Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/239

 Tomeš.—You are mine! (Fires at who falls, wounded. The soldiers leave  alone, and kneel beside .)

Beauvalle (Who saw fire).—Tomsi!

Tomeš (To his men).—Rush to the camp! Below!

( with the serfs disappear to the right. hastens to .)

Lída (Steps out, barring the road).—You are mine and you shall not escape. (To the soldiers) Seize him!

(The soldiers rush upon struggling with him; others seize, and three serfs rush into the forest to the right.)

Beauvalle (Above the body of ).—I now declare that Tomeš must die the most violent death! (Looks at the struggling group.) Bind him!

( is overpowered, in the midst of a group of soldiers; joyfully feasts her eyes upon him)

Lída.—Taken, taken, Tomeš, you are now a prisoner, my prisoner, for I betrayed you! You shall not die, you will remain eternally bound; but Marie, she cannot, she shall not have you!

Beauvalle (Steps to the front).—No, no one shall have him now! For he is going to be hanged!

Lída (Wildly).—You lied to me! You promised me that his life would be spared!

Beauvalle.—And if I made a promise, murder, (pointing to ) knows no mercy!

Lída (In desperation).—Tomeš, Tomeš, you are going to the scaffold!

Tomeš.—Due to your treason, your villainy!

Lída.—Release him! For the mercy of heaven, let him go!

(Rushes upon the soldiers.)

Beauvalle.—Back, you lunatic!

Tomeš.—May you be cursed, eternally accursed!

Lída.—Woe, woe upon me! (Collapses upon the ground as the soldiers lead away.)

''The hunting lodge at the castle where the weapons are kept. To the right, an old fashioned table, bench, and wooden chairs; to the left a smaller table. On the left side of the lodge, a door leads into a neighboring room.''