Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/43

 sibility upon her, let her confer with Rozmberk about this affair of yours.

Hannewaldt.—Impossible. She knows nothing about it. I only took her along to conceal the real purpose of my trip.

Bilent.—She need not do much. Just let her know what is happening, so she will try to win the favor of Rudolf (quickly)—and use it to your advantage.

Hannewaldt (Gazing awhile at .)—She will never lend herself to that!

Bilent.—Then you must give up your project.

Hannewaldt (Agitated).—I am compelled to win him. And, were I to accept your advice, who will guarantee me that I can win Rudolf?

Bilent.—I and the passion of Rozmberk. He is carried away with your niece.

Hannewaldt.—I will just try promises that touch upon his ambition.

Bilent.—He will reject them. Kinsky has already made them, and Rozmberk is far closer to Matthias than he is to Rudolf.

Hannewaldt.—There is no reason for it.

Bilent.—There is. Matthias has for a long time been in favor of religious freedom, especially of the order of Bohemian Brethren to which Rozmberk belongs, and the teachings of Luther which the German princes adopted. Rudolf will make concessions to none other than the Catholic faith. If you fail to win Rozmberk with the bait I have mentioned, then all your negotiations will be in vain.

Hannewaldt.—I cannot make a sacrifice of Polyxena,—she is my niece!

Bilent.—Then you must make a sacrifice of yourself.

Hannewaldt.—That must not happen. (To himself, quickly.) If I fail in the mission which the king and Dietrich have imposed upon me, it will mean the end of me and all my plans. Anything that I may ask will be mine, if I can but gain Rozmberk,—and should I fail in this mission, I am ruined!—(Aloud) Bilent, if all my other offers are made in vain, I will place Polyxena in his hands!

Ctibor (Entering quickly).—The master will be here instantly! Ihave stirred him up. I fought my way into his privacy. I dis-