Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/248

 Tomeš.—Count you are now evidently agains me  do you wish to decide my penalty?

Beauvalle (Terribly excited).—I am your lord and your judge. It is my duty as your master to sentence you, and I shall not swerve from my duty! I truly did, Count Dejm, listen to your counsel for a time

Dejm.—You are mad! Who is charging you?

Beauvalle (Confused).—You, Tomeš all these present  But I have again recovered my senses and only this one here, (pointing to ) remained in open rebellion! I then have the right, the power it is a duty I must fulfil to sentence him as a rebel, the murderer of Schirnding, a traitor to the ruling power, and finally as a poacher, who long ago deserved the death which is now awaiting him.

Tomeš (Is silent for a while, then calmly and intelligently to ).—Am I suddenly guilty of so many crimes, Count? (With rising anger) Well then, exercise your ill-gotten power, and sentence me to death to save yourself!

(Below in the court is heard an uproar, screams and the sound of a struggle between the soldiers and the people.)

Beauvalle (Greatly aroused).—I hereby sentence you,—yes, to death itself I sentence you!

(At this instant, bursts into the room, a dagger in her hand, and overhears the last words of . Behind her are a number of serfs, the soldiers rushing in behind them. All arise. A growing uproar and clamor under the window.)

, magistrate, park keeper,, and three other servants.

Lída.—You shall not sentence him,—I am here now!

Beauvalle.—Lída!

All.—What an uproar!

Lída (To ).—I gave him up to you,—but not unto death, and I must now take him back again!

Beauvalle.—You are mad!

Lída.—You picked him out, called him from his cottage to go to Prague to fight in your place.

Beauvalle (Wildly).—Hold her