František Adolf Šubert, translated by Beatrice M. Měkota

“ Bilent.—It is an idiosyncrasy of our ruler. Unusual beauty always captivates him, then he wishes to confer favors and bestow jewels and riches upon the one that he admires.
Polyxena.—Yes, I have heard something to that effect about his generosity, but I did not expect to share it.
Bilent.—And I thought so at once. If it is your pleasure, seat yourself, and I will open this at once. (Agitated, walks over to the table to open a jewel case.) Here you see, lady, what faith the master imposes in me. In this box there are riches valued at how many hundreds, I cannot say. ”

“ Zuzanka.—I will protect you,—do not be afraid. You will do a good deed. We must exert ourselves to save the life of that rash young man—though in reality there is but little hope left.
Lukan.—Truly, the past year here has been a strange one, just exactly,—pardon me, lady,—as it was among those accursed Turkish Pashas, whom His Grace, the master, drove before him like a drove of cattle down in Hungary. It is merry here for a month or two, all Třebon is a paradise, then as though a thunderbolt had struck, a head rolls off here, another there, like so rnany ninepins. ”

“ I cannot go farther (catching hold of a chair for support) . My body is as lead, and I tremble like a quaking asp leaf! Oldřich, go for Lukan, the servants, the guards! (Oldřich disappears.) No one is here! If some one would only come to prevent his madness before the master returns! He is here!
Ctibor (Returns with an ax in hands) .—Lady, do not call any one to interfere—unless you send for Rozmberk himself, that I may fell him on the very spot where my Polyxena perished. ”

“ Ctibor.—I cannot and do not wish to accustom myself to that which goes beyond pure pleasure,—I cannot accustom myself to that life which knows nothing else but to drown oneself in pleasure and govern everything else by it!
Bilent.—You are young, very young, my dear friend. Your head is filled with dreams, and you wish to imagine that the world is what you think it is. If it is your pleasure, stay with your dreams. ”

“ He is completely in its power, and in his madness has given up his victim to be destroyed! Woe, woe unto us, what evil will he yet do today?
Lenka (Frightened but listening intently to the sounds that come from the laboratory) .—I hear wild laughter, groans,—the hissing of flame, wild unknown voices,—a hellish orgy! He has destroyed, murdered her! Now all is quiet again, and I only hear that wild, unearthly laughter! (The sound of something falling is heard from the laboratory, the flame dies down. Panic-stricken, Eliška and Lenka both flee away, screaming. Zuzanka sinks down upon a chair.) ”

“ Rozmberk (To Lukan) .—Do not delay any longer! (Lukan walks off to the right.)
Zuzanka (to herself) .—Oh, will Kinský save his life! (Hurries off to Kinský.)
Hannewaldt (Seeing Rozmberk alone) .—Grant, sir, my one request. I ask nothing more for myself. I recall everything which has been offensive to you and the mistress of the palace. Forget that I have asked you to give your support to the cause of Rudolf and deal with me, alone, as you may see fit. But one thing only promise me,—do not sign the agreement with Matthias! ”

“ Hannewaldt.—I do not understand you, my master. For what could be pleasanter than to help rule in the country after putting an end to the present turmoil?
Rozmberk.—If the king is really in earnest, he can readily establish peace. What has been and now is the chief cause of dissatisfaction in the kingdom? Just this, that His Majesty, allowing himself to be swayed by one influence at court, will not allow us religious freedom, and freedom of conscience and conviction as well. (Hannewaldt displays apparent surprise and looks ill at ease.) ”

“ Oldřich.—Kinský has gone with him.
Bilent.—Then Kinský must have stepped out from the castle; all the better—Go to the Secretary Hannewaldt and tell him,—but alone, of course,—that the master commanded me to make an announcement to him. (Oldřich goes away.) Here is need of action swifter and sharper than any taken by the smooth court eel, the Highest Game Warden. And now it is time to turn loose the golden pheasant and all its chickens. (Opens the door leading into the room of Rozmberk.) Fly, fly away, you pretty birds, lest your long captivity should cripple your wings. ”

“ Kinský.—And that is?
Rozmberk.—I am informed that the Archduke Matthias is ready to recognize freedom of religious belief not only in this kingdom, but in all other lands as well. If he wishes to gain my support for his cause, I must first be assured that this is firmly his intention. Individualism among our brothers is still frowned upon and suppressed as though it were an evil thing, and a menace to unity of belief. Yet there is not a church on earth which would shine more and favor people with purer laws. ”

“ Oldřich (Enters terrified) .—For Heaven’s sake, lady, what has gone wrong with the master?
Zuzanka.—What is it, what is happening?
Oldřich.—They are saying in the castle, that he caused the niece of Hannewaldt to be put to death in a fit of anger. He has stepped outside and the horror which is petrifying one and all of of us has turned to a wicked leer on his face.
Ctibor (Enters terribly agitated) .—Zuzanka (correcting himself) my lady,—what is this terrible report which is making the rounds of the castle?
Zuzanka (Attempting to calm him) .—People always say more than is true. ”

“ Bilent.—You fiery youth, I ought to warn the lady to keep out of your way.
Ctibor.—She need have no fear of me. I only hope for her sake and mine, that it will not become necessary for me to warn her to beware of others.
(Rozmberk on the balcony is entertaining Polyxena) .
Bilent.—Aj, aj, possibly before that one, (pointing to the balcony) who seems to be finding her so attractive? And even now you cannot accustom yourself to the life about you here, but must make a sour face while the rest of the world is laughing with delight? ”

“ Hannewaldt (Hurrying in) .—Master, I entreat you to prevent this disgrace which is to befall my niece as the result of her insane decision. Recall your permission to have this ceremony take place,—a ceremony in which the priest is to be replaced by the executioner, and the beheading block!
Rozmberk (Shortly) .—Mr. Hannewaldt!
Hannewaldt (Deeply agitated) —Count Rozmberk, I pray you consider my request! If I am not sufficiently powerful alone, remember that I can call upon the king, who will avenge me for this insult while punishing you for your withdrawal from his side. ”

“ Bilent (To Polyxena) .—Would the lady like to look into my apartments?
Polyxena (Frightened) .—Not at all, sir. (Walks off toward Ctibor.) I feel oppressed when I am even in sight of them.
Hannewaldt (Reads the letter with clouded face) .—Wait for me, Polyxena, in the room. (Polyxena walks away, escorted to the door by Ctibor.) Mr. Bilent, I must speak at once with the master!
Bilent.—That is impossible. If the master is entertaining himself among his mistresses, nobody must disturb him. ”

“ Kinský.—The king and emperor, Rudolf, is still King of Bohemia. But the King of Hungary, though he is not as yet crowned, is no other than the Archduke Matthias.
Rozmberk.—That is news for me.
Kinský.—Then you might as well be permitted to know that in the family council of the House of Hapsburg, it was decreed that the successor of the childless Rudolf, as king and emperor, should be Matthias. A heavy illness of the king, both intellectual and bodily, makes it necessary. ”

“ Polyxena.—Take my very life if you will, I cannot, I will not belong to you! (Gazing about, she sees Zuzanka and the other mistresses.) Save me! For the sake of all that is on earth, protect me! (Runs to the women who take her into their group. Rozmberk goes after her, but Zuzanka blocks the way.) ”

“ Before my own head falls, I must be avenged!
(Strikes the door a mighty blow with the ax. Zuzanka screams, lowering her head, so she will not see what is happening within. The door flies open. Nothing but darkness in the laboratory. Ctibor enters, looks about, then steps into the room, saying:) What does it mean! (Suddenly Polyxena comes forth laughing, followed by Bilent. The ax drops from Ctibor’s hand. A moment of silence follows.) ”

“ All there is to be done now, is to see that he is accepted as king in the most important of all countries, which is our own.
Rozmberk.—That will not happen. You expect too much at once. Rudolf is not concerned about the government, but he will not give up the throne. And the Cechs will accept Matthias as successor to Rudolf, yet they will not arise to dethrone him.
Kinský.—If you wish it to occur, it will certainly happen. If you will come out in favor of Matthias, the nobility will follow you and Rudolf’s party will be insignificant in the country. ”

“ Ctibor and Bilent
Ctibor (Gazing at the balcony) .—Just see how playfully the master is entertaining himself. How spirited he seems to be. He will grant any request should Hannewaldt ask for something today.
Bilent.—And here, unfortunately, is Kinský, who will be an obstacle in the secretary’s path.
Ctibor.—Then their ambitions are not the same?
Bilent.—There will be two poinards aimed at two necks.
Ctibor.—It is hard to tell which will have the satisfaction of attaining his desire. But the master is in such a good mood today that he’d like to grant the whole world its wishes. ”

“ Hannewaldt.—Třebon and Prague were formerly its principal seats in Bohemia. (Then correcting himself quickly.) They still are.
Bilent.—Too bad that Třebon was formerly of more consequence than it is now.
Hannewaldt.—During the time of its predecessor, Mr. Vokova, or Mr. Vílem?
Bilent.—That is the case. The present master does not devote as much time to the science as he should.
Hannewaldt.—That is true and that is why I believe that Prague at present is the place that does most for alchemy and its disciples. ”

“ Where a higher necessity is at stake, even human life must not be considered, and after all, what has been lost if one young woman be the sacrifice to a cause where she may possibly become a ruler.
Scene XIII
Rozmberk, Hannewaldt, Bilent and Polyxena
Rozmberk (Entering from the room. To himself) .—I cannot resist the desire to look at her. (Polyxena enters with Bilent. Rozmberk eagerly hastens to meet her.) You are so beautiful, Miss Polyxena, that you engage the thoughts of all who are fortunate enough to be near you. Permit me to at least indicate how interested I am. ”

“ Polyxena.—I was fortunate in being able to know Třebon for reports of its fame and beauty had reached me from time to time.
Ctibor—And Třebon is fortunate to have you on its native soil. (Folding his hands upon his breast.) The heart beats faster ney and the glance from your eye irradiates all upon whom it falls.
Hannewaldt (Turning and walking with Bilent to the front of the salon) .—It is a simple matter for me to find admission for a man at the court, especially one who is engaged in your science which so deeply interests His Majesty.
Scene II
The same. ”

“ Rozmberk.—I hope that Matthias will find men who are able to give him sufficient support in that difficult enterprise.
Kinský.—First of all, he is concerned about a military leader. The present conflict will not be ended without a struggle. And Matthias well remembers the fame that you acquired in the Hungarian uprising against the Turks as the highest captain of the Bohemian army. And the Archduke greatly desires to see you make your present military glory still the greater by taking over supreme command of the military forces of Matthias. ”