Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/72

 bloodshed in the castle!

Zuzanka.—Stop the duel!

(Rozmberk disappears to the right.)

Zuzanka (Opens the window).—Stop!—All in vain,—he will arrive too late! The swords are mixing! Kinský is backing—away—Hannewaldt is pressing him—a flash and a thrust—he parries! Flashes ripple along the edge of the blade—Kinský is weakening—there is Rozmberk! All in vain, nobody hears him, they will not listen—the sword of Hannewaldt is wavering, his hand—he is wounded, wounded! Kinský is the victor!

(Lukan enters.)

Zuzanka (Looking up).—What is happening in the tower?

Lukan.—The priest has been called. It is a sad sight to see those two people. But I have come to tell the count—and I fear his temper for the executioner is not to be found. We must wait until his people discover where he is.

Zuzanka.—Do not hurry that execution. I myself will explain to His Grace why it must be delayed. And listen, Lukan. The execution will not take place in the tower, but there under that window, in the court leading toward the gardens.

Lukan.—I received no such command. I have no desire, lady, to arouse the wrath of the master against myself, and especially at this moment.

Zuzanka.—I shall be responsible for everything myself. Otherwise, this shall be the last day for Lukan at Třebon, unless my wish is fulfilled!

Lukan (to himself).—She speaks so decidedly of her power that I dare not refuse. (Aloud) I do not wish to be defiant, but the wrath of the master is terrible!

Zuzanka.—I will protect you,—do not be afraid. You will do a good deed. We must exert ourselves to save the life of that rash young man—though in reality there is but little hope left.

Lukan.—Truly, the past year here has been a strange one, just exactly,—pardon me, lady,—as it was among those accursed Turkish Pashas, whom His Grace, the master, drove before him like a drove of cattle down in Hungary. It is merry here for a month or two, all Třebon is a paradise, then as though a thunder-