BK10CH22
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　Staggeringamidthecrush，Pierrelookedabouthim。
　　"CountPeterKirilovich！Howdidyougethere？"saidavoice。
　　Pierrelookedround。BorisDrubetskoy，brushinghiskneeswithhishandhehadprobablysoiledthemwhenhe，too，hadkneltbeforetheicon，cameuptohimsmiling。Boriswaselegantlydressed，withaslightlymartialtouchappropriatetoacampaign。HeworealongcoatandlikeKutuzovhadawhipslungacrosshisshoulder。
　　MeanwhileKutuzovhadreachedthevillageandseatedhimselfintheshadeofthenearesthouse，onabenchwhichoneCossackhadruntofetchandanotherhadhastilycoveredwitharug。Animmenseandbrilliantsuitesurroundedhim。
　　Theiconwascarriedfurther，accompaniedbythethrong。PierrestoppedsomethirtypacesfromKutuzov，talkingtoBoris。
　　Heexplainedhiswishtobepresentatthebattleandtoseetheposition。
　　"Thisiswhatyoumustdo，"saidBoris。"Iwilldothehonorsofthecamptoyou。YouwillseeeverythingbestfromwhereCountBennigsenwillbe。Iaminattendanceonhim，youknow；I’llmentionittohim。Butifyouwanttorideroundtheposition，comealongwithus。
　　Wearejustgoingtotheleftflank。Thenwhenwegetback，dospendthenightwithmeandwe’llarrangeagameofcards。OfcourseyouknowDmitriSergeevich？Thosearehisquarters，"andhepointedtothethirdhouseinthevillageofGorki。
　　"ButIshouldliketoseetherightflank。Theysayit’sverystrong，"saidPierre。"IshouldliketostartfromtheMoskvaRiverandrideroundthewholeposition。"
　　"Well，youcandothatlater，butthechiefthingistheleftflank。"
　　"Yes，yes。ButwhereisPrinceBolkonski’sregiment？Canyoupointitouttome？"
　　"PrinceAndrew’s？WeshallpassitandI’lltakeyoutohim。"
　　Whatabouttheleftflank？"askedPierre"Totellyouthetruth，betweenourselves，Godonlyknowswhatstateourleftflankisin，"saidBorisconfidentiallyloweringhisvoice。
　　"ItisnotatallwhatCountBennigsenintended。Hemeanttofortifythatknollquitedifferently，but……"Borisshruggedhisshoulders，"hisSereneHighnesswouldnothaveit，orsomeonepersuadedhim。
　　Yousee……"butBorisdidnotfinish，foratthatmomentKaysarov，Kutuzov’sadjutant，cameuptoPierre。"Ah，Kaysarov！"saidBoris，addressinghimwithanunembarrassedsmile，"Iwasjusttryingtoexplainourpositiontothecount。ItisamazinghowhisSereneHighnesscouldsotheintentionsoftheFrench！"
　　"Youmeantheleftflank？"askedKaysarov。
　　"Yes，exactly；theleftflankisnowextremelystrong。"
　　ThoughKutuzovhaddismissedallunnecessarymenfromthestaff，Borishadcontrivedtoremainatheadquartersafterthechanges。HehadestablishedhimselfwithCountBennigsen，who，likeallonwhomBorishadbeeninattendance，consideredyoungPrinceDrubetskoyaninvaluableman。
　　Inthehighercommandthereweretwosharplydefinedparties：
　　Kutuzov’spartyandthatofBennigsen，thechiefofstaff。Borisbelongedtothelatterandnooneelse，whileshowingservilerespecttoKutuzov，couldsocreateanimpressionthattheoldfellowwasnotmuchgoodandthatBennigsenmanagedeverything。NowthedecisivemomentofbattlehadcomewhenKutuzovwouldbedestroyedandthepowerpasstoBennigsen，orevenifKutuzovwonthebattleitwouldbefeltthateverythingwasdonebyBennigsen。Inanycasemanygreatrewardswouldhavetobegivenfortomorrow’saction，andnewmenwouldcometothefront。SoBoriswasfullofnervousvivacityallday。
　　AfterKaysarov，otherswhomPierreknewcameuptohim，andhehadnottimetoreplytoallthequestionsaboutMoscowthatwereshowereduponhim，ortolistentoallthatwastoldhim。Thefacesallexpressedanimationandapprehension，butitseemedtoPierrethatthecauseoftheexcitementshowninsomeofthesefaceslaychieflyinquestionsofpersonalsuccess；hismind，however，wasoccupiedbythedifferentexpressionhesawonotherfaces—anexpressionthatspokenotofpersonalmattersbutoftheuniversalquestionsoflifeanddeath。KutuzovnoticedPierre’sfigureandthegroupgatheredroundhim。
　　"Callhimtome，"saidKutuzov。
　　AnadjutanttoldPierreofhisSereneHighness’wish，andPierrewenttowardKutuzov’sbench。Butamilitiamangottherebeforehim。ItwasDolokhov。
　　"Howdidthatfellowgethere？"askedPierre。
　　"He’sacreaturethatwrigglesinanywhere！"wastheanswer。"Hehasbeendegraded，youknow。Nowhewantstobobupagain。He’sbeenproposingsomeschemeorotherandhascrawledintotheenemy’spicketlineatnight……He’sabravefellow。"
　　PierretookoffhishatandbowedrespectfullytoKutuzov。
　　"IconcludedthatifIreportedtoyourSereneHighnessyoumightsendmeawayorsaythatyouknewwhatIwasreporting，butthenI
　　shouldn’tloseanything……"Dolokhovwassaying。
　　"Yes，yes。"
　　"ButifIwereright，IshouldberenderingaservicetomyFatherlandforwhichIamreadytodie。"
　　"Yes，yes。"
　　"AndshouldyourSereneHighnessrequireamanwhowillnotsparehisskin，pleasethinkofme……PerhapsImayproveusefultoyourSereneHighness。"
　　"Yes……Yes……"Kutuzovrepeated，hislaughingeyenarrowingmoreandmoreashelookedatPierre。
　　JustthenBoris，withhiscourtierlikeadroitness，steppeduptoPierre’ssidenearKutuzovandinamostnaturalmanner，withoutraisinghisvoice，saidtoPierre，asthoughcontinuinganinterruptedconversation：
　　"Themilitiahaveputoncleanwhiteshirtstobereadytodie。Whatheroism，Count！"
　　BorisevidentlysaidthistoPierreinordertobeoverheardbyhisSereneHighness。HeknewKutuzov’sattentionwouldbecaughtbythosewords，andsoitwas。
　　"Whatareyousayingaboutthemilitia？"heaskedBoris。
　　"Preparingfortomorrow，yourSereneHighness—fordeath—theyhaveputoncleanshirts。"
　　"Ah……awonderful，amatchlesspeople！"saidKutuzov；andheclosedhiseyesandswayedhishead。"Amatchlesspeople！"herepeatedwithasigh。
　　"Soyouwanttosmellgunpowder？"hesaidtoPierre。"Yes，it’sapleasantsmell。Ihavethehonortobeoneofyourwife’sadorers。
　　Isshewell？Myquartersareatyourservice。"
　　Andasoftenhappenswitholdpeople，Kutuzovbeganlookingaboutabsent—mindedlyasifforgettingallhewantedtosayordo。
　　Then，evidentlyrememberingwhathewanted，hebeckonedtoAndrewKaysarov，hisadjutant’sbrother。
　　"Thoseverses……thoseversesofMarin’s……howdotheygo，eh？
　　ThosehewroteaboutGerakov：’Lecturesforthecorpsinditing’……
　　Recitethem，recitethem！"saidhe，evidentlypreparingtolaugh。
　　Kaysarovrecited……Kutuzovsmilinglynoddedhisheadtotherhythmoftheverses。
　　WhenPierrehadleftKutuzov，Dolokhovcameuptohimandtookhishand。
　　"Iamverygladtomeetyouhere，Count，"hesaidaloud，regardlessofthepresenceofstrangersandinaparticularlyresoluteandsolemntone。"OntheeveofadaywhenGodaloneknowswhoofusisfatedtosurvive，IamgladofthisopportunitytotellyouthatIregretthemisunderstandingsthatoccurredbetweenusandshouldwishyounottohaveanyillfeelingforme。Ibegyoutoforgiveme。"
　　PierrelookedatDolokhovwithasmile，notknowingwhattosaytohim。WithtearsinhiseyesDolokhovembracedPierreandkissedhim。
　　Borissaidafewwordstohisgeneral，andCountBennigsenturnedtoPierreandproposedthatheshouldridewithhimalongtheline。
　　"Itwillinterestyou，"saidhe。
　　"Yes，verymuch，"repliedPierre。
　　HalfanhourlaterKutuzovleftforTatarinova，andBennigsenandhissuite，withPierreamongthem，setoutontheirridealongtheline。
　　BK10CH23
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　FromGorki，Bennigsendescendedthehighroadtothebridgewhich，whentheyhadlookeditfromthehill，theofficerhadpointedoutasbeingthecenterofourpositionandwhererowsoffragrantnew—mownhaylaybytheriverside。TheyrodeacrossthatbridgeintothevillageofBorodinoandthenceturnedtotheleft，passinganenormousnumberoftroopsandguns，andcametoahighknollwheremilitiamenweredigging。Thiswastheredoubt，asyetunnamed，whichafterwardsbecameknownastheRaevskiRedoubt，ortheKnollBattery，butPierrepaidnospecialattentiontoit。HedidnotknowthatitwouldbecomemorememorabletohimthananyotherspotontheplainofBorodino。
　　TheythencrossedthehollowtoSemenovsk，wherethesoldiersweredraggingawaythelastlogsfromthehutsandbarns。Thentheyrodedownhillanduphill，acrossaryefieldtroddenandbeatendownasifbyhail，followingatrackfreshlymadebytheartilleryoverthefurrowsoftheplowedland，andreachedsomefleches*whichwerestillbeingdug。
　　*Akindofentrenchment。
　　AttheflechesBennigsenstoppedandbeganlookingattheShevardinoRedoubtopposite，whichhadbeenoursthedaybeforeandwhereseveralhorsemencouldbedescried。TheofficerssaidthateitherNapoleonorMuratwasthere，andtheyallgazedeagerlyatthislittlegroupofhorsemen。Pierrealsolookedatthem，tryingtoguesswhichofthescarcelydiscerniblefigureswasNapoleon。Atlastthosemountedmenrodeawayfromthemoundanddisappeared。
　　Bennigsenspoketoageneralwhoapproachedhim，andbeganexplainingthewholepositionofourtroops。Pierrelistenedtohim，strainingeachfacultytounderstandtheessentialpointsoftheimpendingbattle，butwasmortifiedtofeelthathismentalcapacitywasinadequateforthetask。Hecouldmakenothingofit。Bennigsenstoppedspeakingand，noticingthatPierrewaslistening，suddenlysaidtohim：
　　"Idon’tthinkthisinterestsyou？"
　　"Onthecontraryit’sveryinteresting！"repliedPierrenotquitetruthfully。
　　Fromtheflechestheyrodestillfarthertotheleft，alongaroadwindingthroughathick，low—growingbirchwood。Inthemiddleofthewoodabrownharewithwhitefeetsprangoutand，scaredbythetrampofthemanyhorses，grewsoconfusedthatitleapedalongtheroadinfrontofthemforsometime，arousinggeneralattentionandlaughter，andonlywhenseveralvoicesshoutedatitdiditdarttoonesideanddisappearinthethicket。AftergoingthroughthewoodforaboutamileandahalftheycameoutonagladewheretroopsofTuchkov’scorpswerestationedtodefendtheleftflank。
　　Here，attheextremeleftflank，Bennigsentalkedagreatdealandwithmuchheat，and，asitseemedtoPierre，gaveordersofgreatmilitaryimportance。InfrontofTuchkov’stroopswassomehighgroundnotoccupiedbytroops。Bennigsenloudlycriticizedthismistake，sayingthatitwasmadnesstoleaveaheightwhichcommandedthecountryaroundunoccupiedandtoplacetroopsbelowit。Someofthegeneralsexpressedthesameopinion。Oneinparticulardeclaredwithmartialheatthattheywereputtheretobeslaughtered。Bennigsenonhisownauthorityorderedthetroopstooccupythehighground。
　　ThisdispositionontheleftflankincreasedPierre’sdoubtofhisowncapacitytounderstandmilitarymatters。ListeningtoBennigsenandthegeneralscriticizingthepositionofthetroopsbehindthehill，hequiteunderstoodthemandsharedtheiropinion，butforthatveryreasonhecouldnotunderstandhowthemanwhoputthemtherebehindthehillcouldhavemadesogrossandpalpableablunder。
　　Pierredidnotknowthatthesetroopswerenot，asBennigsensupposed，puttheretodefendtheposition，butwereinaconcealedpositionasanambush，thattheyshouldnotbeseenandmightbeabletostrikeanapproachingenemyunexpectedly。Bennigsendidnotknowthisandmovedthetroopsforwardaccordingtohisownideaswithoutmentioningthemattertothecommanderinchief。
　　BK10CH24
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　OnthatbrighteveningofAugust25，PrinceAndrewlayleaningonhiselbowinabroken—downshedinthevillageofKnyazkovoatthefurtherendofhisregiment’sencampment。Throughagapinthebrokenwallhecouldsee，besidethewoodenfence，arowofthirtyyear—oldbircheswiththeirlowerbranchesloppedoff，afieldonwhichshocksofoatswerestanding，andsomebushesnearwhichrosethesmokeofcampfires—thesoldiers’kitchens。
　　Narrowandburdensomeanduselesstoanyoneashislifenowseemedtohim，PrinceAndrewontheeveofbattlefeltagitatedandirritableashehaddonesevenyearsbeforeatAusterlitz。
　　Hehadreceivedandgiventheordersfornextday’sbattleandhadnothingmoretodo。Buthisthoughts—thesimplest，clearest，andthereforemostterriblethoughts—wouldgivehimnopeace。Heknewthattomorrow’sbattlewouldbethemostterribleofallhehadtakenpartin，andforthefirsttimeinhislifethepossibilityofdeathpresenteditselftohim—notinrelationtoanyworldlymatterorwithreferencetoitseffectonothers，butsimplyinrelationtohimself，tohisownsoul—vividly，plainly，terribly，andalmostasacertainty。Andfromtheheightofthisperceptionallthathadpreviouslytormentedandpreoccupiedhimsuddenlybecameilluminedbyacoldwhitelightwithoutshadows，withoutperspective，withoutdistinctionofoutline。Alllifeappearedtohimlikemagic—lanternpicturesatwhichhehadlongbeengazingbyartificiallightthroughaglass。Nowhesuddenlysawthosebadlydaubedpicturesincleardaylightandwithoutaglass。"Yes，yes！Theretheyare，thosefalseimagesthatagitated，enraptured，andtormentedme，"saidhetohimself，passinginreviewtheprincipalpicturesofthemagiclanternoflifeandregardingthemnowinthecoldwhitedaylightofhisclearperceptionofdeath。"Theretheyare，thoserudelypaintedfiguresthatonceseemedsplendidandmysterious。Glory，thegoodofsociety，loveofawoman，theFatherlanditself—howimportantthesepicturesappearedtome，withwhatprofoundmeaningtheyseemedtobefilled！Anditisallsosimple，pale，andcrudeinthecoldwhitelightofthismorningwhichIfeelisdawningforme。"Thethreegreatsorrowsofhislifeheldhisattentioninparticular：hisloveforawoman，hisfather’sdeath，andtheFrenchinvasionwhichhadoverrunhalfRussia。"Love……thatlittlegirlwhoseemedtomebrimmingoverwithmysticforces！Yes，indeed，Ilovedher。Imaderomanticplansofloveandhappinesswithher！Oh，whataboyI
　　was！"hesaidaloudbitterly。"Ahme！Ibelievedinsomeideallovewhichwastokeepherfaithfultomeforthewholeyearofmyabsence！
　　Likethegentledoveinthefableshewastopineapartfromme……
　　Butitwasmuchsimplerreally……Itwasallverysimpleandhorrible。"
　　"WhenmyfatherbuiltBaldHillshethoughttheplacewashis：hisland，hisair，hispeasants。ButNapoleoncameandswepthimaside，unconsciousofhisexistence，ashemightbrushachipfromhispath，andhisBaldHillsandhiswholelifefelltopieces。PrincessMarysaysitisatrialsentfromabove。Whatisthetrialfor，whenheisnothereandwillneverreturn？Heisnothere！Forwhomthenisthetrialintended？TheFatherland，thedestructionofMoscow！AndtomorrowIshallbekilled，perhapsnotevenbyaFrenchmanbutbyoneofourownmen，byasoldierdischargingamusketclosetomyearasoneofthemdidyesterday，andtheFrenchwillcomeandtakemebyheadandheelsandflingmeintoaholethatImaynotstinkundertheirnoses，andnewconditionsoflifewillarise，whichwillseemquiteordinarytoothersandaboutwhichIshallknownothing。Ishallnotexist……"
　　Helookedattherowofbirchesshininginthesunshine，withtheirmotionlessgreenandyellowfoliageandwhitebark。"Todie……
　　tobekilledtomorrow……ThatIshouldnotexist……Thatallthisshouldstillbe，butnome……"
　　Andthebircheswiththeirlightandshade，thecurlyclouds，thesmokeofthecampfires，andallthatwasaroundhimchangedandseemedterribleandmenacing。Acoldshiverrandownhisspine。Herosequickly，wentoutoftheshed，andbegantowalkabout。
　　Afterhehadreturned，voiceswereheardoutsidetheshed。"Who’sthat？"hecried。
　　Thered—nosedCaptainTimokhin，formerlyDolokhov’ssquadroncommander，butnowfromlackofofficersabattalioncommander，shylyenteredtheshedfollowedbyanadjutantandtheregimentalpaymaster。
　　PrinceAndrewrosehastily，listenedtothebusinesstheyhadcomeabout，gavethemsomefurtherinstructions，andwasabouttodismissthemwhenheheardafamiliar，lisping，voicebehindtheshed。
　　"Deviltakeit！"saidthevoiceofamanstumblingoversomething。
　　PrinceAndrewlookedoutoftheshedandsawPierre，whohadtrippedoverapoleonthegroundandhadnearlyfallen，cominghisway。ItwasunpleasanttoPrinceAndrewtomeetpeopleofhisownsetingeneral，andPierreespecially，forheremindedhimofallthepainfulmomentsofhislastvisittoMoscow。
　　"You？Whatasurprise！"saidhe。"Whatbringsyouhere？Thisisunexpected！"
　　Ashesaidthishiseyesandfaceexpressedmorethancoldness—theyexpressedhostility，whichPierrenoticedatonce。Hehadapproachedtheshedfullofanimation，butonseeingPrinceAndrew’sfacehefeltconstrainedandillatease。
　　"Ihavecome……simply……youknow……come……itinterestsme，"saidPierre，whohadsooftenthatdaysenselesslyrepeatedthatword"interesting。""Iwishtoseethebattle。"
　　"Ohyes，andwhatdotheMasonicbrotherssayaboutwar？Howwouldtheystopit？"saidPrinceAndrewsarcastically。"Well，andhow’sMoscow？Andmypeople？HavetheyreachedMoscowatlast？"heaskedseriously。
　　"Yes，theyhave。JulieDrubetskayatoldmeso。Iwenttoseethem，butmissedthem。TheyhavegonetoyourestatenearMoscow。"
　　BK10CH25
　　CHAPTERXXV
　　Theofficerswereabouttotakeleave，butPrinceAndrew，apparentlyreluctanttobeleftalonewithhisfriend，askedthemtostayandhavetea。Seatswerebroughtinandsowasthetea。TheofficersgazedwithsurpriseatPierre’shugestoutfigureandlistenedtohistalkofMoscowandthepositionofourarmy，roundwhichhehadridden。
　　PrinceAndrewremainedsilent，andhisexpressionwassoforbiddingthatPierreaddressedhisremarkschieflytothegood—naturedbattalioncommander。
　　"Soyouunderstandthewholepositionofourtroops？"PrinceAndrewinterruptedhim。
　　"Yes—thatis，howdoyoumean？"saidPierre。"NotbeingamilitarymanIcan’tsayIhaveunderstooditfully，butI
　　understandthegeneralposition。"
　　"Well，then，youknowmorethananyoneelse，beitwhoitmay，"saidPrinceAndrew。
　　"Oh！"saidPierre，lookingoverhisspectaclesinperplexityatPrinceAndrew。"Well，andwhatdothinkofKutuzov’sappointment？"
　　heasked。
　　"Iwasverygladofhisappointment，that’sallIknow，"repliedPrinceAndrew。
　　"AndtellmeyouropinionofBarclaydeTolly。InMoscowtheyaresayingheavenknowswhatabouthim……Whatdoyouthinkofhim？"
　　"Askthem，"repliedPrinceAndrew，indicatingtheofficers。
　　PierrelookedatTimokhinwiththecondescendinglyinterrogativesmilewithwhicheverybodyinvoluntarilyaddressedthatofficer。
　　"Weseelightagain，sincehisSerenityhasbeenappointed，yourexcellency，"saidTimokhintimidly，andcontinuallyturningtoglanceathiscolonel。
　　"Whyso？"askedPierre。
　　"Well，tomentiononlyfirewoodandfodder，letmeinformyou。
　　Why，whenwewereretreatingfromSventsyaniwedarenottouchastickorawispofhayoranything。Yousee，weweregoingaway，sohewouldgetitall；wasn’titso，yourexcellency？"andagainTimokhinturnedtotheprince。"Butwedaren’t。Inourregimenttwoofficerswerecourt—martialedforthatkindofthing。ButwhenhisSerenitytookcommandeverythingbecamestraightforward。Nowweseelight……"
　　"Thenwhywasitforbidden？"
　　Timokhinlookedaboutinconfusion，notknowingwhatorhowtoanswersuchaquestion。PierreputthesamequestiontoPrinceAndrew。
　　"Why，soasnottolaywastethecountrywewereabandoningtotheenemy，"saidPrinceAndrewwithvenomousirony。"Itisverysound：onecan’tpermitthelandtobepillagedandaccustomthetroopstomarauding。AtSmolensktoohejudgedcorrectlythattheFrenchmightoutflankus，astheyhadlargerforces。Buthecouldnotunderstandthis，"criedPrinceAndrewinashrillvoicethatseemedtoescapehiminvoluntarily："hecouldnotunderstandthatthere，forthefirsttime，wewerefightingforRussiansoil，andthattherewasaspiritinthemensuchasIhadneverseenbefore，thatwehadheldtheFrenchfortwodays，andthatthatsuccesshadincreasedourstrengthtenfold。Heorderedustoretreat，andalloureffortsandlosseswentfornothing。Hehadnothoughtofbetrayingus，hetriedtodothebesthecould，hethoughtouteverything，andthatiswhyheisunsuitable。Heisunsuitablenow，justbecauseheplansouteverythingverythoroughlyandaccuratelyaseveryGermanhasto。
　　HowcanIexplain？……Well，sayyourfatherhasaGermanvalet，andheisasplendidvaletandsatisfiesyourfather’srequirementsbetterthanyoucould，thenit’sallrighttolethimserve。Butifyourfatherismortallysickyou’llsendthevaletawayandattendtoyourfatherwithyourownunpracticed，awkwardhands，andwillsoothehimbetterthanaskilledmanwhoisastrangercould。SoithasbeenwithBarclay。WhileRussiawaswell，aforeignercouldserveherandbeasplendidminister；butassoonassheisindangersheneedsoneofherownkin。ButinyourClubtheyhavebeenmakinghimoutatraitor！Theyslanderhimasatraitor，andtheonlyresultwillbethatafterwards，ashamedoftheirfalseaccusations，theywillmakehimoutaheroorageniusinsteadofatraitor，andthatwillbestillmoreunjust。HeisanhonestandverypunctiliousGerman。"
　　"Andtheysayhe’saskillfulcommander，"rejoinedPierre。
　　"Idon’tunderstandwhatismeantby’askillfulcommander，’"
　　repliedPrinceAndrewironically。
　　"Askillfulcommander？"repliedPierre。"Why，onewhoforeseesallcontingencies……andforeseestheadversary’sintentions。"
　　"Butthat’simpossible，"saidPrinceAndrewasifitwereamattersettledlongago。
　　Pierrelookedathiminsurprise。
　　"Andyettheysaythatwarislikeagameofchess？"heremarked。
　　"Yes，"repliedPrinceAndrew，"butwiththislittledifference，thatinchessyoumaythinkovereachmoveaslongasyoupleaseandarenotlimitedfortime，andwiththisdifferencetoo，thataknightisalwaysstrongerthanapawn，andtwopawnsarealwaysstrongerthanone，whileinwarabattalionissometimesstrongerthanadivisionandsometimesweakerthanacompany。Therelativestrengthofbodiesoftroopscanneverbeknowntoanyone。Believeme，"hewenton，"ifthingsdependedonarrangementsmadebythestaff，Ishouldbetheremakingarrangements，butinsteadofthatIhavethehonortoservehereintheregimentwiththesegentlemen，andIconsiderthatonustomorrow’sbattlewilldependandnotonthoseothers……Successneverdepends，andneverwilldepend，onposition，orequipment，orevenonnumbers，andleastofallonposition。"
　　"Butonwhatthen？"
　　"Onthefeelingthatisinmeandinhim，"hepointedtoTimokhin，"andineachsoldier。"
　　PrinceAndrewglancedatTimokhin，wholookedathiscommanderinalarmandbewilderment。IncontrasttohisformerreticenttaciturnityPrinceAndrewnowseemedexcited。Hecouldapparentlynotrefrainfromexpressingthethoughtsthathadsuddenlyoccurredtohim。
　　"Abattleiswonbythosewhofirmlyresolvetowinit！WhydidwelosethebattleatAusterlitz？TheFrenchlosseswerealmostequaltoours，butveryearlywesaidtoourselvesthatwewerelosingthebattle，andwedidloseit。Andwesaidsobecausewehadnothingtofightforthere，wewantedtogetawayfromthebattlefieldassoonaswecould。’We’velost，soletusrun，’andweran。Ifwehadnotsaidthattilltheevening，heavenknowswhatmightnothavehappened。
　　Buttomorrowweshan’tsayit！Youtalkaboutourposition，theleftflankweakandtherightflanktooextended，"hewenton。"That’sallnonsense，there’snothingofthekind。Butwhatawaitsustomorrow？Ahundredmillionmostdiversechanceswhichwillbedecidedontheinstantbythefactthatourmenortheirsrunordonotrun，andthatthismanorthatmaniskilled，butallthatisbeingdoneatpresentisonlyplay。Thefactisthatthosemenwithwhomyouhaveriddenroundthepositionnotonlydonothelpmatters，buthinder。
　　Theyareonlyconcernedwiththeirownpettyinterests。"
　　"Atsuchamoment？"saidPierrereproachfully。
　　"Atsuchamoment！"PrinceAndrewrepeated。"Tothemitisonlyamomentaffordingopportunitiestounderminearivalandobtainanextracrossorribbon。Formetomorrowmeansthis：aRussianarmyofahundredthousandandaFrencharmyofahundredthousandhavemettofight，andthethingisthatthesetwohundredthousandmenwillfightandthesidethatfightsmorefiercelyandsparesitselfleastwillwin。AndifyoulikeIwilltellyouthatwhateverhappensandwhatevermuddlesthoseatthetopmaymake，weshallwintomorrow’sbattle。Tomorrow，happenwhatmay，weshallwin！"
　　"Therenow，yourexcellency！That’sthetruth，therealtruth，"saidTimokhin。"Whowouldsparehimselfnow？Thesoldiersinmybattalion，believeme，wouldn’tdrinktheirvodka！’It’snotthedayforthat！’theysay。"
　　Allweresilent。Theofficersrose。PrinceAndrewwentoutoftheshedwiththem，givingfinalorderstotheadjutant。AftertheyhadgonePierreapproachedPrinceAndrewandwasabouttostartaconversationwhentheyheardtheclatterofthreehorses’hoofsontheroadnotfarfromtheshed，andlookinginthatdirectionPrinceAndrewrecognizedWolzogenandClausewitzaccompaniedbyaCossack。
　　Theyrodeclosebycontinuingtoconverse，andPrinceAndrewinvoluntarilyheardthesewords：
　　"DerKriegmussinRaumverlegtwerden。DerAnsichtkannichnichtgenugPreisgeben，"*saidoneofthem。
　　*"Thewarmustbeextendedwidely。Icannotsufficientlycommendthatview。"
　　"Oh，ja，"saidtheother，"derZweckistnurdenFeindzuschwachen，sokannmangewissnichtdenVerlustderPrivat—PersoneninAchtungnehmen。"*
　　*"Oh，yes，theonlyaimistoweakentheenemy，soofcourseonecannottakeintoaccountthelossofprivateindividuals。"
　　"Oh，no，"agreedtheother。
　　"Extendwidely！"saidPrinceAndrewwithanangrysnort，whentheyhadriddenpast。"Inthat’extend’weremyfather，son，andsister，atBaldHills。That’sallthesametohim！That’swhatIwassayingtoyou—thoseGermangentlemenwon’twinthebattletomorrowbutwillonlymakeallthemesstheycan，becausetheyhavenothingintheirGermanheadsbuttheoriesnotworthanemptyeggshellandhaven’tintheirheartstheonethingneededtomorrow—thatwhichTimokhinhas。
　　TheyhaveyieldedupallEuropetohim，andhavenowcometoteachus。
　　Fineteachers！"andagainhisvoicegrewshrill。
　　"Soyouthinkweshallwintomorrow’sbattle？"askedPierre。
　　"Yes，yes，"answeredPrinceAndrewabsently。"OnethingIwoulddoifIhadthepower，"hebeganagain，"Iwouldnottakeprisoners。
　　Whytakeprisoners？It’schivalry！TheFrenchhavedestroyedmyhomeandareontheirwaytodestroyMoscow，theyhaveoutragedandareoutragingmeeverymoment。Theyaremyenemies。Inmyopiniontheyareallcriminals。AndsothinksTimokhinandthewholearmy。Theyshouldbeexecuted！Sincetheyaremyfoestheycannotbemyfriends，whatevermayhavebeensaidatTilsit。"
　　"Yes，yes，"mutteredPierre，lookingwithshiningeyesatPrinceAndrew。"Iquiteagreewithyou！"
　　ThequestionthathadperturbedPierreontheMozhayskhillandallthatdaynowseemedtohimquiteclearandcompletelysolved。Henowunderstoodthewholemeaningandimportanceofthiswarandoftheimpendingbattle。Allhehadseenthatday，allthesignificantandsternexpressionsonthefaceshehadseeninpassing，werelitupforhimbyanewlight。Heunderstoodthatlatentheatastheysayinphysicsofpatriotismwhichwaspresentinallthesemenhehadseen，andthisexplainedtohimwhytheyallpreparedfordeathcalmly，andasitwerelightheartedly。
　　"Nottakeprisoners，"PrinceAndrewcontinued："Thatbyitselfwouldquitechangethewholewarandmakeitlesscruel。Asitiswehaveplayedatwar—that’swhat’svile！Weplayatmagnanimityandallthatstuff。Suchmagnanimityandsensibilityarelikethemagnanimityandsensibilityofaladywhofaintswhensheseesacalfbeingkilled：
　　sheissokind—heartedthatshecan’tlookatblood，butenjoyseatingthecalfservedupwithsauce。Theytalktousoftherulesofwar，ofchivalry，offlagsoftruce，ofmercytotheunfortunateandsoon。
　　It’sallrubbish！Isawchivalryandflagsoftrucein1805；theyhumbuggedusandwehumbuggedthem。Theyplunderotherpeople’shouses，issuefalsepapermoney，andworstofalltheykillmychildrenandmyfather，andthentalkofrulesofwarandmagnanimitytofoes！Takenoprisoners，butkillandbekilled！HewhohascometothisasIhavethroughthesamesufferings……"
　　PrinceAndrew，whohadthoughtitwasallthesametohimwhetherornotMoscowwastakenasSmolenskhadbeen，wassuddenlycheckedinhisspeechbyanunexpectedcrampinhisthroat。Hepacedupanddownafewtimesinsilence，buthiseyesglitteredfeverishlyandhislipsquiveredashebeganspeaking。
　　"Iftherewasnoneofthismagnanimityinwar，weshouldgotowaronlywhenitwasworthwhilegoingtocertaindeath，asnow。ThentherewouldnotbewarbecausePaulIvanovichhadoffendedMichaelIvanovich。Andwhentherewasawar，likethisone，itwouldbewar！
　　Andthenthedeterminationofthetroopswouldbequitedifferent。
　　ThenalltheseWestphaliansandHessianswhomNapoleonisleadingwouldnotfollowhimintoRussia，andweshouldnotgotofightinAustriaandPrussiawithoutknowingwhy。Warisnotcourtesybutthemosthorriblethinginlife；andweoughttounderstandthatandnotplayatwar。Weoughttoacceptthisterriblenecessitysternlyandseriously。Itallliesinthat：getridoffalsehoodandletwarbewarandnotagame。Asitisnow，waristhefavoritepastimeoftheidleandfrivolous。Themilitarycallingisthemosthighlyhonored。
　　"Butwhatiswar？Whatisneededforsuccessinwarfare？Whatarethehabitsofthemilitary？Theaimofwarismurder；themethodsofwararespying，treachery，andtheirencouragement，theruinofacountry’sinhabitants，robbingthemorstealingtoprovisionthearmy，andfraudandfalsehoodtermedmilitarycraft。Thehabitsofthemilitaryclassaretheabsenceoffreedom，thatis，discipline，idleness，ignorance，cruelty，debauchery，anddrunkenness。Andinspiteofallthisitisthehighestclass，respectedbyeveryone。
　　Allthekings，excepttheChinese，wearmilitaryuniforms，andhewhokillsmostpeoplereceivesthehighestrewards。
　　"Theymeet，asweshallmeettomorrow，tomurderoneanother；theykillandmaimtensofthousands，andthenhavethanksgivingservicesforhavingkilledsomanypeopletheyevenexaggeratethenumber，andtheyannounceavictory，supposingthatthemorepeopletheyhavekilledthegreatertheirachievement。HowdoesGodabovelookatthemandhearthem？"exclaimedPrinceAndrewinashrill，piercingvoice。"Ah，myfriend，ithasoflatebecomehardformetolive。IseethatIhavebeguntounderstandtoomuch。Anditdoesn’tdoformantotasteofthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevil……
　　Ah，well，it’snotforlong！"headded。
　　"However，you’resleepy，andit’stimeformetosleep。GobacktoGorki！"saidPrinceAndrewsuddenly。
　　"Ohno！"Pierrereplied，lookingatPrinceAndrewwithfrightened，compassionateeyes。
　　"Go，go！Beforeabattleonemusthaveone’ssleepout，"repeatedPrinceAndrew。
　　HecamequicklyuptoPierreandembracedandkissedhim。
　　"Good—by，beoff！"heshouted。"Whetherwemeetagainornot……"
　　andturningawayhurriedlyheenteredtheshed。
　　Itwasalreadydark，andPierrecouldnotmakeoutwhethertheexpressionofPrinceAndrew’sfacewasangryortender。
　　Forsometimehestoodinsilenceconsideringwhetherheshouldfollowhimorgoaway。"No，hedoesnotwantit！"Pierreconcluded。
　　"AndIknowthatthisisourlastmeeting！"HesigheddeeplyandrodebacktoGorki。
　　Onre—enteringtheshedPrinceAndrewlaydownonarug，buthecouldnotsleep。
　　Heclosedhiseyes。Onepicturesucceededanotherinhisimagination。Ononeofthemhedweltlongandjoyfully。HevividlyrecalledaneveninginPetersburg。Natashawithanimatedandexcitedfacewastellinghimhowshehadgonetolookformushroomstheprevioussummerandhadlostherwayinthebigforest。Sheincoherentlydescribedthedepthsoftheforest，herfeelings，andatalkwithabeekeepershemet，andconstantlyinterruptedherstorytosay："No，Ican’t！I’mnottellingitright；no，youdon’tunderstand，"thoughheencouragedherbysayingthathedidunderstand，andhereallyhadunderstoodallshewantedtosay。ButNatashawasnotsatisfiedwithherownwords：shefeltthattheydidnotconveythepassionatelypoeticfeelingshehadexperiencedthatdayandwishedtoconvey。"Hewassuchadelightfuloldman，anditwassodarkintheforest……andhehadsuchkind……No，Ican’tdescribeit，"shehadsaid，flushedandexcited。PrinceAndrewsmilednowthesamehappysmileasthenwhenhehadlookedintohereyes。"Iunderstoodher，"hethought。"Inotonlyunderstoodher，butitwasjustthatinner，spiritualforce，thatsincerity，thatfranknessofsoul—thatverysoulofherswhichseemedtobefetteredbyherbody—itwasthatsoulIlovedinher……lovedsostronglyandhappily……"andsuddenlyherememberedhowhislovehadended。"Hedidnotneedanythingofthatkind。Heneithersawnorunderstoodanythingofthesort。Heonlysawinheraprettyandfreshyounggirl，withwhomhedidnotdeigntounitehisfate。AndI？……
　　andheisstillaliveandgay！"
　　PrinceAndrewjumpedupasifsomeonehadburnedhim，andagainbeganpacingupanddowninfrontoftheshed。
　　BK10CH26
　　CHAPTERXXVI
　　OnAugust25，theeveofthebattleofBorodino，M。deBeausset，prefectoftheFrenchEmperor’spalace，arrivedatNapoleon’squartersatValuevowithColonelFabvier，theformerfromParisandthelatterfromMadrid。
　　Donninghiscourtuniform，M。deBeaussetorderedaboxhehadbroughtfortheEmperortobecarriedbeforehimandenteredthefirstcompartmentofNapoleon’stent，wherehebeganopeningtheboxwhileconversingwithNapoleon’saides—de—campwhosurroundedhim。
　　Fabvier，notenteringthetent，remainedattheentrancetalkingtosomegeneralsofhisacquaintance。
　　TheEmperorNapoleonhadnotyetlefthisbedroomandwasfinishinghistoilet。Slightlysnortingandgrunting，hepresentednowhisbackandnowhisplumphairychesttothebrushwithwhichhisvaletwasrubbinghimdown。Anothervalet，withhisfingeroverthemouthofabottle，wassprinklingEaudeCologneontheEmperor’spamperedbodywithanexpressionwhichseemedtosaythathealoneknewwhereandhowmuchEaudeCologneshouldbesprinkled。Napoleon’sshorthairwaswetandmattedontheforehead，buthisface，thoughpuffyandyellow，expressedphysicalsatisfaction。"Goon，harder，goon！"hemutteredtothevaletwhowasrubbinghim，slightlytwitchingandgrunting。Anaide—de—camp，whohadenteredthebedroomtoreporttotheEmperorthenumberofprisonerstakeninyesterday’saction，wasstandingbythedoorafterdeliveringhismessage，awaitingpermissiontowithdraw。Napoleon，frowning，lookedathimfromunderhisbrows。
　　"Noprisoners！"saidhe，repeatingtheaide—de—camp’swords。"Theyareforcingustoexterminatethem。SomuchtheworsefortheRussianarmy……Goon……harder，harder！"hemuttered，hunchinghisbackandpresentinghisfatshoulders。
　　"Allright。LetMonsieurdeBeaussetenter，andFabviertoo，"hesaid，noddingtotheaide—de—camp。
　　"Yes，sire，"andtheaide—de—campdisappearedthroughthedoorofthetent。
　　TwovaletsrapidlydressedHisMajesty，andwearingtheblueuniformoftheGuardshewentwithfirmquickstepstothereceptionroom。
　　DeBeausset’shandsmeanwhilewerebusilyengagedarrangingthepresenthehadbroughtfromtheEmpress，ontwochairsdirectlyinfrontoftheentrance。ButNapoleonhaddressedandcomeoutwithsuchunexpectedrapiditythathehadnottimetofinisharrangingthesurprise。
　　Napoleonnoticedatoncewhattheywereaboutandguessedthattheywerenotready。Hedidnotwishtodeprivethemofthepleasureofgivinghimasurprise，sohepretendednottoseedeBeaussetandcalledFabviertohim，listeningsilentlyandwithasternfrowntowhatFabviertoldhimoftheheroismanddevotionofhistroopsfightingatSalamanca，attheotherendofEurope，withbutonethought—tobeworthyoftheirEmperor—andbutonefear—tofailtopleasehim。Theresultofthatbattlehadbeendeplorable。NapoleonmadeironicremarksduringFabvier’saccount，asifhehadnotexpectedthatmatterscouldgootherwiseinhisabsence。
　　"ImustmakeupforthatinMoscow，"saidNapoleon。"I’llseeyoulater，"headded，andsummoneddeBeausset，whobythattimehadpreparedthesurprise，havingplacedsomethingonthechairsandcovereditwithacloth。
　　DeBeaussetbowedlow，withthatcourtlyFrenchbowwhichonlytheoldretainersoftheBourbonsknewhowtomake，andapproachedhim，presentinganenvelope。
　　Napoleonturnedtohimgailyandpulledhisear。
　　"Youhavehurriedhere。Iamveryglad。Well，whatisParissaying？"
　　heasked，suddenlychanginghisformersternexpressionforamostcordialtone。
　　"Sire，allParisregretsyourabsence，"replieddeBeaussetaswasproper。
　　ButthoughNapoleonknewthatdeBeaussethadtosaysomethingofthiskind，andthoughinhislucidmomentsheknewitwasuntrue，hewaspleasedtohearitfromhim。Againhehonoredhimbytouchinghisear。
　　"Iamverysorrytohavemadeyoutravelsofar，"saidhe。
　　"Sire，IexpectednothinglessthantofindyouatthegatesofMoscow，"replieddeBeausset。
　　Napoleonsmiledand，liftinghisheadabsentmindedly，glancedtotheright。Anaide—de—campapproachedwithglidingstepsandofferedhimagoldsnuffbox，whichhetook。
　　"Yes，ithashappenedluckilyforyou，"hesaid，raisingtheopensnuffboxtohisnose。"Youarefondoftravel，andinthreedaysyouwillseeMoscow。YousurelydidnotexpecttoseethatAsiaticcapital。Youwillhaveapleasantjourney。"
　　DeBeaussetbowedgratefullyatthisregardforhistastefortravelofwhichhehadnottillthenbeenaware。
　　"Ha，what’sthis？"askedNapoleon，noticingthatallthecourtierswerelookingatsomethingconcealedunderacloth。
　　WithcourtlyadroitnessdeBeaussethalfturnedandwithoutturninghisbacktotheEmperorretiredtwosteps，twitchingofftheclothatthesametime，andsaid：
　　"ApresenttoYourMajestyfromtheEmpress。"
　　Itwasaportrait，paintedinbrightcolorsbyGerard，ofthesonbornetoNapoleonbythedaughteroftheEmperorofAustria，theboywhomforsomereasoneveryonecalled"TheKingofRome。"
　　Averyprettycurly—headedboywithalookoftheChristintheSistineMadonnawasdepictedplayingatstickandball。Theballrepresentedtheterrestrialglobeandthestickinhisotherhandascepter。
　　Thoughitwasnotclearwhattheartistmeanttoexpressbydepictingtheso—calledKingofRomespikingtheearthwithastick，theallegoryapparentlyseemedtoNapoleon，asithaddonetoallwhohadseenitinParis，quiteclearandverypleasing。
　　"TheKingofRome！"hesaid，pointingtotheportraitwithagracefulgesture。"Admirable！"
　　WiththenaturalcapacityofanItalianforchangingtheexpressionofhisfaceatwill，hedrewnearertotheportraitandassumedalookofpensivetenderness。Hefeltthatwhathenowsaidanddidwouldbehistorical，anditseemedtohimthatitwouldnowbebestforhim—whosegrandeurenabledhissontoplaystickandballwiththeterrestrialglobe—toshow，incontrasttothatgrandeur，thesimplestpaternaltenderness。Hiseyesgrewdim，hemovedforward，glancedroundatachairwhichseemedtoplaceitselfunderhim，andsatdownonitbeforetheportrait。Atasinglegesturefromhimeveryonewentoutontiptoe，leavingthegreatmantohimselfandhisemotion。
　　Havingsatstillforawhilehetouched—himselfnotknowingwhy—
　　thethickspotofpaintrepresentingthehighestlightintheportrait，rose，andrecalleddeBeaussetandtheofficeronduty。Heorderedtheportraittobecarriedoutsidehistent，thattheOldGuard，stationedroundit，mightnotbedeprivedofthepleasureofseeingtheKingofRome，thesonandheiroftheiradoredmonarch。
　　AndwhilehewasdoingM。deBeaussetthehonorofbreakfastingwithhim，theyheard，asNapoleonhadanticipated，therapturouscriesoftheofficersandmenoftheOldGuardwhohadrunuptoseetheportrait。
　　"Vivel’Empereur！ViveleroideRome！Vivel’Empereur！"camethoseecstaticcries。
　　AfterbreakfastNapoleonindeBeausset’spresencedictatedhisorderofthedaytothearmy。
　　"Shortandenergetic！"heremarkedwhenhehadreadovertheproclamationwhichhehaddictatedstraightoffwithoutcorrections。
　　Itran：
　　Soldiers！Thisisthebattleyouhavesolongedfor。Victorydependsonyou。Itisessentialforus；itwillgiveusallweneed：
　　comfortablequartersandaspeedyreturntoourcountry。BehaveasyoudidatAusterlitz，Friedland，Vitebsk，andSmolensk。Letourremotestposterityrecallyourachievementsthisdaywithpride。Letitbesaidofeachofyou："HewasinthegreatbattlebeforeMoscow！"
　　"BeforeMoscow！"repeatedNapoleon，andinvitingM。deBeausset，whowassofondoftravel，toaccompanyhimonhisride，hewentoutofthetenttowherethehorsesstoodsaddled。
　　"YourMajestyistookind！"replieddeBeaussettotheinvitationtoaccompanytheEmperor；hewantedtosleep，didnotknowhowtorideandwasafraidofdoingso。
　　ButNapoleonnoddedtothetraveler，anddeBeaussethadtomount。
　　WhenNapoleoncameoutofthetenttheshoutingoftheGuardsbeforehisson’sportraitgrewstilllouder。Napoleonfrowned。
　　"Takehimaway！"hesaid，pointingwithagracefullymajesticgesturetotheportrait。"Itistoosoonforhimtoseeafieldofbattle。"
　　DeBeaussetclosedhiseyes，bowedhishead，andsigheddeeply，toindicatehowprofoundlyhevaluedandcomprehendedtheEmperor’swords。
　　BK10CH27
　　CHAPTERXXVII
　　Onthetwenty—fifthofAugust，sohishistorianstellus，Napoleonspentthewholedayonhorsebackinspectingthelocality，consideringplanssubmittedtohimbyhismarshals，andpersonallygivingcommandstohisgenerals。
　　TheoriginallineoftheRussianforcesalongtheriverKolochahadbeendislocatedbythecaptureoftheShevardinoRedoubtonthetwenty—fourth，andpartoftheline—theleftflank—hadbeendrawnback。Thatpartofthelinewasnotentrenchedandinfrontofitthegroundwasmoreopenandlevelthanelsewhere。Itwasevidenttoanyone，militaryornot，thatitwasheretheFrenchshouldattack。Itwouldseemthatnotmuchconsiderationwasneededtoreachthisconclusion，noranyparticularcareortroubleonthepartoftheEmperorandhismarshals，norwasthereanyneedofthatspecialandsupremequalitycalledgeniusthatpeoplearesoapttoascribetoNapoleon；yetthehistorianswhodescribedtheeventlaterandthemenwhothensurroundedNapoleon，andhehimself，thoughtotherwise。
　　Napoleonrodeovertheplainandsurveyedthelocalitywithaprofoundairandinsilence，noddedwithapprovalorshookhisheaddubiously，andwithoutcommunicatingtothegeneralsaroundhimtheprofoundcourseofideaswhichguidedhisdecisionsmerelygavethemhisfinalconclusionsintheformofcommands。HavinglistenedtoasuggestionfromDavout，whowasnowcalledPrinced’Eckmuhl，toturntheRussianleftwing，Napoleonsaiditshouldnotbedone，withoutexplainingwhynot。ToaproposalmadebyGeneralCampanwhowastoattacktheflechestoleadhisdivisionthroughthewoods，Napoleonagreed，thoughtheso—calledDukeofElchingenNeyventuredtoremarkthatamovementthroughthewoodswasdangerousandmightdisorderthedivision。
　　HavinginspectedthecountryoppositetheShevardinoRedoubt，NapoleonponderedalittleinsilenceandthenindicatedthespotswheretwobatteriesshouldbesetupbythemorrowtoactagainsttheRussianentrenchments，andtheplaceswhere，inlinewiththem，thefieldartilleryshouldbeplaced。
　　Aftergivingtheseandothercommandshereturnedtohistent，andthedispositionsforthebattlewerewrittendownfromhisdictation。
　　Thesedispositions，ofwhichtheFrenchhistorianswritewithenthusiasmandotherhistorianswithprofoundrespect，wereasfollows：
　　AtdawnthetwonewbatteriesestablishedduringthenightontheplainoccupiedbythePrinced’Eckmuhlwillopenfireontheopposingbatteriesoftheenemy。
　　Atthesametimethecommanderoftheartilleryofthe1stCorps，GeneralPernetti，withthirtycannonofCampan’sdivisionandallthehowitzersofDessaix’sandFriant’sdivisions，willmoveforward，openfire，andoverwhelmwithshellfiretheenemy’sbattery，againstwhichwilloperate：
　　24gunsoftheartilleryoftheGuards30gunsofCampan’sdivisionand8gunsofFriant’sandDessaix’sdivisions——
　　inall62guns。
　　Thecommanderoftheartilleryofthe3rdCorps，GeneralFouche，willplacethehowitzersofthe3rdand8thCorps，sixteeninall，ontheflanksofthebatterythatistobombardtheentrenchmentontheleft，whichwillhavefortygunsinalldirectedagainstit。
　　GeneralSorbiermustbereadyatthefirstordertoadvancewithallthehowitzersoftheGuard’sartilleryagainsteitheroneorotheroftheentrenchments。
　　DuringthecannonadePrincePoniatowskiistoadvancethroughthewoodonthevillageandturntheenemy’sposition。
　　GeneralCampanwillmovethroughthewoodtoseizethefirstfortification。
　　Aftertheadvancehasbeguninthismanner，orderswillbegiveninaccordancewiththeenemy’smovements。
　　Thecannonadeontheleftflankwillbeginassoonasthegunsoftherightwingareheard。ThesharpshootersofMorand’sdivisionandofthevice—King’sdivisionwillopenaheavyfireonseeingtheattackcommenceontherightwing。
　　Thevice—Kingwilloccupythevillageandcrossbyitsthreebridges，advancingtothesameheightsasMorand’sandGibrard’sdivisions，whichunderhisleadershipwillbedirectedagainsttheredoubtandcomeintolinewiththerestoftheforces。
　　Allthismustbedoneingoodorderletoutseferaavecordreetmethodeasfaraspossibleretainingtroopsinreserve。
　　TheImperialCampnearMozhaysk，September，6，1812。
　　Thesedispositions，whichareveryobscureandconfusedifoneallowsoneselftoregardthearrangementswithoutreligiousaweofhisgenius，relatedtoNapoleon’sorderstodealwithfourpoints—fourdifferentorders。Notoneofthesewas，orcouldbe，carriedout。
　　InthedispositionitissaidfirstthatthebatteriesplacedonthespotchosenbyNapoleon，withthegunsofPernettiandFouche；whichweretocomeinlinewiththem，102gunsinall，weretoopenfireandshowershellsontheRussianflechesandredoubts。Thiscouldnotbedone，asfromthespotsselectedbyNapoleontheprojectilesdidnotcarrytotheRussianworks，andthose102gunsshotintotheairuntilthenearestcommander，contrarytoNapoleon’sinstructions，movedthemforward。
　　ThesecondorderwasthatPoniatowski，movingtothevillagethroughthewood，shouldturntheRussianleftflank。Thiscouldnotbedoneandwasnotdone，becausePoniatowski，advancingonthevillagethroughthewood，metTuchkovtherebarringhisway，andcouldnotanddidnotturntheRussianposition。
　　Thethirdorderwas：GeneralCampanwillmovethroughthewoodtoseizethefirstfortification。GeneralCampan’sdivisiondidnotseizethefirstfortificationbutwasdrivenback，foronemergingfromthewoodithadtoreformundergrapeshot，ofwhichNapoleonwasunaware。
　　Thefourthorderwas：Thevice—KingwilloccupythevillageBorodinoandcrossbyitsthreebridges，advancingtothesameheightsasMorand’sandGdrard’sdivisionsforwhosemovementsnodirectionsaregiven，whichunderhisleadershipwillbedirectedagainsttheredoubtandcomeintolinewiththerestoftheforces。
　　Asfarasonecanmakeout，notsomuchfromthisunintelligiblesentenceasfromtheattemptsthevice—Kingmadetoexecutetheordersgivenhim，hewastoadvancefromtheleftthroughBorodinototheredoubtwhilethedivisionsofMorandandGerardweretoadvancesimultaneouslyfromthefront。
　　Allthis，liketheotherpartsofthedisposition，wasnotandcouldnotbeexecuted。AfterpassingthroughBorodinothevice—KingwasdrivenbacktotheKolochaandcouldgetnofarther；whilethedivisionsofMorandandGerarddidnottaketheredoubtbutweredrivenback，andtheredoubtwasonlytakenattheendofthebattlebythecavalryathingprobablyunforeseenandnotheardofbyNapoleon。Sonotoneoftheordersinthedispositionwas，orcouldbe，executed。Butinthedispositionitissaidthat，afterthefighthascommencedinthismanner，orderswillbegiveninaccordancewiththeenemy’smovements，andsoitmightbesupposedthatallnecessaryarrangementswouldbemadebyNapoleonduringthebattle。
　　Butthiswasnotandcouldnotbedone，forduringthewholebattleNapoleonwassofarawaythat，asappearedlater，hecouldnotknowthecourseofthebattleandnotoneofhisordersduringthefightcouldbeexecuted。
　　BK10CH28
　　CHAPTERXXVIII
　　ManyhistorianssaythattheFrenchdidnotwinthebattleofBorodinobecauseNapoleonhadacold，andthatifhehadnothadacoldtheordershegavebeforeandduringthebattlewouldhavebeenstillmorefullofgeniusandRussiawouldhavebeenlostandthefaceoftheworldhavebeenchanged。TohistorianswhobelievethatRussiawasshapedbythewillofoneman—PetertheGreat—andthatFrancefromarepublicbecameanempireandFrencharmieswenttoRussiaatthewillofoneman—Napoleon—tosaythatRussiaremainedapowerbecauseNapoleonhadabadcoldonthetwenty—fourthofAugustmayseemlogicalandconvincing。
　　IfithaddependedonNapoleon’swilltofightornottofightthebattleofBorodino，andifthisorthatotherarrangementdependedonhiswill，thenevidentlyacoldaffectingthemanifestationofhiswillmighthavesavedRussia，andconsequentlythevaletwhoomittedtobringNapoleonhiswaterproofbootsonthetwenty—fourthwouldhavebeenthesaviorofRussia。Alongthatlineofthoughtsuchadeductionisindubitable，asindubitableasthedeductionVoltairemadeinjestwithoutknowingwhathewasjestingatwhenhesawthattheMassacreofSt。BartholomewwasduetoCharlesIX’sstomachbeingderanged。ButtomenwhodonotadmitthatRussiawasformedbythewillofoneman，PeterI，orthattheFrenchEmpirewasformedandthewarwithRussiabegunbythewillofoneman，Napoleon，thatargumentseemsnotmerelyuntrueandirrational，butcontrarytoallhumanreality。Tothequestionofwhatcauseshistoriceventsanotheranswerpresentsitself，namely，thatthecourseofhumaneventsispredeterminedfromonhigh—dependsonthecoincidenceofthewillsofallwhotakepartintheevents，andthataNapoleon’sinfluenceonthecourseoftheseeventsispurelyexternalandfictitious。
　　StrangeasatfirstglanceitmayseemtosupposethattheMassacreofSt。BartholomewwasnotduetoCharlesIX’swill，thoughhegavetheorderforitandthoughtitwasdoneasaresultofthatorder；andstrangeasitmayseemtosupposethattheslaughterofeightythousandmenatBorodinowasnotduetoNapoleon’swill，thoughheorderedthecommencementandconductofthebattleandthoughtitwasdonebecauseheorderedit；strangeasthesesuppositionsappear，yethumandignity—whichtellsmethateachofusis，ifnotmoreatleastnotlessamanthanthegreatNapoleon—demandstheacceptanceofthatsolutionofthequestion，andhistoricinvestigationabundantlyconfirmsit。
　　AtthebattleofBorodinoNapoleonshotatnooneandkillednoone。
　　Thatwasalldonebythesoldiers。Thereforeitwasnothewhokilledpeople。
　　TheFrenchsoldierswenttokillandbekilledatthebattleofBorodinonotbecauseofNapoleon’sordersbutbytheirownvolition。
　　Thewholearmy—French，Italian，German，Polish，andDutch—hungry，ragged，andwearyofthecampaign，feltatthesightofanarmyblockingtheirroadtoMoscowthatthewinewasdrawnandmustbedrunk。HadNapoleonthenforbiddenthemtofighttheRussians，theywouldhavekilledhimandhaveproceededtofighttheRussiansbecauseitwasinevitable。
　　WhentheyheardNapoleon’sproclamationofferingthem，ascompensationformutilationanddeath，thewordsofposterityabouttheirhavingbeeninthebattlebeforeMoscow，theycried"Vivel’Empereur！"justastheyhadcried"Vivel’Empereur！"atthesightoftheportraitoftheboypiercingtheterrestrialglobewithatoystick，andjustastheywouldhavecried"Vivel’Empereur！"atanynonsensethatmightbetoldthem。Therewasnothingleftforthemtodobutcry"Vivel’Empereur！"andgotofight，inordertogetfoodandrestasconquerorsinMoscow。SoitwasnotbecauseofNapoleon’scommandsthattheykilledtheirfellowmen。
　　AnditwasnotNapoleonwhodirectedthecourseofthebattle，fornoneofhisorderswereexecutedandduringthebattlehedidnotknowwhatwasgoingonbeforehim。SothewayinwhichthesepeoplekilledoneanotherwasnotdecidedbyNapoleon’swillbutoccurredindependentlyofhim，inaccordwiththewillofhundredsofthousandsofpeoplewhotookpartinthecommonaction。ItonlyseemedtoNapoleonthatitalltookplacebyhiswill。Andsothequestionwhetherhehadorhadnotacoldhasnomorehistoricinterestthanthecoldoftheleastofthetransportsoldiers。
　　Moreover，theassertionmadebyvariouswritersthathiscoldwasthecauseofhisdispositionsnotbeingaswellplannedasonformeroccasions，andofhisordersduringthebattlenotbeingasgoodaspreviously，isquitebaseless，whichagainshowsthatNapoleon’scoldonthetwenty—sixthofAugustwasunimportant。
　　Thedispositionscitedabovearenotatallworse，butareevenbetter，thanpreviousdispositionsbywhichhehadwonvictories。
　　Hispseudo—ordersduringthebattlewerealsonoworsethanformerly，butmuchthesameasusual。ThesedispositionsandordersonlyseemworsethanpreviousonesbecausethebattleofBorodinowasthefirstNapoleondidnotwin。Theprofoundestandmostexcellentdispositionsandordersseemverybad，andeverylearnedmilitaristcriticizesthemwithlooksoksimportance，whentheyrelatetoabattlethathasbeenlost，andtheveryworstdispositionsandordersseemverygood，andseriouspeoplefillwholevolumestodemonstratetheirmerits，whentheyrelatetoabattlethathasbeenwon。
　　ThedispositionsdrawnupbyWeyrotherforthebattleofAusterlitzwereamodelofperfectionforthatkindofcomposition，butstilltheywerecriticized—criticizedfortheirveryperfection，fortheirexcessiveminuteness。
　　NapoleonatthebattleofBorodinofulfilledhisofficeasrepresentativeofauthorityaswellas，andevenbetterthan，atotherbattles。Hedidnothingharmfultotheprogressofthebattle；heinclinedtothemostreasonableopinions，hemadenoconfusion，didnotcontradicthimself，didnotgetfrightenedorrunawayfromthefieldofbattle，butwithhisgreattactandmilitaryexperiencecarriedouthisroleofappearingtocommand，calmlyandwithdignity。
　　BK10CH29
　　CHAPTERXXIX
　　Onreturningfromasecondinspectionofthelines，Napoleonremarked：
　　"Thechessmenaresetup，thegamewillbegintomorrow！"
　　HavingorderedpunchandsummoneddeBeausset，hebegantotalktohimaboutParisandaboutsomechangeshemeanttomaketheEmpress’
　　household，surprisingtheprefectbyhismemoryofminutedetailsrelatingtothecourt。
　　Heshowedaninterestintrifles，jokedaboutdeBeausset’sloveoftravel，andchattedcarelessly，asafamous，self—confidentsurgeonwhoknowshisjobdoeswhenturninguphissleevesandputtingonhisapronwhileapatientisbeingstrappedtotheoperatingtable。
　　"Thematterisinmyhandsandisclearanddefiniteinmyhead。
　　WhenthetimescomestosettoworkIshalldoitasnooneelsecould，butnowIcanjest，andthemoreIjestandthecalmerIamthemoretranquilandconfidentyououghttobe，andthemoreamazedatmygenius。"
　　Havingfinishedhissecondglassofpunch，Napoleonwenttorestbeforetheseriousbusinesswhich，heconsidered，awaitedhimnextday。Hewassomuchinterestedinthattaskthathewasunabletosleep，andinspiteofhiscoldwhichhadgrownworsefromthedampnessoftheevening，hewentintothelargedivisionofthetentatthreeo’clockinthemorning，loudlyblowinghisnose。HeaskedwhethertheRussianshadnotwithdrawn，andwastoldthattheenemy’sfireswerestillinthesameplaces。Henoddedapproval。
　　Theadjutantinattendancecameintothetent。
　　"Well，Rapp，doyouthinkweshalldogoodbusinesstoday？"Napoleonaskedhim。
　　"Withoutdoubt，sire，"repliedRapp。
　　Napoleonlookedathim。
　　"Doyouremember，sire，whatyoudidmethehonortosayatSmolensk？"continuedRapp。"Thewineisdrawnandmustbedrunk。"
　　Napoleonfrownedandsatsilentforalongtimeleaninghisheadonhishand。
　　"Thispoorarmy！"hesuddenlyremarked。"IthasdiminishedgreatlysinceSmolensk。Fortuneisfranklyacourtesan，Rapp。IhavealwayssaidsoandIambeginningtoexperienceit。ButtheGuards，Rapp，theGuardsareintact？"heremarkedinterrogatively。
　　"Yes，sire，"repliedRapp。
　　Napoleontookalozenge，putitinhismouth，andglancedathiswatch。Hewasnotsleepyanditwasstillnotnearlymorning。Itwasimpossibletogivefurtherordersforthesakeofkillingtime，fortheordershadallbeengivenandwerenowbeingexecuted。
　　"HavethebiscuitsandricebeenservedouttotheregimentsoftheGuards？"askedNapoleonsternly。
　　"Yes，sire。"
　　"Thericetoo？"
　　RapprepliedthathehadgiventheEmperor’sorderabouttherice，butNapoleonshookhisheadindissatisfactionasifnotbelievingthathisorderhadbeenexecuted。Anattendantcameinwithpunch。
　　NapoleonorderedanotherglasstobebroughtforRapp，andsilentlysippedhisown。
　　"Ihaveneithertastenorsmell，"heremarked，sniffingathisglass。"Thiscoldistiresome。Theytalkaboutmedicine—whatisthegoodofmedicinewhenitcan’tcureacold！Corvisartgavemetheselozengesbuttheydon’thelpatall。Whatcandoctorscure？Onecan’tcureanything。Ourbodyisamachineforliving。Itisorganizedforthat，itisitsnature。Letlifegooninitunhinderedandletitdefenditself，itwilldomorethanifyouparalyzeitbyencumberingitwithremedies。Ourbodyislikeaperfectwatchthatshouldgoforacertaintime；watchmakercannotopenit，hecanonlyadjustitbyfumbling，andthatblindfold……Yes，ourbodyisjustamachineforliving，thatisall。"
　　Andhavingenteredonthepathofdefinition，ofwhichhewasfond，Napoleonsuddenlyandunexpectedlygaveanewone。
　　"Doyouknow，Rapp，whatmilitaryartis？"askedhe。"Itistheartofbeingstrongerthantheenemyatagivenmoment。That’sall。"
　　Rappmadenoreply。
　　"TomorrowweshallhavetodealwithKutuzov！"saidNapoleon。"Weshallsee！DoyourememberatBraunauhecommandedanarmyforthreeweeksanddidnotoncemountahorsetoinspecthisentrenchments……Weshallsee！"
　　Helookedathiswatch。Itwasstillonlyfouro’clock。Hedidnotfeelsleepy。Thepunchwasfinishedandtherewasstillnothingtodo。
　　Herose，walkedtoandfro，putonawarmovercoatandahat，andwentoutofthetent。Thenightwasdarkanddamp，ascarcelyperceptiblemoisturewasdescendingfromabove。Nearby，thecampfiresweredimlyburningamongtheFrenchGuards，andinthedistancethoseoftheRussianlineshonethroughthesmoke。Theweatherwascalm，andtherustleandtrampoftheFrenchtroopsalreadybeginningtomovetotakeuptheirpositionswereclearlyaudible。
　　Napoleonwalkedaboutinfrontofhistent，lookedatthefiresandlistenedtothesesounds，andashewaspassingatallguardsmaninashaggycap，whowasstandingsentinelbeforehistentandhaddrawnhimselfuplikeablackpillaratsightoftheEmperor，Napoleonstoppedinfrontofhim。
　　"Whatyeardidyouentertheservice？"heaskedwiththataffectationofmilitarybluntnessandgenialitywithwhichhealwaysaddressedthesoldiers。
　　Themanansweredthequestion。
　　"Ah！Oneoftheoldones！Hasyourregimenthaditsrice？"
　　"Ithas，YourMajesty。"
　　Napoleonnoddedandwalkedaway。
　　Athalf—pastfiveNapoleonrodetothevillageofShevardino。
　　Itwasgrowinglight，theskywasclearing，onlyasinglecloudlayintheeast。Theabandonedcampfireswereburningthemselvesoutinthefaintmorninglight。
　　Ontherightasingledeepreportofacannonresoundedanddiedawayintheprevailingsilence。Someminutespassed。Asecondandathirdreportshooktheair，thenafourthandafifthboomedsolemnlynearbyontheright。
　　Thefirstshotshadnotyetceasedtoreverberatebeforeothersrangoutandyetmorewereheardminglingwithandovertakingoneanother。
　　NapoleonwithhissuiterodeuptotheShevardinoRedoubtwherehedismounted。Thegamehadbegun。
　　BK10CH30
　　CHAPTERXXX
　　OnreturningtoGorkiafterhavingseenPrinceAndrew，Pierreorderedhisgroomtogetthehorsesreadyandtocallhimearlyinthemorning，andthenimmediatelyfellasleepbehindapartitioninacornerBorishadgivenuptohim。
　　Beforehewasthoroughlyawakenextmorningeverybodyhadalreadyleftthehut。Thepaneswererattlinginthelittlewindowsandhisgroomwasshakinghim。
　　"Yourexcellency！Yourexcellency！Yourexcellency！"hekeptrepeatingpertinaciouslywhileheshookPierrebytheshoulderwithoutlookingathim，havingapparentlylosthopeofgettinghimtowakeup。
　　"What？Hasitbegun？Isittime？"Pierreasked，wakingup。
　　"Hearthefiring，"saidthegroom，adischargedsoldier。"Allthegentlemenhavegoneout，andhisSereneHighnesshimselfrodepastlongago。"
　　Pierredressedhastilyandranouttotheporch。Outsideallwasbright，fresh，dewy，andcheerful。Thesun，justburstingforthfrombehindacloudthathadconcealedit，wasshining，withraysstillhalfbrokenbytheclouds，overtheroofsofthestreetopposite，onthedew—besprinkleddustoftheroad，onthewallsofthehouses，onthewindows，thefence，andonPierre’shorsesstandingbeforethehut。Theroarofgunssoundedmoredistinctoutside。AnadjutantaccompaniedbyaCossackpassedbyatasharptrot。
　　"It’stime，Count；it’stime！"criedtheadjutant。
　　Tellingthegroomtofollowhimwiththehorses，Pierrewentdownthestreettotheknollfromwhichhehadlookedatthefieldofbattlethedaybefore。Acrowdofmilitarymenwasassembledthere，membersofthestaffcouldbeheardconversinginFrench，andKutuzov’sgrayheadinawhitecapwitharedbandwasvisible，hisgraynapesunkbetweenhisshoulders。Hewaslookingthroughafieldglassdownthehighroadbeforehim。
　　MountingthestepstotheknollPierrelookedatthescenebeforehim，spellboundbybeauty。Itwasthesamepanoramahehadadmiredfromthatspotthedaybefore，butnowthewholeplacewasfulloftroopsandcoveredbysmokecloudsfromtheguns，andtheslantingraysofthebrightsun，risingslightlytotheleftbehindPierre，castuponitthroughtheclearmorningairpenetratingstreaksofrosy，goldentintedlightandlongdarkshadows。Theforestatthefarthestextremityofthepanoramaseemedcarvedinsomepreciousstoneofayellowish—greencolor；itsundulatingoutlinewassilhouettedagainstthehorizonandwaspiercedbeyondValuevobytheSmolenskhighroadcrowdedwithtroops。Nearerathandglitteredgoldencornfieldsinterspersedwithcopses。Thereweretroopstobeseeneverywhere，infrontandtotherightandleft。Allthiswasvivid，majestic，andunexpected；butwhatimpressedPierremostofallwastheviewofthebattlefielditself，ofBorodinoandthehollowsonbothsidesoftheKolocha。
　　AbovetheKolocha，inBorodinoandonbothsidesofit，especiallytotheleftwheretheVoynaflowingbetweenitsmarshybanksfallsintotheKolocha，amisthadspreadwhichseemedtomelt，todissolve，andtobecometranslucentwhenthebrilliantsunappearedandmagicallycoloredandoutlinedeverything。Thesmokeofthegunsmingledwiththismist，andoverthewholeexpanseandthroughthatmisttheraysofthemorningsunwerereflected，flashingbacklikelightningfromthewater，fromthedew，andfromthebayonetsofthetroopscrowdedtogetherbytheriverbanksandinBorodino。Awhitechurchcouldbeseenthroughthemist，andhereandtheretheroofsofhutsinBorodinoaswellasdensemassesofsoldiers，orgreenammunitionchestsandordnance。Andallthismoved，orseemedtomove，asthesmokeandmistspreadoutoverthewholespace。Justasinthemist—envelopedhollownearBorodino，soalongtheentirelineoutsideandaboveitandespeciallyinthewoodsandfieldstotheleft，inthevalleysandonthesummitsofthehighground，cloudsofpowdersmokeseemedcontinuallytospringupoutofnothing，nowsingly，nowseveralatatime，sometranslucent，othersdense，which，swelling，growing，rolling，andblending，extendedoverthewholeexpanse。
　　Thesepuffsofsmokeandstrangetosaythesoundofsoundofthefiringproducedthechiefbeautyofthespectacle。
　　"Puff！"—suddenlyaroundcompactcloudofsmokewasseenmergingfromvioletintograyandmilkywhite，and"boom！"camethereportasecondlater。
　　"Puff！puff！"—andtwocloudsarosepushingoneanotherandblendingtogether；and"boom，boom！"camethesoundsconfirmingwhattheeyehadseen。
　　Pierreglancedroundatthefirstcloud，whichhehadseenasaroundcompactball，andinitsplacealreadywereballoonsofsmokefloatingtooneside，and—"puff"withapause—"puff，puff！"