________________________________________________
_ ACT I - SCENE II
SCENE changes to a high road, leading to a village.--A party of ragged, tired soldiers, marching slowly. Serjeant ranges them.
Serj.
Keep on, my brave fellows, keep on,
we have not a great way further to go:
--keep on, my brave fellows, keep on, through yonder village.
(The drum beats.)
[Soldiers exeunt.]
Serj.
(alone.)
Poor fellows, my heart bleeds to see them! the sad remains, these, of as fine a regiment as ever handled a musket. Ah! I've seen them march quite another guess sort of way, when they marched, and I amongst them, to face the enemy--heads up--step firm--thus it was--quick time--march!
--(he marches proudly)
--My poor fellows, how they lag now
(looking after them)
--ay, ay, there they go, slower and slower; they don't like going through the village; nor I neither; for, at every village we pass through, out come the women and children, running after us, and crying, "Where's my father?--What's become of my husband?"--Stout fellow as I am, and a Serjeant too, that ought to know better, and set the others an example, I can't stand these questions.
Enter CATHERINE, breathless.
Cath.
I--I--I've overtaken him at last.
Sir--Mr. Serjeant, one word! What news from Finland?
Serj.
The best--the war's over. Peace is proclaimed.
Cath
(clasping her hands joyfully.)
Peace! happy sound!--Peace! The war's over!
--Peace!--And the regiment of Helmaar
--(The Serjeant appears impatient to get away)
--Only one word, good serjeant: when will the regiment of Helmaar be back?
Serj.
All that remain of it will be home next week.
Cath.
Next week?--But, all that remain, did you say?
--Then many have been killed?
Serj.
Many, many--too many. Some honest peasants are bringing home the knapsacks of those who have fallen in battle. 'Tis fair that what little they had should come home to their families. Now, I pray you, let me pass on.
Cath.
One word more: tell me, do you know,
in the regiment of Helmaar, one Christiern Aleftson?
Serj
(with eagerness.)
Christiern Aleftson! as brave a fellow,
and as good as ever lived, if it be the same that I knew.
Cath.
As brave a fellow, and as good as ever lived!
Oh, that's he! he is my husband--where is he? where is he?
Serj
(aside.)
She wrings my heart!
--(Aloud)
--He was--
Cath.
Was!
Serj.
He is, I hope, safe.
Cath.
You hope!
--don't look away--I must see your face: tell me all you know.
Serj.
I know nothing for certain. When the peasants come with the knapsacks, you will hear all from them. Pray you, let me follow my men; they are already at a great distance.
[Exit Serj. followed by Catherine.]
Cath.
I will not detain you an instant--only one word more--
[Exit.] _
Read next: Act 1 - Scene 3
Read previous: Act 1 - Scene 1
Table of content of Knapsack
GO TO TOP OF SCREEN
Post your review
Your review will be placed after the table of content of this book
