Scene IV
The above. An Artilleryman.
ARTILLERYMAN (to the Sergeant).
How is this I pray, brother carabineer?
Shall we longer stay here, our fingers warming,
While the foe in the field around is swarming?
SERGEANT.
Art thou, indeed, in such hasty fret?
Why the roads, as I think, are scarce passable yet.
ARTILLERYMAN.
For me they are not—I’m snug enough here—
But a courier’s come, our wits to waken
With the precious news that Ratisbon’s taken.
TRUMPETER.
Ha! then we soon shall have work in hand.
SERGEANT.
Indeed! to protect the Bavarian’s land,
Who hates the duke, as we understand,
We won’t put ourselves in a violent sweat.
ARTILLERYMAN.
Heyday!—you’ll find you’re a wiseacre yet.