Page:Bedřich Smetana, The bartered bride, Die verkaufte braut.pdf/45

 

Agnes.

 

And now you've just found the right place
For all your former pranks.

 

Hans.

 

Well can I imagine,
You'd gladly send me hence!
But if I go, 'tis not alone!
With Micha's son, his loved one goes:
Marie, forever mine!

 

Agnes.

 

'Twil never do, for 'tis deceit!

 

Hans.

 

Deceit, no! only treachery;
What's written down is written!
Here is the choice of Wenzel or of me!

(to Marie.)

Make up your mind, I pray, and speak:
Which one of us do you love?

 

Marie.

 

I've made my mind up long ago!

(Rushes into Han's arms.)

Yes, I am yours, I am yours forever!

 

Kezal.

 

Who'd ever have thought that of him?
My blood is up with madness!
By influence, by weight and strength,
That rascal there has gotten me
To fall into his snare!

 

Micha (scornful, to Kezal).

 

O, you surprise me! Yes, you really
Did that very cleverly!

 

Agnes.

 

The very able business-man
They all will laugh at him!

 

Marie, Hans, Kathinka, and Kruschina.

 

O, you surprise us! Yes, you really
Did that very cleverly!

 

Chorus.

 

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! He'll be taughed at.

Kezal runs madly away.

 

LAST SCENE.

 

(Loud noise behind the stage. Boys run across the stage. A boy shouts: "Save yourselves, the bear's gotten loose!" Another: "He's running just in this direction.)

 

Wenzel and Former.

 

Wenzel (dressed as a bear).

 

Don't be afraid! I'm no brown bear,
I'm only We-We-Wenzel!

 

Agnes (enraged).

 

You dunce, what have you done? O shame!
Get out, you fool, from here! For they
Will laugh and make fun of us!

 

(She drags Wenzel away.)

 

Kruschina.

 

Godfather Micha, you can well imagine
Why the poor child was refused. Yes,
I like Hans better, too!

 

(kindly.)

 

'Tis your own blood,
You are the father!

 

Kathinka.

 

Yes, God has granted you his grace,
That you should get him now,
In your place gladly would I
Have taken him back again!

 

Micha.

 

Now, for all I care!
You have my father's blessing.

 

(He blesses the pair kneeling before him.)

 

All and Chorus.

 

That is right, we all rejoice!
Join with us in joyous song!
Let it ring both far and wide:
May long live the "Bartered Bride!"

 

End.