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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!
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! Good! the colonel shall our spokesman be.
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?
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.
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.
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. 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.
Friedländer's advice regarding the removal of civil disabilities was never executed, but his other suggestions were followed out with more vigor than was necessary or good. To do away with the rabbis, and consequently with the Talmud, was just what was desired.
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?
To roam o'er earth's round, Lead a wandering life, With steed trained aright, And bold for the fight, With a sword by the side, To rove far and wide, Quick, nimble, and free As the finch that we see On bushes and trees, Or braving the breeze, Huzza, then! the Friedlander's banner for me! From Wallenstein's Camp, scene the last. SECOND CUIRASSIER sings.
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