What is Its shape? Man's counterfeit? That turns in some far sphere unlit The Wheel which drives the Infinite? SPIRIT OF THE PITIES Mock on, mock on! Yet I'll go pray To some Great Heart, who haply may Charm mortal miseries away! [The KING'S paroxysm continues. The attendants hold him.] HALFORD This is distressing. One can never tell How he will take things now. I thought Albuera A subject that would surely solace him. These paroxysms--have they been bad this week? [To Attendants.] FIRST ATTENDANT Sir Henry, no. He has quite often named The late Princess, as gently as a child A little bird found starved. WILLIS [aside to apothecary] I must increase the opium to-night, and lower him by a double set of leeches since he won't stand the lancet quietly. APOTHECARY You should take twenty ounces, doctor, if a drop--indeed, go on blooding till he's unconscious. He is too robust by half. And the watering-pot would do good again--not less than six feet above his head. See how heated he is. WILLIS Curse that town band. It will have to be stopped. HEBERDEN The same thing is going on all over England, no doubt, on account of this victory. HALFORD When he is in a more domineering mood he likes such allusions to his rank as king.... If he could resume his walks on the terrace he might improve slightly. But it is too soon yet. We must consider what we shall report to the Council. There is little hope of his being much better. What do you think, Willis? WILLIS None. He is done for this time! HALFORD Well, we must soften it down a little, so as not to upset the Queen too much, poor woman, and distract the Council unnecessarily. Eldon will go pumping up bucketfuls, and the Archbishops are so easily shocked that a certain conventional reserve is almost forced upon us. WILLIS [returning from the King] He is already better. The paroxysm has nearly passed. Your opinion will be far more favourable before you leave. [The KING soon grows calm, and the expression of his face changes to one of dejection. The attendants leave his side: he bends his head, and covers his face with his hand, while his lips move as if in prayer. He then turns to them.] KING [meekly] I am most truly sorry, gentlemen, If I have used language that would seem to show Discourtesy to you for your good help In this unhappy malady of mine! My nerves unstring, my friend; my flesh grows weak: “The good that I do I leave undone, The evil which I would not, that I do!” Shame, shame on me! WILLIS [aside to the others] Now he will be as low as before he was in the other extreme. KING A king should bear him kingly; I of all, One of so long a line. O shame on me!... --This battle that you speak of?--Spain, of course? Ah--Albuera! And many fall--eh? Yes? HALFORD