The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 207

The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 207

_Fernandez._ I too, but that I know our n.o.ble General Maintains him near his person, only that If he should ever go in jeopardy 140 Of being d.a.m.n'd (as he's now persecuted) For his virtue and fair sense, he may be sav'd By the supererogation of this Fellow's Folly and Worthlessness.----

_Earl Henry._ Hold, hold, good Ancient!

Do you not know that this Barnard saved my life? 145 Well, but my brother----

_Fernandez._ He will soon be here.

I swear by this, my sword, dear General.

I swear he has a Hero's soul--I only Wish I could communicate to him My gift of governing the spleen.--Then he 150 Has had his colors, the drums too of the Regiment All put in cases--O, that stirs the Soldiery.

_Earl Henry._ Impetuous Boy!

_Fernandez._ Nay, Fear not for them, General.

The Chancellor, no doubt, will take good care To let their blood grow cool on garrison duty. 155

_Sandoval._ Earl Henry! Frown not thus upon Fernandez; 'Tis said, and all the Soldiery believe it, That the five Regiments who return with you Will be dispers'd in garrisons and castles, And other Jails of honourable name. 160 So great a crime it is to have been present In duty and devotion to a Hero!

_Fernandez._ What now? What now? The politic Chancellor is The Soldier's friend, and rather than not give Snug pensions to brave Men, he'll overlook 165 All small disqualifying circ.u.mstances Of youth and health, keen eye and muscular limb, He'll count our scars, and set them down for maims.

And gain us thus all privileges and profits Of Invalids and superannuate veterans. 170

_Earl Henry._ 'Tis but an idle rumour--See! they come.

_Enter_ BARNARD _and a number of_ Soldiers, _their Colours wound up, and the Drums in Cases, and after them_ DON CURIO. _All pay the military Honors to the General. During this time_ FERNANDEZ _has hurried up in front of the Stage_.

_Enter DON CURIO._

_Don Curio (advancing to EARL HENRY)._ Has Barnard told you?

Insult on insult! by mine honor, Brother!

(_BARNARD goes beside CURIO._) And by our Father's soul they mean to saint you, Having first prov'd your Patience more than mortal. 175

_Earl Henry._ Take heed, Don Curio! lest with greater right They scoff my Brother for a choleric boy.

What insult then?

_Don Curio._ Our Friend, the Chancellor, Welcomes you home, and shares the common joy In the most happy tidings of your Victory: 180 But as to your demand of instant audience From the Queen's Royal Person,--'tis rejected!

_Sandoval._ Rejected?

_Barnard (making a deep obeisance)._ May it please the Earl!

_Earl Henry._ Speak, Barnard.

_Barnard._ The n.o.ble Youth, your very valiant brother, And wise as valiant (_bowing to DON CURIO who puffs at him_) rightly doth insinuate 185 Fortune deals nothing singly--whether Honors Or Insults, whether it be Joys or Sorrows, They crowd together on us, or at best Drop in in quick succession.

_Fernandez (mocking him)._ 'Ne'er rains it, but it pours,' or, at the best, 190 'More sacks upon the mill.' This fellow's a Perpetual plagiarist from his Grandmother, and How slily in the parcel wraps [he] up The stolen goods!

_Earl Henry._ Be somewhat briefer, Barnard.

_Barnard._ But could I dare insinuate to your Brother 195 A fearless Truth, Earl Henry--it were this: Even Lucifer, Prince of the Air, hath claims Upon our justice.

_Fernandez._ Give the Devil his Due!

Why, thou base Lacquerer of worm-eaten proverbs, [And] wherefore dost thou not tell us at once 200 What the Chancellor said to thee?

_Barnard_ (_looking round superciliously at_ FERNANDEZ).

The Queen hath left the Capital affecting Rural retirement, but 'I will hasten'

(Thus said the Chancellor) 'I myself will hasten And lay before her Majesty the Tidings 205 Both of Earl Henry's Victory and return.

She will vouchsafe, I doubt not, to re-enter Her Capital, without delay, and grant The wish'd for Audience with all public honour.'

_Don Curio._ A mere Device, I say, to pa.s.s a slight on us. 210

_Fernandez (to himself)._ To think on't. Pshaw! A fellow, that must needs Have been decreed an a.s.s by acclamation, Had he not looked so very like an Owl.

And he to---- (_turns suddenly round, and faces BARNARD who had even then come close beside him_).

Boo!----Ah! is it you, Sieur Barnard!

_Barnard._ No other, Sir!

_Fernandez._ And is it not reported, 215 That you once sav'd the General's life?

_Barnard._ 'Tis certain!

_Fernandez._ Was he asleep? And were the hunters coming And did you bite him on the nose?

_Barnard._ What mean you?

_Fernandez._ That was the way in which the Flea i' th' Fable Once sav'd the Lion's life.

_Earl Henry._ 'Tis well. 220 The Sun hath almost finish'd his Day's Travels; We too will finish ours. Go, gallant Comrades, And at the neighbouring Mansion, for us all, Claim entertainment in your General's name.

_Exeunt_ Soldiers, &c. _As they are leaving the Stage._

_Fernandez_ (_to_ BARNARD). A word with you! You act the Chancellor 225 Incomparably well.

_Barnard._ Most valiant Captain, Vouchsafe a manual union.

_Fernandez_ (_griping_ [sic] _his hand with affected fervor_). 'Tis no wonder, Don Curio should mistook [_sic_] you for him.

_Barnard._ Truly, The Chancellor, and I, it hath been notic'd Are of one stature.

_Fernandez._ And Don Curio's _Gripe_ too 230 Had lent a guttural Music to your voice, A sort of bagpipe Buz, that suited well Your dignity of utterance.

_Barnard (simpering courteously)._ Don Fernandez, Few are the storms that bring unmingled evil.

_Fernandez (mocking him)._ 'Tis an ill wind, that blows no good, Sieur Barnard! [_Exeunt._ 235

_DON CURIO lingering behind._

_Don Curio._ I have offended you, my brother.

_Earl H._ Yes!

For you've not learnt the n.o.blest part of valour, To suffer and obey. Drums put in cases, Colours wound up--what means this Mummery?

We are sunk low indeed, if wrongs like our's 240 Must seek redress in impotent Freaks of Anger.