German princes are offering him the power of Emperor. He will be announced and crowned as Emperor of our country, that subjected and fading kingdom,—it will again lead not only its sister countries but the entire German empire.
Beauvalle (To both).—And are you sure of your calculation?
Dejm.—I am certain of it.
Beauvalle (Warningly).—Have you then forgotten how the revolution ended a hundred and twenty years ago? (Dejm denying with gestures.) Have you forgotten about the nobles done to their death in Staré Město (Old Town) and the thousands of families exiled from country and home?
Dejm.—You cannot frighten me now. At that time, one great mistake undermined all that was undertaken.
Beauvalle.—What do you mean?
Dejm.—The nobility forgot that it had but little power without the support of the people,—and for that reason, it fell.
Beauvalle.—You would appeal to the people in vain. They have no soul, no courage, and no knowledge. What would you do with the hordes,—not a soul among them would dare stand out against the meanest of my serfs! How can you expect these people to risk themselves for something strange, unknown to them? (He rises; Dejm with the Countess at the same time.)
Dejm.—We are arriving at a new era. All over the country, the people are awaking, stirred to new life. They are beginning to have a clearer and truer vision, new strength is springing up among them, as the earth stirs up, feeling the first pulse of spring.
Beauvalle.—I fail to see the signs. I do not know why you have such faith in the people, or take up the cudgel in their defense so suddenly.
Dejm.—We cannot see our dream realized unless we ourselves are willing to help uplift the people; otherwise the independence of our country will never be gained. We must first lift the people out of this crushing bondage, which I believe is distasteful even to you. That is why I am drawing closer to the masses; we must look to them for strength and support.
Beauvalle.—Vain ideals, vain indeed are your dreams. Count Dejm, they regard me as a stern, rigid man, who desires only to oppress and drive them. Heaven knows, I am what I appear to be because I see only the slavish soul, the unwilling spirit. I do not believe it could change. Here are twenty villages. But in all of them there is not to be found one man of spirit, brave, courageous, and independent. They all glide away
