Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/216

 DjemDejm [sic] (With wonder).—My insincerity? Do you mean that I am not sincere in what I say,—I, Count Dejm?

Tomeš.—You are concealing something from me!

Dejm.—I do not understand. I told you everything.

Tomeš.—Yes, enough,—(With emphasis) but you did not tell me who is to have the greatest reward from the struggle. You did not tell me what advantage will be gained by the nobles who drive us into this, the authorities above us who want to equip us for this conflict,—

Dejm (Laughing, and guessing what is in the mind of ).—Aj, faithless son of the village! The Counts and nobles will only gain such advantage as will be acquired by all the people and shared by all the states of the empire.

Tomeš (Noticing the ; unbelievingly).—And still they would rush into it?

Dejm (With fire).—Our country is in danger, our country which is theirs as much as yours. They would make it independent, elevate, beautify the land.

Tomeš.—And that is why they turn to us, because they would have us serve as volunteers?

Dejm.—How could it be otherwise? Do you want the country to belong exclusively to us, the official class, you, tens of thousands of you who have been born here, who live here, who will be buried here? Have you not the same right to the land, and the same duties as we?

Tomeš (Denying his words with a wave of his hand. With anger).—Yes, Count, we have the same right, the same privileges as you; that is, we ought to have them. I know it; I have felt in my blood. Ours the country is, it has been. And when we recognize the fact that it is really in danger, we will gladly give our lives in its defense if necessary.

Dejm.—Well, then how is one to interpret your words? What is holding you back?

TomesTomeš [sic].—We can not, we do not believe in the aristocracy! ( stirs uneasily) When have we recognized friendship, good fellowship toward us among them? When have we ever heard from them, such words as I now listen to from you, Count?

Dejm.—There was no opportunity, no occasion for it.

Tomeš.—But there was. Were there not a thousand other occasions as important as the present? And so long you held us off at a distance, and kept us out of your confidence. That Count