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.
