Page:Bedřich Smetana, The bartered bride, Die verkaufte braut.pdf/15

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THE BARTERED BRIDE.

13

Marie.

He has chosen me for a wife!

Kezal.

Let the poor fool go!

Marie.

Heart and hand belong to him.

Kezal.

That was but proud play and prattle!
What for do I have sense?
'Tis for that I'm so well known!
And he'll always reach his goal,
Who has found the right path to it.

Marie, Kruschina and Kathinka.

Yes, he'll always reach the goal
Who has found the right path to it.

Marie.

With Hans am I united, for to-day
We've sworn fidelity eternal to each other!

Kruschina (with great energy).

What? Without advice and consent?
I, as father, say no!

To Kathinka, immediately excusing himself.

And yet
Have I given Micha my word,
To give her to his son.

Kathinka.

O, how very stupid of you,
To have promised him that!

Kezal (pulls out a paper).

Yes, in black and white!
Here it is all, signed clearly,
By both parties and the witnesses.

Marie.

But I was not present!

(knocks the paper out of his hand.)

And, therefore,
It's worthless! I said what I meant,
And so will it remain!

(She goes out.)

Kezal.

That had I but
Least expected.

Kruschina.

It was a great mistake on your part
To have come alone! Why did you not
Bring Wenzel with you? He could have
At least presented himself to his bride.

Kezal.

That's true! But he was not to be budged.
He is timid and dejected, quite unused
To associate with women.

Kruschina.

Then nothing will come out of it.

Kezal.

Listen
To what I will advise you:
It would be best
If you were now to talk it over
With Father Micha
In the inn there younder!
There no one will disturb you,
For all go to the dance.
I meanwhile will talk with Hans,
I'll get around him!

(They go away in different directions.)

SCENE V.

(The country folk gather in front of the inn, the older ones seat themselves around the tables and drink; the younger prepare to dance.)

Chorus.

Through the rows
To fly,
Two by two
To cling!
Heart upon heart
Beat!
While jesting,
We are carried off!
Gladsomely,
Loud and softly,
Shall you give
New life!
If things were as we would have them,
The whole world would dance with us!
Violin and clarionet,
Shriek, vying with each other
This mad life is fun indeed
Even for the old bassoon.

end of act i.