Page:Poet Lore, volume 26, 1915.djvu/347



''The pond beyond the village, surrounded by alders, willows and bushes. The moon shines on the water. Later the moon sets and the day begins to dawn.''

Bětuška (At the right, concealed under a tree, sits singing).—

Václav (Steps out from left side with gun in hand, listening to the song attentively).—It is she, Bětuška! She also, unfortunate one, cannot sleep tonight and is easing her sorrow with song.

Bětuška.—

Václav (hidden).—

Bětuška.—I am not here alone; someone is singing with me, and I could divine without guessing the identity of the unhappy singer. Václav! ( steps forth.) I didn’t expect that you’d be here, I would not have come here.

Václav (Bitterly).—I can believe that.

Bětuška.—There is shouting and tumult in the village. In a twinkling they will probably tell you that they are marching against the castle. The women are lamenting, the children like chicks are cowering together, trembling, not knowing why, and weeping.