The Dynasts. Томас Харди

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">       Meantime the “Achille” fought on,

       Even while the ship was blazing, knowing well

       The fire must reach their powder; which it did.

       The spot is covered now with floating men,

       Some whole, the main in parts; arms, legs, trunks, heads,

       Bobbing with tons of timber on the waves,

       And splinter looped with entrails of the crew.

      NELSON [rousing]

       Our course will be to anchor. Let me know.

      HARDY

       But let me ask, my lord, as needs I must,

       Seeing your state, and that our work's not done,

       Shall I, from you, bid Admiral Collingwood

       Take full on him the conduct of affairs?

      NELSON [trying to raise himself]

       Not while I live, I hope! No, Hardy; no.

       Give Collingwood my order. Anchor all!

      HARDY [hesitating]

       You mean the signal's to be made forthwith?

      NELSON

       I do!—By God, if but our carpenter

       Could rig me up a jury-backbone now,

       To last one hour—until the battle's done,

       I'd see to it! But here I am—stove in—

       Broken—all logged and done for! Done, ay done!

      BEATTY [returning from the other wounded]

       My lord, I must implore you to lie calm!

       You shorten what at best may not be long.

      NELSON [exhausted]

       I know, I know, good Beatty! Thank you well

       Hardy, I was impatient. Now I am still.

       Sit here a moment, if you have time to spare?

       [BEATTY and others retire, and the two abide in silence, except

       for the trampling overhead and the moans from adjoining berths.

       NELSON is apparently in less pain, seeming to doze.]

      NELSON [suddenly]

       What are you thinking, that you speak no word?

      HARDY [waking from a short reverie]

       Thoughts all confused, my lord:—their needs on deck,

       Your own sad state, and your unrivalled past;

       Mixed up with flashes of old things afar—

       Old childish things at home, down Wessex way.

       In the snug village under Blackdon Hill

       Where I was born. The tumbling stream, the garden,

       The placid look of the grey dial there,

       Marking unconsciously this bloody hour,

       And the red apples on my father's trees,

       Just now full ripe.

      NELSON

       Ay, thus do little things

       Steal into my mind, too. But ah, my heart

       Knows not your calm philosophy!—There's one—

       Come nearer to me, Hardy.—One of all,

       As you well guess, pervades my memory now;

       She, and my daughter—I speak freely to you.

       'Twas good I made that codicil this morning

       That you and Blackwood witnessed. Now she rests

       Safe on the nation's honour.... Let her have

       My hair, and the small treasured things I owned,

       And take care of her, as you care for me!

       [HARDY promises.]

      NELSON [resuming in a murmur]

       Does love die with our frame's decease, I wonder,

       Or does it live on ever?...

       [A silence. BEATTY approaches.]

      HARDY

       Now I'll leave,

       See if your order's gone, and then return.

      NELSON [symptoms of death beginning to change his face]

       Yes, Hardy; yes; I know it. You must go.—

       Here we shall meet no more; since Heaven forfend

       That care for me should keep you idle now,

       When all the ship demands you. Beatty, too.

       Go to the others who lie bleeding there;

       Them can you aid. Me you can render none!

       My time here is the briefest.—If I live

       But long enough I'll anchor.... But—too late—

       My anchoring's elsewhere ordered!... Kiss me, Hardy:

       [HARDY bends over him.]

       I'm satisfied. Thank God, I have done my duty!

       [HARDY brushes his eyes with his hand, and withdraws to go above,

       pausing to look back before he finally disappears.]

      BEATTY [watching Nelson]

       Ah!—Hush around!...

       He's sinking. It is but a trifle now

       Of minutes with him. Stand you, please, aside,

       And give him air.

       [BEATTY, the Chaplain, MAGRATH, the Steward, and attendants

       continue to regard NELSON. BEATTY looks at his watch.]

      BEATTY

       Two hours and fifty minutes since he fell,

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