View not your life so gloomily, my lord: One charmed, a needed purpose to fulfil! NELSON Ah, Coll. Lead bullets are not all that wound.... I have a feeling here of dying fires, A sense of strong and deep unworded censure, Which, compassing about my private life, Makes all my public service lustreless In my own eyes.--I fear I am much condemned For those dear Naples and Palermo days, And her who was the sunshine of them all!... He who is with himself dissatisfied, Though all the world find satisfaction in him, Is like a rainbow-coloured bird gone blind, That gives delight it shares not. Happiness? It's the philosopher's stone no alchemy Shall light on this world I am weary of.-- Smiling I'd pass to my long home to-morrow Could I with honour, and my country's gain. --But let's adjourn. I waste your hours ashore By such ill-timed confessions! [They pass out of sight, and the scene closes.] SCENE II. OFF FERROL [The French and Spanish combined squadrons. On board the French admiral's flag-ship. VILLENEUVE is discovered in his cabin, writing a letter.] SPIRIT OF THE PITIES He pens in fits, with pallid restlessness, Like one who sees Misfortune walk the wave, And can nor face nor flee it. SPIRIT OF THE YEARS He indites To his long friend the minister Decres Words that go heavily!... VILLENEUVE [writing] “I am made the arbiter in vast designs Whereof I see black outcomes. Do I this Or do I that, success, that loves to jilt Her anxious wooer for some careless blade, Will not reward me. For, if I must pen it, Demoralized past prayer in the marine-- Bad masts, bad sails, bad officers, bad men; We cling to naval technics long outworn, And time and opportunity do not avail me To take up new. I have long suspected such, But till I saw my helps, the Spanish ships, I hoped somewhat.--Brest is my nominal port; Yet if so, Calder will again attack-- Now reinforced by Nelson or Cornwallis-- And shatter my whole fleet.... Shall I admit That my true inclination and desire Is to make Cadiz straightway, and not Brest? Alas! thereby I fail the Emperor; But shame the navy less.-- “Your friend, VILLENEUVE” [GENERAL LAURISTON enters.] LAURISTON