Wallenstein's Camp: A Play

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?