SCENE V
THE FIELD OF LIGNY
[The same day later. A prospect of the battlefield of Ligny
southward from the roof of the windmill of Bussy, which stands at
the centre and highest point of the Prussian position, about six
miles south-east of Quatre-Bras.
The ground slopes downward along the whole front of the scene to
a valley through which wanders the Ligne, a muddy stream bordered
by sallows. On both sides of the stream, in the middle plane of
the picture, stands the village of Ligny, composed of thatched
cottages, gardens, and farm-houses with stone walls; the main
features, such as the church, church-yard, and village-green
being on the further side of the Ligne.
On that side the land reascends in green wheatfields to an
elevation somewhat greater than that of the foreground, reaching
away to Fleurus in the right-hand distance.
In front, on the slopes between the spectator and the village,
is the First Corps of the Prussian army commanded by Zieten, its
First Brigade under STEINMETZ occupying the most salient point.
The Corps under THIELMANN is ranged to the left, and that of
PIRCH to the rear, in reserve to ZIETEN. In the centre-front,
just under the mill, BLÜCHER on a fine grey charger is intently
watching, with his staff.
Something dark is seen to be advancing over the horizon by
Fleurus, about three miles off. It is the van of NAPOLÉON’S
army, approaching to give battle.
At this moment hoofs are heard clattering along a road that
passes behind the mill; and there come round to the front the
DUKE OF WELLINGTON, his staff-officers, and a small escort of
cavalry.
WELLINGTON and BLÜCHER greet each other at the foot of the
windmill. They disappear inside, and can be heard ascending
the ladders.
Enter on the roof WELLINGTON and BLÜCHER, followed by FITZROY
SOMERSET, GNEISENAU, MÜFFLING, and others. Before renewing
their conversation they peer through their glasses at the dark
movements on the horizon. WELLINGTON’S manner is deliberate,
judicial, almost indifferent; BLÜCHER’S eager and impetuous.
WELLINGTON
They muster not as yet in near such strength
At Quatre-Bras as here.
BLÜCHER
’Tis from Fleurus
They come debouching. I, perforce, withdrew
My forward posts of cavalry at dawn
In face of their light cannon.... They’ll be here
I reckon, soon!
WELLINGTON [still with glass]
I clearly see his staff,
And if my eyes don’t lie, the Arch-one too....
It is the whole Imperial army, Prince,
That we’ve before us. [A silence.] Well, we’ll cope with them!
What would you have me do?
[BLÜCHER is so absorbed in what he sees that he does not heed.]
GNEISENAU
Duke, this I’d say:
Events suggest to us that you come up
With all your force, behind the village here,
And act as our reserve.
MÜFFLING
But Bonaparte,
Pray note, has redistributed his strength
In fashion that you fail to recognize.
I am against your scheme.
BLÜCHER [lowering his glass]
Signs notify
Napoléon’s plans as changed! He purports now
To strike our left—between Sombreffe and Brye....
If so, I have to readjust my ward.
WELLINGTON
One of his two divisions that we scan
Outspreading from Fleurus, seems bent on Ligny,
The other on Saint-Amand.
BLÜCHER
Well, I shall see
In half an hour, your Grace. If what I deem
Be what he means, Von Zieten’s corps forthwith
Must stand to their positions: Pirch out here,
Henckel at Ligny, Steinmetz at La Haye.
WELLINGTON
So that, your Excellency, as I opine,
I go and sling my strength on their left wing—
Manoeuvring to outflank ’em on that side.
BLÜCHER
True, true. Our plan uncovers of itself;
You bear down everything from Quatre-Bras
Along the road to Frasnes.
WELLINGTON
I will, by God.
I’ll bear straight on to Gosselies, if needs!
GNEISENAU
Your Excellencies, if I may be a judge,
Such movement will not tend to unity;
It leans too largely on a peradventure
Most speculative in its contingencies!
[A silence; till the officers of the staff remark to each other
that concentration is best in any circumstances. A general
discussion ensues.]
BLÜCHER [concludingly]
We will expect you, Duke, to our support.
WELLINGTON
I must agree that, in the sum, it’s best.
So be it then. If not attacked myself
I’ll come to you.—Now I return with speed
To Quatre-Bras.
BLÜCHER
And I descend from here
To give close eye and thought to things below;
No more can well be studied where we stand.
[Exeunt from roof WELLINGTON, BLÜCHER and the rest. They reappear
below, and WELLINGTON and his suite gallop furiously away in the
direction of Quatre-Bras. An interval.]
DUMB SHOW [below]
Three reports of a cannon give the signal for the French attack.
NAPOLÉON’S army advances down the slopes of green corn opposite,
bands and voices joining in songs of victory. The French come
in three grand columns; VANDAMME’S on the left [the spectator’s
right] against Saint-Amand, the most forward angle of the Prussian
position. GERARD’S in the centre bear down upon Ligny. GROUCHY’S
on the French right is further back. Far to the rear can be
discerned NAPOLÉON, the Imperial Guard, and MILHAUD’S cuirassiers
halted in reserve.
This formidable advance is preceded by swarms of tirailleurs, who
tread down the high wheat, exposing their own men in the rear.
Amid cannonading from both sides they draw nearer to the Prussians,
though lanes are cut through them by the latter’s guns. They drive
the Prussians out of Ligny; who, however, rally in the houses,
churchyard, and village green.
SPIRIT OF THE PITIES
I see unnatural an Monster, loosely jointed,
With an Apocalyptic Being’s shape,
And limbs and eyes a hundred thousand strong,
And fifty thousand heads; which coils itself
About the buildings there.
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS
Thou dost indeed.
It is the Monster Devastation. Watch.
Round the church they fight without quarter, shooting face to face,
stabbing with unfixed bayonets, and braining with the butts of
muskets. The village catches fire, and soon becomes a furnace.
The crash of splitting timbers as doors are broken through, the
curses of the fighters, rise into the air, with shouts of “En
avant!” from the further side of the stream, and “Vorwarts!” from
the nearer.
The battle extends to the west by Le Hameau and Saint-Amand la Haye;
and Ligny becomes invisible under a shroud of smoke.
VOICES [at the base of the mill]
This sun will go down bloodily for us!
The English, sharply sighed for by Prince Blücher,
Cannot appear. Wellington words across
That hosts have set on him at Quatre-Bras,
And leave him not one bayonet to spare!
The truth of this intelligence is apparent. A low dull sound heard
lately from the direction of Quatre-Bras has increased to a roaring
cannonade. The scene abruptly closes.