Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/224

 Schirnding (Overcome with astonishment).—Traitors to the country and to the Empress!

Tomeš.—Traitors are those who refuse to recognize our king! Colonel, (stepping toward him) you are ours!

Schirnding (Overcome).—Are you all bereft of reason, or am I the victim of a plot?

Beauvalle (Angrily to the ).—I dare not relent!

Countess.—Leave him alone! He has made his decision!

Beauvalle (To ).—Wait! What are you doing?

Schirnding.—Count Beauvalle, where am I? What madness is this?

( hurries toward .)

Beauvalle (To the people).—Retreat! (To ) Not a hand must be raised! (To ) Forgive the people. They know not,—what they are now doing,—

Countess (Advancing from to ).—We accepted you as a guest, and as such we must protect you. But do not delay, colonel, longer here. We ourselves do not know how long we can keep our pledge to protect you.

Schirnding.—Then it is true,—you and the Count here,—you are both on the side of the Bavarian intruder! (Threateningly). In Pilsen are the troops of the Empress, and from Pilsen we can make a rapid march here!

Tomeš.—And if it seems necessary, we will appear in Pilsen itself!

Schirnding (To ).—Stay with us, I advise you! The daughter of Charles is going to conquer. You will not only lose your castle and estates but your very life!

Tomeš.—You had better leave now, Colonel, if you expect us to consider the pledge given you by the Countess! I am now leading these people; if it seems best, my command will be obeyed!

Schirnding.—I can easily protect myself and rid the count of you! (Draws his sword, the screams,  wrenches the sword away and aims his rifle at .)

Tomeš.—And who can now save your life!

Countess (With stern voice.—I can still! (To .) Go, go now! I can no longer assure you protection!

Schirnding (Frightened).—I go, noble countess, and express first my gratitude for your gracious protection! But those days which are coming upon you and your castle, Beauvalle, those evil days I cannot ward off! (Disappears. People follow after him.)