Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/202



''Castle, at the right, a sloping lawn before it, decorated with flower beds, a playing fountain in their midst. A garden in the rear. Forest to the right, a conspicuous tree at its edge. Garden tools, a bench and chains under the tree.''

Tomeš (To, who holds his hand between both of her own, and gazes fearfully into the forest).—Do not be afraid. That wild boar will never trouble you again.

Lída (Excitedly).—You have killed it,—you have really shot it?

Tomeš.—It lies there cold and stiff by this time. I heard it tearing through the underbrush. I couldn’t help it,—I had to go after him. Then I heard you and your old father scream. And I jumped for my rife,—(in a whisper) I have two of them hidden in hollow logs in the wood, and I shot the boar just as he was ready to rush upon you.

Lída (Drops the hand of, and steps back into the park).—Truly, you have killed him. He rushed after me, here, to the very edge of the park.

Tomeš.—But I was greatly alarmed when I heard your scream after my shot. I thought that in my haste I had accidentally shot you instead of the beast.

Lída (Gazing at, is silent, then fixes her gaze upon the ground. She sighs deeply, then gazes at him with pained eyes).—And if your bullet had reached my heart,—yes, I would die with a smile upon my lips.

Tomeš (Laughing).—What nonsense! You would be glad if I had deprived you of your youth, your life? Lída, what are you saying?

Lída (Turns swiftly toward him).—Tomsi,—Tomsi,—(with deep feeling) from you I would welcome pain, anything,—yes, even death.

Tomeš (Looks intently at, with his right hand removes his hat, and passes the left hand over his heated forehead. Then he approaches , takes her by the hand as she draws closer to him and earnestly says to her).—Lída, my poor Lída, thrust me out of your heart and from your thoughts.