Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/46

 the power, Master Secretary, to give some sort of a definite promise in regard to the same?

Hannewaldt (Trying to suppress his discomfort).—I have not the power to do so, the matter was not taken up by the king.

Rozmberk.—Then I fear that our conference will be sadly effected.

Hannewaldt.—Then Your Grace considers my offer so lightly? Not only a part of the government does the king offer you, but whichever part you may desire.

Rozmberk.—And our faith? Religious freedom?

Hannewaldt (Agitated).—Religious freedom, absolute religious freedom, to the Lutherans and the Bohemian Brethren?

Rozmberk.—That is the case, and I desire it above all things.

Hannewaldt (Decidedly).—That is impossible to grant.

Rozmberk.—And you will not even promise to ask for this of the king?

Hannewaldt.—I cannot, I cannot! I am a Catholic (to himself) and the king must not escape from our hands.

Rozmberk.—Then it will be useless to discuss the matter further.

Hannewaldt (Frightened).—And you are willing, Count, to reject everything else without further consideration?

Rozmberk.—My words are clear.

Hannewaldt (To himself).—I must yield, even in this case, I must yield. (Aloud) Well then, Mr. Rozmberk, I will sacrifice all that it is possible to offer. I will advise His Majesty to proclaim religious freedom, and will use my influence to bring this measure about.

Rozmberk (Decidedly, with a laugh).—And now you must excuse me, Master Secretary, if I no longer ask for any further sacrifice at your hands. You have declared yourself so plainly that I could not possibly consider what you say.

Hannewaldt (Quickly).—I will give you a guarantee, an absolute guarantee.

Rozmberk.—And that is?

Hannewaldt.—This letter (pointing to the smaller of the two which he took from the one envelope), a letter written in the name of King Rudolf by Cardinal Dietrich through which he binds himself to fulfill any promise that I may consider expedient to make.

Rozmberk (With a laugh).—And a similar guarantee comes to me from the other side.