Washington sentinel., 1899-06-24
with rilly In ROthenburgs A Whit
sunUide Festival.
[efSNre H0NTs.

see was written by a master glaZler
Of Rothenburg, called Horber, and
on June s, 1881, 1t was hrst per
formed as a 25o years celebration
Of the event which it commemor-
ates. Since then it has been re
peated annually, and it has now
become a recognized institution.
All the performers are natives OF
the place, honest citizens, Tor
whose artistic shortcomings ample
atone ment is madeby their earnest
ness and patriotism.
Early IN the morning an imposing
guard, in Swedish uniform, had
been stationed at each OF the Gates
and in front OF the Rathaus; and
IN this beautiful ed 6ce-the actual
:ene Of the historic event-the
principal scenes OF the representa-
ton took place. Prob
ably few members OF the audience
seated in the old Sail each Whit
sun morning realize that hundreds
OF years ago, on this very spot ter
rife tragedies have been rehearsed,
and that beneath its floor the dun
geons yet exist into which no raw
Of light has ever penetrated, and in
he foul depths of which wretche d
prisoners often innocent men
have languished tor months, per-
haps years, tall mercitul death put
an end to their sufferngs. On the
temporary platform no attempt is
made at display. The long table,
high-backed chairs and an antique
carved cabinet, which form the
necessary furniture Of the Council
Z amber, are there, and there is
nothing more. Itis this simplicity
and sincerity which give the great
charm to the proceedings, The
wording OF the play is cumbrous,
often pOmpous
The story is briefly this: Bur
germeister Bezold sits alone in the
Ratnaus one September morning
in I65I He has spent the night
on this spot watching and praying
for the beleaguered city, outside
the walls Of which the Imperial
troo s, un 'er the command OF
lilly, demand admittance. Such
admittance means death or dis
honor to the Protestant population
OF the town, and the senators and
! officers who now enter the cham
Der strengthen their chief in his
determination to guard his sacred
trust and resist the enemy to the
last. A small company OF Roth
enburgers, led by brave young
soldier, called Staudt, appear.
They take the oath Of fidelity, re-
ceive the blessing of the Church,
and depart to guard the chief gate
or die in the attempt. The pastor
now begs that the town be sum-
moned to unite in prayer: the bells
o the neighSoring church ring
out, and presently We hear the
deep tones Of the organ and the
solemn voices in the choir singing
the Psalm, ABIDE with US, in Thy
Mercy"
There is a hallowed stiffness in
the room. and the music, mellowed
by distance, floats dreamily on the
summer air. But suddenly the
doors burst open, and thick and
fast the messengers OF woe pour
10. The enemy's advance has been
heroically withstood, but by the
explosion ofa 1arrel Of gunpo WIDER
outside the KlrngenJhor an en-
trance has been for=ed, and young
Staudt himself, wounded and dv
ing. brings the fatal news OF the
loss Of his brave company. He
is quickly followed by the imperial
officers and the terrible Tilly. The
Emperor's field marshal is an awe
inspiring figure, dressed IN green
satin doublet and wearing a huge
hat with long red ostrich feather,
VIII ch partly hides his sinister feat
ures. HIS imperious spirit can i'll
brook the opposition offered to his
entry, and in no measured terms
he pours out his wrath upon the
offending Rothenburgers. Finally
he DEGREES that the chief men Of
the town shall die, and bids the
burgermeister fetch the execu-
toner. Bezold's niece, with her
two little children clinglng to her
gown, falls weeping at the tyrant's
feet and piteously begs for her
uncle's life: but her prayers fall
on ears ol stone, and she is carried
awaV faintInP by her attendants.
Meanwhile the men OF Rothen-
burg hold their heads high. They
ask for no mercy, for they expect
none, and they watch the course
Of the next proceedings with indif-
ference and disdain. Anna Win
terbach. the daughter oil the cell
larer, approaches the wrathful
Tilly, and with honeyed words and
humble mien she offers him a well
come TO Rothenburg, and oegs
him TO taste famous cauber wine.
The great soldier ignores her. but
he takes the COB ct IN his hand,
and after looking at her Tor a sec.
ond, he SIPS the wine. II is very
good, and he sips again. The ex.
ecutioner has not yet appeared,
and he bePins to relent. Finally,
having expressed his astonishment
at the size Of the goblet, he offers
to pardon the men OF Rothenburg
If one man can be found who can
empty It at dTaught. The brutal
challenge is tantamount to inhict-
ing the death sentence on one man,
but, as such, It finds ready accept
ance. A former Burgermeister,
Nusch, stands forward. He actu
ally drinks the contents Of the
goblet az one draugh-. and Roth