Zuzanka.

I commanded it done. For I was convinced that you would desire to have the act made public when you are making an example of the culprit.

Rozmberk. Has every one conspired against me today, is there no one here who will obey my commands?

Zuzanka. Not at all, my master. For you yourself expressed the wish that the slightest shadow of today might disappear and be forgotten. See, the entire town and all the surrounding country united to celebrate this day with you, the Highest Game Warden came to tell you that your wishes would be realized in all the countries which have stepped away from King Rudolf,—and in this victorious moment a human life is to be sacrificed, and that trifling incident of today is to be baptized with blood?

Rozmberk. And it shall be, it must be, for you have spoiled every other possibility. Why, I might have granted him pardon just to spite Hannewaldt, if it were not for this crazy idea, of erecting a scaffold under my very eyes. You have beheaded him yourself!

Zuzanka.-Aj, I should rather have relented so the executioner could cut his head off in the darkness of the tower,-I should not have used my wits to make you see and understand the terrible issue which must follow your command! Tremble at your own command,-I adjure you, do not allow this order to be enacted!

Rozmberk. And were there no other reason for the fulfillment of the penalty, your deed is sufficient reason why I should not relent!

Zuzanka. My master!

SCENE XI

HANNEWALDT, ZUZANKA, ROZMBERK, KINSKÝ

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, re

member that I can call upon the king, who will avenge me for this insult while punishing you for your withdrawal from his side. The armed troops of the Archprince are waiting now, to see whether you will step away from the king, and your vast estate may be forfeited in one instant. I can prevent it and save you, and though you will not support the crowned king, I pray you prevent the shame that is about to befall my niece!

Rozmberk (Stiffly).-Since when has it become customary to threaten Rozmberk with the power of King Rudolf? I give you full permission,-hasten at once to tell him,-I give you permission to tell the king that I repel both his commands and his threats. (Stepping up to HANNEWALDT.) Do you know, Hannewaldt, how I was received by the king, at his very court, when I came to ask him for a hearing? They conspired against me then— Rudolf, his couriers, the entire court! My enemies at court charged me, Rozmberk, with ignoble deeds, which I have yet to commit!

Kinský (Quickly to HANNEWALDT and ROZMBERK).—They desired to destroy you, in order to deprive you of your power and all your estates. That is why they prejudiced the king against you!

Rozmberk. I set out for the court of the king, and the king and his court? For one entire week they put me off, treating me with contempt before the eyes of all the world. I was not admitted to the king, the Jesuits at the court saw to it that Rozmberk returned to Krumlov without a hearing!

Kinský. And today, the same king is asking you for aid and turning to the House of Rozmberk for safety and protection. Moreover, the servant of the king (pointing to HANNEWALDT) is threatening you with the power and wrath of Rudolf. Now there can be but one answer forthcoming

Rozmberk. And I will give it, I will give it at once! Go, Kinský, write the agreement to which I shall bind myself. I will take a stand for the Archduke against every one, I say

Kinský. Even the king!

Rozmberk. and against the cause of Rudolf, I will set aside, as soon as it may be needed, 30,000 Hungarian gold coins, and as soon as it may be necessary, I will support Matthias with my people and my court!

Kinský. The agreement is made!

Zuzanka (to KINSKÝ).-Ctibor! Now you must save Ctibor. Kinský (to ZUZANKA).-My word on it, lovely lady. I think I can save him. I have the agreement drawn up; I will write yet

another paper. (Walks off to the left to the room of ROZMBERK.)

SCENE XII

LUKAN, ROZMBERK, HANNEWALDT and ZUZANKA

Lukan (Entering).-Master Burda has been found. Your Grace, we are waiting for your orders.

Rozmberk. I have already given them,-let them be fulfilled. Zuzanka. For Heaven's sake, master, recall your command! 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! Rozmberk (Emphatically).-Not another word, Master Hannewaldt!

SCENE XIII

ZUZANKA, KINSKÝ, ROZMBERK, HANNEWALDT and BILENT

Zuzanka (Approaching with KINSKÝ. BILENT is unnoticed behind them. ZUZANKA joyfully).-Here is the paper which you desire, master!

Rozmberk.-Aj, just listen to the reading, Master Hannewaldt, before you go away. Read the agreement, Kinský.

Kinský (Reads).—“Václav Kinský of Vienna, Highest Game Warden of the Kingdom of Bohemia! As a man and brother exceedingly dear to me! Since you have sought me in order that I might declare myself as to my attentions in the future regarding the country and its religious freedom, and the granting of both sacraments, especially recognition of the Bohemian Brethren, and the protection of every individual who declares his religious faith, I declare myself by the signing of this document, a staunch supporter of the above-mentioned principles, and an adherent of the Highest Archduke, Matthias, a protector of religious and national

rights. With the signing of this declaration, I am ready to place 30,000 Hungarian florins at the disposal of His Grace, and bind myself to the offer by the signing of this agreement. Dated, Třebon, 2nd of May."

Rozmberk. That is how I want it. (Turning for the pen.) Bring me the pen. (BILENT goes to get it. KINSKÝ just then hands him a paper to sign.) You see this, Master Hannewaldt, and inform your king of the step to which you have moved me. Here to this binding agreement, which holds me to the cause of Matthias, I affix my own signature. (Signs.) "Petr Vok Rozmberk, ruler of the House of Rozmberk, his own hand."

Hannewaldt (In despair).—Woe unto me! (Walks away.)

SCENE XIV

KINSKÝ, ZUZANKA, ROZMBERK and BILENT

Kinský.-Long live the great master of Třebon, who has granted mercy and grace to Ctibor of Ujezda!

Rozmberk (Surprised).—What trick is this, brother!

Zuzanka (Goes to the window, and shouts as she waves her handkerchief). Grace has been granted! (Hurries below.)

Kinský. You signed the pardon for your ward.

Rozmberk. Are you all crazy? Where is the paper? (Takes it from the hand of KINSKÝ, and after looking at it, says) That is a trick, Kinský,-you gave me another agreement to sign than the one which you read!

Kinský (Calmly).—Yes, I made use of trickery to gain the pardon for Ctibor. Here is the other agreement which I read. (Hands it to him.)

Rozmberk. Do you suppose, Kinský, that I am here to be trifled with in my own house?

Kinský. By my deception I saved not only a human life but your own nobility which seemed to be going to pieces upon the crags set up by Hannewaldt.

Rozmberk (Stiffly).-I do not need a protector. Return to me the paper which I signed against my own will.

Kinský.—It is more precious to me than anything else,-I will not return it.

Rozmberk. Remember, Kinský, what you have at stake and what you are striving to gain. You will either return that paper to me or else for the sake of saving one human life you will betray

the cause you represent, and lose my support for Matthias. I will not sign the second until the first has been returned.

Bilent. If anything can save Hannewaldt now, this trick of Kinsky's will surely do it.

Kinský. I will not be the cause of a man's death in order to gratify my ambition. You would never have been influenced for the cause of Matthias had it not been for this misfortune of poor Ctibor's. If I am acting ill, refuse to sign the other agreement, but otherwise I cannot act.

Rozmberk. You have chosen; keep the paper with my signature, but consider my support withdrawn from Matthias.

Bilent (Quickly).—I will call Hannewaldt. But that is hardly necessary. Here is the agreement (handing it to him) sign it here. Kinský.-Ah, you zealous helper of the servant of the king! Rozmberk (Angrily).—Bilent, go off to the cells and consider yourself fortunate if your head is spared on your shoulders! (BILENT goes away.)

Bilent. All the fiends of hell must have prompted me to this service for Hannewaldt! But a trifle more, and my head would be rolling on the ground!

(He disappears. At the same time, ZUZAN KA enters from the left, behind her CTIBOR and POLYXENA.)

SCENE XV

ZUZANKA, ROZMBERK, KINSKÝ, CTIBOR, POLYXENA, later

LUKAN.

Zuzanka.-Master,-here are the two betrothed; in their hearts, joy did not become extinguished when it shook hands with sorrow. (With her words, a struggle seems to be playing in the heart of ROZMBERK, expressing itself in his face as he watches the two lovers.)

Polyxena. If I have offended you in any way, I ask for forgiveness. I am drowning in a sea of happiness and thank you from the very depths of my heart.

Ctibor. My master, you have returned my life to me; it is yours, whenever you need it in your service.

Rozmberk (Deliberating).-Ctibor of Ujezda, you have my forgiveness!

Kinský. Value it highly, my friend, for you do not know the price with which it was bought.