Runner (comes). The great service-cup is wanted, sir; that
rich gold cup with the Bohemian arms on it. The Count 25
says you know which it is.
Master of the Cellar. Ay! that was made for Frederick's
coronation by the artist William—there was not such
another prize in the whole booty at Prague.
Runner. The same!—a health is to go round in him. [30]
Master of the Cellar. This will be something for the
tale-bearers—this goes to Vienna.
Neumann. Permit me to look at it.—Well, this is a cup
indeed! How heavy! as well it may be, being all
gold.—And what neat things are embossed on it! how natural 35
and elegant they look! There, on that first quarter, let me
see. That proud Amazon there on horseback, she that is
taking a leap over the crosier and mitres, and carries on a
wand a hat together with a banner, on which there's
a goblet represented. Can you tell me what all this signifies? 40
Master of the Cellar. The woman whom you see there on
horseback, is the Free Election of the Bohemian Crown.
That is signified by the round hat, and by that fiery steed
on which she is riding. The hat is the pride of man; for
he who cannot keep his hat on before kings and emperors 45
is no free man.
Neumann. But what is the cup there on the banner?
Master of the Cellar. The cup signifies the freedom of the
Bohemian Church, as it was in our forefathers' times. Our
forefathers in the wars of the Hussites forced from the Pope 50
this noble privilege: for the Pope, you know, will not grant
the cup to any layman. Your true Moravian values nothing
beyond the cup; it is his costly jewel, and has cost the
Bohemians their precious blood in many and many a battle.
Neumann. And what says that chart that hangs in the air 55
there, over it all?
Master of the Cellar. That signifies the Bohemian letter
royal, which we forced from the Emperor Rudolph—a
precious, never to be enough valued parchment that secures
to the new Church the old privileges of free ringing and 60
open psalmody. But since he of Steiermärk has ruled over
us, that is at an end; and after the battle of Prague, in
which Count Palatine Frederick lost crown and empire, our
faith hangs upon the pulpit and the altar—and our brethren
look at their homes over their shoulders; but the letter 65
royal the Emperor himself cut to pieces with his scissors.