they like.--It created, I say, a sort of shyness
betwixt my uncle Toby and his hobby-horse.--He had no occasion for him
from the month of March to November, which was the summer after the
articles were signed, except it was now and then to take a short ride
out, just to see that the fortifications and harbour of Dunkirk were
demolished, according to stipulation.

The French were so backwards all that summer in setting about that
affair, and Monsieur Tugghe, the deputy from the magistrates of Dunkirk,
presented so many affecting petitions to the queen,--beseeching her
majesty to cause only her thunderbolts to fall upon the martial works,
which might have incurred her displeasure,--but to spare--to spare the
mole, for the mole's sake; which, in its naked situation, could be no
more than an object of pity--and the queen (who was but a woman) being
of a pitiful disposition,--and her ministers also, they not wishing
in their hearts to have the town dismantled, for these private
reasons,...--...; so that the whole went heavily on with my uncle Toby;
insomuch, that it was not within three full months, after he and the
corporal had constructed the town, and put it in a condition to be
destroyed, that the several commandants, commissaries, deputies,
negociators, and intendants, would permit him to set about it.--Fatal
interval of inactivity!

The corporal was for beginning the demolition, by making a breach in the
ramparts, or main fortifications of the town--No,--that will never do,
corporal, said my uncle Toby, for in going that way to work with the
town, the English garrison will not be safe in it an hour; because
if the French are treacherous--They are as treacherous as devils, an'
please your honour, said the corporal--It gives me concern always when
I hear it, Trim, said my uncle Toby;--for they don't want personal
bravery; and if a breach is made in the ramparts, they may enter it, and
make themselves masters of the place when they please:--Let them enter
it, said the corporal, lifting up his pioneer's spade in both his hands,
as if he was going to lay about him with it,--let them enter, an' please
your honour, if they dare.--In cases like this, corporal, said my
uncle Toby, slipping his right hand down to the middle of his cane,
and holding it afterwards truncheon-wise with his fore-finger
extended,--'tis no part of the consideration of a commandant, what the
enemy dare,--or what they dare not do; he must act with prude