"Central Movie Archive Prague presents" "A romantic musical comedy based on the play by Jaroslav Vrchlický" "A NIGHT AT THE KARLŠTEJN acting" "also acting and singing" "2nd director script 2nd camera deputy head of production production assistant assistent to the director" "make-up costumes scenes" "decoration artist assistant to the architect costume design, choreography expert advisors music lyrics" "orchestra choir editing sound master head of production camera" "scriptor and director" "dramaturgy" "produced by Barrandov Film Studio (c) 1973 processed by Prague Film Laboratories" "Your Majesty is the wife of a great Emperor, who fortunately understands the importance of games and affairs of state." "Your Majesty should show..." "... more understanding of this fact." " Your Majesty likes to dance?" " Yes." "I am so sorry that the court etiquette does not allow you to dance in the Emperor's absence." "If it were not for those tiring affairs of state" "His Majesty would certainly participate for the sake of your happiness in this... swarming." " Even the conjurers are leaving." "This place is going to get sad." " It already is sad, thas why they're leaving." " What do you think?" "Shall we use the yellow thread?" "Or rather the red one?" " I think the red one." " Your Zbyek has already left, too?" " He didn't want to..." " The Emperor will depart immediately after the meeting with the messengers from Brandenburg..." " Where to?" " To Karltejn!" " Madame Ofka?" "Tomorrow we shall go with the Emperor to Karltejn!" " To Karltejn?" " To Karltejn." "Me and the Emperor." " Your Majesty has perhaps talked this over with the Emperor?" " No, but..." " I humbly beg for your forgiveness, but" "I thought that the Supreme Lord Chamberlain had acquainted you with the content of the imperial interdiction." " Which Imperial interdiction was the Lord Chamberlain supposed to acquaint me with?" " Well, that no woman is allowed to stay within the walls of Karltejn." " Not even me?" " No, not even Your Highness." "The Emperor had Karltejn built as a treasury for holy relics, where he wants to contemplate in solitude and devote himself to acts of christian humility and self-abnegnation." "However, Your Majesty can go to your own castle, Karlík." "It´s not far from Karltejn." " So we´ll be breathing the same air with the Emperor." "Ribbons and flags fly there where women don´t meddle." "I can make laces as easily as a fullstop at the end of a sentence." "Long life in a houshold sounds like a requiem, under such circumstances we neither laugh, nor drink." "To a man, being solo suits best, both in a battle and by the stove, even a dwarf is a giant, when he is home alone." "I won´t tell you in detail all that I know about women, but I will entrust my laundry only and only to my own hands." "Even the goose prefers to see her feathers being plucked by a man, gentlemen: he who is ashamed of this, his soul is old and weak." "To a man, being solo suits best, both in a battle and by the stove, even a dwarf is a giant, when he is home alone." "Things that female hands can do, a hand of a guy can do better, sweep, sow, wash, bake, and then sharpen his arrow." "Where a devil cannot enter, he sends a woman instead!" "Whether you're Cain or Abel, avoid the settlement below the castle!" "To a man, being solo suits best, both in a battle and by the stove, even a dwarf is a giant, when he is home alone." " This is not going to end well." "Something will happen here one day." " It already has, Lord Burgrave." " Ahh..." " Ambrose with two guards who were helping in the kitchen burnt the mash for the castle guards so that it caught fire!" "Bøenìk wrongly sewed ribbons onto the Royal banner." "But he unpicked them immediately." "Young Lord Zajíc of Dobøí invented a mangle  and he almost lost his arm when using it." " Hang on, Lord Peek, don't torture an old man..." " Luckily, the mangle gave away sooner than Lord Zajíc." " Master Cup-bearer, is our noble guest well taken care of?" " Guest?" "There are already two guests, Lord Burgrave." " Two?" " His Majesty Peter, King of Cyprus, has been joined by Duke Stephen of Bavaria." " With his whole entourage?" " No." "Without the ladies." " Bad enough even without ladies." "I'd like to know what does he want here." " Our noble quests are exploring the castle right now." " And what are they saying?" " King Peter asked, where are the rooms for the ladies." " I mean what the does the Duke of Bavaria say..." " As for the castle, he had just words of praise." " Hmmm." " That it is a wonder of both the world and the century, that the luxury of the North and the imagery of the East shake their hands here." " Hmmm, that was nicely said..." " Don't you feel, Duke, that this perfection and beauty is missing a crown?" " I´m expecting the Emperor by the end of the day." "His Majesty does not yet have an idea that I am here, all the more pleasant surprise will it be for him." "I have important issues to discuss with him." " I didn´t mean the Emperor." " What other crown could Your Majesty mean?" " All this luxury could not be created for the shoulder of St. Vitus or for the shoulder blade of St. Catherine..." " As I know the Emperor, it could." " No." "All this has been built for a woman." "Or for women." " Your Majesty is mistaken." "You do not know how pious Charles is." " But does piety exclude love?" " Well, sometimes it is difficult to put these two together." " On the contrary!" "Love is piety, and piety is love, Duke!" " What a devilish idea!" "My esteemed Lord, reveal to me, where does the locked door lead to?" "Where does one secretly go if one is puzzled by love?" "My honorable Lord, reveal to me, why is your castle unsuitable for love?" "And where does one hide his confessions, if one doesn´t protect himself from love?" "Perhaps in the towers?" "Perhaps in the towers!" "My noble Lord, reveal to me, where does the philanderous door lead to?" "Where do in secret meet those who melt under the spell of love?" "In return, I will reveal to you, how to tune female strings," "I´d just like to know, where do those who are in live hide?" "In the towers?" "In the towers!" "In the towers!" "I´ve seen her with my own eyes." " Well, Your Majesty mustn't believe everything You see with your own eyes." " She flitted between the trees like a ray of sun!" " I am sceptical." "It must have been an illusion." "Maybe a fairy." " Ha!" "A fairy?" "!" " Your Majesty does not believe in fairies?" "I saw them by myself!" "At home, in Bavaria!" " At home, in Bavaria?" " Yes, at home in Bavaria!" " Possibly there." "But in this blessed land, when a fairy steps on a meadow the traces can be seen for quite some time." " De gustibus non est disputandum." " Yes, as we say at home on Cyprus, there's no accounting for tastes." "I can see a skirt!" "Richly decorated!" " Inside that skirt there is His Eminence Archbishop Arnot of Pardubice." " Welcome to Karltejn, Duke." " I am honoured by your kind words, Your Eminence." " I can see that the steps of my sovereign´s honourable guests lead unwaverably towards the gem of our castle, to the Chapel of the Holy Cross." "I shall consider it an honour to accompany you." "Magnificent paintings, finished but lately by Master Dìtøich, rightly deserve admiration." "The Holy Fathers:" "Ambrose, Jerome," "Holy Abbots, Bishops, Emperors." "Holy Evangelists:" "John, Mark, Matthew, Luke." " They are really outstanding pieces of artwork, but..." " But If you would kindly excuse the fact that our attention clearly seems to be roaming." " Your wise forbearance will surely forgive us..." " Maybe even give us advice..." " Actually, we were just in the middle of an argument..." " In medias disputacionis." " If the humble strength of my imperfect spirit and knowledge allows..." " How is it with women here, Revered Father?" " I was just about to point them out." "St. Euphrasia, a virgin, who in order to avoid a marriage with a rich man left to live in the desert, St. Agnes, the protector of immaculate virtue, ..." " Revered Father..." " I am listening, Duke." " His Majesty did not necessarily mean figurative phenomenons..." " Even though masterly potrayed but rather the tangible substance." " Noble gentlemen want to ask, whether we have women hidden somewhere around." " Exactly." "Yes!" "Yes." " No, we do not." "The prohibiton issued by His Majesty the Emperor is known all over the country." " And no woman is exempt from this prohibition?" " None." "Thus holy is the place, that houses holy relics and state gems." "The Emperor does not want to be interrupted in his prayers..." "... even by his own wife." "I can see that honorable guests are tired." "Even the sincere kindness of a host, if too extensive, can bother." " We are deeply grateful." "The mural paintings are a bit tiring." "One gets a backache after a while..." "This way, gentlemen." "Allow yourself to spend your time as you please." "Meanwhile, peace be with you." " Your Majesty here, at Karltejn?" " Yes." "Forgive my being inquisitive, my lady, what circumstance can I thank for this unexpected pleasure?" "They took me to my castle." "Is called Karlík, isn't it?" "I asked my chief lady-in-waiting to take a ride with me." "I had no idea the saddle wasn't one of her strong point." "So I lost her." "And I lost my way." "Yes, it seems." "Thank God your horse brought you here." "But you cannot stay." "You know of the Emperor's interdiction." "And he most strictly observes his own laws." "Nobody saw me." " Thas good." "But unforgivable of the sentries..." "I wanted nobody to see me." "Why?" "Nearly two months have passed since our wedding." "How many times have I been allowed to see the Emperor?" "The Emperor has many duties." "Do not forget, he is the first ruler of Europe." "And his wife's heart must go a-begging." "My Lady," "your husband loves you deeply." "I believe you, Father, but it is sad that you are the one to tell me." "I know my love is nothing beside the duties of a great Emperor, his glorious buildings, heroic deeds of self-abnegation, visits to churches and monasteries." " They make you jealous?" "When a woman loves, she is jealous of all." "Is that a sin?" "Not a sin, but a weakness." "Is the Emperor here, at Karlstejn?" "We are expecting him any minute." "Lucky Karlstejn." " Lucky?" "You do not understand, Father." "You have never known love - you are a priest." "This may be excusable in a loving wife, but not dignified enough for a Queen." "Help me leave, and if you can, do not let the Emperor know of my weakness." "The Queen may go, but the loving wife must stay." "The wound in you heart needs healing." "It will be the first deception of my life, but my conscience is clear," "for our work is good." "Put it down!" "Put it up!" "Water!" "Wait, I'll help it..." "There seems to be fun here, in spite of there being no women." "You deserve to be chopped up and fried." "Halberd and horse, the only things you can handle, you oaves." "What if the local womenfolk just don't seem to look like women." "The page-boy in the gateway, for example." "He does not have a moustache." "What he hasn't got isn't as important as what he has." "And what he has to hide carefully." "My patron saint, I'd give a heap of silver for a woman." "What do you think you're doing?" "I think our search now has a clear aim." "Exactly!" "Alena!" "For Goïs sake, are you mad?" "You said you'd give a heap of silver for a woman." "What an idea, coming here!" "?" "I made a bet that I'd spend a night at Karlstejn." "Holy Virgin!" "What fool took on that bet?" "My father." "Forgive my asking, but was he sober?" "No." "But I have the agreement." "So he did this to spite our Burgrave." "Of course he did it to spite my uncle." "Our love will lose by this, love." " Our love will gain by it." "Now we need no longer wait for you to be knighted." "Does that mean you father..." " My father will allow us to marry." "What?" "Right away?" "Right away." " Whas the condition?" "If I stay here in spite of the Emperor's prohibition." "But everybody will know you, Alena!" "I recognized you at first sight." "Call that "sight"?" "My heart had its say too." "Pesek!" "So you do love me a little..." "Yeah, I do." "But the Emperor can be here any minute." "Ah, the heart is now beset by fear?" "!" "Ouch!" "Wait, my treasure!" "I'm thinking, Maybe it would be better if you didn't stay and I tried to achieve knighthood." "How?" "!" "There's no war on, for you to prove you valour." " They'd find you here." "Then maybe you could win fame through valour." "Valour indeed." "That wouldn't bring me knighthood." "I've seen through you, you coward." "You can wait for your spurs for ever." "I don't need you." " Alenka, wait, be sensible." "What if I win fame through civil service?" "If from your lover you'll not part, you must grow a hero's heart." "Love makes me feel tense, but I use my common sense." "Dear God!" "When you love this way, throw all sense away" "What makes your love last a hundred years quite fast?" "Keep all sense at bay." "Never let us stray!" "Never let us stray." "Keep all sense at bay!" "Love has to be blind, if you want to be kind." "My passion makes me tense, but I use my common sense." "My God!" "When you love this way, throw all sense away." "What makes your love last a hundred years quite fast?" "Keep all sense at bay." "Never let us stray!" "Never let us stray." "Keep all sense at bay!" "Well is it a woman or not?" "This time I admit you could be right." "We must act at once." "There's something between him and the cup-bearer." "He who first unveils the truth, wins." "Prior tempore, pocior lure." "At home on Cyprus we say:" "The early bird catches the worm." "When does the wood-cock win over the hunter?" "At mating time." "Yeah... at mating time." "When's a man the greatest fool?" "When he's in love." " When he's in love." "When he's in love." " When he's in love." "Even if you burn with desire whas the good of all that fire!" "However pure your heart - you know you have to part!" "Lucky the wood-cock!" "When does the wood-cock win over the hunter?" "At mating time." "Yeah... at mating time." "When's a man the biggest fool?" "When he makes promises!" "Never make promises!" "Ah, the gentlemen now long to see some more local attractions." "In a sense..." "Yes." " Yes." "This way, you Highness." " This way?" "Yes." " Please." "The apocalypse of St. John, by Master Nicholas." "The battle of the angels with the devils." "But it begins on the opposite side..." "The four angels, two hundred million riders..." "I shall leave you to your meditations." "Well painted, yes." "Eminenter." "If you don't want me, I'm going." "Good night." "Alena dear, you know how I love you!" "Less than I love you." " More." "So I may stay?" "God, but where?" "Anywhere - the guard-room." "The guard-room?" "!" "I'll drink, play craps, fight." "All night with the men?" "All night." "You say you have to stay with his Majesty!" " I really do have to." "Sure." "The cup-bearer has to keep filling the Royal cup." " Of course." "And his Majesty's going to drink all night?" "Could be." "Wow, won't he be boozed up." "Is that the way to speak of the Emperor?" "You could meet me by the well." "I have to stand guard all night in front of his Majesty's door." "What a job." "Guarding him when he's asleep, boozing him up when he's awake..." "Find somebody more to you liking then." "Goodbye!" "Pesek!" "I only thought maybe if he falls asleep we could meet by the well." "Thas just what I can't do." "Good night, then." " Where are you going?" "To the guard-room, where the real men are." "What can I do, love?" "If you really loved me, you'd find a way." "I'll fall sick." "Love-sick?" " No." "Yes - to hell with it!" "I'm going to fall ill." "Pesek!" "Is that the way to talk?" "I shall tell the Archbishop I'm ill, and I'll meet you by the well." "Your task will not be easy." "You will keep watch in front of the Emperor's bedroom all night long." "Yes." "Dressed as the Burgrave's page, you'll take over the duties of the royal cup-bearer." "Sir Pesek." "How does one put this on, Father?" "Onto the legs, daughter." "I'm a bit scared." "Now what about the cup-bearer, Pesek." "I'm afraid we'll have to remove him." "Remove him?" "Cup-bearer?" "He will have to fall sick, my queen." "...the shakes and the shivers the pest and the plague..." "He's got the shakes and the shivers the pest and the plague..." "The wasting disease it must be, that plagues me as you can see." "The wasting disease it must be..." "Somebody's daughter it must be, that plagues him, as I can see." "The wasting disease it must be..." "The wasting disease it must be..." "The wasting disease it must be..." "Somebody's daughter, as I can see." "Aword with you, Sir..." "But you look not well at all..." "Yes, your Reverence." "Heavens above, are you ill?" "Sort of..." "Now, when we await the Emperor?" " Is nothing." "I'm perfectly well." "You're not." " I am!" "You are not." " But Father..." "You're not." " I am!" "Sir Pesek, do you want to win the Spurs of Knighthood?" "Not any more " "I mean yes!" "I'm as healthy as a young bullock." "You're wrong." "You are ill." "You will be too ill to serve his Majesty tonight, you won't be on guard in the hall in front of his bedroom." "It is a matter of state interest." "And you'll get your Spurs." "Yes... thank you, your Reverence." "With all my heart." "You need to rest." " Yes!" "Pretend to be sick and remain in the Burgrave's rooms." "Can't I pop out even for a moment?" "No indeed." "The Emperor is coming any minute." "The King is coming, coming to us." "The King is coming, coming to us." "The King is coming, coming to us." "The King is coming, coming to us." "I can breathe freely again at last." "Praised be the Lord and St. Wenceslas." "It is a joy for me to welcome our great ruler after such a long time." "Thank you for your welcome, I'm always happy to be here." "Here I am in the very heart of my nation, here I am amongst my own." "I trust, my noble guests, that you will accept with forbearance the modest hospitality of my castle, consecrated to contemplation and rest." "I admire the Emperor." "No a wink to show there's something up." "Something's up?" " Sure thing." "My mission is a serious one, but should there be a bit of fun nihil humanum ceterem..." " Nothing human is strange." "The Duke of Bavaria will want a hearing." "Urgently." "As usual." "Does he know I want no politics here?" " He knows." "Somebody left the stones in!" "Is the King of Cyprus not bored?" "He likes your castle, your Majesty." "But he'd rather admire other attractions." "Is not him." "He's sprouting a moustache." "But some passionate women..." " Is not him." "Of course." "Those in disguise'll be in later." "Pour the wine, boy." "From the first vine to have ripened in Bohemia, gentlemen." "A little bitter at first it seems." "But only the first taste." "As is the case with all in our land." "The Emperor is in fine spirits." "I shall ask for an audience forthwith." "Now - before it breaks out?" "I know, my lord, ceremonies in the Charles' court." "Well - it is in the interest of the Empire." "That can wait!" "Adventure must be grabbed at the right moment!" "Heavens, what are you doing here?" "I came to ask when you'd be coming to the well." "I can't." " Why not?" "I must stay at the Burgrave's." "Who said so?" "I had to promise the Archbishop." "Marry the Archbishop, then." "Hide, quick!" "I can't!" "The Emperor is leaving the dining room." "Well, look!" "I mustn't." "But why not?" "Somebody has to recognize me." "To tell dad I really spent the night at Karlstejn." "Tomorrow, gentlemen, we shall go hunting to the woods of Beroun." "Now please excuse me, and pray enjoy yourselves over the wine." "Good night." "The more I see of him the more sure I am that nothing's up." "You must ask for an audience immediately." "Now?" " Is of lmperial interest." "It can wait." "Adventure must be..." "It won't wait!" "...grabbed." "That girl in disguise must be in the Emperor's chamber." "...Duke Stephen..." " I know, an audience." "Right now?" " He pretends it is an important political matter." "But as usual is only to gain advantages for his house." "We shall receive him." "I hope our dear cup-bearer's sickness is not serious." "Just a cold, your Majesty." "Who is on duty?" "The Olbramovic boy, the son of New Town's mayor." "This is your first night on guard in front of the Emperor's bedroom?" "Wake up, boy." "You will see nothing to make you heart beat faster." "Emperor Charles IV will say his prayers and go to bed like the poorest farmer in his land." "Only more tired, maybe." "Now, my boy, tell the Duke we are expecting him." "Here I am at home at last." "How is the work going at Karlstejn?" "The painting?" "Master Detfiich has finished your portrait." "Now the portrait of the Empress." "Well?" " He hesitates to paint from memory." "He asks for at least one sitting with her Highness." "Tell him to finish the portrait from memory." "I shall lead his brush where his hand hesitates." "I know the shape of her face to perfection, every hair on her forehead, each trembling smile." "I shall lead his hand and he will create a great painting, because the painting will be done through love itself." "You may think me ridiculous, Ernest, but I did not invent love," "I only gratefully accept it from God." "Your Imperial Majesty, I am..." "I..." "I..." " What are you doing here, my boy?" "Ah yes, the Duke's visit." "Please excuse his inexperience." "The boy was blinded by your magnificence, started dreaming and forgot." "Flattery is acceptable only there, where it hides another's shortcomings." "Come, my boy, let us put things right." "His Majesty expects you." "Thank you, Father." "But should his Majesty be tired..." "I can come tomorrow..." "It is not necessary." "The Emperor will receive you now." "Now?" " Now." "Yes." "Father!" "My love no longer requires this test." "I believe it does, your Majesty." "Wine in a glass on a platter makes this cruel life better," "but then my eye does start to roam." "Man does not like to drink alone!" "You blessed vine - love of mine!" "You liquid vine - sparkling and mine!" "With you in my veins thas all that remains..." "With wine, you must believe," "I'm Adam, and I want my Eve." "Liquid vine, you're nearly human treacherous as a married woman." "You liquid vine - sparkling and mine!" "Wine in a glass on a platter makes this cruel life..." " Alena!" "...makes this cruel life better!" " Come closer!" "Why?" " Because... well..." "Well, well... for one kiss!" "Just one kiss." "Come and fetch it, then!" "Come one step closer." "I shall, too." "More I cannot." "One step I'm willing to take." "One of my steps equals at least two of yours." "Thank God you're being sensible." "I just want my uncle the Burgrave to see me." "He'll tell my father..." " What?" "Is it possible, that there's really no womenfolk?" "Possible it is." "But is a damned bore, you Highness." "Good night." "Oh, my uncle." " Alena!" "My uncle." " Be sensible." "Burgrave!" "Sir, look at me." "No!" "I've got other things" "I should be looking at." "But why now, in the dark?" "We'll see to them tomorrow." "I'm not a page!" "Sir burgrave!" "The boy really doesn't know what he is." "I'm a girl!" " And I'm a doe." "Sir..." "Uncle don't you recognize me?" "I'm your auntie, and thas my last word!" "Sir cup-bearer, throw him into the guard-room, we'll go into this tomorrow." "Yes." "I agree." "But your Majesty, let me..." "But what can I do, Sir?" "It was my mission relatum refero." "You look after the betterment of your house too." "But I have never tried to enrich myself with what belongs to others, Duke." "Never!" "I have never gained anything by force." "Yes, but this concerns your wider empire..." "the Holy Roman Empire, and peace." "Peace of Germany?" "You in Germany see to it that peace does not last long." "And you Germans always complain, that I worry too much about the Czechs." "But how can we not love what is our life's work?" "When I came to this land, it was a desert, town and villages plundered and pillaged, the noblemen robbers and the people beggars, ...mistreated." "Now, when I see my work flourish, when I see the land blossom," "I love it more than myself." "May your fellow-country men do in their country what I did in Bohemia," "and all will be well with Europe." "I hope you enjoy your stay at Karlstejn." "We cannot back out now, daughter." "God almighty..." "not even in Bavaria is this possible." "Father, you leave me here alone?" "I can do no more for you, Majesty." "I shall pray with the Emperor and got to bed." "What if the Emperor wants nothing more?" "Then your guard-duty is simple." "Veni, vidi!" "Yeah, I only walked about and stared, too." ""Vici" didn't come into it." " I had no better luck." "But I know, where that girl is." "Down in the courtyard, having fun with the Burgrave." "Now?" " Now!" "A minute ago." "The Emperor is being deceived." "Much worse." "He's doing the deceiving!" "The girl is in his ante-room." "Wearing the Burgrave's colours?" " Yes." "Then is she." "She's very lovely." "Well worth taking a look at." "What does his Highness desire?" " To enter." "I have strict orders to let in nobody." "To the Emperor?" " Yes." "But I don't want the Emperor." "Who, then?" "The girl I've been searching for all day, the girl I've fallen in love with." "There is no girl at Karlstejn." "She is beautiful, courageous and dressed up as a page." "Go, Sir, you are mistaken." "Young man, one friendly embrace and I'll admit my mistake." "Fear the Emperor's anger, I shall call out!" "A kiss, or I shall call out!" " No!" "You will not do that." " I know everything." "I was watching you at the court." "Your fun and games with the cup-bearer and the Burgrave." " I?" "Or are all the Karlstejn pages maids in disguise?" "Back!" "Very well!" "Maybe this way the sweet truth will out." "You'll be disappointed, Highness." "Whas this?" "Our guest fighting against page-boy?" "Even weapons - so a dispute." "What is this supposed to mean?" "His Highness wanted to enter, Majesty." "No, actually I was looking well, I was looking for..." " For me." "You wished to see the chapel by candle-light." "I remembered, and hurried..." "Is my fault I am sorry to be late." "Your majesty, let me point out, that the page-boy..." "He was over-zealous, excuse him please." "His first night on duty." "Yes." "Illuminated chapel is at your service," "Dear Sir." "The Archbishop will take you to the chapel." "You were right, your Reverence." "Even here excitement can be found." "Come closer, my boy." "Closer still!" "Closer!" "Sit down." "I cannot sit if my ruler stands." "I shall sit too, then." "Pour out some wine for both of us." "I do not feel like sleeping." "Standing guard is not as easy as it seems." "Nor amusing the master during sleepless nights..." "And rulers have plenty of those." "Maybe it only depends on the ruler, as to what his nights are like." "This night I am spending with you." "Are you glad?" "Drink up, then." " Thank you, your Majesty" "I do not drink wine, Sir." "You snap swords like carrots and don't drink wine?" "A boy so courageous?" "I am happy to hear you praise me for my courage, Sire." "You have a soft hand." "As if you were a maiden." "But then we couldn't be at Karlstejn." " Of course." "And in all the land there is but one woman who snaps swords in two." "The Empress." "Yet not even she may be an exception and be here." "No." "What do you think of my prohibition?" "You don't like my ordinance?" "It is not for me to judge." "Ah, me." "Even my page-boy in disguise protests." "I don't think the others do." "Others?" "The one, who was flirting with your courtiers in the yard." "Your words are based on facts?" " Yes." "I shall investigate most strictly." "Stay in my chapel until I find and punish, who disobeyed my orders." "Should your accusation be false," "I shall punish you!" " Me?" "Yes, you." "How?" "As you deserve, my boy." "Guards!" "If you want to feel better than the rest, choose a craft that suits you best!" "If you want the girls to love you, be a soldier, be a hero!" "The King supports us." "God protects us!" "Mortars and maces, and the girls' eyes" "I knew something would happen." "I knew it." "Hear the drum, don't waste your time!" "When Glory gilds your helmet you're a man, you've made it!" "The King supports us." "God protects us!" "Mortars and maces, and the girls' eyes." "What can you tell me about the presence of women at Karlstejn?" "Only that they'll be the death of me even in their absence, Majesty..." "Awoman is secretly hiding out at Karlstejn!" "Thas impossible!" "Not even a mouse of female sex..." "I want to find and punish the offender." "Have the castle searched." "The King supports us." "God protects us!" "Mortars and maces, and the girls' eyes." "The King supports us." "God protects us!" "Mortars and maces, and the girls' eyes." " At highest orders - to arms!" "The castle is in danger!" "Helmets, cuirasses, halberds!" "Crossbows!" "With Goïs help, up onto the ramparts!" "No ramparts!" "The danger is inside." "There's a woman at the castle!" "What are we to do with her, Sir?" "Find her!" "Spare nobody!" "Right now!" "Go!" "For Goodness' sake, wait..." "I have to tell you..." "Quickly, or later!" "You see I you see we..." "are going to get married..." "Now you're telling me?" "You must be mad." "Are trying to say, that you won't have it tomorrow, before the wedding?" "What are you staring at?" "Search!" "You'd know a woman, surely." "Go!" "Yes." "This is no woman." "What did you say?" " Nothing." "Maid or Missis she be let us light up and see!" "Let us light up and see!" "We'll find her!" "We'll find her!" "We men were not born to be made fun of!" "With a skip and a jump we'll beat and we'll bump." "And search kitchen, and search the furs!" "Could hide a woman!" "Shake the furs!" "Forward and to the rear we'll find her, never fear!" "We'll have her by the morn each one of us a hero born!" "Majesty, even before you hear me out," "I beg of you to stop this hunt!" "It is too late, Father." "I beg of you most humbly." "It is all my fault." "I allowed trespassing of your law." "God is punishing me for my thoughtless act." "It is woman's mistrust and jealousy that needs punishing." "Forgive me, but woman's weaknesses include more noble traits, too." "Which, Father?" " Love, longing and worry." "The woman you search for, is the Empress." "I bow to your wisdom, Father." "But I know about the Empress." "And because of her I search for the other." "Whas up, Burgrave?" "We're looking for a woman, Highness" " You too?" "We too!" " We too!" "We too!" "We too!" "We too!" "We too!" "Does the Emperor know?" " His was the order." "Burgrave!" "Burgrave!" "I know, you're getting married!" "But is that..." "that woman..." "Why are you teasing me, Sir Pesek?" "...this... this... woman, you're looking..." "This-this-this." "Dear God, the way youngsters stutter nowadays!" "It wasn't like that when I was young!" "We used to say what we mean!" "Well, thas what I mean..." " Well?" "...Is your niece, Alena." "Can't be bothered with relatives just now..." "What?" "God!" "Where is she?" "!" "Where?" "In disguise." "And she looks a sight for sore eyes." "Holy Mackerel!" "She must get out, at once!" "Get rid of her, throttle her." "Pitch her down the well!" "Paint her black!" "I see there is fun even at Karlstejn." "Can I join in?" "Can I be of help?" "My God!" "Everything is under control." "You needn't bother." " Let us go to bed." "Yes, to bed." " Pray let nobody disturb you." "Kitchen and cellar in smithereens, but no woman found." "And pray what would a woman be doing here?" "I'm sorry, but I saw one." " No." "Impossible." " Yes, in front of the Emperor's bedroom." "I'll kill her!" " That I would not recommend." "But it should be reported to the Emperor." "Oh no!" " This is my end." "Why?" "If the Emperor knows, is all right." "If he doesn't, you'll get your reward." "Tears are not a knighs strongest weapon." "You know I am no knight." "But if mastered a more manly weapon," "I would give my life to atone for my sinful mistrust and to be forgiven by you and God." "Stand up, my lady." "Let us find a solution more acceptable to Him and us." "I am not asking for forgiveness." "If you can, stop this hunt." "It is undignified for us both." "That would not be wise." "The seed of mistrust must be pulled out by the roots." "We must know the truth about the other woman." "What if there is none other?" "So you meant to deceive me after all?" "Oh no!" "The King of Cyprus knows I am no page." "He saw a woman in the courtyard, thought it was I." "But what if he only said this to confuse and win me?" "But it came in useful." "I wanted to hurt you." "Though my nights are sleepless," "I had a dream so hopeless:" "Long ago we've been parted," "My King, he came to me!" "He said to me:" "My love, as the heavens stand above, for you I give up my throne, my cathedrals and my crown." "Though my days are eventless, today I feel so restless." "A weird dream I have," "My King, oh come to me!" "He said to me:" "My love, as the heavens stand above, for you I give up my throne, my cathedrals and my crown." "He said to me:" "My love, as the heavens stand above, for you I give up my throne, my cathedrals and my crown." "He said to me:" "My love, as the heavens stand above, for you I give up my throne, my cathedrals and my crown." "Cry no more, my Queen." "It is I, who should pay for the happiness of standing the wiser before my lady." "You forgive me?" "And thus the walls of this castle saw the miracle of a kiss for the first time and the last." "Lady Ofka, has arrived!" "So you didn't find her - she disappeared into thin air." "We found her Majesty's horse." " Thas a surprise." "Oh dear!" " Am I to send for the healer?" "No, no." "Forgive me, you Ladyship, I dare to give you an advice, but this should be reported at once to the Emperor at Karlstejn." "I'll find the Empress myself." "And I'm sure I shall be able to report the fact to the Emperor that same second." "My armour..." "Armour!" "...a hood..." "A hood!" "...and basinet!" "Basinet!" "A - a man's basinet?" "What other, you fool?" "And two men in full armour on horseback!" "Three!" " Three!" "Her Ladyship means to mount again?" "No, the cart!" "The cart!" "You pardon, Majesty!" "Never have I suffered such a blow." "Your worthless servant gives up the post he held so poorly." "Stand, my liege." " I thank you." "What has happened?" " Through no fault of mine, there is a woman at the castle." "You saw her?" " No, but we know of her." "Calm down." "Tell me all you know." "In man's habit she broke through into you very antechambers, Majesty." "It seems you know enough." "What else?" " Punish me, Sire, but forgive the poor girl." "She sinned for love, which she has more of than common sense." "What do you say, Father?" "I think, wise men must forgive sins, that come from the noblest of female weaknesses." "But I shall punish him myself." "Him?" "Your cup-bearer, Pesek." "The girl is Alena, the Burgrave's niece." "She staged the trick to get her father's permission to marry Pesek." "Firstly stop the search." "What shall I do with her?" " We forgive her, but she must leave the castle." "It seems the King of Cyprus did us a service in mistaking the Queen for this girl." "Do not send the girl away." "I do not want to stay here with so many men." "A greater danger is in store for you." "You'll be alone with one man." "We two shall secretly escape to your castle." "Your Majesty means to leave now, at night?" "The lawmaker must be the first to respect his laws." "Even if he doesn't feel like it." "I'll experience an adventure, I'll be kidnapped." "The horses!" "Ouch!" "Set me up, don't throw me over, fools!" "Yes!" "To Karlstejn!" "I have an important message for the Emperor." "Wait." "Special security against the female sex breaking into the castle." "This is no woman, nor is this." "And this is certainly no woman." "No more searching!" "Especially not here." "Come here!" " Where, then?" "Man the ramparts." "Well?" " I was sure, there's no live woman inside." "My nose would tell me." " I'll never forget this." "Onto the ramparts!" "If you see anything, report before you act!" "Man the northern ramparts!" "Man the upper ramparts." "And stay there!" "It seems the woman has escaped?" "There was no woman here, your Highness." "How best to hide?" "!" "To pretend to search." "The Emperor is undeniably clever." "The hunt is over." "It is time for bed." "Your Highness is giving up?" "There's nobody to hunt." " Good night." "The hinds are in safety." "In the bedrooms, you mean." "Saole!" "Halt!" "Take me to the Emperor." "I'm in hurry, man." "Take me to the Emperor, understand?" "Awoman!" "Listen, my boy, was that not a girl's cry?" "No!" "Don't worry, my child, I shall protect you..." "I'm not afraid." "I caught a pole-cat!" "Are you going to the Emperor?" "Why the rush." "There's no woman here, no danger threatens." "You know, I'm looking for a woman?" "Where is she?" "But, but, but..." "I say, one girlie looking for another?" "I want the Emperor." " Not surprising." "I'll be happy to take you there." "How will you repay me?" "How dare you?" "Guards!" "Awoman, and what a woman!" "Quiet, you'll rouse the whole castle!" "Quiet!" "Just what I want!" "Guards!" "Awoman!" "Guards!" "Awoman in the castle!" " Awoman in the castle!" "Awoman in the castle!" " Awoman in the castle!" "Awoman in the castle!" " Awoman in the castle!" "Awoman - follow me!" "You cannot leave now, you Majesty." "Yes, Emperor Charles and his Empress are captives at Karlstejn." "Dear Ernest, you helped to plot this story." "I shall now give you a task rather unusual for your reverend office." "To unravel the woman problem at Karlstejn." "Alena!" "You must be off your head!" "Come, I'll help you try and escape!" "I'll help, come!" "I have to speak to the Emperor!" " Alena!" "Let me go!" "Is Sodoma and Gomora!" "Thas her!" "Catch her!" "This is my..." "...my arms carrier, Bfienuk!" "Bfienuk!" "Ha " "Give him a slap and you'll see!" "You have insulted my bride, Sir!" "Alena, for Goïs sake, where did you find this armour?" "Fie, three to one!" "?" " Alena!" "Alena!" "Take me to the Emperor!" "You're not inside that armour?" "Run for it!" "Never!" "So many brides?" "!" "Mister duke!" "You have no other arms to win woman?" "Halt!" "Not even the Emperor's presence stops your madness?" "Is this your way of expressing a knighs honour?" "Majesty, forgive a foreigner who tried to uphold you laws more firmly than your own." "Majesty, I am the guilty man." "May your anger fall upon my head." " It was my fault." "Thank you, Duke, for helping our Burgrave so assiduously." "You staged a courageous game, Pesek." "Stand up, my child." "We know of your offence and its causes, but we forgive you." "Pesek, be grateful to your bride for the only human trait, that allows the power of the law to waver" "and that is love." "My apologies, Majesty, but the duel was fought for another woman." "Majesty, permit me to explain." "The relentless duties of my office have brought me here." "The First Lady-in-Waiting!" "The Queen is at the castle." "Whas up now?" "I don't know, I'm not there." "People sounding fanfares as they like..." "The first lady-in waiting is mistaken." "The Queen is not here, she is just arriving." "My lady, at this time?" "I rode out early into the woods with my lady-in-waiting..." "And lost your way?" " Not knowing these parts." "Instead of my castle Karlík, the towers of Karlstejn appeared..." "How lucky that Karlstejn was built" "But I am worried about my lady-in-waiting." "My lady!" "Worry no more." "Duke Stephen is playing the knight." "Luckier than I, again." "Forgive me, in my dire need I broke your interdiction." "Praised be that happy need." "Welcome at Karlstejn, my Queen." "From now on be it your castle as much as mine." "May women now live - and perhaps rule a little," "side by side the men they love, at Karlstejn." "Anyway, in the enlightened times for future days nobody would believe in the days of the father of this land, may he rest in peace, there was ever a law against it." "Please, my lord, tell me, whence does lead yonder secret door," "through which love steals for ever more." "Please, my lord, tell me, why is this castle for love so unsuited," "where does it keep its heartbeats muted?" "In the towers?" " In the towers?" "In the towers?" " In the towers?" "THE END"