Dr. Houska.—So, brother, let it be so. You have seen yourself a leader, your dream has been fulfilled in the ravages of fever . . . (placing his hand on the forehead) and now you overtook that glory for which your spirit longed . . . overtook it there, where with your wild delirium has gone your soul.
Tonicka (Frantically).—Doctor!
Dr. Houska.—He is dead. (All arise.)
Tonicka.—Dead! (Falling upon her knees beside the bed.) Vojtech! Vojtech!
Dr. Houska.—Let us wish him a peaceful passing. Perhaps the dead are still aware, for a while, of what is happening here. With the lamentations of their dear ones, the passage over is a heavy one.
Tonicka (Weeping aloud).—Oh Vojtech! Vojtech!
Zakovec (To the clerk).—Finish the protocol: (dictating.) “He died in the presence of the commission.”
Dr. Houska.—So, so . . . the end of another human life—a funeral protocol. “Finished and signed,”—more is not necessary. (Stirring without. From the window may be seen a gathering of the people.)
(Zakovec signs the protocol.)
Scene VII
Enter Citizens, Chaplain, Trnka
Voices without.—Kralenec is dead! (Ten miners enter, Chaplain, Trnka, and four women.)
Trnka.—Mrs. Kralenec—Vojtech?
Tonicka.—He is there! (Pointing to Vojtech.)
Trnka.—Dead!
Miners and women (With subdued voices).—Dead!
Chaplain.—Dead,—gave up his life for you, for us all, to purchase for you a nobler life, and help you come unto your own, a realization of those ideals for which he himself died. (Kneeling at the bed of Kralenec, prays:) Almighty God, accept this newly-sped spirit unto thy fold, make his passing easy, and in thy kingdom, give him his deserved reward,—the life that is eternal, endless! And those who are left to grieve his untimely passing, the bereaved ones, and all,—shadow them with the mantle of thy protection in the face of destruction and ruin!
Trnka.—And grant not that we perish, nor our posterity!
Curtain
