Earl.—What word?
Výrava.—That, happen what may, justice will be done to the people.
Earl.—I promise.
Výrava (Rejoicing).—I trust I may arrange it all. (Goes to the people.)
Earl.—I quiver with horror at the thought—“If Výrava does not manage to make them tractable.”
Karmín.—Don’t fear, your Grace. Výrava is the ram after which all the sheep follow. Just so that we win today. The farmers’ hot heads will cool off over night. Tomorrow they will go into the forests to serve and we will gain the sum by which we can reduce the debt which was much increased by your last visit to Vienna.
Earl.—Are you sure of it?
Karmín.—I know the peasant class pretty well.
Earl.—But what if they don’t obey Výrava?
Karmín.—Then nothing remains but to quell it all by force.
Earl.—I would rather yield to them completely just so that we avoid an insurrection.
Karmín.—To yield to them now would signify to submit to them forever and inspire them to a bloody rebellion. There have been several here in this Hradec district. But let us go away and let Výrava act in the meantime.
Scene IV
Výrava, Dvořák, Kyral, Králíček, Matouš, People.
From all sides opposite the castle.
Kyral.—And how does the Earl intend to do us justice?
Králíček.—What did he promise?
Dvořák.—Will they read us the edict?
Výrava.—He gave his word that he would do the right thing by us. He promised nothing definite.
Řehák and Others.—Aha! There you have it! Deceit! Trickery! And then they’ll laugh at us!
Výrava.—But I am convinced that the Earl’s word— —
Řehák and Voices.—The Director’s!
Kyral.—Those are words for the wind—and a mere ruse! If the Earl means well by us, let him read the edict to us.
