Tales and Novels Volume I Part 56

ELEONORA, _a Swedish Lady, beloved by Count Helmaar_. CHRISTINA, _Sister to Helmaar_. ULRICA, _an old Housekeeper_. CATHERINE, _Wife to Christiern_.

KATE _and_ ULRIC, _the Son and Daughter of Catherine--they are six and seven years old_.

_Serjeant, and a Troop of Soldiers, a Train of Dancers, a Page, Peasants, &c_.

ACT I.

SCENE--_A cottage in Sweden_.--CATHERINE, _a young and handsome woman, is sitting at her spinning wheel.--A little Boy and Girl, of six and seven years of age, are seated on the ground eating their dinner_.

CATHERINE _sings, while she is spinning_.

Haste from the wars, oh, haste to me, The wife that fondly waits for thee; Long are the years, and long each day, While my loved soldier's far away. Haste from the wars, &c.

Lone ev'ry field, and lone the bow'r; Pleasant to me nor sun nor show'r: The snows are gone, the flow'rs are gay--Why is my life of life away?

Haste from the wars, &c.

_Little Girl_. When will father come home?

_Little Boy_. When will he come, mother? when? To-day? to-morrow?

_Cath_. No, not to-day, nor to-morrow, but soon, I hope, very soon; for they say the wars are over.

_Little Girl_. I am glad of that, and when father comes home, I'll give him some of my flowers.

_Little Boy (who is still eating)_. And I'll give him some of my bread and cheese, which he'll like better than flowers, if he is as hungry as I am, and that to be sure he will be, after coming such a long, long journey.

_Little Girl_. Long, long journey! how long?--how far is father off, mother?--where is he?

_Little Boy_. I know, he is in--in--in--in--in Finland? how far off, mother?

_Cath_. A great many miles, my dear; I don't know how many.

_Little Boy_. Is it not two miles to the great house, mother, where we go to sell our f.a.ggots?

_Cath_. Yes, about two miles--and now you had best set out towards the great house, and ask Mrs. Ulrica, the housekeeper, to pay you the little bill she owes you for f.a.ggots--there's good children; and when you have been paid for your f.a.ggots, you can call at the baker's, in the village, and bring home some bread for to-morrow (_patting the little boy's head_)--you that love bread and cheese so much must work hard to get it.

_Little Boy_. Yes, so I will work hard, then I shall have enough for myself and father too, when he comes. Come along--come (_to his sister_)--and, as we come home through the forest, I'll show you where we can get plenty of sticks for to-morrow, and we'll help one another.

_Little Girl sings_.

That's the best way, At work and at play, To help one another--I heard mother say--To help one another--I heard mother say--

[_The children go off, singing these words_.]

_Cath. (alone_.) Dear, good children, how happy their father will be to see them, when he comes back!--(_She begins to eat the remains of the dinner, which the children have left_.) The little rogue was so hungry, he has not left me much; but he would have left me all, if he had thought that I wanted it: he shall have a _good large bowl_ of milk for supper. It was but last night he skimmed the cream off his milk for me, because he thought I liked it. Heigho!--G.o.d knows how long they may have milk to skim--as long as I can work they shall never want; but I'm not so strong as I used to be; but then I shall get strong, and all will be well, when my husband comes back (_a drum beats at a distance_). Hark!

a drum!--some news from abroad, perhaps--nearer and nearer (_she sinks upon a chair_)--why cannot I run to see--to ask (_the drum beats louder and louder_)--fool that I am! they will be gone! they will be all gone!

(_she starts up_.)

[_Exit hastily_.]

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 pa.s.s 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 pa.s.s 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_.]

SCENE.--_An apartment in Count Helmaar's Castle.--A train of dancers.--After they have danced for some time,