VOICE OF WELLINGTON
I thought they looked as they’d be scurrying soon!
VOICE OF AN AIDE
Foy bears into the wood in middling trim;
Maucune strikes out for Alba-Castle bridge.
VOICE OF WELLINGTON
Speed the pursuit, then, towards the Huerta ford;
Their only scantling of escape lies there;
The river coops them semicircle-wise,
And we shall have them like a swathe of grass
Within a sickle’s curve!
VOICE OF AIDE
Too late, my lord.
They are crossing by the aforesaid bridge at Alba.
VOICE OF WELLINGTON
Impossible. The guns of Carlos rake it
Sheer from the castle walls.
VOICE OF AIDE
Tidings have sped
Just now therefrom, to this undreamed effect:
That Carlos has withdrawn the garrison:
The French command the Alba bridge themselves!
VOICE OF WELLINGTON
Blast him, he’s disobeyed his orders, then!
How happened this? How long has it been known?
VOICE OF AIDE
Some ladies some few hours have rumoured it,
But unbelieved.
VOICE OF WELLINGTON
Well, what’s done can’t be undone....
By God, though, they’ve just saved themselves thereby
From capture to a man!
VOICE OF A GENERAL
We’ve not struck ill,
Despite this slip, my lord.... And have you heard
That Colonel Dalbiac’s wife rode in the charge
Behind her spouse to-day?