Wallenstein's Camp: A Play

The Camp of Wallenstein is an introduction to the celebrated tragedy of that name; and, by its vivid portraiture of the state of the general's army, gives the best clue to the spell of his gigantic power. The blind belief entertained in the unfailing success of his arms, and in the supernatural agencies by which that success is secured to him; the unrestrained indulgence of every passion, and utter disregard of all law, save that of the camp; a hard oppression of the peasantry and plunder of the country, have all swollen the soldiery with an idea of interminable sway. But as we have translated the whole, we shall leave these reckless marauders to speak for themselves.
Of Schiller's opinion concerning the Camp, as a necessary introduction to the tragedy, the following passage taken from the prologue to the first representation, will give a just idea, and may also serve as a motto to the work:—
Not he it is, who on the tragic scene Will now appear—but in the fearless bands Whom his command alone could sway, and whom His spirit fired, you may his shadow see, Until the bashful Muse shall dare to bring Himself before you in a living form; For power it was that bore his heart astray His Camp, alone, elucidates his crime.
Sergeant-Major | of a regiment of Recruit. Trumpeter | Terzky's carabineers. Citizen. Artilleryman, Peasant. Sharpshooters. Peasant Boy. Mounted Yagers, of Holk's corps. Capuchin. Dragoons, of Butler's regiment. Regimental Schoolmaster. Arquebusiers, of Tiefenbach's regiment. Sutler-Woman. Cuirassier, of a Walloon regiment. Servant Girl. Cuirassier, of a Lombard regiment. Soldiers' Boys. Croats. Musicians. Hulans. (SCENE.—The Camp before Pilsen, in Bohemia.)
The above—Sergeant-Major, Trumpeter, Hulan. TRUMPETER. What would the boor? Out, rascal, away! PEASANT. Some victuals and drink, worthy masters, I pray, For not a warm morsel we've tasted to day. TRUMPETER. Ay, guzzle and guttle—'tis always the way. HULAN (with a glass). Not broken your fast! there—drink, ye hound! He leads the peasant to the tent—the others come forward. SERGEANT (to the Trumpeter). Think ye they've done it without good ground? Is it likely they double our pay to-day, Merely that we may be jolly and gay? TRUMPETER. Why, the duchess arrives to-day, we know, And her daughter too— SERGEANT. Tush! that's mere show— 'Tis the troops collected from other lands Who here at Pilsen have joined our bands— We must do the best we can t' allure 'em, With plentiful rations, and thus secure 'em. Where such abundant fare they find, A closer league with us to bind. TRUMPETER. Yes!—there's something in the wind. SERGEANT. The generals and commanders too— TRUMPETER. A rather ominous sight, 'tis true. SERGEANT. Who're met together so thickly here— TRUMPETER. Have plenty of work on their hands, that's clear. SERGEANT. The whispering and sending to and fro— TRUMPETER. Ay! Ay! SERGEANT. The big-wig from Vienna, I trow, Who since yesterday's seen to prowl about In his golden chain of office there— Something's at the bottom of this, I'll swear. TRUMPETER. A bloodhound is he beyond a doubt, By whom the duke's to be hunted out. SERGEANT. Mark ye well, man!—they doubt us now, And they fear the duke's mysterious brow; He hath clomb too high for them, and fain Would they beat him down from his perch again. TRUMPETER. But we will hold him still on high— That all would think as you and I! SERGEANT. Our regiment, and the other four Which Terzky leads—the bravest corps Throughout the camp, are the General's own, And have been trained to the trade by himself alone The officers hold their command of him, And are all his own, or for life or limb.