ACT III.

Scene.—A clearing in the forest near Aquisgranum. At the back, amid trees, a charcoal-burner's hut and a kiln. On the left a linden and copse leading to a grove once sacred to heathen deities; but now feared and shunned. On the right a barricade of logs and fallen trees so placed in one part to form steps. Ernst advances from his kiln, looks over the barricade as though expecting some one. He is joined by Guta who comes out of the hut.

[Enter Hildebold, appearing over the barricade.]

[After helping him, the peasants kneel to receive ablessing.]

[After helping him, the peasants kneel to receive a

blessing.]

[Exit with Ernst who soon returns. Guta muttersto herself.]

[Exit with Ernst who soon returns. Guta mutters

to herself.]

[A cry for help is heard. It dies down, then comes again.]

[The noise of some oneapproaching is heard.]

[The noise of some one

approaching is heard.]

[Enter Eginhardt.]

[Ernst and Guta mount the steps but as they descendthe other side they pause and look round unnoticed byEmma and Eginhardt.]

[Ernst and Guta mount the steps but as they descend

the other side they pause and look round unnoticed by

Emma and Eginhardt.]

[Emma drapes the cross with the white silk.]

[Some leaves of the linden rustle slightly.]

[Emma and Eginhardt kneel before the cross and repeattogether.]

[Emma and Eginhardt kneel before the cross and repeat

together.]

[They kneel in silent prayer. Suddenly from thelinden tree a dove flits down and lights on Emma'sshoulder.]

[They kneel in silent prayer. Suddenly from the

linden tree a dove flits down and lights on Emma's

shoulder.]

[ExuentErnst and Guta.]

[Exit through door of hut.]

[Enter Eginhardtwith some hunks of bread and a mug of milk.]

[Enter Eginhardt

with some hunks of bread and a mug of milk.]

[They both eat hastily.]

[They go into the hut and come out laden.]

[Exuent, the trees closing on them.]

ACT IV.

Scene.—The same as Act III, six years later. It has a more deserted appearance. Some smoke escapes the kiln. The steps of the barricade are broken down, leaving a narrow passage, through which enter Charles in hunting attire and Albert, whose court finery is somewhat dishevelled.

[Albert starts to go. Enter Ernst who collides with him.]

[A rustling is heard 'mid the trees.]

[ExuentAlbert and Ernst.]

[He falls asleep. The scene grows perfectly dark. Aftera time the twinkling light of candles gradually disclosesthree mushroom-shaped tables, on which the candles standamong golden goblets and dishes. Around each table sitsa group of three Wish-maidens, aethereally dressed, withlong flowing locks.]

[He falls asleep. The scene grows perfectly dark. After

a time the twinkling light of candles gradually discloses

three mushroom-shaped tables, on which the candles stand

among golden goblets and dishes. Around each table sits

a group of three Wish-maidens, aethereally dressed, with

long flowing locks.]

Sisters, we quaff to the past,When forests were thick and daylight dim.Sisters, we quaff to the past.Once sacred this grove, here heard Woden's hymn.Sisters, we quaff to the past.The past! the past! [They drink deeply.]Wind-spirits are we, wild women called,Substance of water and air,Of fabric whence breathed the ancient scaldVerses that seize and ensnare.Through tempests we ride, upheaval's din,Light as a figment of dreams,And sometimes we flash a visioned sin,Sometimes a virtue that gleams.The bubbles of thought we puff at nightEnter the soul that is cursed,Awaking a shameless appetite,Perfidy, shuffling, war-thirst.The bubbles of thought we throw from lightEnter the soul that is blessed,Like dust of the rainbow, pearled and bright,Singing of hope and of quest.But Sisters the future stores for usObloquy, exile, and wrong;Already the signs grow ominous,Seldom man hearkens to song.So spill from our cups—earth honouring,Earth that will triumph one day;Let earth play the tune round faery ring,Twanging the strings we obey.

Sisters, we quaff to the past,

When forests were thick and daylight dim.

Sisters, we quaff to the past.

Once sacred this grove, here heard Woden's hymn.

Sisters, we quaff to the past.

The past! the past! [They drink deeply.]

Wind-spirits are we, wild women called,Substance of water and air,Of fabric whence breathed the ancient scaldVerses that seize and ensnare.

Wind-spirits are we, wild women called,

Substance of water and air,

Of fabric whence breathed the ancient scald

Verses that seize and ensnare.

Through tempests we ride, upheaval's din,Light as a figment of dreams,And sometimes we flash a visioned sin,Sometimes a virtue that gleams.

Through tempests we ride, upheaval's din,

Light as a figment of dreams,

And sometimes we flash a visioned sin,

Sometimes a virtue that gleams.

The bubbles of thought we puff at nightEnter the soul that is cursed,Awaking a shameless appetite,Perfidy, shuffling, war-thirst.

The bubbles of thought we puff at night

Enter the soul that is cursed,

Awaking a shameless appetite,

Perfidy, shuffling, war-thirst.

The bubbles of thought we throw from lightEnter the soul that is blessed,Like dust of the rainbow, pearled and bright,Singing of hope and of quest.

The bubbles of thought we throw from light

Enter the soul that is blessed,

Like dust of the rainbow, pearled and bright,

Singing of hope and of quest.

But Sisters the future stores for usObloquy, exile, and wrong;Already the signs grow ominous,Seldom man hearkens to song.

But Sisters the future stores for us

Obloquy, exile, and wrong;

Already the signs grow ominous,

Seldom man hearkens to song.

So spill from our cups—earth honouring,Earth that will triumph one day;Let earth play the tune round faery ring,Twanging the strings we obey.

So spill from our cups—earth honouring,

Earth that will triumph one day;

Let earth play the tune round faery ring,

Twanging the strings we obey.

[Where the wine is spilt on the ground dwarfs spring up,each clad in green and bearing a golden harp.]

[Where the wine is spilt on the ground dwarfs spring up,

each clad in green and bearing a golden harp.]

Clear tables away, come dwarfs, come elvesHarp for us, harp long and loud!Let fingers that grasp the golden helvesWork strings with music endowed.

Clear tables away, come dwarfs, come elves

Harp for us, harp long and loud!

Let fingers that grasp the golden helves

Work strings with music endowed.

[The tables are pushed back. In front sit the dwarfswho first play slow dance music, gradually quickening thetime. The Wish-maidens dance in three groups. From aslow gliding step they arrive at a dizzy whirl. Thensuddenly they stop, break up their groups and singwhile making steps and motions to imitate weaving.]

[The tables are pushed back. In front sit the dwarfs

who first play slow dance music, gradually quickening the

time. The Wish-maidens dance in three groups. From a

slow gliding step they arrive at a dizzy whirl. Then

suddenly they stop, break up their groups and sing

while making steps and motions to imitate weaving.]

We dance to the past while weaving tales,Rosy with mist of the dawn,Astir with the mood of wilful gales,Lightsome as leap of a fawn.We dance to the present, weaving fears.Daylight strews shadows behind;The dazzle of noon dissolves in tears,Man is the sport of the wind.We dance to the future, weaving death,Purpled with evening sky;A knowledge has come with failing breath,The courts of Valhalla on high.So round and around we faster spin,Straightening the tangles of time;We dance to the earth, find spirit within,Hark! to the music sublime.

We dance to the past while weaving tales,Rosy with mist of the dawn,Astir with the mood of wilful gales,Lightsome as leap of a fawn.

We dance to the past while weaving tales,

Rosy with mist of the dawn,

Astir with the mood of wilful gales,

Lightsome as leap of a fawn.

We dance to the present, weaving fears.Daylight strews shadows behind;The dazzle of noon dissolves in tears,Man is the sport of the wind.

We dance to the present, weaving fears.

Daylight strews shadows behind;

The dazzle of noon dissolves in tears,

Man is the sport of the wind.

We dance to the future, weaving death,Purpled with evening sky;A knowledge has come with failing breath,The courts of Valhalla on high.

We dance to the future, weaving death,

Purpled with evening sky;

A knowledge has come with failing breath,

The courts of Valhalla on high.

So round and around we faster spin,Straightening the tangles of time;We dance to the earth, find spirit within,Hark! to the music sublime.

So round and around we faster spin,

Straightening the tangles of time;

We dance to the earth, find spirit within,

Hark! to the music sublime.

[They stand prettily poised listening, each with the rightforefinger raised. The scene grows quite dark againwhile delightful strains of heavenly music are heard.After a time they die away. The scene lightens, Charles isdiscovered still sleeping. All trace of Wish-maidens, tablesand dwarfs have disappeared unless it be David, a littlegreen-clad figure, who enters from the copse, losing hishat on a thornbush. He looks round wonderingly, thencomes and examines Charles.]

[They stand prettily poised listening, each with the right

forefinger raised. The scene grows quite dark again

while delightful strains of heavenly music are heard.

After a time they die away. The scene lightens, Charles is

discovered still sleeping. All trace of Wish-maidens, tables

and dwarfs have disappeared unless it be David, a little

green-clad figure, who enters from the copse, losing his

hat on a thornbush. He looks round wonderingly, then

comes and examines Charles.]

[Enter Ernst. He sees David and stands transfixed.]

Pass the loving cup,Kling, klang, klung.Let us brightly sup,Ting, tang, tung.What's disturbed by light,Ting, tang, tung.Let us mend at night,Kling, klang, klung.

Pass the loving cup,Kling, klang, klung.Let us brightly sup,Ting, tang, tung.

Pass the loving cup,

Kling, klang, klung.

Let us brightly sup,

Ting, tang, tung.

What's disturbed by light,Ting, tang, tung.Let us mend at night,Kling, klang, klung.

What's disturbed by light,

Ting, tang, tung.

Let us mend at night,

Kling, klang, klung.

[As Charles disappears, following David,enter Albert.]

[As Charles disappears, following David,

enter Albert.]

[Enter Audulf, Herbert and other courtiers scramblingover the barricade. Their rich attire, like Albert's,has suffered somewhat from the chase.]

[Enter Audulf, Herbert and other courtiers scrambling

over the barricade. Their rich attire, like Albert's,

has suffered somewhat from the chase.]

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