The Deserter: Why was your father, old scamp that he was, made king instead of me?
If I had had education I should have been as good a king.
What is the reason that some have more than others?
Why is it that some have all they want, as much as they wish to drink and eat, and that others have nothing at all?
Perhaps you think I can live on bricks, eh?
I am a married man and I had children dependent on me, yet I had to work in the fields. I was not made for that sort of labor, I have my certificate.
And these rascal landlords leave you nothing at all.
And they took me away to the war! What has their war to do with me?
Does one murder women when they are with child?
Why have they taken me? Why are my children both of them lying dead?