Enter on the roof WELLINGTON and BLÜCHER, followed by FITZROY SOMERSET, GNEISENAU, MUFFLING, and others. Before renewing their conversation they peer through their glasses at the dark movements on the horizon. WELLINGTON'S manner is deliberate, judicial, almost indifferent; BLÜCHER'S eager and impetuous. WELLINGTON They muster not as yet in near such strength At Quatre-Bras as here. BLÜCHER 'Tis from Fleurus They come debouching. I, perforce, withdrew My forward posts of cavalry at dawn In face of their light cannon.... They'll be here I reckon, soon! WELLINGTON [still with glass] I clearly see his staff, And if my eyes don't lie, the Arch-one too.... It is the whole Imperial army, Prince, That we've before us. [A silence.] Well, we'll cope with them! What would you have me do? [BLÜCHER is so absorbed in what he sees that he does not heed.] GNEISENAU Duke, this I'd say: Events suggest to us that you come up With all your force, behind the village here, And act as our reserve. MUFFLING But Bonaparte, Pray note, has redistributed his strength In fashion that you fail to recognize. I am against your scheme. BLÜCHER [lowering his glass] Signs notify Napoleon's plans as changed! He purports now To strike our left--between Sombreffe and Brye.... If so, I have to readjust my ward. WELLINGTON One of his two divisions that we scan Outspreading from Fleurus, seems bent on Ligny, The other on Saint-Amand. BLÜCHER Well, I shall see In half an hour, your Grace. If what I deem Be what he means, Von Zieten's corps forthwith Must stand to their positions: Pirch out here, Henckel at Ligny, Steinmetz at La Haye. WELLINGTON So that, your Excellency, as I opine, I go and sling my strength on their left wing-- Manoeuvring to outflank 'em on that side. BLÜCHER True, true. Our plan uncovers of itself; You bear down everything from Quatre-Bras Along the road to Frasnes. WELLINGTON I will, by God. I'll bear straight on to Gosselies, if needs! GNEISENAU Your Excellencies, if I may be a judge, Such movement will not tend to unity; It leans too largely on a peradventure Most speculative in its contingencies! [A silence; till the officers of the staff remark to each other that concentration is best in any circumstances. A general discussion ensues.] BLÜCHER [concludingly] We will expect you, Duke, to our support. WELLINGTON I must agree that, in the sum, it's best. So be it then. If not attacked myself I'll come to you.--Now I return with speed To Quatre-Bras. BLÜCHER And I descend from here To give close eye and thought to things below; No more can well be studied where we stand.