That he had fallen into cruel hands- Enter HILDEBRAND with an old sword drawn. Oh my master, Hild. [He fastens the door and windows, and Have I been in your service seventy years; But to desert you in the neediest time? [A loud battering is heard at the gates. Lord of M. Nay then, I'll do my best. I had a young man's vigour in my arm ; Lord of M. The lord of Kronberg! After that night, I crossed him in the chase, I am poor Hildebrand, who saved your life!" Lord of M. The poor man hath his evil in this life, His reckoning in the next! Hild. 1st Voice. Give's here the straw and matches, by my troth We'll serve them as the hornet, burn them out! But first, my aged servant, take a blessing Hild. [kneeling.] My gracious lord, May every power in heaven defend you through it! [The flames burst into the chamber. Hilde brand and the Lord of Maine rush out with drawn swords; the men close upon them, and bear off the Lord of Maine, leaving Hildebrand wounded among the burning ruins. SCENE II. Night- —a rocky glen, at the entrance of a lonesome mining village-a crowd of men, women and children collected together - Philip of Maine among them, unnoticed-Mother Schwartz stands forwardmeteors and northern lights are seen crossing the sky. Man. These signs are plain enough! Mother S. I saw, myself, Two armies from the north and south o' the sky Come up like hissing dragons; and the heavens The while were red as blood! Man. And bloody banners, And fiery swords and spears, like flickering lightning, Are thicker set than stars! Old Man. Wherefore these signs? I'll tell ye to arouse ye to repentance! -- Banners, and swords, and shields, to teach that ye Rivers of blood, to show the blood of Christ; The death on the cross; and moans and hissings Mother S. Peace, driveller, hold your peace! 2nd Man. No, no; these signs, These awful, fiery signs, have other meanings — [The gates give way with a loud crash. Tokens of wrath, to show the end o' the world Curse that old wood! Now, my dear master, back, this is my place! [He stations himself at the door; loud voices and heavy footsteps are heard without, which then pass off in the distance. Is now at hand! Philip of M. I see these diverse sights Hild. They've lost the scent! Oh, my most ex- But what of these, my friends? cellent master, If man's good deeds have any worth with heaven, Then should these sacred walls be kept from ruinWould that our Lutheran faith, like theirs of Rome, Gave us kind saints to take our house's quarrel! Lord of M. Peace, peace, good friend, I hear approaching voices. These things are tokens, Sent to the great and powerful of the earth To shake their souls! High heaven is wroth with them! Mother S. Thou art a wise man! I do read these things As thou. But hark! here comes the Innocent 1st Voice. [outside.] Here hides the ancient fox; The poor dumb innocent that now doth speak — come, now unearth him! 2nd Voice. This is the only habitable corner! He is sent forth in these bad, awful times Mother S. Nothing has been done, 2nd Man. Hist, hist! he comes, and soon he will "T is thus he rocks his body to and fro, [The crowd gives way, and the Innocent Look, they're coming from the clouds! -- Lo, they meet! The weak are strong! geance! Jan. S. And poor old Hildebrand has been dug He fought for his master, and was sorely wounded; Enter CONRAD, and other miners. See you that bloody beacon in the east? Conrad. I do! It is a beacon that will rouse I can smell blood, even as the raven can! Conrad. In the black glen we have left seven bo dies Bloodhounds were they, upon our leader's scent; friends! Many voices. We owe you more! Mother S. [aside.] I love the smell of blood! [He parts the crowd, and looks round him. When I shall need your bravest energies — Get thee hence to victory. Many voices. Nay, we will with you, even now; Others. [He falls back insensible, at Philip's feet. Will be your guard! Thou art the man he aimed at. Philip of Maine, I am. All. Philip of Maine! our leader, Philip of Maine! miracle! All. It has, it has! Mother S. Hurrah for Philip of Maine! All. Hurrah for Philip of Maine! And we will to the burning. SCENE III. Some evenings afterwards—three men sitting round a fire in a cave, opening upon broken ground. 1st Man. It is a general out-break. No faint impulse, Threatening one moment, and next moment quelled; Enter JAN SCHWARTZ and many FORGEMEN, in great Where'er ye go, people are under arms. haste. Jan. S. How! stand ye here, and do not see the burning? Many voices. Where, where? 2d Man. As I, this morn, stood on the wooded O'erlooking the wild rocky pass of Forges, Jan. S. In the east-behold ye not the light Shouldering their scythes, their reaping hooks, and The while Destruction gathers up itself, To crush him with its concentrated force. 1st Man. What's this about? Man of the crowd. Philip has set us free! But Heaven confounds whom it forebodes to ruin! The damned collector stripped us, dead and living: Philip and Gaston 'neath its castle gates, 2d Man. Gaston I do not like. These strange adventurers Start up in troublous times, as crawling things 2d Man. His voice is like a trumpet! Never heard I so rich, so full a voice I've seen men moved when but its tones were heard. 1st Man. Thus was it then!-They that were cold at first, Or fixedly determined 'gainst his purpose, Of a deep, rolling sea! The body on the bier- the new-made bride- Dealt him a wound in 's body that cut short Another Man. And ripping up his bags, SCENE IV. A street in the city. [They all follow. Enter a MAN, crying papers. Man. Here is a full and true account of the wonderful and awful prophecy delivered by one who rose from the dead; in which is plainly foretold the strange and solemn events which are coming upon the earth; to which is added, the downfal of pride, and a clear explanation of the terrible and portentous signs and tokens in the sky, written by the learned Dr. Astreus: together with an account of sundry wonders and mysterious visitations which were witnessed in many places of this state. All which are explained with reference to things which are about coming to pass. "He that runneth may read." Many Voices. Give us one! Here's money, give us one! [The man distributes his papers, and then goes forward. Another MAN rushes in. Off with ye, every one of you! off, off, A troop is coming down! They all disappear. Let me close mine eyes, I see [He sinks down insensible. 1st Man. Most sorrowful! most strange! Mother S. "Tis but a madman! 2d Man. Dark sayings are these all! Innocent. [starting up.] They are here! I feel their hands! Off! I brook not gyves nor bands! Down the silent, echoing street, Hark! I hear their coming feet! Lord of M. What messenger of mercy may'st thou be, That daily visitest this dreary cell, And ministerest kind comfort to my need? Ida. [placing the viands before him.] Eat, drink, Did I not see thy weak and trembling frame, Ida. Eat, drink, old man, waste not the time in Meantime I will compose my mind to speak My years are well nigh full-his years are few, Your son is free Ida. The very same, I mean! Lord of M. Ha! is it so? Scarce forty days have Since he was friendless and of no account! Ida. Like the fierce torrent of a mountain river, [He gives a spring upward, and is seized Their old allegiance—all declare for Philip! Mother S. Unhand him, cut-throats! [All the people struggle to rescue him; is wounded and borne off. he Hans Clef. This is his blood! By heaven it is his blood! [He dips a handkerchief in it, which he his head. Mother S. Rally around the standard! To the castle! Follow, and let us rescue him! [They all hurry off. ACT III.- SCENE I. A dungeon in the Castle of Kronberg-the Lord of Enter IDA KRONBERG, with fine bread, a flask of wine Lord of M. Art thou Lord Kronberg's daughter? Ida. Thou must henceMust to thy son, and counsel him to temper Vengeance with mercy. When he knows thee safe, Perchance he may withdraw. And more than this, Flee for thy life! A gibbet is erected, Thou'll see it in the moonlight, on the walls; There 't was my father's orders to convey thee, A terror to the foe, when day should break;· And woman as I am, weak, timid woman, I dare oppose my judgment unto his! He shall not stain his name - a noble name, By basely taking life from such as thouAn old and unoffending nobleman! Hence to thy son! and, friend, remember this, Thou hast had mercy, and be thou for us An angel of sweet mercy! Ida. My father, no!- these men are innocent- I would not let thy noble name be stained Lord of K. not! Lord of K. Hence with her to the dungeon! she's a traitor! Sene. My good lord, no! She is your child, my lord! Bertha [clasping her arms around her.] Off, off! you shall not lay your hands upon her. [She supports her into an inner room. Lord of K. Traitors of mine own blood! Fetch out the prisoners, And hang them all and that wild prating idiot! [He goes out with the Seneschal. |