Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/48

 Runa.—Would that I might wield the lightning! But I am hanging to thee and I shall hold thee firmly, thou shalt see! O, stab with the dagger if thou wilt: what matters it to me if thou killest me, if I can but hold thee till they catch thee in the net, thou wolf, wolf, wolf! (Holds him desperately.)

Radúz (Struggling with her, holding her by the arms).—By God himself I swear that I will kill thee! Thou thyself dost desire it: then suffer—(Raising the dagger.)

Mahulena (Restraining his arm).—Radúz, no! That I will not allow Have pity on me! (Taking the dagger frmfrom [sic] him.)

Runa (Holding him).—Help! My faithful followers, help! Here I hold a murderer, a murderer! O why do you delay! Where are you?

Radúz.—Her voice resounds powerfully: ah, they will hear her far away, and I cannot wrench my arm from her Give me the dagger, Mahulena, we are lost!

Mahulena.—Radúz, I should die! O, mother, let us pass! Have pity!

Radúz.—Thou pleadest vainly Struggle only will save me—(Struggles with .)

Runa (Struggling)—Thou wilt not overcome me! Help, my faithful followers! Whence dost thou get thy strength? From thy despair? Cursed slaves, why do you delay? Who comes first shall have this crown as a reward! (Tears the diadem from her head with one hand; her hair falls in disorder.)

Radúz (Grasping her by the hair).—Now I have thee in my power—

Runa.—Whence dost thou get thy strength? Coward! Help! Help! O, curses on them! O, they have gone astray in the forest!

Radúz (Clasping her around the waist and dragging her to a tree)—Here thou mayst await thy faithful followers, but we shall find safety in flight (Defending himself, he binds her by the hair to a stout branch which she cannot reach). Thy hair is long, thanks to fate.

Runa.—Curses upon thee, curses! Still no one here! Why did I not choke him and her! Why is it not possible for me to tear this hair?

Radúz. —Now, Mahulena, quickly!

Runa.—Stay, Mahulena, hear yet a word! I am thy mother