The land of Bohemia in the eighteenth century. 'At Dawn, Two Nightingales' is rumoured to be the most dangerous poem in the world, its haunted verses said to be invested with mysterious, supernatural powers. The impoverished Count Mitrovsky believes that within the enchanted stanzas lies the key to his beautiful neighbour Marenka's heart, but other parties are searching for the poem too - sinister censors, dangerous criminals, bandits and brigands of all stripes.