"...presents" "Lord Voks weddings" "Peter Vok, Lord of Rozmberk" "Emperor Rudolph II The Emperors Chancellor" "William of Rozmberk His wife" "Katerina of Ludenice" "Simon Lomnicky Burgrave Tataus" "Sheriff Smrk Cyril" "Voks harem" "With" "Properties" "Music composed by Lyrics by" "Recorded by Conducted by" "Film Editor Sound Editor" "Head of Production Team" "Director of Photography" "Screenplay and Directed by" "Barrandov Film Studios, 1970 Prague Film Laboratories" "My dearest, my love..." "Up there... ghosts..." "Or bats!" "Yeah, in your belfry!" "The millers wifes got a man in there." " Again?" "What is it, you fool?" "Nothing, its up there..." "Where... there?" "Oh, there!" "You wait, III show you... just you wait..." "Ouch, old man!" " III give you what for, old man, you..." "Out of the way!" "Open up, you slut!" "Rolling about at this time of the day!" "Got nothing better to do?" "Whos in there with you?" "How did this happen?" "I gave him such a lot of beer." "Ill kill him!" "Where is my gun?" "And they say all millers are merry chaps." "You must away, dearest." " But how?" "Through the windov." "Is there no other way?" " Thats no problem for you, my knight!" "Im used to walking through the front door." "No, hell kill you!" " I wouldnt like that." "Rolling about, you slut!" "Open up!" "Where did you hide him?" "Cant you talk, you witch?" " Dont you dare touch a lady, you boor!" "I didnt know you could swim, your Lordship." "Neither did I." "Simon, did you notice that commoners make such a fuss about nothing?" "Lord Peters guardian angel has a busy round saving him time and time again." "Neither virgin nor matrons safe when Voks around he just repeats his old refrain:" "Prepare the carriages, well have a feast, when they stretch us out itll be too late." "Throw back the blankets, loosen your belt, before the death-knell seals our fate." "Throw back the blankets, loosen your belt, before the death-knell seals our fate." "...seals our fate..." "Hilda caught a much worse cold from you." "Dont lose hope, my tonsils hurt." "You could have a beauty of a sore throat tomorrow." "Look, my tongue isnt at all any more." "Unbelievable, they say flu is a mortal sickness for an Oriental." "You bad boy." "You wont give Arana even a littles flu." "Havent I been to see you?" " Not for month." "Oh no!" " Just a look!" "Dont look!" "Actually, youre right!" "Two pages got stuck together." "Miss Arana?" "No." "Miss Arana?" "Yes." "And a double helping." "By the way, ladies, have I told you that Emperor Rudolph has been wetting his bed since hes eleven?" "Your Lordship, the Burgrave wants to see you on a very pressing matter." "Such tireless reading of your poetry to the ladies is surely bad for your health." "Drink it up!" "Dont force me to hand you over to the hangman." "I have become accustomed to your faults." "Why should I get used to somebody new." "Cyril!" "I dont see why I should see the Burgrave after dinner, when hes already bothered me sufficiently before breakfast." "Whos that rosebud?" "Little Hannah, an orphan." "Oh... orphan." "Your Lordship, I felt sorry for her." "I was moved by her bitter fate." "You scoundrel, you abducted the child." "You Lordship, the father drowned at some unknown spot, the mother ran off with some unknown man." "Thats enough." "Youll break my sensitive heart." "What do we do with her?" " The wine is ready." "Your talents dont have the right scope in my respectable house." "You should enter service with the Hapsburgs." "Thats the right house for a poisoner." "Just one grain each." "Even though they displeased me today" "I wont have them get a belly-ache." "My ladies, this goblet of wine goes down like a wink." "No... what a pity..." "Bless you." " Thank you." "Marie!" " Yes..." "You son-of-a-bitch, youve put as asleep again." "Last time with tea, before that with soup and today with the wine." "She is asleep." "And standing up, too!" "What a bread!" "Sit her down." "But the morning after!" "Shell box our ears, both of us." " Really..." "And shell beat me up." "Life, dear Cyril, is not all merrymaking." "Have you noticed that we get tired of the most charming woman once we know her well?" "I protest, they wouldnt let me in." "I simply have to tell you, your Lordship" "The worry wont let me eat to sleep." "I dont get much sleep either." " Yes, but..." "The ladies are taking a nap before going to bed." "But your Lordship, but..." "I hope its not unpleasant news." "Im neck high in unpleasantries." "But they could still rise up to here." "What Im about to tell you..." "Dont lets solve problems here, well have peace in my study." "You could at least show consideration oure so inconsiderate of my person, you could at least show consideratik" "This is my twentieth handkerchief today." "Im going to use a towel." " Your ponds are the cause." "Listen Simons dupery, I suppose." "Do you hear, your Lordship?" "Asthma." "All those ponds, the morning fogs!" "An unbearable climate?" "If it were only the climate." "Yes, one could move away, there are worse things..." "Were stony broken, your Lordship!" "We!" "Surely its I whos broke." "You are not that incompetent a bailiff that you are broke too, surely." "What are you thinking of me, your Lordship?" "Cyril!" "Offer the Burgrave a little wine!" "Our very best!" "You have managed my financial affairs badly, if we are destitute." "I?" "Well really, your Lordship." "You made enormous debts in Prague..." "I beg your pardon..." "...without my knowledge." "But the worst is that the Emperor has taken the matter in hand." "I had a note from our Prague trustee." "The Emperor has given permission for the city to issue a warrant against Lord Peter Vok, nobleman." "Hes done what?" "If you drove through the Prague gate you could be thrown into the debtors prison." "What an impertinence." "How dare that Hapsburg do such a thing?" "As if I were a robber knight or something!" "That calls for revenge, and Im going to pay him out." "Act with discretion, your Lordship." "Discretion?" "Did he show discretion?" "The Emperor is a sourpuss, your Lordship." "Your last practical joke in Linz, when you borrowed his carriage by mistake, didnt make him laugh at all." "Ill teach him to laugh." "Drink up, dont sip it like a sissy." "This is dreadful." "A stroke!" "Oh no, just a mistake." "You know, this isnt the first time!" "Whats all that trumpeting about?" "I cant hear a thing, your Majesty." " Thats good." "That would be unconscionable considering" "Im travelling incognito." "Would you find out where we are?" "We are approaching the inn where lunch awaits us." "Who?" " Lunch." "Its very unpleasant being an Emperor." "I shall make myself ill before Ive made the round of my Empire." "I hope youll be satisfied." "Your honoured father, Emperor Maximillian, dined here on his way from Vienna." "He died of a stomach ulcer." " What?" "That smorgasboard?" " What?" "That smorgasboard?" "What does it mean?" " Co?" "Ta tabule?" "Who gave you permission?" " The Emperor, I should say." " Cant you read?" "The Emperor, I should say." "The Emperors sitting in that carriage." "Whos that?" "Duck your head into cold water." "Open the gate." "What is it?" "Very unpleasant occurrence, your Majesty." "Somebody has dared to pretend..." "...to be the Emperor." "Thats nothing new." "The last time that happened..." " In Linz." "In Linz." "I begin to tire of Rozmberks silly jokes." "Start thinking." "Vok is no clairvoyant." "He must have set up a a spy amongst us." " A spy amongst us, dont prompt me... who divulged our plans." "In your own interest you must unveil him, otherwise I could be led to think that youre incompetent as to matters of our..." " Crown, your Majesty." "Crown." "That man is sure to gave a good heart and I assume he offered all he could to that Emperor." "Youre willing to roll in the hay with anybody!" "That scoundrel wasnt the Emperor at all." "If he wasnt, he should be." "You certainly arranged this well." "I am deeply ashamed." " Why, this is guite entertaining." "And healthier than smelly mutton." "If it werent for Vok," "Id have no idea how delectable such a fresh strawberry can be." "I admire your forbearance, your Majesty." "How dare that Vok..." "Hell stop laughing all right." "I shall call all the Czech noblemen to..." "To Vienna." " To Prague." "We shall see how hell get through the city gates." "In disguise, most certainly." "I know that too." "But you should know what disguise." "If he has spies, we must have them too." "You can depend on me, your Majesty." " I have no choice, do I." "Put those papers away." "Were not holding office in a meadow." "I would only like to bring to your notice the case of Katerina of Ludanice, orphan." "Her guardians want to take her inheritance." "The case is so complicated, that only the monarch can decide it." "The programme you have in store for me seems to be very amusing." "Youll take this book to the Celestien cloister." "Father Ignatius will fetch it, he is father confessor to Emperor Rudolph." "I understand, your Majesty." "His Lordship is tired." "But the bairmaids full of life." "Curiosity and the longing for change are the strongest instincts of Man." "A typical example - the migration of nations." "But you wouldnt understand." "Or the transmigration of souls." "Thats what I dont understand." "Sometimes I long to run out into the park, to roam about in dewy meadow, to warm my heart on a sunny glade." "You liar!" "Dewy meadow, glade - my foot!" "But youre a regular customer at the inns, mills even at the knackers yard!" "Now then, ladies, do stop!" "I would never make hay of your very doubtful reputations." "What is it son?" "I have a Holy Book for Father Ignatius." "Which one?" " His Imperial Majestys confessor." "Father Ignatus?" "Confessor to His Majesty Emperor Rudolph." "Whats up?" "Your Grace!" "Whats up?" "Why wake me?" " Were arrived at Lord Williams." "Well, fancy that!" "And why are we here?" "You wanted to talk to your brother." "And we right in the courtyard?" "Do you think theyve seen us yet?" " Her Ladyships has, definitely." "I hope my dear sister-in-law is tactful enough to keep out of my way." "Forgive me, my Lord, for bothering you at this unusual hour." "A pleasant interruption of my problems." "Take my coat into the bedroom..." "Is there anything wrong?" "He is here again." "That dreadful man." "I dont understand how he can be your brother." "I hope, my love, that you will try to overcome your aversion this time." "You can go." "I am depending on your tact." "That you wont start telling him what you think of him." "No, I wont." "I prefer to spend the time that sinner is here in reading the biographies of the saints." "I can apologies for your absence, a slight indisposition." "A more than slight indisposition." "My first love," "I shall never forget you." " You liar." "Hows our holy dragon doing?" " She said hes going to pray." "With one ear stuck to a curtain, for sure." "Brother!" "Forgive me." "You look great." "All thanks to Anna Maria, Im sure." "Sometimes I envy you those peaceful nights of sleep and sleep alone." "But where is my dear sister-in-law?" "She begs to be excused." "She is suffering a slight well, a sudden indisposition." " Ah, these ladies!" "I hope it didnt come on suddenly when she heard my carriage." "A beautiful map." "Surely youre not meaning to wage war?" "Youre studying the battle-fields." "Ah, grand times!" "Here at Sighet our brother-in-law Nicholas Zrinsky made his fame an illustrious warrior!" "Whilst your war didnt take you further than the cellars of Znojmo." "Dont remind me of the Moravian wines!" "For three months I had heart-burn at night." "It was a good job the truce made in time." "Take a seat." "Thats what I should be telling you." "I have to tell you why Im here." "I have no money." "In that case you wont be out of pocket." "A glass of milk is good for you." "I was bled dry through the political campaign in Poland." "I always told you that was no business proposition." "It could have been." "I had the Crown of Poland within reach." "Only my loyalty to the Hapsburgs..." "Why the grand phrases?" "It didnt work out, did it." "I have pondered over your unpleasant position." "The Emperor is angry." "He is taking sides with your creditors." "The traps are set, theyll snap to any day now." " They wont get their way in a hurry." "Do you know what I shall do?" "I shall go and fight in the war." "I shall whack those Turkish devils to smithereens." "I shall seize their treasures and become the richest man in Europe." "You idealist." "You think the Sultan drags his treasures about?" "A few weary odalisgues, at most." "Well then III raid his seraglio." "Dear God, what a hero!" " A hero?" "A whoremonger?" "Do pull yourself together, Peter." "Youre all at sixes and sevens." "Youve started building two beer breweries, several ponds, youve finished nothing and have no returns." "Youre leading." "You need money." "Soon a lot of it." "Not even I could put it into better words." "Have you ever thought, of getting married?" "Ever?" "Day and night I think of it." "I dont think of much else." "Marriage, thats my dream." "But when I see all your wives dying on you..." "You always manage to get over it, but I, with my delicate disposition..." "My heart could break." "Poor Lord Peter." "If you dont stop III slosh you one, so that you have reason to cry." "Thats the milk." "It doesnt do that to you?" "Unfortunately, in addition to their dowry women bring the queerest ideas into marriage." "For example my previous wife..." "Zofinka?" "Your sweetest mistake." "But Anna Marie..." "She excels in her many virtues." "She is so chaste..." "I beg your pardon?" "A slightly sore throat." "...so continent, that the intercourse you have in mind is in her eyes absolutely..." "Disgusting." " Yes." "How do you know?" "Poor girl." "At your age common sense should win over profligacy and passion." "I have several suggestions to make." "For example..." "Will you kindly listen, this is serious." "Youve changed your mind, youll give me a loan." "Princess Louise Crescensi Isabella Pia." "Thats enough, what about her?" "All the women in that family are a bit..." "Sorry." "Sorry, I forgot she is related to your wife." "This is why all your diplomatic missions had to be unsuccessful." " I beg your pardon!" "You havent understood the reason for my visit." "I came to invite you to my wedding." " I didnt know you were engaged." "Neither does she." "Maybe III have an opportunity to tell her in time." "Will you kindly talk seriously!" " I never talk any other way." "You are scandalized." "But you dont know Im courting Katerina of Ludanice." "Do you know her?" " I have never seen her." "The crazy whimsy of an elderly Don Juan." " I beg your pardon!" "I see nothing crazy in the matter." "A weddings a fine opportunity to make somebodys acquaintance." "She is hardly fifteen years old." " I didnt know that." "Katerina is an orphan." " The more I hear the better I like her." "I have a soft spot for orphans lately." "Yes, well, that is the proper word." "They have a much more liberal tendency to sin than those cold windows of yours." "But shes only a child." "I feel the call to introduce children into life." "And besides, I hear that in spite of an education she has retained her common sense." "What if she doesnt want you?" " Isnt it enough that I want her?" "What about her guardians?" "III make short suit of them." "Ill string them up on the nearest trees, carry Katerina off and make love to her every day." "Really?" " Well, every other day." "Hes poet." "Why arent you a poet," "I want no check from you, you trollop!" "You have no idea, dear brother, how fine I feel after having seen you." "Please ask your virtuous wife to praying for me." "For my wide duties even I need the Lords blessing." "Dont rejoice, she only fainted." "Whats happening?" "The gentry are all running round the garden with bits of smoky glass." "A solar eclipse doesnt happen every day." "I dont see anything." "And anyway, that is Gods omen." "His Majesty is the support of the Holy Church." "I will not allow..." "His Majesty hankers after knowledge." " But not the false doctrines of Kopernik." "Would you like a little besmudging too?" "Do something, doctor, give the Emperor something, so that he can join the party." "Oatmeal soup is the best thing for diarrhoea." "Have some made, then!" "Get out of the way, out of the way..." "You too." "Its good thing there isnt a solar eclipse daily." "Or wed die of hunger." "Take it away!" "I cant bear the sight more medicine." "My bowels are still writhing" "from this mornings lot." "Full yourself together, your Majesty." "Its only a little belly ache." "A bid belly ache." "Everything the Emperor has is big." "What did we eat at the Lobkowitzs?" "I bet it was the salmon?" "The venison was smelly too, my tums like a drum." "My hares foot!" "Nanny Emily!" "My hares foot!" "Here, my sunshine, this old head of mine forgets." "You are the only one..." "The eclipse, gentlemen, the eclipse." "The girl sitting between those two peers, that is she, your Majestaty." "The child of a nobleman who, when dying, entrusted her into the care of the Imperial Crown." "This country amazes me not only with the impertinence of the living, but also the audacity of the dead." " He died in the wars with the Turks, a true hero." "With leg hacked off he attacked..." "You know very well that wars dont impress me." "He was your Imperial fathers General, Majesty." "Yes, he liked that sort of thing." "He arranged all that butchery to evade the balls my mother arranged." "The girls needs a supporter." "Her guardians do not awake confidence." "Just take a good look at them." "Dreadful, not even the hares foot..." "Well, when is to begin?" "I beg to announce that the solar eclipse has just finished." "So that I..." "Ehm... missed it, your Majesty." "Damm it all, this hay will suffocate me." "Why are we suffering, your Lordship?" "Because I dont like buying a pig in a poke." "I dont know why you talk about a rabbit, when she has a goose in her coat of arms." "And why do you keep convincing me Sir, that you must be the densest head in the kingdom." "What if she has legs like a goat?" " I wouldnt care, skirts hide her legs, but what if shes carroty." "Just shows you never had one." "Ill tell you gentlemen..." " Leave off." "Can that singer sing?" " Theres gold in hid throat." "I recognised your charming appearance," "I live in self-denial." "A caressing song resonates in my heart." "Watch." "Just for you, just for you" "Im pleasantly surprised." "But what has that angel got in her hand?" "It looks like a brick." "A noble woman-with a brick?" "Any more stupid idea?" " I think its a book." "The devil cooked this one up." "Lets hope she hasnt read too much." "Shell be reading you some lectures, your Lordship!" "The end of the song." "On the contrary, gentleman, nothing arouses an innocents interest in a man as much as gossip about his sinful life." "The greater the defamation, the more to lead the sinner back to grace." "An armoured attack." "From the left wing." "Metodej!" "What wake me?" "There was a mound of hay here and its gone." "If its gone, we must have loaded it up." "Oh yeah." " Oh yeah." "It would be here of we hadnt." " Yeah." "Lets drink and lets drink, fill it up to the brink" "for rhyme or reason." "Lets drink while theres time!" "Then the Devil with us." "Then the Devil with us." "Am I to dry up like a herring?" "Who ate up my radish?" " Youre keeping me on short ration!" "Mind, its full." "There now!" "Get him up!" "Arent you ashamed of yourself!" "A body like a bulls and can take less than a flea." "Madonna mia, he break up my instrument!" "Shut up and stop bothering me." "It doesnt play anyway." "Moment, moment, le premier granduc, I play you Barcarola Veneziana... magnifique, magnifique" "What are you thinking of, giving up your freedom?" "A real man doesnt get married to lose his freedom, but to again it." "Freedom without money is a term enveloped in fog." "Yeah, money..." "Your army needs those... tin thing for their heads." "Spend the dowry on armour?" "That I wont allow!" "What if the war ands in the meantime?" "A waste of money." "Nonsense." "We must buy arm, even if we had nothing to eat." "One war ends, another begins." "You bastard!" "This is water!" "What have you done to me, signora!" "My contertino is bye-bye!" "You drank up my high C!" "Sheriff Smrk!" "My art!" "Sir!" "I beg to report..." "Lets go over our plan." " Yes, Sir!" "You find out where Her Ladyship Katerina likes to take a drive." "Im taking it down." "If you mess it up like the siege of Shoprona..." "Actually, then nothing more important was at issue than victory or defeat." "Igen." "But this will decide on my lifes happiness thats to say money..." "Ill throw you out and you can earn your living by working." "Yeah, its as easy as pie." "I find a nice bend..." "I find a nice bend, stick my man into the bush, my man jumps out and..." "Inconspicuously." "That too." "We pulls the linchpin out of their wheel." "Inconspicuously." "And the girl takes a fall, but conspicuously." "Sorry, I meant inconspicuously." "Another draught, Cyril." "I have an idea." "We shall be passing by just then, by chance," "I hasten forwards to give beautiful Katerina a helping hand." "I introduce myself..." "Or should I not introduce myself?" "I introduce myself and say:" "Do you know these regions, my Lady?" "I do kind knight." "I live here." " Thats right." "Could you tell me the name of this beautiful tree?" "But thats Pine." " Here." "It doesnt concern you." "Im asking her about that tree." "What else would I be conversing on, considering were in a forest." "Thats fast progress, your Lordship, like Adam in paradise." "Its very clever indeed." "I should say." "I must admit its a co-production with a certain Ovid, a poet of the Roman morass." "My apologies, your Lordship, for my reproaches concerning your library." "I once had to take to my bed and admit that even I waded through a book." "Either theyre sitting gabbing somewhere, or that comedian chap lied." "They should have passed through long ago." "Climb in, well take a short cut!" "The chair!" "Come on, get up!" "One, two and three." "Lets drink and lets drink, fill it up to the brink for rhyme or reason." "Lets drink while theres time!" "Then the Devil with us!" "Theyre catching us up!" "Hey, my man, are hurt?" "No." "Can you hold on a bit longer on that tree?" "The branch you cant see has pierced my side." "A bump!" "Wait a minute!" "Open up, somebody!" "A drink!" "Water!" "I dont think so." "I happened to be passing by." "Isnt it odd?" "Normally you should introduce us." "Or somebody else would introduce us." "But as you seem to be slightly indisposed," "I shall introduce myself." "Katerina of Ludanice." "Peter Vok of Rozmberk" "Really, thats you?" "How did you imagine I would look?" "Actually, yes." "This is just about how I imagined you." "Youre bleeding." " I shall bleed to death any minute now." "Do you know these regions, Lord Vok?" "Well yes, indeed." "Do you know what this magnificent tree is called?" "Do you mean this knee-bracken?" "Its bound to be some fruit tree." "A cherry tree or a beach." "Did you by any chance have to take to your bed for any stretch of time?" "No, why?" "So." "I knew a nobleman who ended up quite an education man because of his protracted illness." "Cupid pierced his heart of stone its love till death us do part." "Messengers ride up with gifts for the lady of his heart" "I can but add my part." "Prepare the carriages well have a feast, when they stetch us out itll be too late." "Throw the blankets loosen your belt, before the death knell seals our fate." "Your favourite delicacy, your Lordship." "Boiled lobster." "Do you have to stuff yourself when his Lordships suffering?" "No more sighs." "I must confess that virtuous Katerinas condition that I give up my harem" "has greatly perturbed me." "The situation is devastating, but I dont see why it should also be serious." "I have found an ideal solution." "You wont get married, your Lordship." "Not at all, my faithful Simon." "On the contrary, lots of us will get married." "I have decided, dear ladies, to marry of you." "Youre getting on in years, youve seen life, you have learnt many an art from me, you are so clever that youll plan your lives so that somebody else does the work for you." "You will of course each one of you get an adequate dowry nothing exorbitant, but quite worth while." "And with the Lords blessing" "I can be God-father to all your children." "You scoundrel!" "Youve had enough of us, were not posh enough!" "You bastard!" "Let go, III scratch his eyes out!" "I have a peaceable solution." "We can poison them off." "A novelty, from Western Flanders." "You would do it?" "Your Lordship, for your sake I even wash my neck." "Well marry the ladies off to some bumpkins..." "To decent, upright men, of course." "You must understand how noble an act this is, ladies." "His Lordship has devoted nearly all his free time to your education." "The man who wins such a girl has won a true gem." "I am glad you dont drool like a poet but answer like a good, decent man." "I always had a very special liking for you and that is why youll have first choice." "Me?" " You, my boy, you." "On my noble benefactor, it is indeed a great honour," "bur permit me to explain my views on marriage." "Whatever you say will be as useful as trying to break an eel over your knee." "What a fuss!" "His Lordship thinks you... and now you can..." " Well said." "Well said, but..." " Like I said." "And which one am I supposed to..." "If I may aid your happiness with a hint, marry the one you know best." "Will you permit your fatherly friend a delicate question?" "With which one of you has Simon ever studied poetry?" "Are you a much successful poet than I would have thought." "You havent only my friend, but also my silent partner." "Marie, you put your hand up first." "And dont look so sour." "Ah yes, the dowry, what shall I give her?" "I dont have much to give away." "The inn at Sevetin, thats not mine, that gold mine on the road from Linz to Prague." "How can we repay you, your Lordship?" "My sweetie." "No time for gratitude just now, we have other things on hand." "Maybe well come up with something pleasant." "Be his muse for the time being." "Well, thats that for the muse, now a bit of war." "But your Lordship, Im impotent." "Absolutely." "Quite an advantage in married life." " And I have delirium tremens." "Great!" "Hilda!" "No also!" "Youll be in the right hands, my dear chap." "If he gets more idiotic than is tolerable you can take over his command." "Excellent!" "An armour would suit you right well." "To become the Burgraves wife isnt a bad match either." "Lets see the couple youd make." "Im three times a widower, your Lordship." "Dont worry, it wont happen this time." "I know, your Lordship," "I dont care which one." "I like your calm resignation, my boy." "But there is no hurry." "Ill keep you in reserve." "And now a list of man, particularly those with a stain on their past." "They wont be able to kick so effectively." "The man with a demanding wife at home cant afford to lose his strength in rebellion." "The true rulers art lies in the incessant of the unlinkeable." "Whom God has joined may man rend asunder." "You must be joking, your Lordship." "This is just your sport, isnt it." "Never have I been more serious." "You stole ten cartloads of coal sold it." "You stole ten cartloads of coal and secretly sold it round the Douc" "Thats idle gossip." "It wasnt ten." "Even if only five it would be enough to put into the stocks." "It will never happen again, your Lordship." "I hope not." "That is why Im giving you a virtuous wife, who will not let you err." "Take her under your roof." "What are we doing, your Lordship?" "Weddings without banns?" "How will I answer for it?" "Just ad youll answer for all your other sins, my man of God." "But thats not a girl for the forest." "Ill chase her out, III..." " Id calm down, if I were you." "Her name is Ursula." "I say, bread with a stuffing!" "Impudent gossip about our most noble of Emperors!" "And full of spelling mistakes, too!" "As if theres an i at the end of imbecile!" " We are self-made men, your Lordship." "We missed out a lot at school." " We shall have to catch it up." "You must be psychic." "I have brought you two excellent teachers." "God Almighty, please look elsewhere." "Theres is nothing interesting here." "Hands up!" "Gold, money?" "Get a move on!" "You used to be the top entertainment number in my forests." "Only three of you left?" "Jacob and Adalbert own pubs now." "And rob travellers quite publicly." "You have so much money that it is high time somebody found a charming way to help you spend it." "Ive heard of your goings-on in Sobeslav, Mayor." "Youve even defrauded orphans fund." "My wife died and the death of that beloved soul gave me the inspiration to found a hospital in town." "Youve built no hospital." " But I wanted to." "Do you know how his Lordship should punish you?" "Your nose tells plainly where the money went." "I hope you did the guzzling in my breweries." "Your Lordship!" " Youll go to the dogs." " What will become of you, youll go to the dogs." "Ill mend my ways." "Ill go to a hermitage and life an ascetic life." "No indeed." "One evil to be chased out by another." "Thank heavens that I look after my people." "Her name is Arana and she longs for a child." "But she wont be bothering you with her problem." "About turn!" "...left turn!" "May I ask one question, your Lordship?" "Who is getting married?" "You are, but youll have to jump off the horse for a moment." "Quite a job, these weddings of mine." "And theres my wedding still in store for us." "You have no aches and pains?" "My soul causes me to suffer, your Lordship." "Dont worry, III settle in with the Lord." "Ill build a poor-house." "Ill get a new roof for the Bechyne church." "Or should I add two hectares from my estates to the vicarage grounds?" "I shall pray, your Lordship, that God doesnt arrive at a bad interpretation of your rather odd handling of the seventh sacrament." "Ah, the beers here!" "Forgive us, your Lordship, the sacristans a clumsy clot." "Thats all right." "Have some too." "This used to be a paradise." "Rosalie my cook was an angel." "The Lord called her to him." " Maybe he was bored." "For the beautification of His throne." "And I was left to suffer that fool of a sacristan." "Simon!" "Deeply have I pondered how to reward your superhuman devotion." "What God has taken will be given back by your new housekeeper." "Come closer, dear child!" "I have consecrated my life to St. Aloysius." "Really, and this is Aloisie." "Oh my!" "Your name is Aloisie?" "Well, take your coat off, Loisie dear." "You must be uncomfortable in all those clothes." "Why dont you have some too?" " I cant, your Lordship." "Whats wrong?" " Id get drunk on my repentance." "Dont start crying, come on." "I know now that you love me best." "Because I saved you from matrimony?" "You love me best and I dont deserve it." "Kill me." "Listen, youve stole something." "Dont ask me, for Gods sake." "You rogue, Im beginning to suspect youve really been up to some villainy." "Stab me." "I cant go on." "I beg you to, your Lordship." "I may even kill you if you beg me nicely." "But first speak up." "Ive given away your disguise for your journey to Prague." "For your audience with the Emperor." "Whom did you tell?" "I dont know them some men from the chancellery." "You let out that Im to travel in Cardinals garb?" "Im a villain, your Lordship." "Imperial gold!" "Get up!" "What will you do with me, your Lordship?" "I dont know yet." "Can you forgive me?" "Im afraid I must." "Where would I find a baddie as capable as you?" "But remember that you mustnt do it again." "And if you do, then for more money." "Stop!" "Whose carriage is that?" " You fool, cant you see the coat-of-arms?" "Im driving her Ladyship from Pernstejn." "Please dont make a draft, I could catch cold." "Forgive me, Princess, orders are orders." " Youll be on your way at once." "I should hope so." " Off you go!" "Gideup!" "We have the right of free entry." " Its the Cardinal." "His Grace is on a diplomatic mission." " We know, a secret mission." "Thats why were waiting for him." " Here is the imperial safe-conduct-order." "Thats an old one." "What is it?" "I must ask you to come to the guard-room." "How dare you..." " I would advise you not to resist." "It is an order from the highest places." " I am an envoy from the Holy See." "I am Cardinal Stefani." " Come along, come along!" "Let go!" "I shall lodge a complaint!" "This impertinence will cost you dear..." "You know your orders." "Ou, oh, oh no no no..." "Hes late, lets hope they havent caught him." "Weve been through a worse mess then this one." "Women really are long-suffering dears." "I shall never allow Katerina to wear these beastly things." "Has she arrived?" " A catastrophe, you Lordship." "She is not lodging at Lord Vchynskis, they stuck her in with the Lords of Hradec." "And that Lord of Hradec is devious bastard." "Hes set up guards in the garden, and dogs." "And her windows are above the bear-pit." "A rather unpropitious position." "What will we do all night long?" "Thanks to our contacts in the Emperors camp." "I have the address of a certain..." "No no no no," "I do not care for entertainment now, before my wedding." "But shes the Emperors mistress." "Thats different, of course." "In that case a little night-time adventure is more of a duty than a sin." "Here I cant..." "Nor here..." "Where did I put it?" "From the Pope." "Did you call, your Majesty?" "The white check-mates with the third move." "Well..." "Are you white or black?" "How can I be black, when I want to check-mate with the white?" "Yes, of course very difficult." "You dont have a Queen." "You too, Brutus." "Everybodys reproaching me for not having a wife." "Id rather listen to some gossip." "It is not my habit, your Majesty, but permit me to tell you about Katerina." "You promised." "I wouldnt have to hear about that orphan again." " You wont be bothered about anything." "The young lady is in rather a piquant position." "She means to get engaged." "Whats piquant about that!" "Lord Vok is wooing her." "Are you sure?" "He thinks a lot of himself, she could be his grand-daughter." "Dont you find it - a little ridiculous?" "Even more ridiculous than you think, your Majesty." "You see, he is reckoning with marrying money." "With his debts thats quite logical." " But thats whats so piquant about the story." "You see, her fortune..." " Has evaporated." "Exactly." "Those two noblemen..." " Have plucked the gosling clean." "A clever simile." "And Vok?" " Hasnt an inkling of how matters stand." "Today he is to ask for her hand in marriage." "If I understand correctly, you seem to be recommending that I give them permission to marry." "A magnificent piece of knavery." "If he arrives for his audience, of course." "He may be spent after his colloquy at the city gate" "Excuse me, Your Majesty." "It has just come to pass." "At the Vysehrad gate-way." "I hope they were humane." "Your wishes are always fulfilled to the letter." "Really?" "The white moves, and check-mates with the third move." "So youre here at last, Lord Vok." "They were saying that we may not be seeing you." "One mustnt believe everything, friend." "If you knew what they say about you!" "What sort of a journey did you have, brother?" "Very entertaining." "I have just been talking to Katerina." " Good heavens." "You dont deserve me playing the fiery partisan." "That I do not deserve." "Im terrified of the thought that I could be burnt to death by your fire." "Excuse me, brother, the call of duty." "Would you like to buy something?" " I dislike embarrassing scenes." "These stall-keepers are very useful people." "What else would one bring back from an audience if one didnt buy some trinket here." "Beautiful workmanship." "Lovers." "How tenderly he holds her hand!" "The image of me." "In my earlier youth." "Did you think of me?" " And you?" "Incessantly." "I listened to my heart for advice," "I talked to my brother, to my creditors." "I fulfilled all your conditions." "I am glad to hear that." "The Emperor is in good humour." "He is actually smiling." "They probably told him that I am here." "And he doesnt even know that I mean to ask permission to marry." "You mean to get married?" " Yes." "Do you mind?" "I mean to say this:" "Dear Katerina, do you have the desire and the courage to become my wife?" "This very night." " You mean..." "I am moved, I really am, but you dont know how strictly you are guarded." "Please understand I am a man of dignity, too much so, unfortunately to allow me to climb walls at night, to sidle along window ledges... and to be torn asunder by wild dogs." "That would be lovely, but dont worry, III visit you." "Thats impossible..." " You dont want me?" "On the contrary, Id be happy, in my seventh heaven, there is nothing I long for more, but I happen to be busy tonight." "I have rented a carriage and had the Imperial coat-of-arms put on." "Nobody would stop such a carriage." "I shall dress up as a man, but I expect you to behave as towards a lady." "Arent you afraid of a hold-up?" " I have my pistols and when I get furious" "Im capable of scratching somebodys eyes out." "Are you looking forward to life together?" " Im burning with impatience." "Mr Bohuslav Felix Hasistejnsky of Lobkovice." "Isnt that Vok wandering about back there?" "Mr Adam of Hradec." "He doesnt look like hes had a beating, you look in a worse state than he is." "Lord Peter Vok of Rozmberk." "You Majesty, permit me to express a wish." "What would you like to ask, Mr Vok?" "Im listening, speak." "I am asking for permission to marry the Lady Katerina of Ludanice." "I hope your love for her is pure and selfless." "I have stared my request, you Majesty." "Request... granted." "You are very kind, you Majesty." " Not at all." "Such a contemptible trick!" "They dragged me from my carriage like a robber!" "I was dishonoured." "By a command issued from someone higher up!" "Bravo, what a mess." "The Papal See was insulted in Prague." "The Holy Church was besmirched." "If I were to get hold of that godless..." "The Holy Book says, when struck on the right cheek, hold out your left too." "Forgive me, your Majesty, I am upset." "Theres a chair, do take a seat." " Oh God, no." "Stop it, will you!" "You know that Im the exception amongst the nobility, I take my bath." "The lady is particular, you Lordship." "The things one has to undergo for the ladies!" "High time Im married." " I must talk to Lord Vok." "What happened?" "Bad news, brother." " Must be tragic news, if your wife let you out after nightfall." " An end to your silly jokes!" "You must break your engagement." "Her chests are full of poverty." "Her guardians have picked her clean." "Poor little girl." "But at her tender age she cant have as many debts as I have." "And the Emperor?" " He looks unconcerned." "Hows that?" "He has to see justice done." "He would, if you werent involved." "He wont do a thing for her." "Ill get the unpleasant scene with Katerina over for you, if you like." "Oh no." "The Emperor has left he in the lurch, am I to do the same?" "I shall never sink that low, dear brother." "I am impressed by your sense of honour." "Tis fine to embellish great family names with noble deeds, if one can afford it." "But your position is highly dangerous." "This is no mere squabbling with the Emperor, this is a more serious matter." "A matter of money." " Yes, money." "I know that you are even crosser about my love-match than me but theres nothing to be done." "Well just have to join forces now." "I shall see to the family honour and suchlike, and you will look after the financial side." "Sorry." " Your hat, your Lordship." "What else but my hat." "Publican!" "Open up!" "What do you want?" " Im thirsty." "Away with you, drunkard!" " Dash it boys, dont overdo it!" "Rudolph, my Emperor!" "But you arent Rudolph." "You arent Rudolph!" "The ladder is ready." " You watch." "If the guard tries to stop me, shoot him." "In that case I must put on my pince-nez." "God be with you." "Moment!" "Your nightie." "It would go against my pedagogical principles, you must step into life like a lady." "Take the chain down, cant you see the Imperial coat-of-arms?" "Present arms!" "His Majesty the Emperor." "Silly fashions, these!" "Darling, are you leaving me?" " The Emperor is coming." "Exactly, havent you come to kill him?" "Kill him?" "Really, thats a trick I hadnt thought of that joke yet." "Bye-bye." "When will you have that hay removed." "Im not forcing you to love me, but your unconcern as to my hay-fever could be interpreted as disrespect to my Imperial Majesty." "Are you drunk, cant you see its the Imperial carriage?" "He went that-a-way a while ago." " If he went that-a-way, he must come back this-a-way." " Thats right, arent you clever." "The master is not at home." " Never mid." "His Imperial Majesty sends Lord Vok a present." "To return her means to offend the Emperor." "But gentlemen..." " Her name is Fatima- and mind you remember, she likes sultanas." "I can hear something." " Thats an old one." "Really, somethings coming." "Yeah, what if its the Emperor." " Nonsense, I can hear it from there." "You said that if he drove there, he must come back." "Well and if hes driving back, he must go there again." "Yeah, but hes driving this-a-way again." "Funny goings-on tonight." "...he came exactly in that situation..." "One of the most beautiful situations Ive never experienced." "Why are you staring at me?" "Take my boots off!" "Come on!" "And light the fire, its cold here." "We never light a fire before October the fifteenth." "Cheek!" "...but youll see." " Well, OK then..." "Bad tidings, your Lordship." "In fact, worse than bad." "The house is full of strange people." "Come and see." "The young ladys in there." "I had to swear that you are busy on important State business." "You spoke the truth, as always." "A gift from the Emperor." "The Hapsburgs seem to have sufficient wit to retain their power for a few years more." "Id be happy to oblige, but youve already married me." "Will you leave matters to my discretion?" "Life isnt all roses for me either." "Katerina." " This doesnt suit me particularly, does it." "On the contrary." "A beautiful representation of our coat-of-arms." "A blush rose in the arms of the Ursini bear." "How charmingly witty you are." "Im trembling with cold." "Thats exactly how my uncle used to kiss me." "You really must be cold." "Didnt that knave offer you some hot wine?" "Why didnt you bring my charming guest some refreshments?" "And turn round when Im talking to you!" "And no, my dear Katerina, we shall partake of a little something together." "No thank you, Im not hungry." "Are you sure?" "There is nothing more exciting than a midnight feast." "In the right company." "If youll excuse me, III have a snack..." "Bring me about twenty scrambled eggs, a morsel of ham, a chicken and some salad." " Celeriac for potency?" "Are you feeling warmer?" " The tales I heard tell of you." "You mustnt believe all you hear." "May I ask you a rather indiscreet but rather important question?" "Are you informed of the true state of you fortune?" "I am as little interested in my financial affairs as you are." "They will serve dinner." "Surely youre not willing to wait till they fry those eggs." "Hands off!" "Understand?" "You dont, do you." "Well, heres your fodder." "Wine." "You want to have a drinkie?" "One moment." "Here." "Come on." "Wait." "Heres your drinkie, I have to go now." "Drink up." "Absolutely dependable." "Arent you tired, darling?" "Not in the least, but Im terribly sleepy." "Im so happy." "Do you hear?" " Sorry?" "I said that Im happy." " You are?" "I am so happy that all those legends about you were so wildly exaggerated." "Forgive me for interrupting the deep thoughts of a monarch, but you dont seem to have your coat." "Mustnt forget." "Lord Peters love affairs number his winkles, but they cost him his strength and girth." "No longer is he the man who fought, loved and sang for all he was worth." "Prepare the carriages, well have a feast," "When they stretch us out itll be too late." "Throw back the blankets, loosen your belt, before the death-knell" "seals our fate." "Seals our fate." "Seals our fate." "When we crossed the river we met a band of savages." "They had painted faces and danced round a fire." "Did they hurt you?" "We won them over with kind words." "We lured them onto a hillock with presents and Christened them." "And they were willing?" "No, your Lordship, but we christened them anyway." "I had no idea you men of God are so courageous." "We are led by Gods will." "We then put up a cross on that hillock." "Your tales are fascinating." "You dont find them exciting?" "Indeed I do, my dear" "if it were not for these brave men" "I wouldnt know what a turkey tastes like." "The Holy Church teaches us to spread humility and love." "Yes, love is a wonderful thing and I was always in favour of spreading it." "Do you know what happened once..." "Tell them, Cyril..." "But that was different, Peter." "Was it?" "Well then, let us drink." "Katerina..." "OK..." "Is there anything wrong with him?" "Take no notice." "Hes only taking a nap before going to bed." "Please continue." "Tonight, dear boy," "I want to listen to your tales till day break." "Throw back the blankets, loosen your belt- before the final blow is dealt seals our fate, seals our fate, seals our fate..."