The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iv Part 66

KOTTWITZ. A pious gentleman for one so young!

A deed, believe me, that begins with prayer Must end in glory, victory, and fame.

THE PRINCE. Oh, by the way, I wanted to inquire--

[_He draws the_ COUNT _forward a step._]

Harry, what was it Dorfling said last night In his directions, that applied to me?

HOHENZOLL. You were distraught. I saw that well enough.

THE PRINCE. Distraught--divided! I scarce know what ailed me.

Dictation always sets my wits awry.

HOHENZOLL. Not much for you this time, as luck would have it.

Hennings and Truchsz, who lead the infantry, Are designated to attack the foe, And you are ordered here to halt and stay, Ready for instant action with the horse, Until an order summon you to charge.

THE PRINCE (_after a pause, dreamily_).

A curious thing!

HOHENZOLLERN. To what do you refer?

[_He looks at him. A cannon-shot is heard._]

KOTTWITZ. Ho, gentlemen! Ho, sirs! To horse, to horse!

That shot is Hennings', and the fight is on!

[_They all ascend a slight elevation._]

THE PRINCE. Who is it? What?

HOHENZOLLERN. It's Colonel Hennings, Arthur, He's stolen his way about to Wrangel's rear.

Come, you can watch the entire field from here.

GOLZ (_on the hillock_).

At the Rhyn there, how terribly he uncoils!

THE PRINCE (_shading his eyes with his hand_).

Is Hennings over there on our right wing?

1ST OFFICER. Indeed, Your Highness.

THE PRINCE. What the devil then Why, yesterday he held our army's right.

[_Cannonade in the distance._]

KOTTWITZ. Thunder and lightning! Wrangel's cutting loose At Hennings' now, from twelve loud throats of fire.

1ST OFFICER. I call those _some_ redoubts the Swedes have there!

2D OFFICER. By heaven, look, they top the very spire Rising above the hamlet at their back!

[_Shots near-by._]

GOLZ. That's Truchsz!

THE PRINCE. Truchsz?

KOTTWITZ. To be sure! Of course, it's Truchsz, Approaching from the front to his support.

THE PRINCE. What's Truchsz there in the centre for, today?

[_Loud cannonading._]

GOLZ. Good heavens, look. The village is afire!

3D OFFICER. Afire, as I live!

1ST OFFICER. Afire! Afire!

The flames are darting up the steeple now!

GOLZ. Hey! How the Swedish aides fly right and left!

2D OFFICER. They're in retreat!

KOTTWITZ. Where?

1ST OFFICER. There, at their right flank!

3D OFFICER. In ma.s.ses! Sure enough! Three regiments!

The intention seems to be to brace the left.

2D OFFICER. My faith! And now the horse are ordered out To screen the right living's march!

HOHENZOLLERN (_with a laugh_). Hi! How they'll scamper When they get ware of us here in the vale!

[_Musketry fire._]

KOTTWITZ. Look, brothers, look!

2D OFFICER. Hark!

1ST OFFICER. Fire of musketry!

3D OFFICER. They're at each other now in the redoubts!

GOLZ. My G.o.d, in my born days I never heard Such thunder of artillery!

HOHENZOLLERN. Shoot! Shoot!