The Hastrman (Hastrman)

One in love with her fell,

another yearned his love to tell,

a third pierced his own heart

his thirst to quell.

His thirst to quell.

I returned to a region in the foothills. Not as one who’d been born there,

but as the person I imagined myself to be in this world.

I went back to the estate that now belonged to me.

I intended to manage it with ingenuity and the humility of my forebears.

They constructed an artful system of eight interconnected ponds

that honored the site’s origins and the landscape given them.

They built it where ponds and marshes had always been.

The work made them accessible and granted man the benefit

without taking away the swampy

Yes, it was now to be my responsibility.

I admit, however, that I returned for a different reason.

I hoped I would be alone here and find a place to quiet my soul.

CHAPTER 1 – PASSION SUNDAY

Whoa!

Like a bird in its nest or a bee in its hive,

native sons lay aside their quest when the dinner guests arrive.

Welcome, Lord, with this song back to the heart of your native land.

Today after your pilgrimage long a well-deserved rest is at hand.

We welcome you, we welcome you.

Ave Maria, Ave Maria, we welcome you.

Welcome, Herr Baron...

-Please speak Czech. -Of course.

I’m Matěj Kolář, the local mayor.

Your esteemed Lordship, everyone here

who live on your estate,

built in ages past by your most honorable family,

are thoroughly delighted by your arrival.

We finally have the honor of meeting Your Lordship.

From time immemorial this region

has flowed with milk and honey, and it flows still...

His Lordship has had a long journey.

Yes, from time immemorial this region...

-Thank you, Mayor. -I am at your service.

Thank you for the kind welcome.

I thank you all!

The pleasure is all ours.

-Who said that? -I did!

Heavens, my lord, I beg your gracious pardon.

Kateřina Kolářová.

Johann Salmon de Caus.

If you are indeed pleased by my presence, then the pleasure is mine as well.

Let’s go!

I beg your most gracious pardon, my lord.

Nothing to worry about. At least it wasn’t so desperately dull.

I’m raising her myself.

It’s been ten years, since my wife died.

That girl is nothing but trouble.

She wanders off, sometimes she’s gone for days.

She doesn’t want to go to church,

she shows contempt for everything, and she indulges in delight...

She’s young.

My, oh my...

-I did warn you... -Not enough!

Of course, the manor is still available, if it please you.

I had enough of manor houses in France and Germany.

Now I want to know the land of my ancestors.

It’s perfect.

Francl!

Have the cellar cleaned out. Make sure they fix the lock.

-Of course, sire. -What’s not to like?

Everything!

Sire, let us return to Bavaria.

Or what about France? Or Třeboň at least?

But there you always complained that your back hurts.

Wouldn’t want the dandy to get dirty...

Wait!

Sire, where should that one go?

Leave it here for now.

Careful!

Ah, my first visitor. Welcome, teacher.

Have you come to help?

As a matter of fact, yes.

After you.

I must admit, as a patriot, that I am pleased

by your Czech allegiance.

I’m certainly not saying that Germany doesn’t have its geniuses...

Ludwig Feuerbach?

This book has been banned.

Like to borrow it?

My father exhorted me to protect this collection with care.

He likely inherited it from our forebears.

He was completely devoted to his work:

the construction of beloved fountains

that he created with remarkable skill and imagination.

He certainly did not wish to enlarge the collection.

In this we agreed.

We carry death from our midst to let the new year enter in...

And you, St. Margaret, once again be sure to bless our every grain.

So that we may drink to Him, the Lord our Savior praises brim.

After drinking the sacrament down we smash the bottles to the ground...

We carry death from our midst to let the new year enter in...

And you, St. Margaret, once again be sure to bless our every grain.

Please look after every crop, may God’s granting never stop.

We carry death from our midst to let the new year enter in...

Dear St. Peter will us enjoin to opine, bringing alone a basket of wine.

So that we may drink to Him, the Lord our Savior praises brim.

After drinking the sacrament down we smash the bottles to the ground...

We carry old dame Death to drown her final breath!

Come on!

Closer, closer...

Oh, love is never fun, when two want the same one.

Oh, love is never fun, when two want the same one.

One makes her every vow, one loves her here and now,

but in the end they love none.

One makes her every vow, one loves her here and now,

but in the end they love none.

Hey! Look!

No, I’ll go.

Jakub!

I just wanted to have some fun with the brazen lad.

Look out!

Things went a tad wrong.

My Jakub...

Since it was a done deed, family tradition demanded

that I expand the collection with a new specimen.

The pleasure is mine.

CHAPTER 2 – EASTER

After our talks but before we’d part,

I used to kiss your lips and your heart.

And when you reached out with your white hands,

each vein in my body could understand.

Let’s go! Let’s go!

Straight! Straighten it up! Pull now, heave!

One... and two! Straighten it!

One... and two!

Straighten it now!

Now heave, heave!

Strike it well!

Take this!

Is it alright?

-I think so, yes. -Come here a moment.

Do you know how they build a dam in Bavaria?

-No. -Well...

But I know how dams are built here.

Why are you piling those there?!

Mr. Francl, this is where the dam continues.

-Yes, exactly, exactly. -Here. -Where your finger is, exactly.

Whoa!

So here you are!

Matějka! What do you have to say?

Are we taking on other work without permission?

-Head Forester, sir, I... -Shut up!

You’ll pay for this!

Did the Head Forester perhaps not deign to notice

that these men are now in the service of the Baron?

I know, but...

Perhaps you object to them working for the Baron?

No, of course not, but...

I’m so glad.

I’m not sure if the Baron would enjoy hearing

that his workers are being threatened. And now you’re slowing them down.

I’ll take it up directly with the Baron.

That would be best.

Matějka!

Giddyup!

Mr. Francl,

do they build dams differently in Bavaria?

No, the same.

How did you like the Voltaire?

Have you read it?

Well, I started it,

but then Katynka Kolářová wheedled it from me.

Is that alright?

Miss Kolářová reads philosophical tracts?

Anything she can get her hands on.

And she understands?

She was my student.

So clever. A gifted child in all aspects,

like none I’ve taught before or since.

If she were a boy, she’d be studying medicine in Prague.

Or for the priesthood.

I doubt it.

I noticed that she was...

Exceptional!

My lord...

May I?

Here!

-But, my lord... -This spring is much stronger.

Trust me.

Behold the cross upon which died the Savior of the world.

We worship you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Oh, my beloved, my darling...

Oh, my beloved...

...my darling...

Are you so fast asleep?

I’m calling to you,

but you don’t respond.

Once again, thank you for the help, my lord.

Is it flowing well?

None living have seen the like of it.

Then I must come have a drink.

May I ask where you learned the skill?

From my father. I guess it’s in our blood.

My lord!

Excuse me, Father, I had to get some air.