Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/406

 All the soldiers.—No one.

Vonka.—Anyone who would desert his homeland?

(Answer.) No one.

Vonka.—Our country is in danger and almost lost—dependent for defense on others who have forsaken her—is there a Czech here who would surrender it without a struggle to the Germans? (Again, jointly.) No one!

Vonka.—Swear faith to her!

Soldiers.—Swear!

Vonka.—Swear that you will keep her for the sake of our children!

Soldiers.—Swear!

Vonka.— —that in her great hour of need you will not forsake her!

Soldiers.—Swear!

Vonka.—Join hands on our oath!

(Excepting who stands aside, they all join hands and ormform [sic] an irregular chain.  is lying on the ground.)

Vonka.—Beloved mother country of ours! In your moment of sorrow we who have sworn faith to thee will defend thee to the last drop of our blood—to our last breath—we are mindful all of the pledge that we made in our national songs—our hymn (Irregularly, monotonously they do not sing but speak the Bohemian National hymn):

“O Homeland mine. O Homeland, mine

Streams are rushing through thy meadows

’Mid thy rocks sigh fragrant pine groves

Orchards decked in Spring’s array

Scenes of Paradise portray

And this land of wondrous beauty

Is the Czechland Homeland mine

Is the Czechland Homeland mine.

Vonka.—Now we are sworn into a bond—(They loosen their hold. now turns to  who is in the background.Leave us—you’d better go now—

Petrova (Going over to him).—Let me bless you before I go, for your mother’s sake. (She makes a cross on his forehead.)

Vonka.—The Lord will repay you, mother.

Kloc (Very quietly now).—And for mine too.