glitter of white and grey. The Channel
between them is as a mirror reflecting the sky, brightly or
faintly, as the hour may be.]

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES

What mean these couriers shooting shuttlewise
To Paris and to London, turn and turn?

RUMOURS [chanting in antiphons]

I

The aforesaid tidings fro the minister, spokesman in England's
cause to states afar,

II

Traverse the waters borne by one of such; and thereto Bonaparte's
responses are:

I

"The principles of honour and of truth which ever actuate the
sender's mind

II

"Herein are written largely! Take our thanks: we read that
this conjuncture undesigned

I

"Unfolds felicitous means of showing you that still our eyes
are set, as yours, on peace,

II

"To which great end the Treaty of Amiens must be the ground-
work of our amities."

I

From London then: "The path to amity the King of England
studies to pursue;

II

"With Russia hand in hand he is yours to close the long
convulsions thrilling Europe through."

I

Still fare the shadowy missioners across, by Dover-road and
Calais Channel-track,

II

From Thames-side towers to Paris palace-gates; from Paris
leisurely to London back.

I

Till thus speaks France: "Much grief it gives us that, being
pledged to treat, one Emperor with one King,

II

"You yet have struck a jarring counternote and tone that keys
not with such promising.

I

"In these last word, then, of this pregnant parle; I trust I
may persuade your Excellency

II

"That in no circumstance, on no pretence, a party to our pact can
Russia be."

SPIRIT SINISTER

Fortunately for the manufacture of corpses by machinery Napoleon
sticks to this veto, and so wards off the awkward catastrophe of
a general peace descending upon Europe. Now England.

RUMOURS [continuing]

I

Thereon speeds down through Kent and Picardy, evenly as some
southing sky-bird's shade:

II

"We gather not from your Imperial lines a reason why our words
should be reweighed.

I

"We hold Russia not as our ally that is to be: she stands fully-
plighted so;

II

"Thus trembles peace upon this balance-point: will you that
Russia be let in or no?"

I