buy some cattle here, and bring them at once to headquarters. How many
head can you let me have, and at what price, to be paid in cash at once?
_Nicolaas._ We will see. (_To Maria._) Is Michiel back yet?
_Maria._ He is only just gone out.
_Nicolaas._ Then you will have to do the errand. Run at once to Peter
Slof and Cornelis de Ruyter, and ask them to come here at once. I want
to see them about a cattle contract. Well, what are you dawdling for?
_Maria._ Because—because——[_Looks at the lancers._] I’m so glad! [_Runs
out._]
_Nicolaas_ (_offering wine_). Come, just one glass!
_Edeling._ If you insist. (_Suspiciously._) Are you not going to drink
too, Burgomaster? (_Drinks._) What’s to pay?
_Nicolaas._ Who’s talking about payment? Haven’t I even a glass of wine
to spare for our brave defenders?
_Edeling._ Well, but you’re an innkeeper. Take these two guilders and
put them in your pocket, for it’s against orders for us to get anything
on credit.
_Nicolaas._ And I say I won’t have the money. I can be obstinate enough,
too, when I once begin. Take it, and give it to the Government as a
voluntary subscription on my part. You don’t trust me, Lieutenant, and
that grieves me to the heart. I see I shall have to put on my Sunday
coat; perhaps that will give you more confidence. [_Fetches a coat, with
a medal on it, and puts it on. The lancers salute._] Now, do I look like
a man who would betray you? I won that at Waterloo.
_Edeling._ Forgive me for suspecting you; but so many of your class,
especially on the frontier, have turned out traitors, that suspicion has
become a disagreeable duty. What is the general feeling in this village?
_Nicolaas._ Not what it ought to be. I fear that, if the rebels were to
arrive, there are those, here and there, who would join them. It seems
as though people were struck with blindness; they want change at any
price. They have let themselves be persuaded that they will have no
taxes to pay under the Brabant Government. That’s the worst of the
people here; they are stupid, they don’t reason.
_Edeling._ They don’t know any better, I suppose. Do you think your
friends will be here soon?
_Nicolaas._ Presently, I hope. Your honour seems to be in a hurry. Is it
far to headquarters?
_Edeling._ A couple of hours. We are to march again at daybreak
to-morrow. I am sorry we are not going farther, for I fear we shall not
meet any of the enemy. I would willingly have paid them a visit.
_Nicolaas._ You are very eager for fighting.
_Edeling._ Particularly so; for, besides my wish to do my duty by my
king and country, I have a private account to settle with the gentlemen
from the south. They are keeping my bride a prisoner.
_Nicolaas._ Your bride! I thought women, at least, would have been
respected.
_Edeling._ Her father is a well-known soldier; when the first
disturbances broke out in the place where he was in command, he gave
orders to fire on the rebels. They never forgave him, and when he had
the misfortune to fall into their hands they kept him in prison—his
daughter refusing to leave him.
_Enter_ MARIA.
_Maria._ Here come Peter Slof and Cornelis de Ruyter.
_Nicolaas._ Very good! Shall we go to meet them, and look at their
beasts together?
_Edeling._ Willingly. Thank you for doing the errand (_to Maria_.), and
here is something to remember the Lieutenant by. [_Gives her money, and
exit with Nicolaas._]
_Maria_ (_alone_). A guilder! Well, I’ll keep that as a remembrance. A
nice man that lieutenant! One can see he comes from Holland. But who are
these strangers coming in so timidly?
_Enter_ VAN WERVE _and_ CLARA.
_Van Werve._ Can we get a night’s lodging here?
_Maria._ Please don’t take it ill of me, I must ask first where your
honour comes from? We can’t take any one in for the night without first
knowing who it is we are sheltering.
_Van Werve._ I will answer your question to the Burgomaster. Where does
he live? and can I speak to him?
_Maria._ He lives here. The Burgomaster and the landlord are the same
person. The master will be home directly.
_Clara._ Will you please tell us what province we are in?
_Maria._ In North Brabant, Mejuffrouw.
_Clara._ Thank Heaven! then you are safe, father!
_Maria._ Safe! Then you are refugees?
_Van Werve._ Clara!
_Clara._ I was imprudent, father—forgive me. But I could not control my
joy at finding myself once more in our own country, after all that we
have gone through.
_Van Werve._ I am not yet sure that we are safe here.
_Clara._ If we had anything to fear here, I feel sure, from this girl’s
honest face, that she would not betray us.
_Maria._ I betray you! I’d sooner die a thousand times over. But come
and sit down—you seem tired.
_Clara._ It is true, we have been walking for a long time, and I begin
to feel it.
_Van Werve._ My dear child, what a difficult and anxious journey you
have exposed yourself to, to save your father. (_To Maria._) Yes, my
good girl, I have been in prison,—my daughter has succeeded in saving
me, and it is to her courage and devotion I owe it that we have been
able to pass the enemy’s outposts and reach this village.
_Maria._ It’s lucky you just happened to come to-day. A few Dutch
soldiers arrived not long ago, who will be quite ready to escort you to
a safe place, if you prefer not to stay here any longer.
_Van Werve._ My comrades! Oh, where are they? Take me to them.
_Maria._ I will call them,—or—wait—I think I hear them coming.
_Enter_ EDELING.
_Maria._ What, alone, Lieutenant? Where are the rest?
_Edeling._ They have gone on with the oxen. I found I had left my cloak
here. But whom do I see?
_Van Werve._ The voice seems familiar.
_Clara_ (_hastens to him_). Edeling!
_Edeling._ Clara!—Mijnheer van Werve!...
_Van Werve._ So you’ve enlisted, Edeling? Well done, my boy! That is
what I should have expected of a true-born Dutchman like yourself!
_Edeling._ Your words remind me that I am no longer my own master. I am
expected every minute at the camp.
_Clara._ Cannot we go with you?
_Edeling._ I have only my horse; but perhaps there is a conveyance of
some sort to be had in the village.
_Maria._ Oh! three if you like. I will go at once to order one.
_Van Werve._ Stop a moment, girl. I—alas!—I have no money to pay for a
conveyance.
_Edeling._ Here is my purse—but I really must go.
_Van Werve_ (_putting back the purse_). I must not accept it. I can
never return it. I possess nothing now.
_Edeling._ Nothing?
_Van Werve._ Not a cent. The little ready money we had with us we have
been obliged to spend on the road; and this morning I had the
misfortune, to leave behind——
_Edeling._ Well?
_Van Werve._ My portmanteau, with my whole fortune in it, at the village
where we stopped for the night.
_Maria._ Well, portmanteau or no portmanteau, you will have to drive,
and I’m going to fetch the carriage.
[_Exit._
_Van Werve._ It was no carelessness on our part; the pursuers were at
our heels—we had no time to save anything but ourselves.
_Edeling._ And isn’t it enough for me to see you safe, sir, you and my
Clara? Is not everything I have yours? Take my purse. As soon as you can
get a vehicle, follow me as quickly as you can, for I must not delay one
moment longer.
_Enter_ MARIA, _hastily_.
_Maria._ Save yourselves, for Heaven’s sake! save yourselves! they’re
coming!
_Omnes._ Who? What? [_A noise outside._]
_Maria._ The brigands! Don’t you hear them? They’re shouting, “_Vive de
liberteyt!_”
_Edeling_ (_draws his pistols_). The first who dares——
_Maria_ (_seizes him by the arm_). Are you mad? What is the good of your
pistols against a whole band? Quick! out at the back door. (_To Van
Werve and Clara._) And you—into this room! I’ll come back to you in a
minute.
_Edeling._ But if——
_Maria_ (_pushes him out at a side door_). No buts! make haste!
[_Exit Edeling._
_Van Werve._ Can’t we follow him?
_Maria._ Certainly not. He is a young fellow, and can take care of
himself. Three of you would arouse suspicion, and perhaps lead to
mischief if he tried to defend you. Just come in here. [_Opens the door
of a room on one side._]
_Clara._ We leave our fate in your hands.
[_Exeunt Van Werve and Clara._
_Enter_ MICHIEL, _bringing with him a number of Belgian volunteers,
among whom Captain D’Eglantiers, Lieutenant Taelinck, Sergeant
Pluckx, Corporal Nestiers, and Private Passereau. They speak the
broad Flemish or South Netherlands dialect, largely interspersed
with French words. On entering, all of them, including Michiel,
sing, to the air of “La Dame Blanche”_—
Victory! Victory!
The enemy’s away!
Who conquers through sheer bravery
But Old Brabant and liberty?
Victory! Victory!
Glory and loot to-day!
_Maria._ Well, they do look like lunatics; and there’s that villain of a
Michiel with them.
_D’Eglantiers_ (_wiping his sword_). The victory is ours, comrades! Our
courage has repulsed the enemy, and maintained the glory of our name.
Lieutenant Taelinck, see that none of the Hollanders escape who are
hidden away here, do you hear?
_Taelinck._ I have seen to that, Captain. All the exits are well
guarded.
_Maria_ (_aside_). The poor quarter-master! how will he escape?
_Michiel._ What will the gentlemen please to take? Everything in the
house is at your service.
_Maria._ Just listen to the contemptible rascal?
_D’Eglantiers_ (_to Michiel_). You’re a fine fellow! Just let the lass
fetch a litre of wine from the cellar.
_Michiel._ Do you hear? Fetch wine for the gentlemen.
_Maria_ (_treading on his toes as she goes out_). You villainous
traitor!
_D’Eglantiers_ (_to Michiel_). Do you live in the house?
_Michiel._ I live here, Captain. (_Aside._) I need not tell him in what
capacity.
_D’Eglantiers._ You are a brave _citoyen_! Without you, we should never
have found the way to this village so soon. I think I might make you
Burgomaster.
_Michiel._ Indeed you couldn’t do better, Captain. I will at once give
orders to have the Brabant flag hoisted.
[_He is about to leave the room._]
_D’Eglantiers._ There’s no need of that. It’s _obscur_ out of doors, and
one can’t very well distinguish the colours. But I’ll tell you what to
do. Go at once and fetch the notables of the village, and tell them to
come here to-morrow with the first _lumière_ to hold a meeting of the
council. Corporal Nestiers, go along with the Burgomaster, and whoever
does not come with you at once, _de bonne volonté_, you must bring him
by force; for liberty must triumph.
_Michiel_ (_aside_). Michiel, Burgomaster!
_D’Eglantiers_ (_sits down_). I shall make my headquarters here
provisionally. Let’s see—what has to be done now?...
_Enter_ MARIA, _bringing wine_. _All sit down and drink._
_D’Eglantiers._ Ahem!—reports ... but who is to write them? Lieutenant
Taelinck, can you write?
_Taelinck._ No, Captain.
_D’Eglantiers._ Why are you a lieutenant then?
_Taelinck._ But you can’t do it either, Captain—or read, for that
matter.
_D’Eglantiers._ Silence! I’m a captain to give orders, not to write.
Sergeant Pluckx, can you write?
_Pluckx._ Not I—but there’s Private Passereau, he knows how.
_Passereau._ Plaît-il?
_D’Eglantiers._ I’m asking if you can write.
_Passereau._ _Verdikke!_[28] eh?
_D’Eglantiers._ If you can write—don’t you understand?
_Passereau._ _Je n’entends pas—verdikke!_
_Pluckx._ _Verdikke_ is the only word of Flemish that Passereau knows.
_D’Eglantiers._ So he can’t write Flemish. (_To Maria._) Can you write,
my girl?
_Maria._ At your service, Captain.
_D’Eglantiers._ That’s curious! Sit down here, then, and write as I
dictate.
_Maria_ (_sits down at the table—aside_). What an idea!... Yes, I think
it will do!
_D’Eglantiers._ Write: Report....
_Enter_ NICOLAAS, NESTIERS, _and two others_.
_Nestiers._ Captain, here is a fellow who has been rebelling against us.
_D’Eglantiers._ Well—what has he been doing?
_Nestiers._ He forcibly resisted our entrance into an _écurie_ in which
there was a lancer’s horse standing.
_D’Eglantiers._ And where was the lancer who sat on the horse?
_Nestiers._ He is nowhere to be found.
_D’Eglantiers._ Well—just look through the whole village till you find
him.
[_Exeunt Nestiers and others._
_D’Eglantiers_ (_to Nicolaas_). Who are you?
_Nicolaas._ I am the Burgomaster.
_D’Eglantiers._ The ex-burgomaster! I have put another burgomaster in
your place—do you understand? But if you will make your _soumission_ to
the Committee, then, perhaps....
_Nicolaas._ Never!
_D’Eglantiers._ What!—do you know that I can have you _fusillé_?
_Nicolaas._ So you may, if you like!
_D’Eglantiers._ What do you say? Stop where you are—I shall have a word
to speak with you presently—do you understand? (_To Maria._) Write!
_Nicolaas._ What! Maria, are you giving this scoundrel any help?
_Maria._ Why not? The gentleman was in such trouble because he could not
find any one able to write.
_D’Eglantiers._ Where did I leave off dictating?
(_Sings_) Write with care—or you’ll regret!
_Maria._ Captain, not a word I’ve written—
You have told me nothing yet!
_D’Eglantiers._ Write: Our army, fear-compelling,
Took six hamlets in a day.
_Nicolaas._ Since they saw no en’my—surely
No great wonder anyway.
_D’Eglantiers._ Of the foe full seven hundred
Fell before our conquering force!
_Nicolaas._ Numbers which, if rightly sifted,
Come to just one lancer’s horse!
_D’Eglantiers._ Out of all my valiant heroes
Only one has fall’n—the which—
_Nicolaas._ As I’ve just had information,
Fell dead drunk into a ditch.
_D’Eglantiers._ Good!—you now may cease your labours!
So!—a neat despatch you see,
Accurate and interesting,
As they always ought to be.
_Nicolaas._ Such as all despatches be!
_D’Eglantiers._ Well—now let us just look at it. H’m that’s written very
cleverly. Now for the proclamation. Another sheet of paper! Write:
Proclamation! Have you written that sentence?
_Maria._ Yes—what next?
_D’Eglantiers._ We, Captain d’Eglantiers and Lieutenant Taelinck,—to all
who are about to read these presents—salutation!
_Maria_ (_writing_). To all who are _able_ to read these presents....
_D’Eglantiers._ _About_ to read, I said! Fellow-citizens! we are
bringing you _la liberté_. We have risked our life-blood to procure it
for you: we also hope that you will show yourselves _reconnaissants._...
Hey! now what do you say to such a sentence as that? That’s what I call
eloquence!
_Maria._ Undoubtedly! That is very neatly said, Captain.
_D’Eglantiers._ I see you’re a girl of taste and intelligence. Go on—and
that you are to give us ... give us ... everything that is necessary.
Well, that’s short and to the point, isn’t it?
_Maria._ A very fine style, and any one can understand what is meant at
the very first reading.
_D’Eglantiers_ (_gratified_). Can’t they just?
_Maria._ Now you’re going to sign both papers, aren’t you, Captain?
_D’Eglantiers._ Yes; I’ll put a little cross to them—that’s my mark.
Lieutenant Taelinck, are you going to sign them too?
_Taelinck_ (_half asleep_). Yes, yes. [_They sign._]
_D’Eglantiers._ Now the report must be enclosed in an envelope, and sent
to the General, and the proclamation will be posted up to-morrow.
[_Maria hastily hides the signed paper in her dress, and folds
another, which she hands to D’Eglantiers._]
_Maria._ Here you are, Captain. (_Aside._) I have it all right.
_D’Eglantiers_ (_hands the paper to Private Passereau_). Get on your
horse at once, and take this paper to the General.
_Passereau._ _Verdikke! Dans la nuit_——
_D’Eglantiers._ Go at once! [_Exit Passereau._] Well, that’s finished.
Now I’ll go and get an hour or two’s sleep. You’ll call me, my good
girl, when the council is assembled, won’t you?
_Maria._ Yes; and in the meantime I will go and post up the
proclamation.
_D’Eglantiers_ (_takes it hastily from her, and puts it into his
pocket_). No; I must first read it out, or have it read, to the council.
Now, where is my bedroom?
[_He is about to go into Van Werve’s room._]
_Maria_ (_quickly_). No, not there. The left-hand door, sir.
[_Points to a door on the opposite side._]
_Nicolaas_ (_aside_). I don’t understand it. Why does she want to put
that fellow into my bedroom? (_Aloud._) Maria, are you mad! the other
room is——
_Maria_ (_interrupting him quickly_). Just suited to a prisoner.
_D’Eglantiers_ (_pointing to Nicolaas_). Then he must be put in there.
_Nicolaas._ But——
_Maria_ (_quickly, aside to Nicolaas_). Leave it to me!
_D’Eglantiers._ Good-night! (_Turning to the Volunteers._) If Nestiers
comes with the portmanteau, tell him to bring it into my room. Do you
hear?
[_Nicolaas goes into the room in which Van Werve and Clara are
hidden, while Maria takes a candle and shows D’Eglantiers into
the left-hand bedroom._]
_Taelinck_ (_crouching over the fire_). B-rrr! it’s famously cold!
_Pluckx._ I believe you! The Government really ought to provide us with
better clothing.
_Taelinck._ That’s just the beauty of liberty, that every one has to
look out for himself.
_Pluckx._ And that’s just what I mean to do, so soon as that girl comes
back.
_Edeling_ (_appears in the doorway and looks in_). These fellows are
everywhere! I am caught in a trap.
_Pluckx._ But just tell us now, Lieutenant, who is supposed to be
governing us at the present moment? for every day I hear of a fresh
sovereign, who has been recommended to us.
_Taelinck._ Who is governing us? Why, Liberty!
_Pluckx._ I shan’t be sorry to see some change, then; for I haven’t yet
seen the colour of Liberty’s money. I think the lass must be very hard
up.
_Enter_ MARIA.
_Maria_ (_aside_). Is this rabble going to stay here all right?
_Pluckx._ I say, my girl, look here. Have you got a blanket or rug you
could let me have?
_Maria._ What for?
_Pluckx._ You’ll soon see that—_comprenez_?
_Maria._ I have; if you will be sure to give it back.
_Pluckx._ Oh! you shall have it back soon.
_Maria_ (_takes a blanket out of a chest_). Here is one; but you shall
not have it, unless you give me your tunic as a pledge that you will
return it.
_Pluckx._ Come, none of that chatter!
_Maria._ Gently, gently! You have seen that the Captain lets me write
his proclamations for him. Nothing would be easier than for me to put in
a word against you, if you don’t behave yourselves.
_Taelinck._ The girl is right, Pluckx.
_Pluckx._ Well, here’s my _sarrau_, then! It’s not a bad exchange. [_He
gives his tunic to Maria, and cuts three slits in the blanket._]
_Maria._ What’s that for?
_Pluckx._ A new-fashioned overcoat for the winter. [_Puts his head and
arms through the slits. All laugh except Maria._]
_Maria._ Well, as you’ve spoilt my blanket for me, you shall not have
your tunic back either.
_Enter_ NESTIERS.
_Nestiers._ Come, men, here are your billets; and here (_laying it on
the floor_) is the Captain’s portmanteau.
_Pluckx._ You mean the portmanteau that the Captain looted this morning.
_Maria and Edeling_ (_aside_). Is it possible?
_Taelinck._ Well, be quick and give out your billets. I’m going to stay
here. I suppose there’s a second bed in the Captain’s room?
_Maria._ Surely.
_Taelinck._ _Allons donc!_ Right-about march! Place a sentry outside the
front door, and see that no one goes in or out without permission from
the Captain or me.
[_Goes into D’Eglantiers’ room with the portmanteau. The others
retire. Enter_ EDELING, _to whom Maria hands Passereau’s tunic,
in which he escapes_.]
ACT II.
_Middle of night._ D’EGLANTIERS _alone with the portmanteau under his
arm and a candlestick in his hand_.
_D’Eglantiers._ I see they’ve brought me the portmanteau. Let’s seize
the golden moment, while old Taelinck lies snoring like an ox, to
inspect the contents a bit. [_Breaks the lock, and rummages through the
portmanteau, taking out a necktie or some similar article, which he puts
on._] What do I see? This seems to be a handsome capture! And I’ll be
hanged if these are not Government bonds! _Ma foi!_ Now I’m a rich man,
and can let the service slide with an easy mind! I shall lose nothing by
resigning—no one ever got his pay out of a Provisional Government!
However, we must keep a sharp look-out, and not let any of my comrades
find out what has been in here! All honest fellows, no doubt, but
suffering from the same complaint as myself! Where shall I hide the
packets? The portmanteau won’t lock now; and, besides, several of them
have seen it already.
[_Remains standings with the bonds in his hands. Enter_ MARIA.]
_Maria._ Up already, Captain?
_D’Eglantiers_ (_starts, and tries to hide the papers_). What,—what is
it?
_Maria_ (_aside_). That’s the portmanteau in question. (_Aloud._)
Nothing, Captain; I came to see if you wanted anything.
_D’Eglantiers._ Nothing! or,—wait! (_Looking at her attentively.
Aside._) The girl seems trustworthy ... otherwise ... yes, I suppose
that will be best!
_Maria_ (_aside_). What is he considering with himself?
_D’Eglantiers._ My good girl, I have here some of the army reports;
could you tell me of a safe place, where no one comes poking and prying
round, and where I can _cacher_ them in safety till my departure?
_Maria_ (_aside_). He’s running into the trap of his own accord. (_To
D’Eglantiers, pointing to the cupboard._) Shall I hide them in here,
under the house linen? But in that case you must give your men orders
not to go about plundering my cupboards.
_D’Eglantiers._ I’ll promise you that, but just open it.
[_Maria opens the cupboard; D’Eglantiers hides the bonds inside
it._]
_Maria._ I think, Captain, that packet must contain something more than
reports and general orders!
_D’Eglantiers._ No, it really does not, by——
_Maria._ Well, I’ll believe you; so you need not swear about it. But it
looked to me rather like bonds. [_Locks the cupboard, and is about to
put the key in her pocket, but D’Eglantiers prevents her._]
_D’Eglantiers._ Stop! I keep that key, do you hear?
_Maria._ Do you, sir? they’re bonds! Otherwise you would not be so much
afraid of losing them!
_D’Eglantiers._ Yes, if that were true——
_Maria._ Then you wouldn’t be captain of a volunteer company, would you?
_D’Eglantiers._ No, certainly not!
_Maria._ No, if you were only rich, you’d already be a Member of
Congress,—perhaps even of the Provisional Government....
_D’Eglantiers._ Yes; I do really think, if I were richer——
_Maria._ Not a doubt about it! A man of your talents and your eloquence
would certainly have reached a high rank at Brussels, but for the want
of means.
_D’Eglantiers._ You’re flattering me; but, after all, think of the
numbers of conceited fools that have been elected to Congress! They do
nothing but talk and mismanage matters.
_Maria._ I really think that you ought to be there, sir. It’s quite a
mistake your not going! Brussels is the only place fit for you.
_D’Eglantiers._ I tell you once more, you’re a flatterer; but I promise
you one thing,—as soon as I’ve hoisted the Brabant flag on the church
tower of this village, I’ll go to Brussels and ask for my discharge.
_Maria_ (_aside_). A pleasant journey to you,—so long as the bonds
remain here!
_Enter_ TAELINCK.
_Taelinck._ You’re up early, Captain?
_D’Eglantiers._ Yes, yes, good-morning! (_Looking sideways at the
portmanteau._) May the devil——
_Taelinck._ It seems to me you’ve been looking out for yourself already.
Was the portmanteau quite empty like that?
_D’Eglantiers_ (_somewhat embarrassed_). Well, there wasn’t much in it.
_Taelinck._ You’re not a man of your word, Captain! You promised that we
should share and share alike, whatever was in it.
_D’Eglantiers._ When there is nothing, there’s nothing to share; do you
hear?
_Taelinck._ You might at least have waited to open it till I was there.
_D’Eglantiers._ Lieutenant, you’re becoming insolent; you’re forgetting
discipline!
_Taelinck._ I shall let the General know that you keep all the loot to
yourself.
_D’Eglantiers._ There stands the girl,—ask; let her _témoigner_ whether
there was anything in it but——
_Maria._ But eight linen shirts, which the Captain gave me to put away
in the cupboard. Shall I get them out, Captain?
_D’Eglantiers._ Yes, yes,—here’s the key! (_Aside._) That’s a little
jewel of a girl!
[_Maria opens the cupboard, and takes out a pile of shirts, which
she drops on the floor. While the two officers are busy picking
them up, she hides the bonds under her apron._]
_Maria._ There they are,—eight of them!