Radovid.—True, true! But now come quickly! I think that our border line runs in this direction. Come! . . . Why dost thou hesitate?
Radúz.—I hesitate because thy haste too much resembles flight. If the men of Tatra should find out that I had fled from here, to the end of time their posterity would sing mocking songs of me!
Radovid.—But they will never find out—
Radúz.—What? That I fled? O, most surely not, for I shall not do so. Through the consciousness of it I should ever blush for shame.
Radovid.—Thou wouldst rather surrender thyself, it may be, into the cruel hands of thine enemies?
Radúz.—But why is King Stojmír so implacable a foe of my father?
Radovid.—Because at one time they were so good friends that they were like own brothers. That hatred is always fiercest which occupies the place of former love. But now let us go!
Radúz.—Why dost thou hasten so? It is pleasant here. See how those gold-green dragon flies hover above the water . . . So at one time they were like brothers . . .
Radovid.—They went out into the world like brave heroes. There somewhere beyond the mountains stood an old castle; there they saw a maiden and both were fired with passionate love. She chose thy father. Now thou knowest all. I have spoken of thy mother.
Radúz.—That was grievous for King Stojmír. So he remained alone, alone with his hatred.
Radovid.—He did not remain alone with his hatred, for he married a wife of princely race, but evil! She never allowed him to forget. Jealous of the memory of her former rival, she continually inflamed his spite against thy father, against thy mother, against us all! Believe me, they would slay thee if thou shouldst fall into their hands: therefore come—
Radúz.—Well then—but what of that?
Vratko (Singing behind the scenes).—
There were three cherished sisters who loved each other well,
And yet like birds they flew apart in distant lands to dwell;
And one’s beyond the Danube now, and one the Vàh has crossed,
And one doth wander weeping for the lover she has lost.
