Page:Poet Lore, volume 26, 1915.djvu/358



On the balcony are, the , ''an armed forester in the front part of balcony, in the rear three others. Later the servant and afterwards''. (Day is beginning to dawn.)

Earl.—About how many of them are there?

Secretary.—About eight hundred.

Earl.—Eight hundred!—If the soldiers do not come in time, we are surely lost.

Karmín.—They are hesitating, they don't dare. They’re not likely to attack the castle before daylight and by that time help must surely arrive.

Earl (Contemptuously).—Must; for Karmín desires it!

Karmín.—And if they should not come that early, we nevertheless can hold the castle for a few hours.

Earl.—Yes, for a few hours its walls will stand. But the farmers will overwhelm us like a flood. (With a reproach.) If they once enter the castle, who will undertake to hold them back?

Karmín.—Your Grace (In embarrassment.)

(At the left there appears in the sky a tiny glow and then a great flaring light.)

Earl.—Not a word more. I also can die. But when I consider that your action is to blame for this whole storm (Observing the glow.) For God’s sake—a conflagration! (A distant tumult.)

Secretary.—The farmers have set fire to the court.

Earl.—Hear them!—They are either exulting around the fire, or else they have already set out against us. (Hurrying steps are heard.)

Karmín.—Listen! Who is that?

Jiřík (Runs out gasping for breath).—Your Grace, the farmers are marching against the castle! (Runs back of the castle.)

Earl (Commanding).—The signal for defense! Get weapons ready! (In the castle a number of signals are given indicated by the short notes of the forest horn.)

Cries in the castle.—Attention! Attention! To your places!