Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/246

 left, in the rear, are, in front near the door,. A troop of soldiers in the rear behind the door.)

Tomeš (Advancing to the table; aloud).—I do not know why I was summoned here, unless, (motioning to the table) my trial awaits me.

Jordán.—You are not mistaken in your supposition.

Tomeš (Surprised, steps back a step, then recovering himself looks at ).—And you, Count, what are you doing behind this table?

Beauvalle (Incensed, afraid that will implicate him).—Be silent! I am your lord, your judge, and you are in my hands!

TomesTomeš [sic] (Overcome with surprise).—My lord my judge? I see, Count, so you are going to condemn me as a criminal ( angry.)

Jordán.—You are to answer the questions put to you.

Tomeš.—I will gladly do so. Without any hsme I acknowledge myself the leader of the uprising people on this estate I admit that we were going to Prague to join the ranks of the new king.

Jordán.—You are not to call that enemy of the country a king again; and listen

Tomeš.—And still he was our real king, a ruler of our choice. For he wished to bring us freedom, not only here, but to all the countrymen in the land. And for that freedom which is ours and yours, Count, (gazing at ) we arose, and made a united struggle. For that long sought freedom, we armed ourselves with rifles, with cutting scythes and weapons of the fields such as we had, and for the liberty of our country gladly aroused those (gazing reproachfully at ) who hardly knew how to prepare themselves for war.

Beauvalle (Uneasily).—Whom are you trying to blame? You alone are the cause of all this trouble!

( seated on the left side of the table arises and steps behind and  to the magistrate who is writing. He seats himself beside him, looks at  and, and begins to talk earnestly.  frightened, sees that the magistrate is looking steadily at him.)

Tomeš (With self confidence).—I alone! Yes, with pride I accept your testimony, Count! With pride I acknowledge that I remained firm, true to the cause, after the fire which was cremating my vitals had once burst into a flame; true to the cause for which I, and these helpless serfs stood out as long as we were able,