Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/392

 Are you wounded? (Again no answer.)

Fools—stop that shouting.

(He goes leaving the gate open. On the Trebesau hills the cannonading is resumed. is covering the retreat of the Austrian army.  motionlessly follows the shots attentively—but says nothing—now on the road past the gateway two soldiers’ figures bob up. One of them returns presently—looks into the church-yard. It’s .)

Kovar.—They are ours—one of them might have something—( follows him in.) Have anyone of you a bit of schnapps—everything is so sticky—(No answer.) I say have you a bit of brandy—the Prussians won’t catch us any more—(Again no answer.) Can’t you answer me at all (To ) are you wounded? (To ) Not you, long-legged one, why don’t you answer.

Havlin (Sharply).—Because I have none.

Kovar.—Then why don’t you say that and well and good.

( wants to answer him but he is suffering so he just stretches his arm in a striking attitude.)

Kovar.—Hey!

Havlin.—Don’t you touch me.

Kovar.—You—!!

Vichodil (Raises himself).—Not so—No quarreling, brethren—there’s nothing to drink in here—we two just ran in here and remained—we two—and this chap is going off—I guess.

Kovar.—Why didn’t you say so at once. You remained—and why? (There is a short pause.) You’re wounded.

Vichodil.—Slightly; badly scratched.

Kovar.—Well, if it’s not much—why don’t you get away? (No answer.) (Pointing at .) What ails him?

Vichodil.—Nothing.

Kovar.—And yet he remains here—(After a while.) I can see why you two are here, that’s plain—and this fellow could run likej wildfire but you will not let him.

Vichodil.—You’re mistaken my friend—no one is keeping him here.

Kovar.—Well, countrymen now you know it I guess—Yes, we all do—(He laughs.) We were sold—sold to the russians! In Olmütz we all cried that we would drive them out with a wet rag but now—we were sold—our country—(The cannon barks—, an artillery man, listens like an expert.) Boom! that’s Rosenzweig, he's making them believe he is covering our retreat—