Page:Poet Lore, volume 36, 1925.pdf/411

 has left and I must follow the miller. (Leaves by the steps on the right.)

Klásek.—Heavens, just look at our Mama, and she is always so loving!

Zima.—I should judge, and my reason leads me to believe—(As he goes out.)

Sejtko.—That we are of no use here. (Goes out.)

Klásek (Follows them).—Heavens, Mama,—how she did look for me, and what anxiety she had for me! (Goes out.)

The stage is empty for a moment.

Ivan (Enters from the left by the steps).—That dragon is gone and they (points to the door) will surely go likewise. But this one here! (Bends over the railing.) Míchal! Míchal! (Stands back and waits a moment on the top step at the right.)

Míchal (Takes his stand cautiously and timidly on the top step at the left. In a terrified voice).—Ivan! Has that serpent gone?

Ivan.—Yes. Ah, so we have met promptly! What did I tell you! And the miller did not overpower you; it took a woman to do it! And have you heard what she is going to do to you?

Míchal.—I have.

Ivan.—I wouldn’t go near there.

Míchal.—I won’t go there again.

Ivan.—She would catch you and—

Míchal.—And I, I should—die of grief—there.

Ivan.—Stupid thing! Are you still in love? And where shall you go now?

Míchal (Painfully).—Into the world, to seek another stream. But please let me stay here today.

Ivan.—Just to spend this night—but no longer. And let there be no sighing, no whimpering! I want to have peace. (Goes out.)

Míchal (Stepping forward on the terrace, gazes ahead of him sadly; then wrings his hands yearningly toward the right). O, my sunbeam!