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Wallenstein's Camp

Год написания книги
2017
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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?
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