The English Under Jenkins.
But the Prince had not calculated that there was a line of British infantry1 behind the routed Irish Brigade. Borne on with the hurry of the melee2, flushed with triumph, puffing3 and blowing with running, and forgetting, in the intoxication4 of victory, the trifling5 bayonet-pricks which had impelled6 them to the charge, the conquering National Guardsmen found themselves suddenly in presence of Jenkins’s Foot.
They halted all in a huddle7, like a flock of sheep.
“UP, FOOT, AND AT THEM!” were the memorable8 words of the Duke Jenkins, as, waving his baton9, he pointed10 towards the enemy, and with a tremendous shout the stalwart sons of England rushed on!— Down went plume11 and cocked-hat, down went corporal and captain, down went grocer and tailor, under the long staves of the indomitable English Footmen. “A Jenkins! a Jenkins!” roared the Duke, planting a blow which broke the aquiline12 nose of Major Arago, the celebrated13 astronomer14. “St. George for Mayfair!” shouted his followers15, strewing16 the plain with carcasses. Not a man of the Guard escaped; they fell like grass before the mower17.
“They are gallant18 troops, those yellow-plushed Anglais,” said the Duke of Nemours, surveying them with his opera-glass. “’Tis a pity they will all be cut up in half an hour. Concombre! take your dragoons, and do it!” “Remember Waterloo, boys!” said Colonel Concombre, twirling his moustache, and a thousand sabres flashed in the sun, and the gallant hussars prepared to attack the Englishmen.
Jenkins, his gigantic form leaning on his staff, and surveying the havoc19 of the field, was instantly aware of the enemy’s manoeuvre20. His people were employed rifling the pockets of the National Guard, and had made a tolerable booty, when the great Duke, taking a bell out of his pocket, (it was used for signals in his battalion21 in place of fife or bugle,) speedily called his scattered22 warriors23 together. “Take the muskets24 of the Nationals,” said he. They did so. “Form in square, and prepare to receive cavalry25!” By the time Concombre’s regiment26 arrived, he found a square of bristling27 bayonets with Britons behind them!
The Colonel did not care to attempt to break that tremendous body. “Halt!” said he to his men.
“Fire!” screamed Jenkins, with eagle swiftness; but the guns of the National Guard not being loaded, did not in consequence go off. The hussars gave a jeer28 of derision, but nevertheless did not return to the attack, and seeing some of the Legitimist cavalry at hand, prepared to charge upon them.
The fate of those carpet warriors was soon decided29. The Millefleur regiment broke before Concombre’s hussars instantaneously; the Eau-de-Rose dragoons stuck spurs into their blood horses, and galloped30 far out of reach of the opposing cavalry; the Eau-de-Cologne lancers fainted to a man, and the regiment of Concombre, pursuing its course, had actually reached the Prince and his aides-de-camp, when the clergymen coming up formed gallantly31 round the oriflamme, and the bassoons and serpents braying32 again, set up such a shout of canticles, and anathemas33, and excommunications, that the horses of Concombre’s dragoons in turn took fright, and those warriors in their turn broke and fled. As soon as they turned, the Vendean riflemen fired amongst them and finished them: the gallant Concombre fell; the intrepid34 though diminutive35 Cornichon, his major, was cut down; Cardon was wounded a la moelle, and the wife of the fiery36 Navet was that day a widow. Peace to the souls of the brave! In defeat or in victory, where can the soldier find a more fitting resting-place than the glorious field of carnage? Only a few disorderly and dispirited riders of Concombre’s regiment reached Tours at night. They had left it but the day before, a thousand disciplined and high-spirited men!
Knowing how irresistible37 a weapon is the bayonet in British hands, the intrepid Jenkins determined38 to carry on his advantage, and charged the Saugrenue light infantry (now before him) with COLD STEEL. The Frenchmen delivered a volley, of which a shot took effect in Jenkins’s cockade, but did not abide39 the crossing of the weapons. “A Frenchman dies, but never surrenders,” said Saugrenue, yielding up his sword, and his whole regiment were stabbed, trampled41 down, or made prisoners. The blood of the Englishmen rose in the hot encounter. Their curses were horrible; their courage tremendous. “On! on!” hoarsely42 screamed they; and a second regiment met them and was crushed, pounded in the hurtling, grinding encounter. “A Jenkins, a Jenkins!” still roared the heroic Duke: “St. George for Mayfair!” The Footmen of England still yelled their terrific battle-cry, “Hurra, hurra!” On they went; regiment after regiment was annihilated43, until, scared at the very trample40 of the advancing warriors, the dismayed troops of France screaming fled. Gathering44 his last warriors round about him, Nemours determined to make a last desperate effort. ’Twas vain: the ranks met; the next moment the truncheon of the Prince of Orleans was dashed from his hand by the irresistible mace45 of the Duke Jenkins; his horse’s shins were broken by the same weapon. Screaming with agony the animal fell. Jenkins’s hand was at the Duke’s collar in a moment, and had he not gasped46 out, “Je me rends47!” he would have been throttled48 in that dreadful grasp!
Three hundred and forty-two standards, seventy-nine regiments49, their baggage, ammunition50, and treasure-chests, fell into the hands of the victorious51 Duke. He had avenged52 the honor of Old England; and himself presenting the sword of the conquered Nemours to Prince Henri, who now came up, the Prince bursting into tears, fell on his neck and said, “Duke, I owe my crown to my patron saint and you.” It was indeed a glorious victory: but what will not British valor53 attain54?
The Duke of Nemours, having despatched a brief note to Paris, saying, “Sire, all is lost except honor!” was sent off in confinement56; and in spite of the entreaties57 of his captor, was hardly treated with decent politeness. The priests and the noble regiments who rode back when the affair was over, were for having the Prince shot at once, and murmured loudly against “cet Anglais brutal” who interposed in behalf of the prisoner. Henri V. granted the Prince his life; but, no doubt misguided by the advice of his noble and ecclesiastical counsellors, treated the illustrious English Duke with marked coldness, and did not even ask him to supper that night.
“Well!” said Jenkins, “I and my merry men can sup alone.” And, indeed, having had the pick of the plunder58 of about 28,000 men, they had wherewithal to make themselves pretty comfortable. The prisoners (25,403) were all without difficulty induced to assume the white cockade. Most of them had those marks of loyalty59 ready sewn in their flannel-waistcoats, where they swore they had worn them ever since 1830. This we may believe, and we will; but the Prince Henri was too politic60 or too good-humored in the moment of victory, to doubt the sincerity61 of his new subjects’ protestations, and received the Colonels and Generals affably at his table.
The next morning a proclamation was issued to the united armies. “Faithful soldiers of France and Navarre,” said the Prince, “the saints have won for us a great victory — the enemies of our religion have been overcome — the lilies are restored to their native soil. Yesterday morning at eleven o’clock the army under my command engaged that which was led by his SERENE62 Highness the Duke de Nemours. Our forces were but a third in number when compared with those of the enemy. My faithful chivalry63 and nobles made the strength, however, equal.
“The regiments of Fleur-d’Orange, Millefleur, and Eau-de-Cologne covered themselves with glory: they sabred many thousands of the enemy’s troops. Their valor was ably seconded by the gallantry of my ecclesiastical friends: at a moment of danger they rallied round my banner, and forsaking64 the crosier for the sword, showed that they were of the church militant65 indeed.
“My faithful Irish auxiliaries66 conducted themselves with becoming heroism67 — but why particularize when all did their duty? How remember individual acts when all were heroes?” The Marshal of France, Sucre d’Orgeville, Commander of the Army of H.M. Christian68 Majesty69, recommended about three thousand persons for promotion70; and the indignation of Jenkins and his brave companions may be imagined when it is stated that they were not even mentioned in the despatch55!
As for the Princes of Ballybunion, Donegal, and Connemara, they wrote off despatches to their Government, saying, “The Duke of Nemours is beaten, and a prisoner! The Irish Brigade has done it all!” On which his Majesty the King of the Irish, convoking71 his Parliament at the Corn Exchange Palace, Dublin, made a speech, in which he called Louis Philippe an “old miscreant,” and paid the highest compliments to his son and his troops. The King on this occasion knighted Sir Henry Sheehan, Sir Gavan Duffy (whose journals had published the news), and was so delighted with the valor of his son, that he despatched him his order of the Pig and Whistle (1st class), and a munificent72 present of five hundred thousand pounds — in a bill at three months. All Dublin was illuminated73; and at a ball at the Castle the Lord Chancellor74 Smith (Earl of Smithereens) getting extremely intoxicated75, called out the Lord Bishop76 of Galway (the Dove), and they fought in the Phoenix77 Park. Having shot the Right Reverend Bishop through the body, Smithereens apologized. He was the same practitioner78 who had rendered himself so celebrated in the memorable trial of the King — before the Act of Independence.
Meanwhile, the army of Prince Henri advanced with rapid strides towards Paris, whither the History likewise must hasten; for extraordinary were the events preparing in that capital.
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1
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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melee
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| n.混战；混战的人群 | |
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puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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huddle
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| vi.挤作一团；蜷缩；vt.聚集；n.挤在一起的人 | |
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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baton
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| n.乐队用指挥杖 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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aquiline
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| adj.钩状的，鹰的 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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astronomer
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| n.天文学家 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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strewing
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| v.撒在…上( strew的现在分词 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
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mower
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| n.割草机 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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jeer
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| vi.嘲弄，揶揄；vt.奚落；n.嘲笑，讥评 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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braying
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| v.发出驴叫似的声音( bray的现在分词 )；发嘟嘟声；粗声粗气地讲话（或大笑）；猛击 | |
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anathemas
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| n.（天主教的）革出教门( anathema的名词复数 )；诅咒；令人极其讨厌的事；被基督教诅咒的人或事 | |
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intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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40
trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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44
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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45
mace
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| n.狼牙棒，豆蔻干皮 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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47
rends
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| v.撕碎( rend的第三人称单数 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
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48
throttled
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| v.扼杀( throttle的过去式和过去分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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50
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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51
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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52
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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53
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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54
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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55
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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56
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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59
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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64
forsaking
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| 放弃( forsake的现在分词 )； 弃绝； 抛弃； 摒弃 | |
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militant
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| adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士 | |
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auxiliaries
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| n.助动词 ( auxiliary的名词复数 )；辅助工，辅助人员 | |
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heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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convoking
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| v.召集，召开（会议）( convoke的现在分词 ) | |
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munificent
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| adj.慷慨的，大方的 | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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phoenix
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| n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生 | |
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practitioner
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| n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者 | |
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