Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/53

 I hesitate no longer.

Radúz.—No, Mahulena, no! Thou must not enter the palace like a guest whom no one has awaited! Before thee will I go and tell all that thou hast done and suffered for me; and they will come with me here to this oak for thee—my father, my mother, the whole palace and the whole city; and they will bow before thee! Like a queen, like a mighty conqueror thou shalt enter gloriously through the gates of thine own city and under the roof of thy palace! Into the home of thy husband, my Mahulena!

Mahulena.—Thou depart thou desert me here! O, stay, stay! If thou dost depart thou wilt forget me.

Radúz.—That wounds me, Mahulena! Does my love then seem to thee so weak that it could be quenched in one short hour?

Mahulena.—No, I think not that! I speak thoughtlessly; my lips merely uttered those ill-fated words, but my heart knows not of them. It was but anguish that spoke from me, under the pressure of that terrible curse, which constantly rings in mine ears. Yet there is a cloud over thee and thou thou dost not hear my excuse, and thine eyes are darker: is that perchance because thy love is fading away?

Radúz (Kissing her passionately).—Here is my answer! Is my love for thee cold?

Mahulena.—Be patient with me, Radúz. I am so frail, so timid a creature Now go; I will go with thee, and if they greet me coldly I have thy heart, and there is naught else needful for me in the wide wide, world, Radúz!

Radúz.—I will go alone, and I desire that they come here with me to welcome thee and with due pomp to conduct thee hence!

Mahulena.—Ah, why did I myself awaken alarm in thy mind! Go then, Radúz. I am weak and frail I am thine and therefore it befits me that I do as thou biddest.

Radúz.—That is cruel, Mahulena; that has the sound of a reproach!

Mahulena.—Then I recall what I have said. Thou art right in all things. Radúz, go. I am calm, behold! Go and return quickly. Here under the oak thou shalt find me. Time will pass by swiftly; I shall dream and sing and yearn too. Go, Radúz. Yet forget not the curse.

Radúz.—That eternally terrifies thee! (The sound of a trumpet is heard; prolonged notes, drawing nearer.)