Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/227

 Beauvalle (Seats himself hurriedly at the table. Takes up a pen and begins to write. Talks to himself).—I can prevent it yet. Pilsen is yet here, baron Schirnding, and the troops of the Empress! (Calls) Magistrate! (Magistrate answers.) The couriers are to take their horse this instant, and follow up Schirnding with this message! I ask for troops! I will suppress this rebellion in its very birth!

Tomeš (To the people).—Seize the couriers, and whoever would try to break our lines, and go to Pilsen, will pay with his life for the deed! And if Baron Schirnding attempts to return here, we will, with the support of the Bavarians, welcome him with fire and blood! Forward, brothers, forward! The fall of serfdom is at hand! The sun of liberty is rising, and by our struggle we will welcome its warming rays!

People.—To battle— Forward, to battle!

( steps forward as though to hold back . The and  step toward him.)

''Forest. Cliffs in the rear. A cross, nailed to a tree, at the left of the road.''

, later, crowd of armed serfs,.

''stands on a cliff gazing into the forest toward the right. In front to the right,, rifle suspended on his arm, to the left , rifle on shoulder.'')

Tomeš (To ).—Go quickly to the guards on the edge of the forest! Let some one find out without loss of time, whether the soldiers of Schirnding are now in the castle, or whether they will come!

Vrána.—Stepánek will do that very well! If my feet were only lighter, I would go myself! (Goes to the right) I can more readily break the helmets of a few dragoons!

Jírak (To ).—We caught a number of those couriers,—and still one of them must have escaped us!