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