Earl.—I lay all the responsibility on you, Karmín.
Karmín.—Decision alone will save us.
Sterneck.—That is my judgment also. I tell you, Earl, these peasants are flighty. One needs to draw a little of their blood.
Karmín.—In the meantime I will just have the rascal caught who is inciting them the most. (To the servants.) Go down quickly and drag that strange young fellow (Pointing out Dvořák) here. If they offer to harm you, I will order the musketeers to shoot. (Five servants hasten away. Karmín again signals the musketeers. The drum sounds.)
Řehák and Voices.—The Earl himself is here.
(Výrava, Dvořák, Kyral and Mad Martin advance to the front. Repeated beating of drum.)
Karmín.—For the last time I request you not to listen to strangers’ misleading advice but to return to unconditional obedience.
(The servants rush out and seize Dvořák. The musketeers follow but remain under the balcony with guns ready for firing.)
Dvořák.—Hellish treachery! (Knocks one servant down on ground in front of him, then throws another. Mad Martin and Kyral attack the rest.)
Mad Martin (Fiercely).—The beadles! The beadles! Just as you did to me, now I will pay you back! (Catches one servant by the throat, a short struggle. The servant jerks out a knife and stabs Mad Martin in the breast.) No —o! (Sinks and rattles hoarsely in the throat.) And again I—for good! (Dies.)
Dvořák (Wards off the servants who flee. The musketeers also depart. To Karmín).—Behold, Moabite, behold your power. (Catching sight of the dead body of Mad Martin.) Killed—murdered!
All the People.—Murdered! Murdered! We will avenge him!
Dvořák.—Výrava, will you yet disbelieve us, can you yet hesitate? As flowed the blood of this martyr so might have flowed your blood and the blood of any of you. If you do not rise up and liberate yourselves, they will lead you to the slaughter.
Výrava.—My last doubt falls from me. Just look at this poor fellow! His eye is open and is fixed on me and his lips seem to whisper to me “Thus will it be even with you! Avenge me!”
Earl.—I command you—Go away in peace.
Výrava.—Sir Earl, a murder has been committed here by your servants.
