End of the world -- Fiction; Epidemics -- Fiction; Science fiction; Twenty-first century -- Fiction
We were interrupted by an attendant, who announced, that the staff of
Raymond was assembled in the council-chamber. He requested me in the
meantime to ride through the camp, and to observe and report to him the
dispositions of the soldiers; he then left me. I had been excited to
the utmost by the proceedings of the day, and now more than ever by the
passionate language of Raymond. Alas! for human reason! He accused the
Greeks of superstition: what name did he give to the faith he lent to
the predictions of Evadne? I passed from the palace of Sweet Waters to
the plain on which the encampment lay, and found its inhabitants in
commotion. The arrival of several with fresh stories of marvels, from
the fleet; the exaggerations bestowed on what was already known; tales
of old prophecies, of fearful histories of whole regions which had been
laid waste during the present year by pestilence, alarmed and occupied
the troops. Discipline was lost; the army disbanded itself. Each
individual, before a part of a great whole moving only in unison with
others, now became resolved into the unit nature had made him, and
thought of himself only. They stole off at first by ones and twos, then
in larger companies, until, unimpeded by the officers, whole battalions
sought the road that led to Macedonia.
About midnight I returned to the palace and sought Raymond; he was
alone, and apparently composed; such composure, at least, was his as is
inspired by a resolve to adhere to a certain line of conduct. He heard
my account of the self-dissolution of the army with calmness, and then
said, “You know, Verney, my fixed determination not to quit this place,
until in the light of day Stamboul is confessedly ours. If the men I
have about me shrink from following me, others, more courageous, are to
be found. Go you before break of day, bear these dispatches to Karazza,
add to them your own entreaties that he send me his marines and naval
force; if I can get but one regiment to second me, the rest would
follow of course. Let him send me this regiment. I shall expect your
return by to-morrow noon.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account