The Sun Over Breda

Commander of Catholic Forces in Flanders

Sinon, Ulysses, and the Trojan HorseWon the day in Troy with treachery,Whereas in Ostend, leading your troops,It was your sword that crushed the enemy.

As your squads approached their wallsFrisia and Breda foresaw their destiny;Facing your might, the heretic gave way Hisbanners struck, his pennon a mockery.

You subjected the PalatinateTo benefit the Spanish monarchy,Your ideals countering their heresy.

In Flanders, we badly missed your gallantry,E’en more in Italy…and now this eulogyAmid sorrow we dare not contemplate.

THE CABALLERO OF THE YELLOW DOUBLET

To Íñigo Balboa, in his later years

’Pon my oath, no difference can I find’Twixt the young Basque known for his diligenceAnd the hidalgo once a Flanders soldier:That lad gave good account of his existence.

Hearing tales about your dashing swordsman,The orb, envisioning that experience,The flashing blade, the valiant adventure,With military tears bemoans his absence.

His valor was your fortune and your glory,And wonder at the days you lived with himWill be the one reaction to your story.

Because of you, thwarting oblivion,His memory will not be lost through time:Diego de Alatriste, Capitán!

DEFENSE OF THE GARRISON AT TERHEYDEN:

AN EXCERPT FROM ACT III OF THE FAMOUS PLAY

THE SIEGE OF BREDA

by Don Pedro Calderón de la Barca

D. FADRIQUE BAZÁN:Oh, if only Henry would marchThis way, engage the SpanishIn this place, a happy dayIt would be for our intentions!

D. VINCENTE PIMENTEL:We are not so fortunate, señor,As to be granted such a blessing.

ALONSO LADRÓN, CAPTAIN:I would venture that he will joinWith those fat flinflones, the German guard,With whom he is comfortably allied.We are told that when they hear our“Santiago! Close in for Spain!”Even though they know the nameAnd know he is our patron saintAnd one apostle of the twelve,They believe we call the devil,And that without discriminationWe summon devils as well as saints,And that all come to our aid.

D. FRANCISCO DE MEDINA:If Henry leads his troops alongThe Antwerp road, the ItaliansWill be waiting to engage him.

The bugle sounds “To Arms”

D. FADRIQUE:It seems that they are readyingFor battle.

ALONSO:God’s bones!It will be these same ItaliansWho glory in the occasionWhile we Spanish will be watchingWithout a fight!

D. FADRIQUE:Say not so!Allow Colonel de la DagaTo choose for you a numberOf the loyal men of SpainThat in the furor of the battleThey may show what swordplay is!

DON GONZALO FERNÁNDEZ DE CÓRDOBA:They would disobey?

DON FADRIQUE:Not at all!This is a place and time in whichThe man who does not draw his bladeWill cease to call himself a man,And less, a Spaniard.

D. GONZALO:ObedienceIs in war what most confinesAnd makes a prison for a soldier:More praise and more renown are wonBy one who docilely enduresThan by fervor in the fray.

D. FADRIQUE:But were the greater glory notObedience, what prisons wouldThere be that could contain us?

ALONSO:Withal, these Flemish caballerosShould not draw my ire, forIf the tercios be broken,I shall have to fight today.Though I be hanged tomorrow.

Drum rolls

D. VICENTE:Either way is an offense!

Drum rolls

D. FADRIQUE:How fine the voices of the drumsAnd trumpets sound accompanyingThe stirring cadence of the cannon!

D. FRANCISCO DE MEDINA:By heaven, the enemy has fought throughThe Walloons’ last defense!

Drum rolls

D. FADRIQUE:And now draw nigh the Italian lines!

ALONSO:Oh, those accursed flinflones.When our friends combat that foeTheir squads will not prevail.

D. GONZALO:Look, there, see de la Daga…

ALONSO:Aside(Slanderously, Jiñalasoga)

D. GONZALO:See how proudly he succumbsAlong with his brave Spaniards,Resisting to the very end.

Drum rolls

DON FADRIQUE:I am so schooled and practiced inThe matter of obedienceThat when I hear that first command,My blade lies quiet in its sheath!They say the man who stands in placeRather than fight, is the one whoBetter fulfills his obligations!

D. VICENTE:The garrison now lies in ruins.Do you not hear the voices?By God, I now believe thatHe will enter the town tonight!

ALONSO:How mean you?

D. FADRIQUE:The town?Obedience will forgive me,He must not enter.