Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/41

 stake there must be no delay. If isit [sic] is agreeable to you, sir, I will try to gain a hearing for you.

Hannewaldt (Quickly).—I will be grateful to you, young knight!

Bilent.—All is useless! The master is quick-tempered and you will only arouse him against yourself.

Ctibor.—I will try by peaceful measures to win him to our frame of mind.

Hannewaldt.—Do so—I must now make use of all. ( walks away.)

Bilent.—Why such haste?

Hannewaldt.—The president of the king’s council, Cardinal Dietrichstein, writes and commands me (pointing to the letter) to win Rozmberk at any price, and herewith gives me full power to do and act as I please.

Bilent.—This may favor your cause, and you may yet gain your aim.

Hannewaldt (Turning to , with emphasis).—And first of all, I must gain others. Help me to persuade Rozmberk to accept my proposition and you shall become the first alchemist in the kingdom.

Bilent (Overcome with surprise).—My word on it, Master Secretary! I am entirely yours, and I hope to be of great service to you! ( quickly approaches.)

Hannewaldt.—What news?

Ctibor.—For the present, luck is against us,—it will be necessary to give all your strength to this.

Bilent.—You have been at the master’s?

Ctibor.—Not yet. But heard reports on the way which you ought to know before we proceed any further.

Hannewaldt.—What is it?

Ctibor.—The master has invited Kinský to take a walk in the garden with him and his mistresses.

Bilent (Crushed).—Then we are lost!

Hannewaldt.—Why?

Bilent.—That signifies that the master is his. Such a favor