Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/225



, later and the people, then the magistrate.

Beauvalle.—He must not leave! (Starts after . holds him.)

Countess.—What are you thinking of?

Beauvalle.—I must speak with Schirnding!

Tomeš.—Count, do not be frightened by his threats! He has not the power to carry them out!

( and talk to  who is angrily waving them away.)

Millesimo.—I must not, I dare not stay here longer! I will go,—to Budejovic and further,—where there are no troops, no struggle, no bloodshed! I will not stay here! (Slips off unnoticed)

Tomeš (To ).—Count, be calm! We can gather together between four and five hundred people! I will equip them, and furthermore the Bavarians will arrive sooner than the troops from Pilsen can get here!

Beauvalle (Excitedly).—And who will protect me, if the Bavarians fail to arrive in time? What can you do, you country people, against the trained forces of the Empire? And to lose my title,—my estates, my very life,—Count Dejm (angrily) where is Dejm? (Enters with a letter in hand) Count Dejm, have you heard the colonel?

Dejm.—I was not present. But here is a message from Bechyn of Lazan. It came suddenly. The command must be instantly fulfilled.

Dejm.—The forces of the Empire have been greatly increased by the adherence of Hungary and Croatia. So we must send to Prague, as quickly as possible, all the people we can equip here!

Tomeš (Excitedly).—We will pull out no later than tomorrow noon! The people are armed, they only need to get ready, (goes to the window to wave to the people.)

Beauvalle.—My own people are to go away and leave me, unarmed, alone, a traitor to the Empress! It must not be! (To ) You shall not go one step,—and these people must be instantly disarmed!