Tomeš.—I will return, but not at once. First I must accomplish something, first I must keep the promise to my people from which I cannot retract.

(Marie begins to weep, with her head on the breast of Tomeš. From the rear, Lída appears upon the cliff, behind her, the soldiers are trying to conceal themselves in the brush.)

Lída, Schirnding, soldiers, Tomeš, Countess, Jírak, Marie, Beauvalle, Havelka, park keeper.

Lída (With glaring eyes).—And still they are here!

Schirnding (Steps out from the rear; half aloud).—No one is to fire upon Tomeš; no one, undertand!

Lída (To Schirnding).—Let a number of your men remain here. I will lead a troop of them around, block the road, then he cannot escape!

(Lída, Schirnding and soldiers step back again into the forest.)

Tomeš (To Marie).—You weep upon my breast, and heaven seems to open up to me! See, I am going into valiant service, service which I have heard of, dreamt about, but never supposed I could participate in. I must step forth from these woods in which I was reared, to take my stand at the head of these men gathering about my standard to fight for their freedom! Oh do not cloud with your tears that glorious road, the path to victory and glory, which I shall so joyfully take!

Jírak (Sees something in front to the left).—Some one is here! Who is it? (Three soldiers leap upon him, bear him to the ground and drag him into the forest.) Tomsi, Tomsi!

Tomeš (Frightened, to Marie and the Countess).—Go at once! (Steps forward) What is happening? Jiraku! (A shot is fired, and three countrymen with Vrána rush forth.)

Vrána (With the serfs to Tomeš).—We have been trapped!

(Marie and the Countess hasten toward the right. At the same time, from the left, Schirnding appears with the soldiers upon the cliffs. Beauvalle with Havelka appear on the road by the cross.)

Schirnding (Appears before Tomeš with the soldiers).—You are our prisoner!