Page:Poet Lore, volume 26, 1915.djvu/326

 burn and strike down unceasingly. ( approaches.)

Voices.—Down with the nobles! Down with the nobles!

Other Voices.—Výrava! Výrava!

Kyral.—Did the Earl consent? Will they read the edict?

Výrava.—He did not consent at once—but— —

Dvořák.—God has decided! Our Saviour calls you and me to battle.

Výrava.—I say, listen!

Řehák.—Don’t listen!

Other Voices.—Silence! Listen!

Výrava.—The Earl does not want to have the decree read at once but he promises— —

Řehák and Voices. (Mockingly).—Promises! Promises!

Výrava.—that he will do nothing that is not right, and in a week he will allow the decree to be examined.

Kyral.—After Karmín has falsified it!

Dvořák.—To arms. The voice of God calls to battle. Who will risk his life and property for the freedom to which our Emperor calls us, to which our God leads us?

All the People (Except, who surprised, has advanced to the front).—All! All of us!

Dvořák (Noticing that has not answered).—And you Výrava?

Výrava.—I shall not take part in a bloody insurrection.

Králíček.—Hear! Hear! Výrava is not with us!

Výrava.—Don’t throw yourself, without considering, into an abyss!

Králíček.—If Výrava will not go, it will be hard for the rest of us to go.

Řehák and Voices (Singly).—Let’s think it over! It’s worth consideration!

Other Voices.—Don’t mind him! Let’s go ahead!

Kyral.—He has a son at the Earl’s. He wants to be a little noble himself.

Výrava.—Kyral! I am a farmer just like you and the rest of