Chapter IV: Act III: The Ants

_Tramp._ It’s like this ’ere ... What’s wrong about
Them insec’s, if yer think it out,
Is, they’ve no feller-feelin’. Each
Jest for ’isself is what _they_ preach.

_Chrysalis._ Listen to me, listen to me—
The whole world will soon be free!

_Tramp._ Thinks ’e’s the world, ’e does ... My ’at!
These insec’s all be’aves like that—
Ridic’lous creatures! Jest can’t see
’Ow small they looks to you and me ...
They make me tired.... I’d give my clay
(Gospel, I would) to get away.
Man! These ’ere insec’s never dream
Of workin’ to some general scheme.

_Chrysalis._ The crowning hour approaches. Lo,
The universe begins to glow!

_Tramp._ (_Jumping up_)
Gorblimey, if I ’aven’t struck
The truth! Now, there’s a bit o’ luck.
Insec’s won’t work together. Man
Will. ’E can form a general plan.
There’s something great in ’im what fights
And perishes for the nation’s rights.
[_Sits down._

_Chrysalis._ My wings are coming. See, they spread
Beyond the vast suns overhead!

_Tramp._ I’ve ’it it! That’s what makes men great—
Givin’ their lives up for the State!...
Man’s not ’alf noble—put it straight!

’Ere what’s that bitin’ me? Blimey, there’s another of ’em—S’truth, I’ve sat on an Ant heap—’undreds and thousands—that’s what they are playing at—’undreds and thousands!

[_In the meanwhile the Curtain rises and displays the Ant Heap.
In the Centre sits a_ BLIND ANT _who counts continuously_: ANTS
_with sacks, beans, shovels, &c., run across in time to his
counting_.

_Blind Ant._ One, two, three, four—one, two, three, four.

_Tramp._ What’s that? What yer counting for, old boy?

_Blind Ant._ One, two, three, four—

_Tramp._ What’s this ’ere? A warehouse or a factory, isn’t it? Hi, what’s it for?

_Blind Ant._ One, two, three, four—

_Tramp._ What’s this factory for, I’m asking—why’s this blind feller countin’? Ah, he’s giving them the time. They all move in time as he counts, one, two, three, four. Like machines—Bah, it makes my head swim.

_Blind Ant._ One, two, three, four—

_Enter_ CHIEF ENGINEER.

_Chief Engineer._ Quicker, quicker, one, two, three, four—

_Blind Ant._ (_More quickly_) One, two, three, four—one, two, three, four.

[_They all move more quickly._

_Tramp._ What’s that? I’m asking yer, sir, what’s this ’ere factory?

_Chief Engineer._ What’s your business?

_Tramp._ Business?

_Chief Engineer._ From which of the Ants?

_Tramp._ I’m a human man, that’s what I am. Ants indeed!

_Chief Engineer._ This is an Ant realm. What do you want here?

_Tramp._ ’Avin’ a look.

_Chief Engineer._ Do you want work?

_Tramp._ Shouldn’t mind.

SECOND ENGINEER _rushes in_.

_2nd Engineer._ A discovery! A discovery!

_Chief Engineer._ What is it?

_2nd Engineer._ A new method of speeding up. Don’t count one, two, three, four—count _blank_, two, three, four—blind fellow, hullo!

_Blind Ant._ One, two, three, four—

_2nd Engineer._ Wrong: Blank, two, three, four.

_Blind Ant._ Blank, two, three, four. Blank, two, three, four—(ALL _move more quickly_).

_Tramp._ Not so fast—Makes me feel giddy.

_2nd Engineer._ Who are you?

_Tramp._ Stranger in these parts!

_2nd Engineer._ Where from?

_Chief Engineer._ From the humans—Where’s the Human Ant Heap?

_Tramp._ What?

_Chief Engineer._ Where’s the Human Ant Heap?

_Tramp._ Oh, over there, and over there. Everywhere.

_2nd Engineer._ Ha, ha! Everywhere! Fool!

_Chief Engineer._ Are there any humans?

_Tramp._ Yes. They’re called the lords of creation, that’s what they’re called.

_2nd Engineer._ Ha, ha! Lords of creation!

_Chief Engineer._ We are the lords of creation.

_2nd Engineer._ Ha, ha! Masters of the world!

_Chief Engineer._ We’re the masters of the world.

_2nd Engineer._ The Ant Realm!

_Chief Engineer._ The largest Ant State!

_2nd Engineer._ A World Power!

_Chief Engineer._ The largest Democracy!

_Tramp._ What’s that?

_Chief Engineer._ The world must obey us!

_2nd Engineer._ All have to work—all for _Her_.

_Chief Engineer._ As _She_ orders.

_Tramp._ Who’s Her?

_Chief Engineer._ The whole of the State. The Nation!

_Tramp._ Why, that’s just the same as us! M.P.’s we ’ave and Boro’ Councillors, that’s democracy—’Ave yer got Boro’ Councillors?

_Chief Engineer._ No, we have the whole.

_Tramp._ And who speaks for the whole?

_2nd Engineer._ Ha, ha! He knows nothing.

_Chief Engineer._ The one who orders. She who only issues commands.

_2nd Engineer._ She abides in the law—she is nowhere else.

_Tramp._ And who gives you your orders?

_Chief Engineer._ Reason.

_2nd Engineer._ Law.

_Chief Engineer._ The interests of the State.

_2nd Engineer._ That’s it—that’s it—

_Tramp._ I like that—all for the whole, and the whole for all.

_Chief Engineer._ For its majesty.

_2nd Engineer._ And against its enemies.

_Tramp._ What’s that? Against whom?

_Chief Engineer._ Against all.

_2nd Engineer._ We are surrounded by enemies.

_Chief Engineer._ We defeated the Black Ants—

_2nd Engineer._ And starved out the Brown—

_Chief Engineer._ And subjugated the Greys, and only the Yellows are left; we must starve out the Yellows—

_2nd Engineer._ We must starve them all out.

_Tramp._ Why?

_Chief Engineer._ In the interests of the whole.

_2nd Engineer._ The interests of the whole are the highest.

_Chief Engineer._ Interests of race—

_2nd Engineer._ Industrial interests—

_Chief Engineer._ Colonial interests—

_2nd Engineer._ World interests—

_Chief Engineer._ Interests of the world.

_2nd Engineer._ Yes, yes, that’s it.

_Chief Engineer._ All interests are the whole’s.

_2nd Engineer._ Nobody may have interests but the whole.

_Chief Engineer._ Interests preserve the whole.

_2nd Engineer._ And wars nourish it.

_Tramp._ Ah, you’re warlike Ants.

_2nd Engineer._ He knows nothing.

_Chief Engineer._ Our Ants are the most peaceful Ants.

_2nd Engineer._ A nation of peace.

_Chief Engineer._ A labour State.

_2nd Engineer._ They only wish for world power—

_Chief Engineer._ Because they wish for world peace—

_2nd Engineer._ In the interest of their peaceable output—

_Chief Engineer._ And in the interests of progress.

_2nd Engineer._ In the interest of their interests, when we rule over the world.

_Chief Engineer._ We shall conquer time, we wish to reign over time.

_Tramp._ Over what?

_Chief Engineer._ Time. Time is greater than space.

_2nd Engineer._ Time has never been mastered.

_Chief Engineer._ The master of Time will be master of all!

_Tramp._ Slowly, for the love of Mike, slowly, let me think—

_Chief Engineer._ Speed is the master of Time.

_2nd Engineer._ The taming of time—

_Chief Engineer._ He who commands speed will rule over time.

_2nd Engineer._ Blank, two, three, four—blank, two, three, four—

_Blind Ant._ (_More quickly_) Blank, two, three, four—blank, two—

_Chief Engineer._ We must quicken the speed.

_2nd Engineer._ The speed of output.

_Chief Engineer._ The Peace of Life—

_2nd Engineer._ Every movement must be quickened.

_Chief Engineer._ Shortened—

_2nd Engineer._ Calculated—

_Chief Engineer._ To a second—

_2nd Engineer._ To the _n_th of a second—

_Chief Engineer._ So as to save time—

_2nd Engineer._ So as to increase the output—

_Chief Engineer._ Work had been too slow—labour must be carried out unsparingly—

_2nd Engineer._ Ruthlessly—

_Tramp._ And what’s the hurry, anyway?

_Chief Engineer._ The interests of the whole.

_2nd Engineer._ It is a question of output—question of power.

_Chief Engineer._ Peaceful competition.

_2nd Engineer._ We are fighting the battle of peace.

_Blind Ant._ Blank, two, three, four—

[AN OFFICIAL _approaches the_ TWO ENGINEERS
_and makes a report_.

_Tramp._ Blank, two, three, four! Yer _must_ go quicker. Why,
If I was countin’, ’stead o’ you, _I_’d make them vermin fly.
Quicker, quicker, quicker! We men are jest like you,—
We’re all for speed. I tell yer, we’re countin’ quicker, too;
And if we rush to ruin, we’ll ’ave ourselves to thank,—
So wake up, ole blind feller. On with yer countin’! Blank—

_Blind Ant._ Two, three, four—

_Chief Engineer._ Faster—faster—

[AN ANT _collapses with his load and moans_.

_2nd Engineer._ Tut, tut! What’s that? Get up.

_Another Ant._ (_Next to him, bending over_) Dead!

_Chief Engineer._ One, two—carry him away, quick.

_2nd Engineer._ He died honourably in the cause of speed.

_Chief Engineer._ How are you lifting him? Too slowly, you’re wasting time. Drop him. Now head and feet together. Blank, two, three—wrong, drop him again. Head and feet—blank, two, three, four—take him away—blank, two, blank, two, blank—

_2nd Engineer._ Two, three, four—quicker.

_Tramp._ Anyhow, he died quick enough—

_Chief Engineer._ Work, work, he who possesses more, must work more.

_2nd Engineer._ He requires more—

_Chief Engineer._ He has more to defend—

_2nd Engineer._ And more to gain.

_Chief Engineer._ We are a nation of peace—peace means work.

_2nd Engineer._ And work, strength.

_Chief Engineer._ And strength, war.

_2nd Engineer._ Yes, yes.

_Enter_ INVENTOR, _groping_.

_Inventor._ Out of my way—step aside.

_2nd Engineer._ Our inventor—

_Inventor._ Take care, take care. Don’t touch my head. It is glass, it is brittle. It is greater than I am; keep out of the way, or it will burst, smash, bang. Step aside.

_2nd Engineer._ How goes it?

_Inventor._ It hurts me, it’s going to burst. It may knock against the walls—bang! I can’t get my hands round it. I can scarcely carry it. Look out, do you hear? Whew, whew!

_Chief Engineer._ What’s in it?

_Inventor._ A machine—a new machine in my head. Oh, oh, a huge machine. Out of the way, out of the way, I’m carrying a machine.

_Chief Engineer._ What sort of a machine?

_Inventor._ A war machine. A vast machine, a huge one. The swiftest, most effective crusher of lives. The forefront of progress, the acme of science. Whew, whew, do you hear it? Ten thousand, a hundred thousand dead! Whew, whew, it keeps on working. Two hundred thousand dead—whew, whew, whew, whew!

_Chief Engineer._ (_To_ TRAMP) A genius, eh?

_Inventor._ Oh, oh, what pain, my head’s splitting—out of the way, out of the way, don’t knock against me—whew, whew, whew! [_Exit._

_Chief Engineer._ A vast intellect. The greatest of Scientists.

_2nd Engineer._ Nothing serves the State so much as Science.

_Chief Engineer._ Great is Science, and it will prevail—there will be war.

_Tramp._ Why war?

_Chief Engineer._ Because we shall have a new war machine.

_2nd Engineer._ Because we still need a bit of the world.

_Chief Engineer._ A bit of the world from the Birch tree to the Pine tree.

_2nd Engineer._ The road between the two blades of grass—

_Chief Engineer._ The only open road to the South—

_2nd Engineer._ A question of prestige.

_Chief Engineer._ And trade.

_2nd Engineer._ The rights of nationality.

_Chief Engineer._ We or the Yellows—

_2nd Engineer._ Never was war more honourable or urgent—

_Chief Engineer._ Than the war we must fight.

_2nd Engineer._ We are prepared.

_Chief Engineer._ We have only to find a _casus belli_.

_Blind Ant._ Blank, two, three, four—
[_A gong._

_Chief Engineer._ What’s that?

_Voice._ (_Outside_) A messenger! A messenger!

_Enter_ MESSENGER.

_Messenger._ I beg to announce myself. From the G.H.Q. Southern Army.

_Chief Engineer._ Good.

_Messenger._ In accordance with our instructions, we crossed the frontier of the Yellows—

_Chief Engineer._ What then?

_Messenger._ The Yellows captured me and took me to their Commander-in-Chief—

_Chief Engineer._ And—?

_Messenger._ Here is his letter—

_Chief Engineer._ Show it me. ‘The Government of the Yellow Ants calls upon the Ant Realm within three months to withdraw their Army lying between the Birch Tree and the Pine Tree between the two blades of grass.’

_2nd Engineer._ Listen to him.

_Chief Engineer._ ‘This territory comprises the historical, vital, industrial, general, and military interests of our state, so that it rightly belongs to us.’

_2nd Engineer._ An insult, an insult, we shall not tolerate it!

_Chief Engineer._ ‘Meanwhile we are giving orders to our Army to mobilize.’ War, war, at last!

_2nd Engineer._ At last a war is forced upon us.

_Chief Engineer._ To arms!

ANOTHER MESSENGER _runs on_.

_2nd Messenger._ The Yellows are marching across our frontier—

_Chief Engineer._ To arms! To arms!

_2nd Messenger._ Mobilization—to arms!

_Both Messengers._ To arms! To arms!

[_Alarm sirens—from all sides the_ ANTS
_scramble into the_ ANT HEAP.

_Blind Ant._ Blank, two, three, four—blank, two, three, four—

[_Increasing din within._

_Tramp._ It does yer good to see ’em pass,
Prepared to shed their blood—
And jest for ’alf a yard o’ mud,
Between two blades o’ grass.

It does yer good to see ’em all
So ’andsome and so spry.
They’re not afraid to up and die—
They’ve ’eard the Nation’s call.

It makes yer think o’ them ole scenes,
With star-shells over ’ead,
The night we left a thousan’ dead—
And keptured two latrines.

Now, fellers, dig yerselves right in,
And stay there till yer bust.
Them Yellers wants your yard o’ dust,
And don’t you let ’em win!

_Chrysalis._ They call, they shout, they beat their drums.
The world wakes. The great moment comes!

[_Beating of drums_—ANTS _transform themselves
into_ SOLDIERS. CHIEF ENGINEER
_becomes_ COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

_Tramp._ Now, that’s what trainin’ does. You’re smart lads.
Put it there!
Crumbs! if you’re half the ant I takes yer for, I swear
You’ll cop that bit o’ land afore the Yellers cop it—
But ’ere’s the brass ’ats comin’. I guess I’d better
’op it.

_Chief Engineer._ Soldiers! We find ourselves compelled to call you to the colours. A wicked enemy has treacherously attacked us, for the purpose of outwitting our peaceable preparations. At this great hour I have been appointed Dictator.

_2nd Engineer._ Three cheers for the Dictator—Shout boys, or——

_Soldiers._ Hip, hip, hooray!

_Chief Engineer._ (_Saluting_) Thank you! You have responded to the gravity of the moment. Soldiers, we are fighting for life and liberty.

_2nd Engineer._ And for the greatness of our State.

_Chief Engineer._ And for the greatness of our State. We shall wage war for the interest of civilization and our military honour. Soldiers, I am with you to the last drop of my blood.

_2nd Engineer._ Long live our beloved Commander-in-Chief!

_Soldiers._ Long live our Commander-in-Chief!

_Chief Engineer._ I know my soldiers. They will fight until the final victory. Long live our gallant men. Hurrah!

_Soldiers._ Hurrah! Hurrah!

_Chief Engineer._ (_To 2nd_ ENGINEER) The First and Second Divisions will attack frontally. The Fourth will envelope the Pine Wood, and break into the Ant Heap of the Yellows. Women and children to be slaughtered—Third Division in reserve—no quarter!

[SECOND ENGINEER _salutes_.

May God assist us in this. Soldiers, ’shun! Right turn—quick march!

[_Drums._

One, two! War forced upon us—one, two, one, two! In the name of Justice! No quarter! For your hearths and homes! One, two, one, two! We are only defending ourselves. War on the world. For a Greater Home Country. One, two—a ruthless enemy. Will of the Nation! To battle—strike hard. Historical claims. Brilliant spirit of the Army. One, two, one, two!

[_Fresh_ TROOPS _march past_.

Good luck, soldiers, I shall be behind you—Well done the fifth! The conquerors of the Pine Trees. A mighty epoch, to victory—conquer the world, magnificent daring—one, two! Well done, Seventh! Beat them, soldiers, the Yellow are cowards. Hack your way through, burn, destroy, heroes!

_Enter_ MESSENGER.

_Messenger._ The Yellows have invaded the stretch of country between the roots of the Pine Tree and the Stone——

_Chief Engineer._ Entirely according to plan. Faster, soldiers, one, two, War forced on us for honour and glory, needs of the State, no conception of Justice; soldiers show your bravery, victory is ours, greatest moment in history. Quick march, quick march, quick march!

[_Big bang in the distance._

The battle is beginning. Up with the reserves.

[_Looks through the telescope._

_Blind Ant._ Blank, two, three, four—blank—

[_Increasing din._

_Chrysalis._ Wild voices of the world, be dumb!
Your woes are at an end. I come!

_Chief Engineer._ Reserves stand to! (_To 2nd_ ENGINEER) Issue a report.

_2nd Engineer._ (_In a loud voice_) The battle has begun at last, under favourable weather conditions. Our heroic men are fighting in magnificent spirits.

_Chief Engineer._ Right turn, quick march!—one, two, one, two—faster boys!

_Enter_ MESSENGER.

_Messenger._ Our right wing is retreating. The Fifth Regiment is completely destroyed.

_Chief Engineer._ According to plan. Sixth Regiment replace them.

_Tramp._ Ho, yuss!... There was other reports that began
‘The Regiment was butchered—accordin’ to plan!’
And after ’is battle, ’e’ll go round and scan
The corpses, all ’eaped up—‘accordin’ to plan’.

_Enter_ STRETCHER-BEARERS _with wounded_.

_A Wounded Man._ The fifth Regiment, our regiment—we’re all destroyed. Stop! Stop!

[_Telegraph instrument clatters._

_Signal Officer._ (_Reading dispatch_) ‘Fifth regiment destroyed. We await orders.’

_Chief Engineer._ Sixth take its place. (_To 2nd_ ENGINEER) Issue a report.

_2nd Engineer._ The battle is developing successfully. The Fifth Regiment especially distinguished itself, heroically repelling all attacks, whereupon it was relieved by the Sixth.

_Chief Engineer._ Bravo! I will decorate you with the steel Cross.

_2nd Engineer._ Thank you. I am only doing my duty.

_Journalist._ (_Approaching with note-book_) I am a journalist; shall we announce a victory?

_Chief Engineer._ Yes. Successful operations. Thanks to our plans prepared years ago. The admirable spirit of our forces—irresistible advance—the enemy demoralized.

_Journalist._ We—we—we——

_Chief Engineer._ Eh?

_Journalist._ We will print everything.

_Chief Engineer._ Good. We rely upon the cooperation of the Press. Don’t forget the admirable spirit.

_Journalist._ The Press is performing its d-duty!
[_Exit._

_Enter_ PHILANTHROPIST _with collecting-box_.

_Philanthropist._ Help the wounded! All for the wounded! Gifts for the wounded. Give to the wounded. Help for the cripples.

_Chief Engineer._ Second Division attack—it must break through whatever the sacrifice.

_Philanthropist._ For our heroes—help your brothers—help for the wounded.

_Tramp._ War for the wounded! Coppers for their wounds.

_Philanthropist._ Help for the wounded—give to the cripples.

_Tramp._ (_He tears off a button and puts it in the collecting-box_) All for the wounded! My last button for the war!

_Another Wounded Man._ Oh! Put me out of my misery, do!

_Philanthropist._ Aid the wounded.

[_Telegraph instrument again._

_Signal Officer._ The right wing of the Yellows is retreating.

_Chief Engineer._ Pursue them. Finish them off. Don’t bother about prisoners.

_2nd Engineer._ The enemy retiring in confusion. Our regiments in defiance of death, dogging his footsteps with splendid daring.

_Chief Engineer._ Fourth Levy!

_Signal Officer._ The fourth regiment has invested the Pine Tree and has made a rear attack on the Ant Heap of the Yellows—the garrison is slaughtered.

_Chief Engineer._ Raze it to the ground—finish off the civilians.

_Signal Officer._ The enemy is overwhelmed—they have evacuated a foot of the furze bush.

_Chief Engineer._ Victory is ours. (_Falls on knees and removes his helmet_) Great god of the Ants, thou hast granted victory to thy servants. I appoint thee honorary Colonel. (_Jumps up_) Third Division forward, all reserves forward—no prisoners. Forward! (_Again on his knees_) Righteous god of strength, thou knowest that our holy cause—(_Jumps up_) After them—after them—attack them—hunt them down—slaughter everybody. The empire of the world is settled. (_Kneels_) God of the Ants, in this significant hour—(_Prays silently._)

_Tramp._ (_Bending over him softly_) Empire of the World! You miserable Ant you, you call this bit of clay and grass the world? This dirty little patch of soil? If I was to trample down all thus ’ere Ant ’eap of yours and you with it, d’yer think these ’ere trees above yer would notice it? Not they!

_Chief Engineer._ Who are you?

_Tramp._ Only a voice. Though yesterday p’r’aps I was a soldier on another ant heap. What yer think of yerself, conqueror of the world? Feel big enough? Don’t that ’eap of corpses seem too small—for your glory, yer miserable image?

_Chief Engineer._ (_Rising_) I disregard you entirely—I proclaim myself Emperor!

_Signal Officer._ The Second Division is asking for reinforcements. Our troops seem exhausted.

_Chief Engineer._ They must hold out. Shoot down defaulters.

_Signal Officer._ The Third Division has been thrown into confusion.

_An Ant._ (_Escapes across stage_) We’re running away!

_Chief Engineer._ Mobilize the nation!

_A Shout._ No! No! Back, back!

_Piercing cry._ Save yourselves!

_Chief Engineer._ Send the unfit to the front—every one must go!

_Soldier._ They’re beating us, run!

_Two Soldiers._ They’ve surrounded us—escape!

_A Soldier._ To the West. Escape to the West!

_Soldiers._ They’ve surrounded us from the West—run to the East!

_Chief Engineer._ Back! To your places—to the front. Face to West.

_Crowd._ (_From_ R.) Escape,—they’re hunting us down. To the East.

_Crowd._ (_From_ L.) To the West, out of the way, they’re here!

[_The two streams begin to fight._

_Chief Engineer._ (_Shouting at them_) Back, cowards! You cattle—I am your Emperor.

_A Soldier._ Lie down. (_Runs him through_) Escape!

_2nd Engineer._ (_Runs in wounded_) They’ve taken the city. Put out the lights.

_The Yellows._ (_Penetrating from both sides_) Hurrah! Hurrah! The Ant Heap is ours!

[_Lights go out: confusion._

_2nd Engineer._ Fight! Fight! Ah!

_Yellow Leader._ Into the passages after them—spare nobody, slaughter all the men.

_Shouts of slaughtered men._ Ah! Ah!

_Blind Ant._ Blank, two—blank, two—blank, two.

_Yellow Leader._ After them—murder—murder them all.

[_The din becomes more remote._

_Blind Ant._ Blank, two—blank, two—blank, two—

_Yellow Leader._ Light!

[_Lights are lit—the foreground is
empty—corpses piled everywhere._

Excellent, Yellows. All are slaughtered.

_Tramp._ Chuck it, General!

_Yellow Leader._ The victory of the Yellows. The victory of justice and progress. Ours is the path between the two blades of grass. The world belongs to us Yellows. I proclaim myself Ruler of the Universe.

_Chrysalis._ I—I—I——

_Yellow Leader_ (_on his knees_). Most righteous god of the Ants—thou knowest that we fight only for justice, our victory, our national honour, our commercial interests.

_Tramp._ (_Rushes out, kicks him over, and grinds him into pieces with his boot_) Bah! Yer insec’, yer insec’!