SCENE THREE—The mountain side, as in Scene one ofthe third Act. There is heard a steady roar as of windover vast forests, and all about are signs of an approachingstorm. At intervals an unnatural, ghastly light asfrom rifted clouds swiftly driving overhead passes acrossthe scene. In a moment the gloom has returned and thetrees are racing back into the shadow.Back upon the ledge, his long yellow hair tossing in thewind, stands Rudolph watching the gathering of the storm.
SCENE THREE—The mountain side, as in Scene one ofthe third Act. There is heard a steady roar as of windover vast forests, and all about are signs of an approachingstorm. At intervals an unnatural, ghastly light asfrom rifted clouds swiftly driving overhead passes acrossthe scene. In a moment the gloom has returned and thetrees are racing back into the shadow.
Back upon the ledge, his long yellow hair tossing in thewind, stands Rudolph watching the gathering of the storm.
Rudolph—(To himself.)Flying on starless wings the Powers of nightKeep back the bird of morning till the NornsHave traced the lines of guilt and set the snare.
Rudolph—(To himself.)Flying on starless wings the Powers of nightKeep back the bird of morning till the NornsHave traced the lines of guilt and set the snare.
(A moment later Canzler appears coming down the sheep-path.)
(A moment later Canzler appears coming down the sheep-path.)
Canzler—What was that shouting down the mountain for?Rudolph—(Turning quickly.)The whirling of the wheel!Canzler— The wheel?Rudolph—(Hurrying forward.)Look thereWhere the vast felly flies! Far out it swingsAnd sways the forests. Look at it, Canzler!For miles around below the mountain headsThe storm goes racing in a wheel whose hubTurns on the village spire.
Canzler—What was that shouting down the mountain for?
Rudolph—(Turning quickly.)The whirling of the wheel!
Canzler— The wheel?
Rudolph—(Hurrying forward.)Look thereWhere the vast felly flies! Far out it swingsAnd sways the forests. Look at it, Canzler!For miles around below the mountain headsThe storm goes racing in a wheel whose hubTurns on the village spire.
(Canzler follows him back along the ledge.)
(Canzler follows him back along the ledge.)
Awhile ago,Divinely guided through the mountain ways,A common cloud, afloat upon the dark,Blotted the stars that glimmered in the tarnAnd whirled into a wheel. Around the rimFlows the white cloud-wool, and a thread is drawnUnder the hills. The distaffs of the NornsGrow big with fate, and, sitting there in silence,Their withered fingers from this flying skeinLoop off the lives of men. Val-father takesIn his almighty hand the reins of thingsAnd drives them either way through earth and air.
Awhile ago,Divinely guided through the mountain ways,A common cloud, afloat upon the dark,Blotted the stars that glimmered in the tarnAnd whirled into a wheel. Around the rimFlows the white cloud-wool, and a thread is drawnUnder the hills. The distaffs of the NornsGrow big with fate, and, sitting there in silence,Their withered fingers from this flying skeinLoop off the lives of men. Val-father takesIn his almighty hand the reins of thingsAnd drives them either way through earth and air.
(Shouting far down the mountain.)
(Shouting far down the mountain.)
Canzler—I heard that far up on the mountain tops.Rudolph—In some procession honoring their god.Canzler—But louder now.Rudolph— And nearer.Canzler— Where is Fritz?Rudolph—Rounding the sheep up.(Shouting again.)They have crossed the bridge.Canzler—(Turning and looking at Rudolph.)Honoring their god upon the mountain side?Rudolph—'Tis the great dragon crawling through the hills.Canzler—No wonder darkness fills the valley.(After a pause.)And in a storm like this!Rudolph— Hunger.Canzler— No doubt.And there is hunger in the heavens, too.Rudolph—And the two face.(They listen.)The Asas all night longWere loud above the mountains as though someVast purpose long pent up were finding way.Canzler—And Selma heard it like a river flowWashing the peaks and down the wooded slopesInto the valley where the dragon lies.
Canzler—I heard that far up on the mountain tops.
Rudolph—In some procession honoring their god.
Canzler—But louder now.
Rudolph— And nearer.
Canzler— Where is Fritz?
Rudolph—Rounding the sheep up.(Shouting again.)They have crossed the bridge.
Canzler—(Turning and looking at Rudolph.)Honoring their god upon the mountain side?
Rudolph—'Tis the great dragon crawling through the hills.
Canzler—No wonder darkness fills the valley.
(After a pause.)
And in a storm like this!
Rudolph— Hunger.
Canzler— No doubt.And there is hunger in the heavens, too.
Rudolph—And the two face.(They listen.)The Asas all night longWere loud above the mountains as though someVast purpose long pent up were finding way.
Canzler—And Selma heard it like a river flowWashing the peaks and down the wooded slopesInto the valley where the dragon lies.
(Shouts still afar but growing nearer.)
(Shouts still afar but growing nearer.)
That belly levels all things in the plain.(Thunder.)Rudolph—Val-father's voice from out the clouds mid-airMeets with the dragon's voice and devours it. Hark!Canzler—It may lay hands on Fritz.
That belly levels all things in the plain.(Thunder.)
Rudolph—Val-father's voice from out the clouds mid-airMeets with the dragon's voice and devours it. Hark!
Canzler—It may lay hands on Fritz.
(He goes back along the ledge and starts down the mountain.)
(He goes back along the ledge and starts down the mountain.)
Rudolph— Be careful, chief!The wheel moves this way.Canzler— It is following them.Rudolph—Here he comes running up the mountain!Canzler— Where?Rudolph—Wait till the lightning shows the slopes again.
Rudolph— Be careful, chief!The wheel moves this way.
Canzler— It is following them.
Rudolph—Here he comes running up the mountain!
Canzler— Where?
Rudolph—Wait till the lightning shows the slopes again.
(They listen. The shouts draw nearer.)
(They listen. The shouts draw nearer.)
Canzler—The Bailiff's blood has roused them.Rudolph— With that bloodVal-father has enticed it from its lairTo tempt the mountains and to seek for more.
Canzler—The Bailiff's blood has roused them.
Rudolph— With that bloodVal-father has enticed it from its lairTo tempt the mountains and to seek for more.
(Lightning.)
(Lightning.)
Up here! Coming up here!Canzler—(Shouting.) Fritz!Rudolph— The dark bloom,Whose scattered roots the years have fed, at lastUnfolds its petals to the sun. The NorthIn all her graves is waiting for the dawn.To-day Val-father lays his shadow by.Canzler—Go up the rocks and blow the battle horn.
Up here! Coming up here!
Canzler—(Shouting.) Fritz!
Rudolph— The dark bloom,Whose scattered roots the years have fed, at lastUnfolds its petals to the sun. The NorthIn all her graves is waiting for the dawn.To-day Val-father lays his shadow by.
Canzler—Go up the rocks and blow the battle horn.
(Rudolph goes leaping up the rocks.)
(Rudolph goes leaping up the rocks.)
And let the battle cry be "Dachtelfeld"!Rudolph—The peaks are tipped with day!
And let the battle cry be "Dachtelfeld"!
Rudolph—The peaks are tipped with day!
(He disappears up the rocks.)
(He disappears up the rocks.)
Voice of Selma—(Above.) Where are you, Father?
Voice of Selma—(Above.) Where are you, Father?
(Lightning.)
(Lightning.)
Canzler—Stay from the timber! Don't get near the trees!
Canzler—Stay from the timber! Don't get near the trees!
(Thunder.)
(Thunder.)
Stay in the open, Selma!
Stay in the open, Selma!
(The form of Canzler, who stands back upon the ledge, disappearsin the gathering gloom.)
(The form of Canzler, who stands back upon the ledge, disappearsin the gathering gloom.)
Voice of Selma— Father!Voice of Fritz—(Down the mountain.) Chief!
Voice of Selma— Father!
Voice of Fritz—(Down the mountain.) Chief!
(There is heard, at first scarcely audible but rising more andmore, low music as of spirit voices. Above, just wherethe sheep-path enters the bushes, Selma appears cominghurriedly down. Hearing the music, she stops and,listening, becomes as one entranced.)
(There is heard, at first scarcely audible but rising more andmore, low music as of spirit voices. Above, just wherethe sheep-path enters the bushes, Selma appears cominghurriedly down. Hearing the music, she stops and,listening, becomes as one entranced.)
Selma—(Almost in a whisper.)Father!
Selma—(Almost in a whisper.)Father!
(Canzler comes forward into view. The girl, still transportedand more like a being of the air, has come furtherdown the path.)
(Canzler comes forward into view. The girl, still transportedand more like a being of the air, has come furtherdown the path.)
Oh, hear them!Canzler— Go back, go back, child!They shall not harm you.(She rushes to him.)They will not come up here.
Oh, hear them!
Canzler— Go back, go back, child!They shall not harm you.(She rushes to him.)They will not come up here.
(The girl lays her hand on his arm. They listen.)
(The girl lays her hand on his arm. They listen.)
Only Val-father's voice along the storm.Voice of Fritz—Chief!Canzler— It is Fritz.Selma—- The trees—the trees are singing.The wild vines and the mountain flowers—Oh!O Father, see!Canzler— What ails you, child?Selma—The elves—the storm elves gather in the air,And up the mountain there—Hear them, Father! Hear the fairies calling!Oh, the white flakes! The dog-wood blooms are falling!
Only Val-father's voice along the storm.
Voice of Fritz—Chief!
Canzler— It is Fritz.
Selma—- The trees—the trees are singing.The wild vines and the mountain flowers—Oh!O Father, see!
Canzler— What ails you, child?
Selma—The elves—the storm elves gather in the air,And up the mountain there—Hear them, Father! Hear the fairies calling!Oh, the white flakes! The dog-wood blooms are falling!
(She runs wildly up the path.)
(She runs wildly up the path.)
He's coming, Father! Oswald's coming!
He's coming, Father! Oswald's coming!
(She disappears among the bushes. In the rear Fritz is seenclimbing up the mountain.)
(She disappears among the bushes. In the rear Fritz is seenclimbing up the mountain.)
Fritz—(Who goes leaping on up the rocks.)Chief!Canzler—Here I am.
Fritz—(Who goes leaping on up the rocks.)Chief!
Canzler—Here I am.
(Fritz leaps back down to the ledge and comes hurrying forward.)
(Fritz leaps back down to the ledge and comes hurrying forward.)
Fritz—(Out of breath.)They've killed—they've killed the sheep!Like hungry dogs. It's us they're after, though.Dashed in and slashed them with their swords. Hear that!
Fritz—(Out of breath.)They've killed—they've killed the sheep!Like hungry dogs. It's us they're after, though.Dashed in and slashed them with their swords. Hear that!
(Wild shouting below.)
(Wild shouting below.)
That's for our blood.(They listen.)If we don't arm, chief,—Canzler— Hark!Fritz—(After a pause.)If we don't arm—
That's for our blood.(They listen.)If we don't arm, chief,—Canzler— Hark!
Fritz—(After a pause.)If we don't arm—
(Up the mountain sounds the battle horn.)
(Up the mountain sounds the battle horn.)
To have lived to see this day!
To have lived to see this day!
(He hurries up the path and disappears.)
(He hurries up the path and disappears.)
Canzler—Val-father's winds have blown them here to die.
Canzler—Val-father's winds have blown them here to die.
(He goes up the path. The music is now distinctly heardabove the noise of the storm. A flash of lightning reveals,in the rear, the dwarf climbing up the mountain,leading Oswald by the hand. Instantly loud and prolongedshouting bursts up from about a hundred feetbelow. The two come hurrying forward along theledge. Oswald's face is streaked with blood and fromthe end of its black cord, his silver crucifix, likewisestained, dangles almost to his knees. Gradually it slipslower and lower till it finally falls and lies upon thegrass. Having reached the path, they make their wayup and are soon lost to view. That peculiar light whichone sometimes sees when clouds are rifted during astorm illumines the scene and makes the green grass andtrees show almost like flame. Below, voices are heard,and soon, climbing up the mountain, Father Benedictappears, his face pale, his eyes set before him. Uponthe skirt of his snow-white chasuble there is seen, slantingdown, a red streak as though he had pressed againsta bloody sword-blade. Behind him, scattered, come,first, Hugh Capet with the great flag blown straightout in the wind, then Jules Bacqueur and Jacques Sar,their swords dripping, and, after them, the other villagers.)
(He goes up the path. The music is now distinctly heardabove the noise of the storm. A flash of lightning reveals,in the rear, the dwarf climbing up the mountain,leading Oswald by the hand. Instantly loud and prolongedshouting bursts up from about a hundred feetbelow. The two come hurrying forward along theledge. Oswald's face is streaked with blood and fromthe end of its black cord, his silver crucifix, likewisestained, dangles almost to his knees. Gradually it slipslower and lower till it finally falls and lies upon thegrass. Having reached the path, they make their wayup and are soon lost to view. That peculiar light whichone sometimes sees when clouds are rifted during astorm illumines the scene and makes the green grass andtrees show almost like flame. Below, voices are heard,and soon, climbing up the mountain, Father Benedictappears, his face pale, his eyes set before him. Uponthe skirt of his snow-white chasuble there is seen, slantingdown, a red streak as though he had pressed againsta bloody sword-blade. Behind him, scattered, come,first, Hugh Capet with the great flag blown straightout in the wind, then Jules Bacqueur and Jacques Sar,their swords dripping, and, after them, the other villagers.)
Jules Bacqueur—Straight ahead. Father! Straight ahead!A Voice—(From below.)See them, Hugh?Jacques Sar—You come on; we'll find them.
Jules Bacqueur—Straight ahead. Father! Straight ahead!
A Voice—(From below.)See them, Hugh?
Jacques Sar—You come on; we'll find them.
(Instead of coming forward to the path, which the bushesand bowlders hide from their view, they go pushingstraight on up the rocks.)
(Instead of coming forward to the path, which the bushesand bowlders hide from their view, they go pushingstraight on up the rocks.)
Hugh Capet—Come on, men!Jacques Sar—Stay together, men!(A pause.)Hold her low, Phil!
Hugh Capet—Come on, men!
Jacques Sar—Stay together, men!(A pause.)Hold her low, Phil!
(Up the mountain sounds the battle-horn.)
(Up the mountain sounds the battle-horn.)
Cries—Hear that! Hear that!Jacques Sar—Don't get scared, men!Cries—Don't get scared! Don't get scared!A voice—God's with us!All—God's with us! God's with us!Hugh Capet—Come on, men!Jacques Sar—Wait for the signal! Wait for the signal, men!
Cries—Hear that! Hear that!
Jacques Sar—Don't get scared, men!
Cries—Don't get scared! Don't get scared!
A voice—God's with us!
All—God's with us! God's with us!
Hugh Capet—Come on, men!
Jacques Sar—Wait for the signal! Wait for the signal, men!
(All look to the priest.)
(All look to the priest.)
Now then.Jules Bacqueur—Now, Father.A voice—Now.(A pause.)Hugh Capet—Signal! signal!
Now then.
Jules Bacqueur—Now, Father.
A voice—Now.(A pause.)
Hugh Capet—Signal! signal!
(Above, sounds the battle-horn, this time nearer.)
(Above, sounds the battle-horn, this time nearer.)
Jacques Sar—Now!Jules Bacqueur—Now then!Cries—Now! Now! NOW!
Jacques Sar—Now!
Jules Bacqueur—Now then!
Cries—Now! Now! NOW!
(Slowly the priest lifts the crucifix.)
(Slowly the priest lifts the crucifix.)
All—God's with us! God's with us!
All—God's with us! God's with us!
(They go springing up the mountain. A flash of lightningstrikes the uplifted crucifix and clings for a moment likea wreath of blue fire round the brow of the priest whoseface shows white as chalk. The crucifix slips from hisfingers and he reels and falls backwards.)
(They go springing up the mountain. A flash of lightningstrikes the uplifted crucifix and clings for a moment likea wreath of blue fire round the brow of the priest whoseface shows white as chalk. The crucifix slips from hisfingers and he reels and falls backwards.)
Cries—Men! Men! Men!
Cries—Men! Men! Men!
(As the men turn and see the priest, whom Jules has caughtin his arms, borne backward down the slope, some ofthem throw down their arms and flee terror-strickendown the mountain. There is a loud crash of thunderfollowed, above, by the shouts of the Saxons who comecharging down upon them. Attempting to rescue thepriest's body, before which Bacqueur has thrown hisgreat shield, the villagers receive the shock and aredriven back fighting down the mountain, Fritz hackingat Hugh Capet's head-with his battle ax, Rudolph chargingold Jacques, while Canzler with one slash of hismagic sword slices in two Bacqueur's great shield whichfalls like paper from his hands. Even after they havedisappeared, from down the mountain can still be heardthe voice of old Jacques calling to his men in God'sname to stand. Up the slope, caught in the busheswhere it fell, hangs the crucifix, the figure of which istarnished and melted by the lightning. On the ledgejust below, outstretched upon the grass, his fingers bentas though still clutching the crucifix, lies the body ofthe priest. The scene gradually becomes darker and thethunder is still heard reverberating through the mountains.)
(As the men turn and see the priest, whom Jules has caughtin his arms, borne backward down the slope, some ofthem throw down their arms and flee terror-strickendown the mountain. There is a loud crash of thunderfollowed, above, by the shouts of the Saxons who comecharging down upon them. Attempting to rescue thepriest's body, before which Bacqueur has thrown hisgreat shield, the villagers receive the shock and aredriven back fighting down the mountain, Fritz hackingat Hugh Capet's head-with his battle ax, Rudolph chargingold Jacques, while Canzler with one slash of hismagic sword slices in two Bacqueur's great shield whichfalls like paper from his hands. Even after they havedisappeared, from down the mountain can still be heardthe voice of old Jacques calling to his men in God'sname to stand. Up the slope, caught in the busheswhere it fell, hangs the crucifix, the figure of which istarnished and melted by the lightning. On the ledgejust below, outstretched upon the grass, his fingers bentas though still clutching the crucifix, lies the body ofthe priest. The scene gradually becomes darker and thethunder is still heard reverberating through the mountains.)
SCENE FOUR—A forest on the mountain tops. Untouchedby the storm, which has swept the lower slopes,the trees here stand calm and motionless. Flowers areeverywhere. Far off, between the innumerable trunks, isseen a space of dark sky rifted near the horizon and brightwith the red and gold of the new dawn. From the left,into this forest stillness, silent as the scene itself, comesthe dwarf leading Oswald by the hand. There is now noblood upon the latter's face which, slightly upturned, islighted as with a soul conscious of a great crisis and hearingits approach in the least noise. Suddenly, from farto the right, the voice of Selma is heard. Instantly thedwarf vanishes. Oswald starts and stands as one in adream.
SCENE FOUR—A forest on the mountain tops. Untouchedby the storm, which has swept the lower slopes,the trees here stand calm and motionless. Flowers areeverywhere. Far off, between the innumerable trunks, isseen a space of dark sky rifted near the horizon and brightwith the red and gold of the new dawn. From the left,into this forest stillness, silent as the scene itself, comesthe dwarf leading Oswald by the hand. There is now noblood upon the latter's face which, slightly upturned, islighted as with a soul conscious of a great crisis and hearingits approach in the least noise. Suddenly, from farto the right, the voice of Selma is heard. Instantly thedwarf vanishes. Oswald starts and stands as one in adream.
Selma—
Selma—
(At first afar, then drawing nearer and nearer until at lastshe rushes in gleefully. She is dressed, as in the firstAct, in green, and upon her head she wears a coronet ofwild-flowers.)
(At first afar, then drawing nearer and nearer until at lastshe rushes in gleefully. She is dressed, as in the firstAct, in green, and upon her head she wears a coronet ofwild-flowers.)
Oswald! Oswald! Oswald! Oswald! Oswald!
Oswald! Oswald! Oswald! Oswald! Oswald!
(She starts, and throws herself at his feet, covering her facewith her hands. The disc of the sun, emerging abovethe line of clouds, shoots its myriad golden needlesthrough the wood. Revealed in the light, like thingsseen in a mirage, a number of fairies are discernedwatching the two. From far down the mountain comesthe sound of a bell tolling.)
(She starts, and throws herself at his feet, covering her facewith her hands. The disc of the sun, emerging abovethe line of clouds, shoots its myriad golden needlesthrough the wood. Revealed in the light, like thingsseen in a mirage, a number of fairies are discernedwatching the two. From far down the mountain comesthe sound of a bell tolling.)
Transcriber's Notes:Table of Contents added by Transcriber.Simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors were silently corrected.Punctuation normalized.Anachronistic and non-standard spellings retained as printed.
Table of Contents added by Transcriber.
Simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors were silently corrected.
Punctuation normalized.
Anachronistic and non-standard spellings retained as printed.