Page:Bedřich Smetana, The bartered bride, Die verkaufte braut.pdf/21

 

Wenzel. (moved).

 

A-a-are you weeping?

 

Marie.

 

Alas, I feel sorry for her!

 

Wenzel (hesitating).

 

But I must do it,
Duty binds me.

 

Marie (reproachful).

 

I've ne'er yet seen so cruel a man!
She's growing thin sorrowing for you.
And you let her go weeping.

 

Wenzel (puzzled).

 

Who tells me what to do?

(timidly.)

But, if she were like you,
Then…

(decidedly)

Never mind!

 

Marie (coquettishly).

 

Like I? Would you want her so?

 

Wenzel.

 

Yes, yes, just so.

 

Marie.

 

Does my love gladden you?

 

Wenzel.

 

Yes, it gladdens me.

 

Marie (sincerely).

 

True will I be unto the grave
To him whom I've deep in my heart!

(determinately.)

List' to what I have to say:
You swear
That you have now decided
To renounce Marie,
Now and for aye!

 

Wenzel (suspiciously).

 

O-o-only no swearing!
Th-that's going too far!

 

Marie (apparently grieved).

 

You refuse? Well, let it go!
Your love is really petty.
May you never repent,
For spending your days
Joyfully with Marie!

 

(She pretends that she is going.)

 

Wenzel (leading her back).

 

Ha-ha-halt! I swear!

 

Marie (pronouncing the oath).

 

"What happens, and what happened,"

 

Wenzel (stuttering).

 

Ha-happens and ha-happened. . .

 

Marie.

 

"Never more will I approach her,"

 

Wenzel.

 

Mo-more a-a-approach her. . .

 

Marie.

 

"And for me she does not exist!"

 

Wenzel.

 

She. . . she. . . she not e-e-exist.

 

Marie.

 

I know a fine sweetheart for you,
Whom many a man desires,
A pretty girl, here in this place,
Who long looks up to you.

 

Wenzel.

 

Is it really true? Do I understand you?
You ha-ha-have moved my heart.

 

(He wants to embrace her. She gets away and runs from him, Wenzel following her.)