Page:Poet Lore, volume 26, 1915.djvu/366

 (To .) Murderer! (Seizes a rifle with a bayonet from one of the soldiers and rushes upon . Two soldiers, however, leap into his path with bayonets extended and pierce his body.) Alas! (He falls.)

(Several women run away screaming.)

Václav.—Brother! (Falls weeping upon the body of the dead man.)

Charvát.—So, so—iron is cooling under the ribs.

Bětuška (Comes forward sobbing towards ).—My Jeroným! My poor Jeroným!

Sylvia (Enters hurriedly and beholds the corpse of ).—Jeroným! (She reels.)

Jeroným.—Yes, Sylvia, Countess, one of my two wishes is fulfilled God be with you!

Sylvia.—He is dying! He is dying! (She throws herself upon him and weeps. Then she kneels, places a rose from her bosom on his, rises, dries her tears and looking about proudly, says) With this rose, I give you all that dwelt in my bosom. Now more than ever I am wholly yours, during my lifetime I shall be only yours! (She departs towards the castle. looks after her in astonishment.)

Earl (To ).—And what for these men here? (Points towards the other bound captives and talks with .)

Václav.—Father dear! Oh, my brother!

Bětuška (Fervently).—Václav! (She comforts him.)

Václav (Ardently).—Bětuška!

Charvát (To the people).—Return freely to your own roofs, you are free! You have all been ransomed by the death of Výrava! (A movement among the people.)

Dvořák (Alone in the front).—And with us are liberated and redeemed through this man (Points to ) and through those who fell in the battle—all the people. Oh, rejoice to our Saviour, to God, not for our life but that he has freed us from slavery, from bondage and that he leads you like a fiery column to liberty and to his glorification!