Maidens, why call me “student”
Why be so very imprudent?
To love you, maids, I do not dare,
To study is my one sole care.
Bozena.—What kind of song is that, pray?
Malina.—That’s Aleš’s[1] favorite, don’t you know it? (Sings on.)
You’ll pine for me, my little lass,
When in Putim church I’m saying mass.
The very first will be for you
’Tis really all that I can do!
Šimr.—And now we’ll start the side of bacon! (Stands up and draws out his pocket knife.) Wait a minute (Takes the the decorative plate fron the wall.)
(Vaniček whistles and plays a sentimental waltz.)
Paroubek (Shouts out).—Miss Foy! (Runs to the wall where hang all sorts of costumes.)
Šimr (Laughing).—Behold, what agility has entered Paroubek!
Paroubek (Standing close to the wall, quickly arrays himself in various pieces of Slovák costume. He wraps a piece of cloth about his head, etc. Then he runs to center of studio).—The Spiral dance, please! Play, Vána! (Turns and bends in the manner of serpentine dancers.)
(Vaniček whistles the waltz anew.)
Šimr (Carrying the plate to the little table says to Paroubek.—Look out, you’ll run into something—! (Places the meat on the plate and slices it.)
(Vaniček whistles on.)
(Paroubek dances grotesquely.)
(The models laugh boisterously.)
Šimr (Who has in the meantime sliced the meat and is counting those present).—One, two, three, four, five—and I am six. One piece for each one. Come! (Reaches into the dish.) I’ll take two.
Paroubek (Stops).—I’ll fix you! (Runs after him.)
- ↑ Mkolás Ales, 1852–1913—A painter of great renown among Slavs, illustrated practically all the rich and common Slavic folk songs and poems, also produced many historical pictures.
