Pickle's boat. Our men in charge, Seeing her great breasts bulging on the brine, Sang out, “A mermaid 'tis, by God!”--then rowed And hauled her in.--
BURKE
Such unbid sights obtrude On death's dyed stage!
MIDSHIPMAN
Meantime the “Achille” fought on, Even while the ship was blazing, knowing well The fire must reach their powder; which it did. The spot is covered now with floating men, Some whole, the main in parts; arms, legs, trunks, heads, Bobbing with tons of timber on the waves, And splinter looped with entrails of the crew.
NELSON [rousing]
Our course will be to anchor. Let me know.
HARDY
But let me ask, my lord, as needs I must, Seeing your state, and that our work's not done, Shall I, from you, bid Admiral Collingwood Take full on him the conduct of affairs?
NELSON [trying to raise himself]
Not while I live, I hope! No, Hardy; no. Give Collingwood my order. Anchor all!
HARDY [hesitating]
You mean the signal's to be made forthwith?
NELSON
I do!--By God, if but our carpenter Could rig me up a jury-backbone now, To last one hour--until the battle's done, I'd see to it! But here I am--stove in-- Broken--all logged and done for! Done, ay done!
BEATTY [returning from the other wounded]
My lord, I must implore you to lie calm! You shorten what at best may not be long.
NELSON [exhausted]
I know, I know, good Beatty! Thank you well Hardy, I was impatient. Now I am still. Sit here a moment, if you have time to spare?
[BEATTY and others retire, and the two abide in silence, except for the trampling overhead and the moans from adjoining berths. NELSON is apparently in less pain, seeming to doze.]
NELSON [suddenly]
What are you thinking, that you speak no word?
HARDY [waking from a short reverie]