THE DYNASTS ACT iv
A silence. NAPOLEON reaches a carriage that is moving across. It bears MASS£NA, who, having received a recent wound, is unable to ride.
FRANCIS
See, the white horse and horseman pause beside A coach for some strange reason rolling there. . . . That white-horsed rider—yes !—is Bonaparte, By the aides hovering round. . . . New war-wiles have been worded; we shall spell Their purport soon enough ! (An interval.)
The French take heart To stand to our battalions steadfastly, And hold their ground, having the Emperor near!
Time passes. An aide-de-camp enters.
AIDE
The Archduke Charles is pierced in the shoulder, sire ;
He strove too far in beating back the French
At Aderklaa, and was nearly ta'en.
The wound^ not serious.—On our right we win,
And deem the battle ours.
Enter another aide-de-camp.
SECOND AIDE
Your Majesty,
We have borne them back through Aspern village-street
And Essling is recovered. What counts more, Their bridges to the rear we have nearly grasped, And panic-struck they crowd the few left free, Choking the track, with cries of " All is lost! "
FRANCIS
Then is the land delivered. God be praised !
[Exeunt aides.
An interval, during which the EMPEROR and his companions again remain anxiously at their glasses.
298