ess. To-morrow or the next day they must
fall, what matter which?

LEONARD. What and whom do you fear, and why do you delay?

PANCRATIUS. I fear nothing. I act but in accordance with my own will.

LEONARD. And am I to trust it blindly?

PANCRATIUS. Yes. Blindly.

LEONARD. You may betray us, citizen!

PANCRATIUS. Betrayal rings forever from your lips like the refrain of an
old song.

But hush! not so loud--if any one should hear us ...

LEONARD. There are no spies here; and what if some one should hear us?

PANCRATIUS. Nothing; only five balls in your heart for having ventured
to raise your voice a tone too high in my presence. (_Approaching close
to him_.) Leonard, trust me, and be tranquil!

LEONARD. I confess I have been too hasty, but I fear no punishment. If
my death could help the cause of the down-trodden masses, I would
cheerfully die.

PANCRATIUS. You are full of life, hope, faith. Happiest of men, I will
not rob you of the bliss of existence.

LEONARD. What do you say, citizen?

PANCRATIUS. Think more; speak less; the time will come when you will
fully understand me!

Have you collected the provisions for the carousal of the millions?

LEONARD. They have all been sent to the arsenal under guard.

PANCRATIUS. Has the contribution from the shoemakers been received?

LEONARD. It has. Every one gave with the greatest eagerness; it amounts
to a hundred thousand.

PANCRATIUS. They must all be invited to a general festival to-morrow.

Have you heard nothing of Count Henry?

LEONARD. I despise the nobles too deeply to credit what I hear of him.
The dying race have no energy left; it is impossible they should dare or
venture aught.

PANCRATIUS. And yet it is true that he is collecting and training his
serfs and peasants, and, confiding in their devotion and attachment to
himself, intends leading them to the relief of the fortress of the Holy
Trinity.

LEONARD. Who can oppose us? _The ideas of our century stand incorporated
in us!_

PANCRATIUS. I am determined to see Count Henry, to gaze into his eyes,
to read the very depths of his brave spirit, to win him over to the
glorious cause of the people.

LEONARD. An aristocrat, body and soul!

PANCRATIUS. True: but also a Poet!

Good night, Leonard, I would be alone.

LEONARD. Have you forgiven me, citizen?

PANCRATIUS. Sleep in peace: if I had not forgiven you, you would ere
this have slept the eternal sleep.

LEONARD. And will nothing