_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. _Neumann._ Why, my good Master of the Cellar! you are deep read in the chronicles of your country! _Master of the Cellar._ So were my forefathers, and for that reason were they minstrels, and served under Procopius and 70 Ziska. Peace be with their ashes! Well, well! they fought for a good cause though--There! carry it up! _Neumann._ Stay! let me but look at this second quarter. Look there! That is, when at Prague Castle the Imperial Counsellors, Martinitz and Stawata were hurled down head 75 over heels. 'Tis even so! there stands Count Thur who commands it. [Runner _takes the service-cup and goes off with it._ _Master of the Cellar._ O let me never more hear of that day. It was the three and twentieth of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand, six hundred, and eighteen. It seems to me 80 as it were but yesterday--from that unlucky day it all began, all the heart-aches of the country. Since that day it is now sixteen years, and there has never once been peace on the earth. [_Health drunk aloud at the second table._ The Prince of Weimar! Hurra! [_At the third and fourth table._ Long live Prince William! Long live Duke Bernard! 85 Hurra! [_Music strikes up._ _First Servant._ Hear 'em! Hear 'em! What an uproar! _Second Servant (comes in running)._ Did you hear? They have drunk the Prince of Weimar's health. _Third Servant._ The Swedish Chief Commander! 90 _First Servant (speaking at the same time)._ The Lutheran! _Second Servant._ Just before, when Count Deodate gave out the Emperor's health, they were all as mum as a nibbling mouse. _Master of the Cellar._ Po, po! When the wine goes in, 95 strange things come out. A good servant hears, and hears not!--You should be nothing but eyes and feet, except when you are called. _Second Servant (to the Runner, to whom he gives secretly a flask of wine, keeping his eye on the Master of the Cellar, standing between him and the Runner)._ Quick, Thomas! before the Master of the Cellar runs this way--'tis a flask of 100 Frontignac!--Snapped it up at the third table.--Canst go off with it?