Výrava.—To the attack! To the attack! (The women hide themselves behind the men so that they cannot advance.)
Charvát.—Surrender! Or we’ll shoot you down like animals.
Výrava.—I will not surrender. (It is broad day.)
Mrs. Kyral (Comes running up).—They will kill us! They are burning the village! Come! Help us!
Dvořák (Leaps forward).—We’ll not get the castle! Let us set out against them. . . . If we win, the castle cannot escape us.
Kyral.—Yes, there, there (Points in the direction from which shooting and tumult is heard) we must first decide it all.
Výrava.—Then, to battle! (Hastens with all his followers towards the left while the women’s lamentations are heard. After a short skirmish at the left with the soldiers whom they force to give way, Výrava and his followers depart behind the scenes.)
Scene III
Charvát, Count Sterneck, the castle inmates, later Jeroným, then Sylvia, and soldiers in the castle.
Charvát (Calling after the insurrectionists).—Hurry, hurry! You’ll never get back whole to the castle!
Earl (Stepping down from the balcony gives his hand to Charvát).—Dear Captain, is there really enough military help near at hand?
Charvát.—Enough to tame these peasants. I have definite orders to settle things here either by mild means or by force and then to avoid further disturbance at once by announcing freedom and abolition of feudalism. We’ll try force first and then we’ll see if we can grasp the good. (To the soldiers.) Ho, fellows!
Earl.—What do you intend to do?
Charvát.—To help our soldiers. In the meantime, noble Sir, protect your castle against a sudden attack. I will return after a while. Forward! (Departs with the soldiers at the right. The Earl departs towards rear of balcony. Sterneck also leaves the balcony. Only two guards who are facing the front remain on the balcony. From the front of the castle Jeroným steps forth. His left hand is bandaged and in a black handkerchief sling. His head is uncovered.)
Jeroným.—Cursed by my own father. . . . He hastens into battle where certain destruction faces him and I am here
