Page:Poet Lore, volume 26, 1915.djvu/348

 Václav.—And you,—Bětuška?

Bětuška.—And I—I’ve been wandering from place to place all night. Here I sat down and sang just as I feel in my heart.

Václav.—You are orphaned, dear friend, indeed orphaned because you do not wish to find what is seeking you and you wander longing for something which, not wanting you, eludes you, like will o’ the wisps in the meadows.

Bětuška.—Only that I know that they are will o’ the wisps. And yet I follow after them.

Václav.—And if someone wished to lead you to freedom from your straying path, still you would not extend your hand to him.

Bětuška.—Yes, yes,—I do not even know myself anywhere, and I sometimes think that I have been harshly treated by some one. But it is useless to speak of it. Will you, too, march against the castle?

Václav.—Yes.

Bětuška.—If you should shoot, be careful not to aim at your brother.

Václav.—Good advice! He’s the one you’re worrying about! Let him aim at me a hundred times! Such an extremely good girl!

Bětuška.—Aren’t you afraid of God when you think of me that way?

Václav.—Well, don’t worry, don’t worry—someone else will finish his song for him if he wants to fight for the nobles. Only, woe to father if Jeroným should disappoint him, if he should stay in the castle.

Kyral (Behind the scenes).—Václav! Václav!

Bětuška.—They are looking for you! (She wishes to depart.)

Václav.—Well, just stay a while.

Bětuška.—No one must see me alone in the field with a youth. There would be talk. God protect you. (Offers her hand to him and then departs.)

Kyral (Close to the scenes).—Václav! Václav!

Václav.—Here I am!

Kyral (With two peasants who after a careful survey go in opposite directions).—We are looking for you. Didn’t you see your father?

Václav.—Where would I see him? He is in the village, is he not?

Kyral.—No. He talked somewhere with your brother who