From She Would Be a Soldier; Or, The Plains of Chippewa by M. M. (Mordecai Manuel) Noah

O yes, I shared in all the glory--that is--I didn't fight. I'll tell you how it was: I marched at the head of my village sogers, straight as the peacock in my farm yard, and I had some of the finest lads in our county, with rifles--well, we march'd and camp'd, and camp'd and march'd, and were as merry as grigs until we arrived at the river: half the troops had cross'd and were fighting away like young devils: ods life, what a smoke! what a popping of small arms, and roaring of big ones! and what a power of red coats! (JASPER: Well, and you panted to be at them? clubb'd your rifles, and dashed over?) Oh no, I didn't--I was afear'd that in such a crowd, nobody would see how I fought, so I didn't cross at all. Besides, some one said, it were contrary to law and the constitution, to go into the enemy's country, but if they com'd into our country, it were perfectly lawful to flog 'em. (JASPER: And you did not cross?) Oh no, I stood still and look'd on; it were contrary to the constitution of my country, and my own constitution to boot--so I took my post out of good gun shot, and felt no more fear nor you do now.

Jerry Monologue from She Would Be a Soldier; Or, The Plains of Chippewa

Rehearse Jerry's monologue