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diff --git a/6785.txt b/6785.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9146e9a --- /dev/null +++ b/6785.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2276 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Camp of Wallenstein, by Frederich Schiller + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Camp of Wallenstein + A Play + +Author: Frederich Schiller + +Release Date: October 26, 2006 [EBook #6785] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAMP OF WALLENSTEIN *** + + + + +Produced by Tapio Riikonen and David Widger + + + + + + THE CAMP OF WALLENSTEIN + + By Frederich Schiller + + Translated by James Churchill. + + +The Camp of Wallenstein is an introduction to the celebrated tragedy of +that name; and, by its vivid portraiture of the state of the general's +army, gives the best clue to the spell of his gigantic power. The blind +belief entertained in the unfailing success of his arms, and in the +supernatural agencies by which that success is secured to him; the +unrestrained indulgence of every passion, and utter disregard of all law, +save that of the camp; a hard oppression of the peasantry and plunder of +the country, have all swollen the soldiery with an idea of interminable +sway. But as we have translated the whole, we shall leave these reckless +marauders to speak for themselves. + +Of Schiller's opinion concerning the Camp, as a necessary introduction to +the tragedy, the following passage taken from the prologue to the first +representation, will give a just idea, and may also serve as a motto to +the work:-- + + "Not he it is, who on the tragic scene + Will now appear--but in the fearless bands + Whom his command alone could sway, and whom + His spirit fired, you may his shadow see, + Until the bashful Muse shall dare to bring + Himself before you in a living form; + For power it was that bore his heart astray + His Camp, alone, elucidates his crime." + + + +THE CAMP OF WALLENSTEIN. + + + + DRAMATIS PERSONAE. + + Sergeant-Major | of a regiment of Recruit. + Trumpeter | Terzky's carabineers. Citizen. + Artilleryman, Peasant. + Sharpshooters. Peasant Boy. + Mounted Yagers, of Holk's corps. Capuchin. + Dragoons, of Butler's regiment. Regimental Schoolmaster. + Arquebusiers, of Tiefenbach's regiment. Sutler-Woman. + Cuirassier, of a Walloon regiment. Servant Girl. + Cuirassier, of a Lombard regiment. Soldiers' Boys. + Croats. Musicians. + Hulans. + + (SCENE.--The Camp before Pilsen, in Bohemia.) + + + + SCENE I. + + Sutlers' tents--in front, a Slop-shop. Soldiers of all colors and + uniforms thronging about. Tables all filled. Croats and Hulans + cooking at a fire. Sutler-woman serving out wine. Soldier-boys + throwing dice on a drum-head. Singing heard from the tent. + + Enter a Peasant and his Son. + +SON. +Father, I fear it will come to harm, +So let us be off from this soldier swarm; +But boist'rous mates will ye find in the shoal-- +'Twere better to bolt while our skins are whole. + +FATHER. +How now, boy! the fellows wont eat us, though +They may be a little unruly, or so. +See, yonder, arriving a stranger train, +Fresh comers are they from the Saal and Mayne; +Much booty they bring of the rarest sort-- +'Tis ours, if we cleverly drive our sport. +A captain, who fell by his comrade's sword, +This pair of sure dice to me transferred; +To-day I'll just give them a trial to see +If their knack's as good as it used to be. +You must play the part of a pitiful devil, +For these roaring rogues, who so loosely revel, +Are easily smoothed, and tricked, and flattered, +And, free as it came, their gold is scattered. +But we--since by bushels our all is taken, +By spoonfuls must ladle it back again; +And, if with their swords they slash so highly, +We must look sharp, boy, and do them slyly. + + [Singing and shouting in the tent. + +Hark, how they shout! God help the day! +'Tis the peasant's hide for their sport must pay. +Eight months in our beds and stalls have they +Been swarming here, until far around +Not a bird or a beast is longer found, +And the peasant, to quiet his craving maw, +Has nothing now left but his bones to gnaw. +Ne'er were we crushed with a heavier hand, +When the Saxon was lording it o'er the land: +And these are the Emperor's troops, they say! + +SON. +From the kitchen a couple are coming this way, +Not much shall we make by such blades as they. + +FATHER. +They're born Bohemian knaves--the two-- +Belonging to Terzky's carabineers, +Who've lain in these quarters now for years; +The worst are they of the worthless crew. +Strutting, swaggering, proud and vain, +They seem to think they may well disdain +With the peasant a glass of his wine to drain +But, soft--to the left o' the fire I see +Three riflemen, who from the Tyrol should be +Emmerick, come, boy, to them will we. +Birds of this feather 'tis luck to find, +Whose trim's so spruce, and their purse well lined. + + [They move towards the tent. + + + + SCENE II. + + The above--Sergeant-Major, Trumpeter, Hulan. + +TRUMPETER. +What would the boor? Out, rascal, away! + +PEASANT. +Some victuals and drink, worthy masters, I pray, +For not a warm morsel we've tasted to day. + +TRUMPETER. +Ay, guzzle and guttle--'tis always the way. + +HULAN (with a glass). +Not broken your fast! there--drink, ye hound! + + He leads the peasant to the tent--the others come forward. + +SERGEANT (to the Trumpeter). +Think ye they've done it without good ground? +Is it likely they double our pay to-day, +Merely that we may be jolly and gay? + +TRUMPETER. +Why, the duchess arrives to-day, we know, +And her daughter too-- + +SERGEANT. + Tush! that's mere show-- +'Tis the troops collected from other lands +Who here at Pilsen have joined our bands-- +We must do the best we can t' allure 'em, +With plentiful rations, and thus secure 'em. +Where such abundant fare they find, +A closer league with us to bind. + +TRUMPETER. +Yes!--there's something in the wind. + +SERGEANT. +The generals and commanders too-- + +TRUMPETER. +A rather ominous sight, 'tis true. + +SERGEANT. +Who're met together so thickly here-- + +TRUMPETER. +Have plenty of work on their hands, that's clear. + +SERGEANT. +The whispering and sending to and fro-- + +TRUMPETER. +Ay! Ay! + +SERGEANT. +The big-wig from Vienna, I trow, +Who since yesterday's seen to prowl about +In his golden chain of office there-- +Something's at the bottom of this, I'll swear. + +TRUMPETER. +A bloodhound is he beyond a doubt, +By whom the duke's to be hunted out. + +SERGEANT. +Mark ye well, man!--they doubt us now, +And they fear the duke's mysterious brow; +He hath clomb too high for them, and fain +Would they beat him down from his perch again. + +TRUMPETER. +But we will hold him still on high-- +That all would think as you and I! + +SERGEANT. +Our regiment, and the other four +Which Terzky leads--the bravest corps +Throughout the camp, are the General's own, +And have been trained to the trade by himself alone +The officers hold their command of him, +And are all his own, or for life or limb. + + + + SCENE III. + + Enter Croat with a necklace. Sharpshooter following him. + The above. + +SHARPSHOOTER. +Croat, where stole you that necklace, say? +Get rid of it man--for thee 'tis unmeet: +Come, take these pistols in change, I pray. + +CROAT. +Nay, nay, Master Shooter, you're trying to cheat. + +SHARPSHOOTER. +Then I'll give you this fine blue cap as well, +A lottery prize which just I've won: +Look at the cut of it--quite the swell! + +CROAT (twirling the Necklace in the Sun). +But this is of pearls and of garnets bright, +See, how it plays in the sunny light! + +SHARPSHOOTER (taking the Necklace). +Well, I'll give you to boot, my own canteen-- +I'm in love with this bauble's beautiful sheen. + [Looks at it. + +TRUMPETER. +See, now!--how cleanly the Croat is done +Snacks! Master Shooter, and mum's the word. + +CROAT (having put on the cap). +I think your cap is a smartish one. + +SHARPSHOOTER (winking to the Trumpeter). +'Tis a regular swop, as these gents have heard. + + + + SCENE IV. + + The above. An Artilleryman. + +ARTILLERYMAN (to the Sergeant). +How is this I pray, brother carabineer? +Shall we longer stay here, our fingers warming, +While the foe in the field around is swarming? + +SERGEANT. +Art thou, indeed, in such hasty fret? +Why the roads, as I think, are scarce passable yet. + +ARTILLERYMAN. +For me they are not--I'm snug enough here-- +But a courier's come, our wits to waken +With the precious news that Ratisbon's taken. + +TRUMPETER. +Ha! then we soon shall have work in hand. + +SERGEANT. +Indeed! to protect the Bavarian's land, +Who hates the duke, as we understand, +We won't put ourselves in a violent sweat. + +ARTILLERYMAN. +Heyday!--you'll find you're a wiseacre yet. + + + + SCENE V. + + The above--Two Yagers. Afterwards Sutler-woman, + Soldier-boy, Schoolmaster, Servant-girl. + +FIRST YAGER. + See! see! +Here meet we a jovial company! + +TRUMPETER. +Who can these greencoats be, I wonder, +That strut so gay and sprucely yonder! + +SERGEANT. +They're the Yagers of Holk--and the lace they wear, +I'll be sworn, was ne'er purchased at Leipzig fair. + +SUTLER-WOMAN (bringing wine). +Welcome, good sirs! + +FIRST YAGER. + Zounds, how now? +Gustel of Blasewitz here, I vow! + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +The same in sooth--and you I know, +Are the lanky Peter of Itzeho: +Who at Glueckstadt once, in revelling night, +With the wags of our regiment, put to flight +All his father's shiners--then crowned the fun-- + +FIRST YAGER. +By changing his pen for a rifle-gun. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +We're old acquaintance, then, 'tis clear. + +FIRST YAGER. +And to think we should meet in Bohemia here! + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +Oh, here to-day--to-morrow yonder-- +As the rude war-broom, in restless trace, +Scatters and sweeps us from place to place. +Meanwhile I've been doomed far round to wander. + +FIRST YAGER. +So one would think, by the look of your face. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +Up the country I've rambled to Temsewar, +Whither I went with the baggage-car, +When Mansfeld before us we chased away; +With the duke near Stralsund next we lay, +Where trade went all to pot, I may say. +I jogged with the succors to Mantua; +And back again came, under Feria: +Then, joining a Spanish regiment, +I took a short cut across to Ghent; +And now to Bohemia I'm come to get +Old scores paid off, that are standing yet, +If a helping hand by the duke be lent-- +And yonder you see my sutler's tent. + +FIRST YAGER. +Well, all things seem in a flourishing way, +But what have you done with the Scotchman, say, +Who once in the camp was your constant flame? + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +A villain, who tricked me clean, that same +He bolted, and took to himself whate'er +I'd managed to scrape together, or spare, +Leaving me naught but the urchin there. + +SOLDIER-BOY (springing forward). +Mother, is it my papa you name? + +FIRST YAGER. +Well, the emperor now must father this elf, +For the army must ever recruit itself. + +SCHOOLMASTER. +Forth to the school, ye rogue--d'ye hear? + +FIRST YAGER. +He, too, of a narrow room has fear. + +SERVANT GIRL (entering). +Aunt, they'll be off. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. + I come apace. + +FIRST YAGER. +What gypsy is that with the roguish face? + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +My sister's child from the south, is she. + +FIRST YAGER. +Ay, ay, a sweet little niece--I see. + +SECOND YAGER (holding the girl). +Softly, my pretty one! stay with me. + +GIRL. +The customers wait, sir, and I must go. + [Disengages herself, and exit. + +FIRST YAGER. +That maiden's a dainty morsel, I trow! +And her aunt--by heaven! I mind me well,-- +When the best of the regiment loved her so, +To blows for her beautiful face they fell. +What different folks one's doomed to know! +How time glows off with a ceaseless flow! +And what sights as yet we may live to see! + (To the Sergeant and Trumpeter.) +Your health, good sirs, may we be free, +A seat beside you here to take? + + + + SCENE VI. + + The Yagers, Sergeant, and Trumpeter. + +SERGEANT. +We thank ye--and room will gladly make. +To Bohemia welcome. + +FIRST YAGER. + Snug enough here! +In the land of the foe our quarters were queer. + +TRUMPETER. +You haven't the look on't--you're spruce to view. + +SERGEANT. +Ay, faith, on the Saal, and in Meissen, too, +Your praises are heard from the lips of few. + +SECOND YAGER. +Tush, man! why, what the plague d'ye mean? +The Croat had swept the fields so clean, +There was little or nothing for us to glean. + +TRUMPETER. +Yet your pointed collar is clean and sightly, +And, then, your hose that sit so tightly! +Your linen so fine, with the hat and feather, +Make a show of smartness altogether! + (To Sergeant.) +That fortune should upon younkers shine-- +While nothing in your way comes, or mine. + +SERGEANT. +But then we're the Friedlander's regiment +And, thus, may honor and homage claim. + +FIRST YAGER. +For us, now, that's no great compliment, +We, also, bear the Friedlander's name. + +SERGEANT. +True--you form part of the general mass. + +FIRST YAGER. +And you, I suppose, are a separate class! +The difference lies in the coats we wear, +And I have no wish to change with you there. + +SERGEANT. +Sir Yager, I can't but with pity melt, +When I think how much among boors you've dwelt. +The clever knack and the proper tone, +Are caught by the general's side alone. + +FIRST YAGER. +Then the lesson is wofully thrown away,-- +How he hawks and spits, indeed, I may say +You've copied and caught in the cleverest way; +But his spirit, his genius--oh, these I ween, +On your guard parade are but seldom seen. + +SECOND YAGER. +Why, zounds! ask for us wherever you will, +Friedland's wild hunt is our title still! +Never shaming the name, all undaunted we go +Alike through the field of a friend, or a foe; +Through the rising stalk, or the yellow corn, +Well know they the blast of Holk's Yager horn. +In the flash of an eye, we are far or near, +Swift as the deluge, or there or here-- +As at midnight dark, when the flames outbreak +In the silent dwelling where none awake; +Vain is the hope in weapons or flight, +Nor order nor discipline thwart its might. +Then struggles the maid in our sinewy arms, +But war hath no pity, and scorns alarms. +Go, ask--I speak not with boastful tongue-- +In Bareuth, Westphalia, Voigtland, where'er +Our troops have traversed--go, ask them there-- +Children and children's children long, +When hundreds and hundreds of years are o'er, +Of Holk will tell and his Yager corps. + +SERGEANT. +Why, hark! Must a soldier then be made +By driving this riotous, roaring trade! +'Tis drilling that makes him, skill and sense-- +Perception--thought--intelligence. + +FIRST YAGER. +'Tis liberty makes him! Here's a fuss! +That I should such twaddle as this discuss. +Was it for this that I left the school? +That the scribbling desk, and the slavish rule, +And the narrow walls, that our spirits cramp, +Should be met with again in the midst of the camp? +No! Idle and heedless, I'll take my way, +Hunting for novelty every day; +Trust to the moment with dauntless mind, +And give not a glance or before or behind. +For this to the emperor I sold my hide, +That no other care I might have to bide. +Through the foe's fierce firing bid me ride, +Through fathomless Rhine, in his roaring flow, +Where ev'ry third man to the devil may go, +At no bar will you find me boggling there; +But, farther than this, 'tis my special prayer, +That I may not be bothered with aught like care. + +SERGEANT. +If this be your wish, you needn't lack it, +'Tis granted to all with the soldier's jacket. + +FIRST YAGER. +What a fuss and a bother, forsooth, was made +By that man-tormentor, Gustavus, the Swede, +Whose camp was a church, where prayers were said +At morning reveille and evening tattoo; +And, whenever it chanced that we frisky grew, +A sermon himself from the saddle he'd read. + +SERGEANT. +Ay, that was a man with the fear of God. + +FIRST YAGER. +Girls he detested; and what's rather odd, +If caught with a wench you in wedlock were tacked,-- +I could stand it no longer, so off I packed. + +SERGEANT. +Their discipline now has a trifle slacked. + +FIRST YAGER. +Well, next to the League I rode over; their men +Were mustering in haste against Magdeburg then. +Ha! that was another guess sort of a thing! +In frolic and fun we'd a glorious swing; +With gaming, and drinking, and girls at call, +I'faith, sirs, our sport was by no means small. +For Tilly knew how to command, that's plain; +He held himself in but gave us the rein; +And, long as he hadn't the bother of paying, +"Live and let live!" was the general's saying. +But fortune soon gave him the slip; and ne'er +Since the day of that villanous Leipzig affair +Would aught go aright. 'Twas of little avail +That we tried, for our plans were sure to fail. +If now we drew nigh and rapped at the door, +No greeting awaited, 'twas opened no more; +From place to place we went sneaking about, +And found that their stock of respect was out; +Then touched I the Saxon bounty, and thought +Their service with fortune must needs be fraught. + +SERGEANT. +You joined them then just in the nick to share +Bohemia's plunder? + +FIRST YAGER. + I'd small luck there. +Strict discipline sternly ruled the day, +Nor dared we a foeman's force display; +They set us to guard the imperial forts, +And plagued us all with the farce of the courts. +War they waged as a jest 'twere thought-- +And but half a heart to the business brought, +They would break with none; and thus 'twas plain +Small honor among them could a soldier gain. +So heartily sick in the end grew I +That my mind was the desk again to try; +When suddenly, rattling near and far, +The Friedlander's drum was heard to war. + +SERGEANT. +And how long here may you mean to stay? + +FIRST YAGER. +You jest, man. So long as he bears the sway, +By my soul! not a thought of change have I; +Where better than here could the soldier lie? +Here the true fashion of war is found, +And the cut of power's on all things round; +While the spirit whereby the movement's given +Mightily stirs, like the winds of heaven, +The meanest trooper in all the throng. +With a hearty step shall I tramp along +On a burgher's neck as undaunted tread +As our general does on the prince's head. +As 'twas in the times of old 'tis now, +The sword is the sceptre, and all must bow. +One crime alone can I understand, +And that's to oppose the word of command. +What's not forbidden to do make bold, +And none will ask you what creed you hold. +Of just two things in this world I wot, +What belongs to the army and what does not, +To the banner alone is my service brought. + +SERGEANT. +Thus, Yager, I like thee--thou speakest, I vow, +With the tone of a Friedland trooper now. + +FIRST YAGER. +'Tis not as an office he holds command, +Or a power received from the emperor's hand; +For the emperor's service what should he care, +What better for him does the emperor fare? +With the mighty power he wields at will, +Has ever he sheltered the land from ill? +No; a soldier-kingdom he seeks to raise, +And for this would set the world in a blaze, +Daring to risk and to compass all-- + +TRUMPETER. +Hush--who shall such words as these let fall? + +FIRST YAGER. +Whatever I think may be said by me, +For the general tells us the word is free. + +SERGEANT. +True--that he said so I fully agree, +I was standing by. "The word is free-- +The deed is dumb--obedience blind!" +His very words I can call to mind. + +FIRST YAGER. +I know not if these were his words or no, +But he said the thing, and 'tis even so. + +SECOND YAGER. +Victory ne'er will his flag forsake, +Though she's apt from others a turn to take: +Old Tilly outlived his fame's decline, +But under the banner of Wallenstein, +There am I certain that victory's mine! +Fortune is spell-bound to him, and must yield; +Whoe'er under Friedland shall take the field +Is sure of a supernatural shield: +For, as all the world is aware full well, +The duke has a devil in hire from hell. + +SERGEANT. +In truth that he's charmed is past a doubt, +For we know how, at Luetzen's bloody affair, +Where firing was thickest he still was there, +As coolly as might be, sirs, riding about. +The hat on his head was shot thro' and thro', +In coat and boots the bullets that flew +Left traces full clear to all men's view; +But none got so far as to scratch off his skin, +For the ointment of hell was too well rubbed in. + +FIRST YAGER. +What wonders so strange can you all see there? +An elk-skin jacket he happens to wear, +And through it the bullets can make no way. + +SERGEANT. +'Tis an ointment of witches' herbs, I say, +Kneaded and cooked by unholy spell. + +TRUMPETER. +No doubt 'tis the work of the powers of hell. + +SERGEANT. +That he reads in the stars we also hear, +Where the future he sees--distant or near-- +But I know better the truth of the case +A little gray man, at the dead of night, +Through bolted doors to him will pace-- +The sentinels oft have hailed the sight, +And something great was sure to be nigh, +When this little gray-coat had glided by. + +FIRST YAGER. +Ay, ay, he's sold himself to the devil, +Wherefore, my lads, let's feast and revel. + + + + SCENE VII. + + The above--Recruit, Citizen, Dragoon. + + (The Recruit advances from the tent, wearing a tin cap + on his head, and carrying a wine-flask.) + +RECRUIT. +To father and uncle pray make my bow, +And bid 'em good-by--I'm a soldier now. + +FIRST YAGER. +See, yonder they're bringing us something new, + +CITIZEN. +Oh, Franz, remember, this day you'll rue. + +RECRUIT (sings). + The drum and the fife, + War's rattling throng, + And a wandering life + The world along! + Swift steed--and a hand + To curb and command-- + With a blade by the side, + We're off far and wide. + As jolly and free, + As the finch in its glee, + On thicket or tree, + Under heaven's wide hollow-- +Hurrah! for the Friedlander's banner I'll follow! + +SECOND YAGER. +Foregad! a jolly companion, though. + + [They salute him. + +CITIZEN. +He comes of good kin; now pray let him go. + +FIRST YAGER. +And we wern't found in the streets you must know. + +CITIZEN. +I tell you his wealth is a plentiful stock; +Just feel the fine stuff that he wears for a frock. + +TRUMPETER. +The emperor's coat is the best he can wear. + +CITIZEN. +To a cap manufactory he is the heir. + +SECOND YAGER. +The will of a man is his fortune alone. + +CITIZEN. +His grandmother's shop will soon be his own. + +FIRST YAGER. +Pish! traffic in matches! who would do't? + +CITIZEN. +A wine-shop his grandfather leaves, to boot, +A cellar with twenty casks of wine. + +TRUMPETER. +These with his comrades he'll surely share. + +SECOND YAGER. +Hark ye, lad--be a camp-brother of mine. + +CITIZEN. +A bride he leaves sitting, in tears, apart. + +FIRST YAGER. +Good--that now's a proof of an iron heart. + +CITIZEN. +His grandmother's sure to die with sorrow. + +SECOND YAGER. +The better--for then he'll inherit to-morrow. + +SERGEANT (advances gravely, and lays his hand on the + Recruit's tin cap). +The matter no doubt you have duly weighed, +And here a new man of yourself have made; +With hanger and helm, sir, you now belong +To a nobler and more distinguished throng. +Thus, a loftier spirit 'twere well to uphold-- + +FIRST YAGER. +And, specially, never be sparing of gold. + +SERGEANT. +In Fortune's ship, with an onward gale, +My friend, you have made up your mind to sail. +The earth-ball is open before you--yet there +Naught's to be gained, but by those who dare. +Stupid and sluggish your citizen's found, +Like a dyer's dull jade, in his ceaseless round, +While the soldier can be whatever he will, +For war o'er the earth is the watchword still. +Just look now at me, and the coat I wear, +You see that the emperor's baton I bear-- +And all good government, over the earth, +You must know from the baton alone has birth; +For the sceptre that's swayed by the kingly hand +Is naught but a baton, we understand. +And he who has corporal's rank obtained, +Stands on the ladder where all's to be gained, +And you, like another, may mount to that height-- + +FIRST YAGER. +Provided you can but read and write. + +SERGEANT. +Now, hark to an instance of this from me, +And one, which I've lived myself to see +There's Butler, the chief of dragoons, why he, +Whose rank was not higher a whit than mine, +Some thirty years since, at Cologne on Rhine, +Is a major-general now--because +He put himself forward and gained applause; +Filling the world with his martial fame, +While slept my merits without a name. +And even the Friedlander's self--I've heard-- +Our general and all-commanding lord, +Who now can do what he will at a word, +Had at first but a private squire's degree; +In the goddess of war yet trusting free, +He reared the greatness which now you see, +And, after the emperor, next is he. +Who knows what more he may mean or get? + (Slyly.) +For all-day's evening isn't come yet. + +FIRST YAGER. +He was little at first, though now so great-- +For at Altorf, in student's gown he played +By your leave, the part of a roaring blade, +And rattled away at a queerish rate. +His fag he had well nigh killed by a blow, +And their Nur'mburg worships swore he should go +To jail for his pains--if he liked it or no. +'Twas a new-built nest to be christened by him +Who first should be lodged. Well, what was his whim? +Why, he sent his dog forward to lead the way, +And they call the jail from the dog to this day. +That was the game a brave fellow should play, +And of all the great deeds of the general, none +E'er tickled my fancy, like this one. + + [During this speech, the second Yager has begun toying + with the girl who has been in waiting.] + +DRAGOON (stepping between them). +Comrade--give over this sport, I pray. + +SECOND YAGER. +Why, who the devil shall say me nay! + +DRAGOON. +I've only to tell you the girl's my own. + +FIRST YAGER. +Such a morsel as this, for himself alone!-- +Dragoon, why say, art thou crazy grown? + +SECOND YAGER. +In the camp to be keeping a wench for one! +No! the light of a pretty girl's face must fall, +Like the beams of the sun, to gladden us all. + (Kisses her.) +DRAGOON (tears her away). +I tell you again, that it shan't be done. + +FIRST YAGER. +The pipers are coming, lads! now for fun! + +SECOND YAGER (to Dragoon). +I shan't be far off, should you look for me. + +SERGEANT. +Peace, my good fellows!--a kiss goes free. + + + + SCENE VIII. + + Enter Miners, and play a waltz--at first slowly, and + afterwards quicker. The first Yager dances with the girl, + the Sutler-woman with the recruit. The girl springs away, + and the Yager, pursuing her, seizes hold of a Capuchin + Friar just entering. + +CAPUCHIN. +Hurrah! halloo! tol, lol, de rol, le! +The fun's at its height! I'll not be away! +Is't an army of Christians that join in such works? +Or are we all turned Anabaptists and Turks? +Is the Sabbath a day for this sport in the land, +As though the great God had the gout in his hand, +And thus couldn't smite in the midst of your band? +Say, is this a time for your revelling shouts, +For your banquetings, feasts, and holiday bouts? +Quid hic statis otiosi? declare +Why, folding your arms, stand ye lazily there? +While the furies of war on the Danube now fare +And Bavaria's bulwark is lying full low, +And Ratisbon's fast in the clutch of the foe. +Yet, the army lies here in Bohemia still, +And caring for naught, so their paunches they fill! +Bottles far rather than battles you'll get, +And your bills than your broad-swords more readily wet; +With the wenches, I ween, is your dearest concern, +And you'd rather roast oxen than Oxenstiern. +In sackcloth and ashes while Christendom's grieving, +No thought has the soldier his guzzle of leaving. +'Tis a time of misery, groans, and tears! +Portentous the face of the heavens appears! +And forth from the clouds behold blood-red, +The Lord's war-mantle is downward spread-- +While the comet is thrust as a threatening rod, +From the window of heaven by the hand of God. +The world is but one vast house of woe, +The ark of the church stems a bloody flow, +The Holy Empire--God help the same! +Has wretchedly sunk to a hollow name. +The Rhine's gay stream has a gory gleam, +The cloister's nests are robbed by roysters; +The church-lands now are changed to lurch-lands; +Abbacies, and all other holy foundations +Now are but robber-sees--rogues' habitations. +And thus is each once-blest German state, +Deep sunk in the gloom of the desolate! +Whence comes all this? Oh, that will I tell-- +It comes of your doings, of sin, and of hell; +Of the horrible, heathenish lives ye lead, +Soldiers and officers, all of a breed. +For sin is the magnet, on every hand, +That draws your steel throughout the land! +As the onion causes the tear to flow, +So vice must ever be followed by woe-- +The W duly succeeds the V, +This is the order of A, B, C. +Ubi erit victoriae spes, +Si offenditur Deus? which says, +How, pray ye, shall victory e'er come to pass, +If thus you play truant from sermon and mass, +And do nothing but lazily loll o'er the glass? +The woman, we're told in the Testament, +Found the penny in search whereof she went. +Saul met with his father's asses again, +And Joseph his precious fraternal train, +But he, who 'mong soldiers shall hope to see +God's fear, or shame, or discipline--he +From his toil, beyond doubt, will baffled return, +Though a hundred lamps in the search he burn. +To the wilderness preacher, th' Evangelist says, +The soldiers, too, thronged to repent of their ways, +And had themselves christened in former days. +Quid faciemus nos? they said: +Toward Abraham's bosom what path must we tread? +Et ait illis, and, said he, +Neminem concutiatis; +From bother and wrongs leave your neighbors free. +Neque calumniam faciatis; +And deal nor in slander nor lies, d'ye see? +Contenti estote--content ye, pray, +Stipendiis vestris--with your pay-- +And curse forever each evil way. +There is a command--thou shalt not utter +The name of the Lord thy God in vain; +But, where is it men most blasphemies mutter? +Why here, in Duke Friedland's headquarters, 'tie plain +If for every thunder, and every blast, +Which blazing ye from your tongue-points cast, +The bells were but rung, in the country round, +Not a bellman, I ween, would there soon be found; +And if for each and every unholy prayer +Which to vent from your jabbering jaws you dare, +From your noddles were plucked but the smallest hair, +Ev'ry crop would be smoothed ere the sun went down, +Though at morn 'twere as bushy as Absalom's crown. +Now, Joshua, methinks, was a soldier as well-- +By the arm of King David the Philistine fell; +But where do we find it written, I pray, +That they ever blasphemed in this villanous way? +One would think ye need stretch your jaws no more, +To cry, "God help us!" than "Zounds!" to roar. +But, by the liquor that's poured in the cask, we know +With what it will bubble and overflow. +Again, it is written--thou shalt not steal, +And this you follow, i'faith! to the letter, +For open-faced robbery suits ye better. +The gripe of your vulture claws you fix +On all--and your wiles and rascally tricks +Make the gold unhid in our coffers now, +And the calf unsafe while yet in the cow-- +Ye take both the egg and the hen, I vow. +Contenti estote--the preacher said; +Which means--be content with your army bread. +But how should the slaves not from duty swerve? +The mischief begins with the lord they serve, +Just like the members so is the head. +I should like to know who can tell me his creed. + +FIRST YAGER. +Sir priest, 'gainst ourselves rail on as you will-- +Of the general we warn you to breathe no ill. + +CAPUCHIN. +Ne custodias gregem meam! +An Ahab is he, and a Jerobeam, +Who the people from faith's unerring way, +To the worship of idols would turn astray, + +TRUMPETER and RECRUIT. +Let us not hear that again, we pray. + +CAPUCHIN. +Such a Bramarbas, whose iron tooth +Would seize all the strongholds of earth forsooth! +Did he not boast, with ungodly tongue, +That Stralsund must needs to his grasp be wrung, +Though to heaven itself with a chain 'twere strung? + +TRUMPETER. +Will none put a stop to his slanderous bawl? + +CAPUCHIN. +A wizard he is!--and a sorcerer Saul!-- +Holofernes!--a Jehu!--denying, we know, +Like St. Peter, his Master and Lord below; +And hence must he quail when the cock doth crow-- + +BOTH YAGERS. +Now, parson, prepare; for thy doom is nigh. + +CAPUCHIN. +A fox more cunning than Herod, I trow-- + +TRUMPETER and both YAGERS (pressing against him). +Silence, again,--if thou wouldst not die! + +CROATS (interfering.) +Stick to it, father; we'll shield you, ne'er fear; +The close of your preachment now let's hear. + +CAPUCHIN (still louder). +A Nebuchadnezzar in towering pride! +And a vile and heretic sinner beside! +He calls himself rightly the stone of a wall; +For faith! he's a stumbling-stone to us all. +And ne'er can the emperor have peace indeed, +Till of Friedland himself the land is freed. + + [During the last passages which he pronounces in an elevated + voice, he has been gradually retreating, the Croats keeping + the other soldiers off. + + + + SCENE IX. + + The above, without the Capuchin. + +FIRST YAGER (to the Sergeant). + +But, tell us, what meant he about chanticleer; +Whose crowing the general dares to hear? +No doubt it was uttered in spite and scorn. + +SERGEANT. +Listen--'Tis not so untrue as it appears; +For Friedland was rather mysteriously born, +And is 'specially troubled with ticklish ears; +He can never suffer the mew of a cat; +And when the cock crows he starts thereat. + +FIRST YAGER. +He's one and the same with the lion in that. + +SERGEANT. +Mouse-still must all around him creep, +Strict watch in this the sentinels keep, +For he ponders on matters most grave and deep. + [Voices in the tent. A tumult. +Seize the rascal! Lay on! lay on! + +PEASANT'S VOICE. +Help!--mercy--help! + +OTHERS. + Peace! peace! begone! + +FIRST YAGER. +Deuce take me, but yonder the swords are out! + +SECOND YAGER. +Then I must be off, and see what 'tis about. + + [Yagers enter the tent. + +SUTLER-WOMAN (comes forward). +A scandalous villain!--a scurvy thief! + +TRUMPETER. +Good hostess, the cause of this clamorous grief? + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +A cut-purse! a scoundrel! the-villain I call. +That the like in my tent should ever befall! +I'm disgraced and undone with the officers all. + +SERGEANT. +Well, coz, what is it? + +SUTLER-WOMAN. + Why, what should it be? +But a peasant they've taken just now with me-- +A rogue with false dice, to favor his play. + +TRUMPETER. +See I they're bringing the boor and his son this way. + + + + SCENE X. + + Soldiers dragging in the peasant, bound. + +FIRST YAGER. +He must hang! + +SHARPSHOOTERS and DRAGOONS. + To the provost, come on! + +SERGEANT. +'Tis the latest order that forth has gone. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +In an hour I hope to behold him swinging! + +SERGEANT. +Bad work bad wages will needs be bringing. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER (to the others). +This comes of their desperation. We +First ruin them out and out, d'ye see; +Which tempts them to steal, as it seems to me. + +TRUMPETER. +How now! the rascal's cause would you plead? +The cur! the devil is in you indeed! + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +The boor is a man--as a body may say. + +FIRST YAGER (to the Trumpeter). +Let 'em go! they're of Tiefenbach's corps, the railers, +A glorious train of glovers and tailors! +At Brieg, in garrison, long they lay; +What should they know about camps, I pray? + + + + SCENE XI. + + The above.--Cuirassiers. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Peace! what's amiss with the boor, may I crave? + +FIRST SHARPSHOOTER. +He has cheated at play, the cozening knave! + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +But say, has he cheated you, man, of aught? + +FIRST SHARPHOOTER. +Just cleaned me out--and not left me a groat. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +And can you, who've the rank of a Friedland man, +So shamefully cast yourself away, +As to try your luck with the boor at play? +Let him run off, so that run he can. + + [The peasant escapes, the others throng together. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +He makes short work--is of resolute mood-- +And that with such fellows as these is good. +Who is he? not of Bohemia, that's clear. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +He's a Walloon--and respect, I trow, +Is due to the Pappenheim cuirassier! + +FIRST DRAGOON (joining). +Young Piccolomini leads them now, +Whom they chose as colonel, of their own free might, +When Pappenheim fell in Luetzen's fight. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +Durst they, indeed, presume so far? + +FIRST DRAGOON. +This regiment is something above the rest. +It has ever been foremost through the war, +And may manage its laws, as it pleases best; +Besides, 'tis by Friedland himself caressed. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER (to the Second.) +Is't so in truth, man? Who averred it? + +SECOND CUIRASSIER. +From the lips of the colonel himself I heard it. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +The devil! we're not their dogs, I weep! + +FIRST YAGER. +How now, what's wrong? You're swollen with spleen! + +SECOND YAGER. +Is it anything, comrades, may us concern? + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +'Tis what none need be wondrous glad to learn. + + The Soldiers press round him. + +To the Netherlands they would lend us now-- +Cuirassiers, Yagers, and Shooters away, +Eight thousand in all must march, they say. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +What! What! again the old wandering way-- +I got back from Flanders but yesterday! + +SECOND CUIRASSIER (to the Dragoons). +You of Butler's corps must tramp with the rest. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +And we, the Walloons, must doubtless be gone. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +Why, of all our squadrons these are the best. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +To march where that Milanese fellow leads on. + +FIRST YAGER. +The infant? that's queer enough in its way. + +SECOND YAGER. +The priest--then, egad! there's the devil to pay. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Shall we then leave the Friedlander's train, +Who so nobly his soldiers doth entertain-- +And drag to the field with this fellow from Spain! +A niggard whom we in our souls disdain! +That'll never go down--I'm off, I swear. + +TRUMPETER. +Why, what the devil should we do there? +We sold our blood to the emperor--ne'er +For this Spanish red hat a drop we'll spare! + +SECOND YAGER. +On the Friedlander's word and credit alone +We ranged ourselves in the trooper line, +And, but for our love to Wallenstein, +Ferdinand ne'er had our service known. + +FIRST DRAGOON. +Was it not Friedland that formed our force? +His fortune shall still be the star of our course. + +SERGEANT. +Silence, good comrades, to me give ear-- +Talking does little to help us here. +Much farther in this I can see than you all, +And a trap has been laid in which we're to fall; + +FIRST YAGER. +List to the order-book! hush--be still! + +SERGEANT. +But first, Cousin Gustel, I pray thee fill +A glass of Melneck, as my stomach's but weak +When I've tossed it off, my mind I'll speak. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +Take it, good sergeant. I quake for fear-- +Think you that mischief is hidden here? + +SERGEANT. +Look ye, my friends, 'tis fit and clear +That each should consider what's most near. +But as the general says, say I, +One should always the whole of a case descry. +We call ourselves all the Friedlander's troops; +The burgher, on whom we're billeted, stoops +Our wants to supply, and cooks our soups. +His ox, or his horse, the peasant must chain +To our baggage-car, and may grumble in vain. +Just let a lance-corp'ral, with seven good men, +Tow'rd a village from far but come within ken, +You're sure he'll be prince of the place, and may +Cut what capers he will, with unquestioned sway. +Why, zounds! lads, they heartily hate us all-- +And would rather the devil should give them a call, +Than our yellow collars. And why don't they fall +On us fairly at once and get rid of our lumber? +They're more than our match in point of number, +And carry the cudgel as we do the sword. +Why can we laugh them to scorn? By my word +Because we make up here a terrible horde. + +FIRST YAGER. +Ay, ay, in the mass lies the spell of our might, +And the Friedlander judged the matter aright, +When, some eight or nine years ago, he brought +The emperor's army together. They thought +Twelve thousand enough for the general. In vain, +Said he, such a force I can never maintain. +Sixty thousand I'll bring ye into the plain, +And they, I'll be sworn, won't of hunger die, +And thus were we Wallenstein's men, say I. + +SERGEANT. +For example, cut one of my fingers off, +This little one here from my right hand doff. +Is the taking my finger then all you've done? +No, no, to the devil my hand is gone! +'Tis a stump--no more--and use has none. +The eight thousand horse they wish to disband +May be but a finger of our army's hand. +But when they're once gone may we understand +We are but one-fifth the less? Oh, no-- +By the Lord, the whole to the devil will go! +All terror, respect, and awe will be over, +And the peasant will swell his crest once more; +And the Board of Vienna will order us where +Our troops must be quartered and how we must fare, +As of old in the days of their beggarly care. +Yes, and how long it will be who can say +Ere the general himself they may take away? +For they don't much like him at court I learn? +And then it's all up with the whole concern! +For who, to our pay, will be left to aid us? +And see that they keep the promise they made us? +Who has the energy--who the mind-- +The flashing thought--and the fearless hand-- +Together to bring, and thus fastly bind +The fragments that form our close-knit band. +For example, dragoon--just answer us now, +From which of the countries of earth art thou? + +DRAGOON. +From distant Erin came I here. + +SERGEANT (to the two Cuirassiers). +You're a Walloon, my friend, that's clear, +And you, an Italian, as all may hear. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Who I may be, faith! I never could say; +In my infant years they stole me away. + +SERGEANT. +And you, from what far land may you be? + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +I come from Buchau--on the Feder Sea. + +SERGEANT. +Neighbor, and you? + +SECOND ARQUEBUSIER. + I am a Swiss. + +SERGEANT (to the second Yager). +And Yager, let's hear where your country is? + +SECOND YAGER. +Up above Wismar my fathers dwell. + +SERGEANT (pointing to the Trumpeter). +And he's from Eger--and I as well: +And now, my comrades, I ask you whether, +Would any one think, when looking at us, +That we, from the North and South, had thus +Been hitherward drifted and blown together? +Do we not seem as hewn from one mass? +Stand we not close against the foe +As though we were glued or moulded so? +Like mill-work don't we move, d'ye think! +'Mong ourselves in the nick, at a word or wink. +Who has thus cast us here all as one, +Now to be severed again by none? +Who? why, no other than Wallenstein! + +FIRST YAGER. +In my life it ne'er was a thought of mine +Whether we suited each other or not, +I let myself go with the rest of the lot. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +I quite agree in the sergeant's opinion-- +They'd fain have an end of our camp dominion, +And trample the soldier down, that they +May govern alone in their own good way. +'Tis a conspiration--a plot, I say! + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +A conspiration--God help the day! +Then my customers won't have cash to pay. + +SERGEANT. +Why, faith, we shall all be bankrupts made; +The captains and generals, most of them, paid +The costs of the regiments with private cash, +And, wishing, 'bove all, to cut a dash, +Went a little beyond their means--but thought, +No doubt, that they thus had a bargain bought. +Now they'll be cheated, sirs, one and all, +Should our chief, our head, the general fall. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +Oh, Heaven! this curse I never can brook +Why, half of the army stand in my book. +Two hundred dollars I've trusted madly +That Count Isolani who pays so badly. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Well, comrades, let's fix on what's to be done-- +Of the ways to save us, I see but one; +If we hold together we need not fear; +So let us stand out as one man here; +And then they may order and send as they will, +Fast planted we'll stick in Bohemia still. +We'll never give in--no, nor march an inch, +We stand on our honor, and must not flinch. + +SECOND YAGER. +We're not to be driven the country about, +Let 'em come here, and they'll find it out. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +Good sirs, 'twere well to bethink ye still, +That such is the emperor's sovereign will. + +TRUMPETER. +Oh, as to the emperor, we needn't be nice. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +Let me not hear you say so twice. + +TRUMPETER. +Why, 'tis even so--as I just have said. + +FIRST YAGER. +True, man--I've always heard 'em say, +'Tis Friedland, alone, you've here to obey. + +SERGEANT. +By our bargain with him it should be so, +Absolute power is his, you must know, +We've war, or peace, but as he may please, +Or gold or goods he has power to seize, +And hanging or pardon his will decrees. +Captains and colonels he makes--and he, +In short, by the imperial seal is free, +To hold all the marks of sovereignty. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +The duke is high and of mighty will, +But yet must remain, for good or for ill, +Like us all, but the emperor's servant still. + +SERGEANT. +Not like us all--I there disagree-- +Friedland is quite independent and free, +The Bavarian is no more a prince than he +For, was I not by myself to see, +When on duty at Brandeis, how the emperor said, +He wished him to cover his princely head. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +That was because of the Mecklenburgh land, +Which he held in pawn from the emperor's hand. + +FIRST YAGER (to the Sergeant). +In the emperor's presence, man! say you so? +That, beyond doubt, was a wonderful go! + +SERGEANT (feels in his pocket). +If you question my word in what I have told, +I can give you something to grasp and hold. + [Showing a coin. +Whose image and stamp d'ye here behold? + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +Oh! that is a Wallenstein's, sure! + +SERGEANT-MAJOR. +Well, there, you have it--what doubt can rest +Is he not prince, just as good as the best? +Coins he not money like Ferdinand? +Hath he not his own subjects and land? +Is he not called your highness, I pray? +And why should he not have his soldiers in? + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +That no one has ever meant to gainsay; +But we're still at the emperor's beck and call, +For his majesty 'tis who pays us all. + +TRUMPETER. +In your teeth I deny it--and will again-- +His majesty 'tis who pays us not, +For this forty weeks, say, what have we got +But a promise to pay, believed in vain? + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +What then! 'tis kept in safe hands, I suppose. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Peace, good sirs, will you come to blows? +Have you a quarrel and squabble to know +If the emperor be our master or no? +'Tis because of our rank, as his soldiers brave, +That we scorn the lot of the herded slave; +And will not be driven from place to place, +As priest or puppies our path may trace. +And, tell me, is't not the sovereign's gain, +If the soldiers their dignity will maintain? +Who but his soldiers give him the state +Of a mighty, wide-ruling potentate? +Make and preserve for him, far and near, +The voice which Christendom quakes to hear? +Well enough they may his yoke-chain bear, +Who feast on his favors, and daily share, +In golden chambers, his sumptuous fare. +We--we of his splendors have no part, +Naught but hard wearying toil and care, +And the pride that lives in a soldier's heart. + +SECOND YAGER. +All great tyrants and kings have shown +Their wit, as I take it, in what they've done; +They've trampled all others with stern command, +But the soldier they've led with a gentle hand. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +The soldier his worth must understand; +Whoe'er doesn't nobly drive the trade, +'Twere best from the business far he'd stayed. +If I cheerily set my life on a throw, +Something still better than life I'll know; +Or I'll stand to be slain for the paltry pelf, +As the Croat still does--and scorn myself. + +BOTH PAGERS. +Yes--honor is dearer than life itself. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +The sword is no plough, nor delving tool, +He, who would till with it, is but a fool. +For us, neither grass nor grain doth grow, +Houseless the soldier is doomed to go, +A changeful wanderer over the earth, +Ne'er knowing the warmth of a home-lit hearth. +The city glances--he halts--not there-- +Nor in village meadows, so green and fair; +The vintage and harvest wreath are twined +He sees, but must leave them far behind. +Then, tell me, what hath the soldier left, +If he's once of his self-esteem bereft? +Something he must have his own to call, +Or on slaughter and burnings at once he'll fall. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +God knows, 'tis a wretched life to live! + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Yet one, which I, for no other would give, +Look ye--far round in the world I've been, +And all of its different service seen. +The Venetian Republic--the Kings of Spain +And Naples I've served, and served in vain. +Fortune still frowned--and merchant and knight, +Craftsmen and Jesuit, have met my sight; +Yet, of all their jackets, not one have I known +To please me like this steel coat of my own. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +Well--that now is what I can scarcely say. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +In the world, a man who would make his way, +Must plague and bestir himself night and day. +To honor and place if he choose the road, +He must bend his back to the golden load. +And if home-delights should his fancy please, +With children and grandchildren round his knees, +Let him follow an honest trade in peace. +I've no taste for this kind of life--not I! +Free will I live, and as freely die. +No man's spoiler nor heir will I be-- +But, throned on my nag, I will smile to see +The coil of the crowd that is under me. + +FIRST YAGER. +Bravo!--that's as I've always done. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +In truth, sirs, it may be far better fun +To trample thus over your neighbor's crown. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Comrade, the times are bad of late-- +The sword and the scales live separate. +But do not then blame that I've preferred, +Of the two, to lean, as I have, to the sword. +For mercy in war I will yield to none, +Though I never will stoop to be drummed upon. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER. +Who but the soldier the blame should bear +That the laboring poor so hardly fare? +The war with its plagues, which all have blasted +Now sixteen years in the land hath lasted. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Why, brother, the blessed God above +Can't have from us all an equal love. +One prays for the sun, at which t'other will fret +One is for dry weather-t'other for wet. +What you, now, regard as with misery rife, +Is to me the unclouded sun of life. +If 'tis at the cost of the burgher and boor, +I really am sorry that they must endure; +But how can I help it? Here, you must know, +'Tis just like a cavalry charge 'gainst the foe: +The steeds loud snorting, and on they go! +Whoever may lie in the mid-career-- +Be it my brother or son so dear, +Should his dying groan my heart divide, +Yet over his body I needs must ride, +Nor pitying stop to drag him aside. + +FIRST YAGER. +True--who ever asks how another may bide? + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Thus, my lads, 'tis my counsel, while +On the soldier Dame Fortune deigns to smile, +That we with both hands her bounty clasp, +For it may not be much longer left to our grasp. +Peace will be coming some over-night, +And then there's an end of our martial might. +The soldier unhorsed, and fresh mounted to boor, +Ere you can think it 'twill be as before. +As yet we're together firm bound in the land, +The hilt is yet fast in the soldier's hand. +But let 'em divide us, and soon we shall find, +Short commons is all that remains behind. + +FIRST YAGER. +No, no, by the Lord! That won't do for me. +Come, come, lads, let's all now, as one, agree. + +SECOND YAGER. +Yes, let us resolve on what 'tis to be. + +FIRST ARQUEBUSIER (To the Sutler-woman, drawing out his leather purse). +Hostess, tell us how high you've scored. + +SUTLER-WOMAN. +Oh, 'tis unworthy a single word. + + [They settle. + +TRUMPETER. +You do well, sirs, to take a further walk, +Your company only disturbs our talk. + + [Exeunt Arquebusiers. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Plague take the fellows--they're brave, I know. + +FIRST YAGER. +They haven't a soul 'bove a soapboiler's, though. + +SECOND YAGER. +We're now alone, so teach us who can +How best we may meet and mar their plan. + +TRUMPETER. +How? Why, let's tell them we will not go! + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Despising all discipline! No, my lads, no, +Rather his corps let each of us seek, +And quietly then with his comrades speak, +That every soldier may clearly know, +It were not for his good so far to go; +For my Walloons to answer I'm free, +Every man of 'em thinks and acts with me. + +SERGEANT. +The Terzky regiments, both horse and foot, +Will thus resolve, and will keep them to't. + +SECOND CUIRASSIER (joining the first). +The Walloons and the Lombards one intent. + +FIRST YAGER. +Freedom is Yagers' own element. + +SECOND YAGER. +Freedom must ever with might entwine-- +I live and will die by Wallenstein. + +FIRST SHARPSHOOTER. +The Lorrainers go on with the strongest tide, +Where spirits are light and courage tried. + +DRAGOON. +An Irishman follows his fortune's star. + +SECOND SHARPSHOOTER. +The Tyrolese for their sovereign war. + +FIRST CUIRASSIER. +Then, comrades, let each of our corps agree +A pro memoria to sign--that we, +In spite of all force or fraud, will be +To the fortunes of Friedland firmly bound, +For in him is the soldier's father found. +This we will humbly present, when done, +To Piccolomini--I mean the son-- +Who understands these kind of affairs, +And the Friedlander's highest favor shares; +Besides, with the emperor's self, they say +He holds a capital card to play. + +SECOND YAGER. +Well, then, in this, let us all agree, +That the colonel shall our spokesman be! + +ALL (going). +Good! the colonel shall our spokesman be. + +SERGEANT. +Hold, sirs--just toss off a glass with me +To the health of Piccolomini. + +SUTLER-WOMAN (brings a flask). +This shall not go to the list of scores, +I gladly give it--success be yours! + +CUIRASSIER. +The soldier shall sway! + +BOTH YAGERS. + The peasant shall pay + +DRAGOONS and SHARPSHOOTERS. +The army shall flourishing stand! + +TRUMPETER and SERGEANT. +And the Friedlander keep the command! + +SECOND CUIRASSIER (sings). + + Arouse ye, my comrades, to horse! to horse! + To the field and to freedom we guide! + For there a man feels the pride of his force + And there is the heart of him tried. + No help to him there by another is shown, + He stands for himself and himself alone. + +[The soldiers from the background have come forward during the singing +of this verse and form the chorus. + +CHORUS. + + No help to him by another is shown, + He stands for himself and himself alone. + +DRAGOON. + + Now freedom hath fled from the world, we find + But lords and their bondsmen vile + And nothing holds sway in the breast of mankind + Save falsehood and cowardly guile. + Who looks in death's face with a fearless brow, + The soldier, alone, is the freeman now. + +CHORUS. + + Who looks in death's face with a fearless brow, + The soldier, alone, is the freeman now. + +FIRST YAGER. + + With the troubles of life he ne'er bothers his pate, + And feels neither fear nor sorrow; + But boldly rides onward to meet with his fate-- + He may meet it to-day, or to-morrow! + And, if to-morrow 'twill come, then, I say, + Drain we the cup of life's joy to-day! + +CHORUS. + + And, if to-morrow 'twill come, then, I say, + Drain we the cup of life's joy to-day! + +[The glasses are here refilled, and all drink. + +SERGEANT. + + 'Tis from heaven his jovial lot has birth; + Nor needs he to strive or toil. + The peasant may grope in the bowels of earth, + And for treasure may greedily moil + He digs and he delves through life for the pelf, + And digs till he grubs out a grave for himself. + +CHORUS. + + He digs and he delves through life for the pelf, + And digs till he grubs out a grave for himself. + +FIRST YAGER. + + The rider and lightning steed--a pair + Of terrible guests, I ween! + From the bridal-hall, as the torches glare, + Unbidden they join the scene; + Nor gold, nor wooing, his passion prove; + By storm he carries the prize of love! + +CHORUS. + + Nor gold, nor wooing, his passion prove; + By storm he carries the prize of love! + +SECOND CUIRASSIER. + + Why mourns the wench with so sorrowful face? + Away, girl, the soldier must go! + No spot on the earth is his resting-place; + And your true love he never can know. + Still onward driven by fate's rude wind, + He nowhere may leave his peace behind. + +CHORUS. + + Still onward driven by fate's rude wind, + He nowhere may leave his peace behind. + +FIRST YAGER. +He takes the two next to him by the hand--the others do the same--and +form a large semi-circle. + + Then rouse ye, my comrades--to horse! to horse! + In battle the breast doth swell! + Youth boils--the life-cup foams in its force-- + Up! ere time can dew dispel! + And deep be the stake, as the prize is high-- + Who life would win, he must dare to die! + +CHORUS. + + And deep be the stake, as the prize is high-- + Who life would win, he must dare to die! + + [The curtain falls before the chorus has finished. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Camp of Wallenstein, by Frederich Schiller + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAMP OF WALLENSTEIN *** + +***** This file should be named 6785.txt or 6785.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/6/7/8/6785/ + +Produced by Tapio Riikonen and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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