Ludvig Holberg: Military modesty and candor
Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
Ludvig Holberg
From Diderich the Terrible (1724)
Translated by Henry Alexander
JEW. Who are you?
HENRIK. I’m Christopher Battering-ram.
JEW. Christopher Battering-ram! That’s a strange name.
HENRIK. That name’s a proud one. Open up!
JEW. A little patience, sir.
HENRIK. What d’you mean, patience? I’m an officer.
JEW. And I’m a resident here.