Page:Wallenstein, a drama in 2 parts - Schiller (tr. Coleridge) (1800).djvu/78

56 And he did put his troops in motion: slowly, Quite at his ease, and by the longest road He traverses Bohemia; but ere ever He hath once seen the enemy, faces round, Breaks up the march, and takes to winter quarters.

The troops were pitiably destitute Of every necessary, every comfort. The winter came. What thinks his Majesty His troops are made of? An't we men? subjected Like other men to wet, and cold, and all The circumstances of necessity? O miserable lot of the poor soldier! Wherever he comes in, all flee before him, And when he goes away, the general curse Follows him on his rout. All must be seiz'd, Nothing is given him. And compell'd to seize From every man, he's every man's abhorrence. Behold, here stand my Generals. Karaffa! Count Deodate! Butler! Tell this man How long the soldiers' pay is in arrears.

Already a full year.

And 'tis the hire That constitutes the hireling's name and duties. The soldier's pay is the soldier's covenant. QUES-