Jetter. War! War! Do ye know what ye are shouting about? That it should slip glibly from your tongue is natural enough; but what wretched work it is for us, I have not words to tell you. To be stunned the whole year round by the beating of the drum; to hear of nothing except how one troop marched here, and another there; how they came over this height, and halted near that mill; how many were left dead on this field, and how many on that; how they press forward, and how one wins, and another loses, without being able to comprehend what they are fighting about; how a town is taken, how the citizens are put to the sword, and how it fares with the poor women and innocent children. This is a grief and a trouble, and then one thinks every moment, "Here they come! It will be our turn next." Soest. Therefore every citizen must be practised in the use of arms. Jetter. Fine talking, indeed, for him who has a wife and children. And yet I would rather hear of soldiers than see them. Buyck. I might take offence at that. Jetter. It was not intended for you, countryman. When we got rid of the Spanish garrison, we breathed freely again. Soest. Faith! They pressed on you heavily enough. Jetter. Mind your own business. Soest. They came to sharp quarters with you. Jetter. Hold your tongue. Soest. They drove him out of kitchen, cellar, chamber--and bed. (They laugh.) Jetter. You are a blockhead. Buyck. Peace, sirs! Must the soldier cry peace? Since you will not hear anything about us, let us have a toast of your own--a citizen's toast. Jetter. We're all ready for that! Safety and peace! Soest. Order and freedom! Buyck. Bravo! That will content us all. (They ring their glasses together, and joyously repeat the words, but in such a manner that each utters a different sound, and it becomes a kind of chant. The old man listens, and at length joins in.) All. Safety and peace! Order and freedom! SCENE II.---Palace of the Regent Margaret of Parma (in a hunting dress). Courtiers, Pages, Servants Regent. Put off the hunt, I shall not ride to-day. Bid Machiavel attend me. [Exeunt all but the Regent.