Most viciously upon the centre, sire, If I mistook not, hard by Sussenbrunn; The assault is led by Bonaparte in person, Who shows himself with marvellous recklessness, Yet like a phantom-fiend receives no hurt. FRANCIS [still gazing] Ha! Now the Archduke Charles has seen the intent, And taken steps against it. Sussenbrunn Must be the threatened thing. [Silence.] What an advance!-- Straight hitherward. Our centre girdles them.-- Surely they'll not persist? Who heads that charge? OFFICER They say Macdonald, sire. FRANCIS Meagrest remains Will there be soon of those in that advance! We are burning them to bones by our hot fire. They are almost circumscribed: if fully so The battle's ours! What's that behind them, eh? OFFICER Their last reserves, that they may feed the front, And sterilize our hope! FRANCIS Yes, their reserve-- Dragoons and cuirassiers--charge in support. You see their metal gleaming as they come. Well, it is neck or nothing for them now! OFFICER It's nothing, sire. Their charge of cavalry Has desperately failed. FRANCIS Their foot press on, However, with a battery in front Which deals the foulest damage done us yet. [Time passes.] They ARE effecting lodgment, after all. Who would have reckoned on't--our men so firm! [Re-enter first aide-de-camp.] FIRST AIDE The Archduke Charles retreats, your majesty; And the issue wears a dirty look just now. FRANCIS [gloomily] Yes: I have seen the signs for some good while. But he retreats with blows, and orderly. [Time passes, till the sun has rounded far towards the west. The features of the battle now materially change. The French have regained Aspern and Essling; the Austrian army is doubled back from the Danube and from the heights of Wagram, which, as viewed from Wolkersdorf, face the afternoon shine, the French established thereon glittering in the rays. FRANCIS [choking a sigh] The turn has passed. We are worsted, but not overwhelmed!... The French advance is laboured, and but slow. --This might have been another-coloured day If but the Archduke John had joined up promptly; Yet still he lags! ANOTHER OFFICER [lately entered] He's just now coming, sire. His columns glimmer in the Frenchmen's rear. Past Siebenbrunn's and Loebensdorf's smoked hills. FRANCIS [impatiently] Ay--coming NOW! Why could he not be COME! [They watch intently.] We can see nothing of that side from here. [Enter a general officer, who speaks to the Minister at the back of the room.] MINISTER [coming forward]