THE DYNASTS ACT CHORUS Us Ancients, then, it ill befits To quake when Slaughters spectre flits Athwart this field of Austerlitz ! SHADE OF THE EARTH Pain not their young compassions by such lore> But hold you mute, and read the battle yonder : The moment marks the day's catastrophe. SCENE IV THE SAME. THE RUSSIAN POSITION It is about noon, and the vital spectacle is now near the village of ^Tilnitz. The fog has dispersed, and the sun shines clearly, though without warmth, the ice on the pools gleaming under its radiance, GENERAL BUXHOVDEN and his aides-de-camp have reined up, and remain at pause on a hillock. The General watches through a glass his battalions, which are still disputing the village. Suddenly approach down the track from the upland of Pratzen large companies of Russian infantry helter-skelter. COUNT LANGERON is beheld to be retreating with them ; and soon, pale and agitated, he hastens up to GENERAL BUXH^VDEN, whose face is flushed. LANGERON While they are upon us you stay idle here ! Prschebiszewsky's column is distraught and rent, And more than half my own made captive ! Yea, Krezn6witz carried, and SokcSInitz hemmed : The enemy's whole strength will stound you soon ! You seem to see the enemy everywhere. 152