thy. Says Napoleon then,
Snuffing anew, with sour sardonic scowl,
That he is choiceless.

SPIRIT SINISTER

Excellent Emperor!
He tops all human greatness; in that he
To lesser grounds of greatness adds the prime,
Of being without a conscience.

[LA BEDOYERE and orderlies start on their mission. The false
intelligence is seen to spread, by the excited motion of the
columns, and the soldiers can be heard shouting as their spirits
revive.

WELLINGTON is beginning to discern the features of the coming
onset, when COLONEL FRASER rides up.]

FRASER

We have just learnt from a deserting captain,
One of the carabineers who charged of late,
That an assault which dwarfs all instances--
The whole Imperial Guard in welded weight--
Is shortly to be made.

WELLINGTON

For your smart speed
My thanks. My observation is confirmed.
We'll hasten now along the battle-line [to Staff],
As swiftest means for giving orders out
Whereby to combat this.

[The speaker, accompanied by HILL, UXBRIDGE, and others--all now
looking as worn and besmirched as the men in the ranks--proceed
along the lines, and dispose the brigades to meet the threatened
shock. The infantry are brought out of the shelter they have
recently sought, the cavalry stationed in the rear, and the
batteries of artillery hitherto kept in reserve are moved to the
front.

The last Act of the battle begins.

There is a preliminary attack by DONZELOT'S columns, combined
with swarms of sharpshooters, to the disadvantage of the English
and their Allies. WELLINGTON has scanned it closely. FITZROY
SOMERSET, his military secretary, comes up.]

WELLINGTON

What casualty has thrown its shade among
The regiments of Nassau, to shake them so?

SOMERSET

The Prince of Orange has been badly struck--
A bullet through his shoulder--so they tell;
And Kielmansegge has shown some signs of stress.
Kincaird's tried line wanes leaner and more lean--
Whittled to a weak skein of skirmishers;
The Twenty-seventh lie dead.

WELLINGTON

Ah yes--I know!

[While they watch developments a cannon-shot passes and knocks
SOMERSET'S right arm to a mash. He is assisted to the rear.

NEY and FRIANT now lead forward the last and most desperate
assault of the day, in