SCENE vi PART FIRST
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS
Those words of this man Pitt—his last large words. As I may prophesy—that ring to-night In their first mintage to the feasiers here, Will spread with ageing, lodge, and crystallize, And stand embedded in the English tongue Till it grow thin, outworn, and cease to be.— 50 is't ordained by That Which all ordains; For words were never winged with apter grace, Or blent with happier choice of time and place, To hold the imagination of this strenuous race.
SCENE VI1
AN INN AT RENNES
Night. A sleeping-chamber. Two candles are burning near a bed in an alcove, and writing-materials are on the table.
The French admiral, VILLENEUVE, partly undressed, is pacing up and down the room.
VILLENEUVE
These hauntings have at last nigh proved to me
That this thing must be done. Illustrious foe
And teacher, Nelson : blest and over blest
In thy outgoing at the noon of strife
When glory clasped thee round; while wayward
Death
Refused my coaxings for the like-timed call! Yet I did press where thickest missiles fell, And both by precept and example showed Where lay the line of duty, patriotism, And honour, in that combat of despair.
He sees himself in the glass as he passes.
1 This scene is a little antedated* to include it in the Act to which it essentially belongs, '
133