Beef. Courage without power[[281]] is like a consumptive running footman.
Cas. Courage without power is a contradiction.[[282]] Ten brave men might set all Quedlinburgh at defiance.
Beef. Ten brave men—but where are they to be found?
Cas. I will tell you—marked you the waiter?
Beef. The waiter?
[doubtingly.
Cas. [in a confidential tone]. No waiter, but a Knight Templar. Returning from the Crusade, he found his Order dissolved, and his person proscribed. He dissembled his rank, and embraced the profession of a waiter. I have made sure of him already. There are, besides, an Austrian, and a Prussian grenadier. I have made them abjure their national enmity, and they have sworn to fight henceforth in the cause of freedom. These with young Pottingen, the waiter, and ourselves, make seven—the Troubadour, with his two attendant minstrels, will complete the ten.
Beef. Now then for the execution.
[With enthusiasm.
Pudd. Yes, my boys—for the execution.