KING.
General!
FIRST GENERAL.
Your Majesty.
KING. How comes it there is such a lack of discipline in your division? Disband THAT regiment at once, and draft a few of the men from the right wing into other regiments ordered for immediate service! The sooner THEY are shot the better!
FIRST GENERAL.
Yes, sire. [Exit.
KING. Generals—most of you have served the greater part of your lives with me. We have grown gray-headed in the service of our country, and we therefore know best ourselves the dangers, difficulties, and glory in which we have shared. While we maintain the discipline of the army, we may defy any power that Europe can march against us—relax that, and we become an easy prey to the spoiler.
SECOND GENERAL.
Your majesty shall have no cause of complain in the future.
KING. Make sure of that!—Soldiers, I rely in my operations entirely upon your well-known zeal in my service, and I shall acknowledge it with gratitude as long as I live; but at the same time I require of you that you look upon it as your most sacred duty to show kindness and mercy to all prisoners that the fortunes of war may throw in your power.
SECOND GENERAL.
That duty, sire, you have taught us all our lives.
KING (taking snuff.)
Good!—Have any of my grenadiers anything to say to me before the parade is dismissed?
HAROLD (recovering arms.)
Your Majesty!