All the soldiers.—No one.
Vonka.—Anyone who would desert his homeland?
(Answer.) No one.
Vonka.—Our country is in danger and almost lost—dependent for defense on others who have forsaken her—is there a Czech here who would surrender it without a struggle to the Germans? (Again, jointly.) No one!
Vonka.—Swear faith to her!
Soldiers.—Swear!
Vonka.—Swear that you will keep her for the sake of our children!
Soldiers.—Swear!
Vonka.— —that in her great hour of need you will not forsake her!
Soldiers.—Swear!
Vonka.—Join hands on our oath!
(Excepting Havlin who stands aside, they all join hands and orm an irregular chain. Ebner is lying on the ground.)
Vonka.—Beloved mother country of ours! In your moment of sorrow we who have sworn faith to thee will defend thee to the last drop of our blood—to our last breath—we are mindful all of the pledge that we made in our national songs—our hymn (Irregularly, monotonously they do not sing but speak the Bohemian National hymn):
“O Homeland mine. O Homeland, mine
Streams are rushing through thy meadows
’Mid thy rocks sigh fragrant pine groves
Orchards decked in Spring’s array
Scenes of Paradise portray
And this land of wondrous beauty
Is the Czechland Homeland mine
Is the Czechland Homeland mine.[1]
Vonka.—Now we are sworn into a bond—(They loosen their hold. Vonka now turns to Petrova who is in the background.Leave us—you’d better go now—
Petrova (Going over to him).—Let me bless you before I go, for your mother’s sake. (She makes a cross on his forehead.)
Vonka.—The Lord will repay you, mother.
Kloc (Very quietly now).—And for mine too.
- ↑ The translation of this song is by Rev. Dr. Vincent Pisek, who published it in his collection of Bohemian Songs.
