Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/398

 Vonka.—I?

Havlin.—Yes. You, you. You can’t fool me—you are getting even. For what, because you were afraid like all the others, afraid of the Prussians you ran away! And for that we all have to be sacrificed so that you will not have to hide your shame. ( approaches him but is speechless—There is a moment of absolute quiet and just then from the road the noise of horsemen and quickly passing cannon is audible.)

Kloc.—Prussians

Kovar.—These are ours. It’s Rosenzweig’s men.

Havlin (All are silent now. The noise behind the scene is increasing. The excitement has subsided for the moment—but it is about to break loose. The start is made by who runs to the gate, breaks it open, shouts.) Treason! Over here! Deserters! To the church-yard here. They want to desert the army. Arrest them and shoot them. (Just then.)

Soukup (Springs at him; shuts the gate and throws down).—Treacherous dog!

Havlin (Under him).—Help.

Soukup.—I’ll choke you, traitor.

Havlin.—Let go.

Kloc.—Holy Virgin Mary!

Vichodil.—Brothers! Brothers! (He hurries to them and is parting them.) Don’t scuffle—Two Czechs—let them go—we Czechs will stand together.

Soukup.—He is a traitor. ( utters some sounds. Now the noise of the approaching batteries is growing.)

Vonka (Pale, trembling, in an attitude of defiance).—Away! All of you! Away with everyone of you, this moment! I order it!—In ten days the whole country will belong to the Prussians—but I won’t have a single one of you here. Cowards—you fight each other before the battle—but you have forfeited our country, you fools. Oh, poor country of ours, such are your defenders—with such, you are to resist the invading Prussians—away with all of you—not a single one of you will I suffer at my side. I won’t unite with blockheads and I’ll die for my country unaided, alone!

(He finished and all the soldiers stand as though spell-bound—only remains prostrate. Now ’s battery has reached the church-yard and the noise, creaking and motion has reached its culmination. Those in the church-yard remain motionless. It is night. The clear moonlight with impudent stare brightens