Impossible; Amid the loud combustion of this strife As well try holloing to the antipodes!... So here I am. The bliss of Nelson's end Will not be mine; his full refulgent eve Becomes my midnight! Well; the fleets shall see That I can yield my cause with dignity. [The “Bucentaure” strikes her flag. A boat then puts off from the English ship “Conqueror,” and VILLENEUVE, having surrendered his sword, is taken out from the “Bucentaure.” But being unable to regain her own ship, the boat is picked up by the “Mars,” and the French admiral is received aboard her. Point of view changes.] SCENE IV THE SAME. THE COCKPIT OF THE “VICTORY” [A din of trampling and dragging overhead, which is accompanied by a continuos ground-bass roar from the guns of the warring fleets, culminating at times in loud concussions. The wounded are lying around in rows for treatment, some groaning, some silently dying, some dead. The gloomy atmosphere of the low- beamed deck is pervaded by a thick haze of smoke, powdered wood, and other dust, and is heavy with the fumes of gunpowder and candle-grease, the odour of drugs and cordials, and the smell from abdominal wounds. NELSON, his face now pinched and wan with suffering, is lying undressed in a midshipman's berth, dimly lit by a lantern. DR. BEATTY, DR. MAGRATH, the Rev. DR. SCOTT the Chaplain, BURKE the Purser, the Steward, and a few others stand around.] MAGRATH [in a low voice] Poor Ram, and poor Tom Whipple, have just gone.. BEATTY There was no hope for them. NELSON [brokenly] Who have just died? BEATTY Two who were badly hit by now, my lord; Lieutenant Ram and Mr. Whipple. NELSON Ah! So many lives--in such a glorious cause.... I join them soon, soon, soon!--O where is Hardy? Will nobody bring Hardy to me--none? He must be killed, too. Surely Hardy's dead? A MIDSHIPMAN He's coming soon, my lord. The constant call On his full heed of this most mortal fight Keeps him from hastening hither as he would. NELSON I'll wait, I'll wait. I should have thought of it. [Presently HARDY comes down. NELSON and he grasp hands.] Hardy, how goes the day with us and England? HARDY Well; very well, thank God for't, my dear lord. Villeneuve their Admiral has this moment struck, And put himself aboard the “Conqueror.” Some fourteen of their first-rates, or about, Thus far we've got. The said “Bucentaure” chief: The “Santa Ana,” the “Redoubtable,” The “Fougueux,” the “Santisima Trinidad,” “San Augustino, “San Francisco,” “Aigle”; And our old “Swiftsure,” too, we've grappled back, To every seaman's joy. But now their van Has tacked to bear round on the “Victory” And crush her by sheer weight of wood and brass: Three of our best I am therefore calling up, And make no doubt of worsting theirs, and France.