at the very sight of me. At home, under cover they may heap abuse and curses upon me, but not one dares come out and openly express himself to my face. What can you expect of such as these.
Dejm.—Do not judge them, Beauvalle, or deny unjustly that they have spirit and courage because for the moment you have failed to see it. Stop to consider that for a hundred and twenty years these people have been serfs, and before that period, war was waged among them for thirty years,—war whose iron hoof turned not only the tide of fortune and events, but crushed all hope, all spirit among the people. And this unwilling subjection, this rebellious state of bondage had to end in that which the terror of war, of the fallen state begun.
Beauvalle.—Let there be what cause for it you may find, I still must judge according to what I see. (With emphasis) Show me one man in all my estate who still displays a manly and courageous bearing, a spirit such as I vainly look for here,—and I shall think otherwise of these subjected people.
Dejm (With spirit).—We will convince and show you that you are mistaken about these people, that a new spirit may yet be breathed into them; we will show you what can be done for them if the helpful hand of fellowship be extended to them in the right spirit. We must lead the people, stir up their latent strength, adapt them for the purpose we have in view, and draw them on, weapons in hand, to accomplish that which will be of advantage to our entire kingdom.
Beauvalle (Overcome).—You then are plotting and planning a Revolution that would sweep the country, you want to place the armed people side by side with the Bavarian and French troops?
Dejm.—That is the situation. Each of us will equip and arm as many of his people as he is able.
Beauvalle.—I have none at your service.
Dejm.—We expect two hundred people from your estate. In a week’s time, your serfs should be equipped for Prague. (At the castle loud voices are heard.)
Beauvalle.—I think you will yet see the seriousness of this! But what is this uproar?
(Enter a troop of country folk, men and women, lead by Tomeš. Among them are Jírak, Vrána, and the bagpiper Kořinek.)
