Page:Poet Lore, volume 26, 1915.djvu/301

 Christine.—No.

Sylvia.—Let us go away.

Christine.—Stay. There is no one here. It would hurt him if he thought you’d run away when you saw him.

Sylvia.—Here he is.

( approaches. Seeing the countesses, he stops and greets them respectfully.)

Christine (To Sylvia).—He is taken aback! (To ) Ah, good youth, why are you frightened by us?

Jeroným.—I fear that I’ve disturbed the peace of the ladies.

Christine.—Not at all. It won’t be quiet here for very long anyway. The celebration of our harvest festival—

Jeroným. Will soon assemble here the people of the villages, yes, of the whole noble domain.

Christine.—Will you also attend the festivities?

Jeroným.—I must go into the forest for three hours. A little later I will arrive.

Christine.—Will you remain here?

Jeroným.—I have an order, gracious Countess, from the chief forester.

Christine.—And I am giving you another. I’ll arrange it with the chief forester. All of us, the earl, our good host, all the noblemen, and especially we, the countess Sylvia and I, will be at the harvest festival. You also will be there.

Jeroným.—I will be most heartily glad to come if only I receive permission.

Christine.—Certainly, certainly, I myself give it and Sylvia also. The head forester must obey us. We shall all attend the harvest-home and we’ll be very merry. We shall dance with the youths from the village and with you, Master Jeroným.

Jeroným.—You will give great joy to the subjects of the estate by observing that old time custom.

Sylvia.—I am not dancing this year.

Christine.—Well, then, I’ll have it announced that I am dancing not only for myself but for the Countess Sylvia also. But why don’t you want to be merry today?