They rushed forward all together, raising discordant cries. And then a sudden panic Arose as if all at once, though it was day, the Night Rearing up her giant head with its diadem of stars, Confounded the sense with the blast of her prodigious horn. They were astounded, those others, and they trembled, and suddenly the serried ranks of our foes, Like colts stampeded by a clanking chain, Turned tail and fled! Thus did we raise that army, having gotten under it, Thus did we tilt it backward like a cask, Spilling a great tumult of men On the earth and in the reedy beds of streams. Think of it! That innumerable horde turned their backs, and ran before us! Zounds! Oh who has seen such a massacre, the piles of wounded and dying Gasping like a catch of fish in the bottom of a boat! ALL: Triumph! THE MESSENGER: Sharp cries resounded on the bleeding air, and the mad galloping of horsemen, and cannon whose flashes glared through the pall of smoke! God! We chased them with a shoe like rats! Doddering gray beards with a gesture Put to flight battalions, and children whose voices broke, Catching him by the bridle, led away the horse and his rider. This I saw. I saw the captured flags brought in like fagots! I remember soldiers, black-bearded, or with chins Bristling with white hairs, Who in the evening, while the soup was cooking, Stood, their feet in the heather, like smiths worn out with toil, Red like the arbute-berry in the ruddy gloaming, Contemplating through the branches the scarlet sky from which comes life. --As for him, Those who stood by his stirrups, taking his orders, Listening with parted lips to what he said, for the first time saw on his face, Like that of a man who, in the midst of a crowd, mocks at an absurd misfortune, The inconstant smile of a young girl! ALL: Triumph! Triumph! THE MESSENGER: Now let these eyes which have seen such a spectacle Cover themselves with a film, and let this vase That has contained such an image dash itself to pieces! To think that I, I should have lived to see such a day! Rejoice! Victory whinnying like a virgin mare Rolls on the battlefield, Lashing out with shining hooves, turning her trout's belly to the sky! CÉBÈS: O messenger! THE MESSENGER: Who calls me? CÉBÈS: Is that all that Tête-d'or said to you? Won't he be coming soon? THE MESSENGER: Are you he whom he calls Cébès? CÉBÈS: Well? THE MESSENGER: In that case, Tête-d'or gave me a message for you. CÉBÈS: What? Did he think of me? THE MESSENGER: He told me to say that he will soon be here. Listen, all of you! These are his words, "Say that I shall be there. I am coming, I myself." CÉBÈS: He is coming? THE MESSENGER: He is hard upon my heels. _(Trumpet without._ THE FIRST WATCHER: Hark! THE THIRD WATCHER: I hear the voice of the trumpet. _(Pause. Noise of arms without._ THE FOURTH WATCHER: He is here. _(TÊTE-D'OR enters._ THE KING (_advancing to meet him_): You have preserved this kingdom,