Page:Poet Lore, volume 26, 1915.djvu/327

 you all, but my head doesn’t go wild in an instant.

Kyral.—If you break away from us, await the gratitude of the nobility and be the meanest servant of the nobles’ menials.

Václav.—Father, don’t permit them to think evil of you.

Výrava.—Silence! Not another word!

Václav (Surprised).—God judge him! God judge him!

Dvořák.—God will not break his will for a single man.

(, a musketeer with a drum, three unarmed servants and five servants with arms appear on the balcony.)

Dvořák.—Don’t inquire any longer as to whether this one or that one is undecided but seize weapons yourselves and in the name of our Lord let us go into battle!

Karmín.—Seditious rascal! (Gives signal. The musketeer loudly beats the drum.) If your life is dear to you, go home in peace. In the name of the noble Earl, I prohibit all further turbulence and call you to obedience.

Dvořák.—And in the name of all the people we renounce all obedience to you and the nobility.

Karmín (To the musketeers).—Shoot!

Kyral (To ).—Protect yourself! Come here to us!

Výrava (Advances, taking a position in front of Dvořák).—Don’t shoot! Misfortune hangs in the air like a heavy cloud and the first lightning from it will be the beginning of a terrible storm!

Karmín.—Výrava! Do you want to protect these rebels?

Výrava.—I am protecting you and protecting the nobles themselves before a great misfortune. Pacify the people!

Karmín.—Whom should I pacify? With whom shall I negotiate? With this drunken rabble? (Uproar among the people.)

Výrava.—With these farming people who ask for their rights and their liberty. One drop of blood spilled will change into a cloudburst which will overwhelm you.

Karmín.—You—you—Výrava—you take their side against me and the nobility? Treacherous churl!

Výrava (Violently).—Treacherous churl! I a churl?

Kyral.—Yes, of noble favor! Now, Výrava, too, is a churl.

Karmín.—You are the churl and all those for whom you speak! I command you to leave immediately—if not, I’ll make my plea with guns.

(The people down below step back. and