Výrava.—He is still at his post, he still has not departed. Undoubtedly he was watched by someone. (Looks around carefully in all directions.) And yet, no one is to be seen anywhere! Jeroným!
Jeroným.—For God! My father!
Výrava.—Jeroným!
Jeroným.—Who is it?
Výrava (Still hiding).—Don’t you recognize me?
Jeroným (Coldly, in a muffled voice).—Is that you, Father?
Výrava.—Yes, I. Why didn’t you come?
Jeroným.—I could not.
Výrava.—But now you surely can come? New troops have arrived and all urge immediate attack upon the castle. Your brother Václav who stands at the stream on guard saw a rider go galloping towards Ples. In the other directions the soldiers who brought the Emperor’s edict rode away. They, to be sure, will not voluntarily harm our revolt for they know that we are in the right and that the Emperor wishes to abolish feudalism. But the nobility might set the army against us by some lie and so we must hasten. Jump down, it is not high.
Jeroným. (Decisively).—I cannot, I will not go!
Výrava (Shocked).—Jeroným! If I understand your voice, it sounds defiant. You don’t wish to come to me?
Jeroným.—Let happen what will, I do not wish to go, I can not!
Výrava.—Horrors of hell—do I rave or do I understand well? Jeroným!
Jeroným.—All is in vain, I will remain at the castle. I will betray no one.
Výrava.—No one, no one—only your father who has placed all his hopes upon you! Wretched boy, have your portion!
(Shoots at Jeroným. Jeroným falls, which Výrava sees and then hurries away. Tumult in the castle.)
Cries (In the castle).—Shooting! The peasants! Sound the alarm! Alarm!
Earl (Steps out on balcony with sword in hand, behind him the servants).—Jeroným! Killed!
Jeroným (Rising).—Only wounded, your Grace.
Earl.—And who shot at you?
Jeroným.—My father! (Sinks again.)
(The curtain falls.)
