The age-herald., 1901-10-27
LIBRETTO


 King-Thy guilt thou ownest. then7 | Elsa (after a pause)-My hapless brotheri Chorus-Most wonderful. Howstrange is her demeanori King-Come. Elsa, what wouldst thou confide to me? Elsa (after a pause as in a trance)- Lonely. amid my sorrow yearning, calPd on Heav'n, And forc'd to pray'r, the anguish with which my heart was riv'n | Then burst forth from my bosom-so do- lorous a sound, l That, as 1t spread it carried grief to the air around. I heard it in the distance until it died away;
 My heavy eye1ids sank then, and wrapp'd in sleep I lay.
 All the Men (softly)-Dreams she. or is she mad King-Elsa, defend myself before the judge
 Elsa (as before)-Equipp' in glitt'ring armor, then near unto me drew A knight of mien angelic-the like never knew.
 His golden horn hung lightly; upon his sword he lent Heav'n sent him here to save me, that knight of goo intent. Sweet words of consolation right courte- ously he spake. | BeueFe me, TOT my cndmptOu uo OtHeE twill I take. l King and all the Men-May heav'n en- dow our minds with light. | That we may see which cause is right. Kink-Fre rick, 'twere Ill this cause to
 lcse.
 Bethink thee whom thou dost accuse Fred.-Pm not misled by these her dreamy words. You hear she raves about a minion. On valid grounds do I maintain my | charge, | Bas'd as it is on surest evidence. Nathless, to stifie doubts by any witness Most gracious King, would sorely wound my pride.
 Here stand I. Here's my sword. Who Of Against my stainless honor dares to Nobica of Brabant- No Fred'rick. no;
 only fight for thee
 Fred.-tnd thou. my King. rememb'rf thou the service Which I have done against the say
 Dane? 1 King-of that surely thou needest remind me: Most willingly thy high deserts gl In other hands than thine, thou mf Would not see this country. He alone Shall now give judgment in this well
 cause.
 All the Men-Yes, heav'n shall deci
 Bet so
 King (draws his sword and thrusts ],
 into the ground)-Answer me, red
 rick, Count of Telramund: Wilt thou. in combat, fought for life and death, To Heav'n's high decree refer this accu-
 sation?
 Fred.-Yes
 King-And thou too answer. Elsa of
 Brabant: 4.. -lxrt Co. fax-1 "a
 and death, A champion before high Heay'n should
 now defend thee? Elsa-Yes.
 King-whom namest thou thy cham
 pion? Fred.-Now you'll hear The name of him she doats on. Men of Brabant-All attend. Elsa-Believe me, for my champion no
 other will take. Mark he whom Heav'n shall send me
 will gain a guerdon rare. Here in my fathers country. the crown
 'tis his to wear. To yield him my possessions will be my dearest pride. Chorus-Asplendid offer does the dam- sel make. Who plays this game plays Tor neavy stake King-The sun at noon-tide's height is shining; Iris therefore time to send the su"mons forth. f,rhe Herald advances with the four trumpeters, whom he places outside the circle towards the four cardinal points Trumpets sounds) Herald-He who in right of Heavn comes here to fight For Elsa of Brabant, step forth at oncei (Along pause). Chorus-The sound has died away with out response.
 Fred. (pointing to Elsas increasing anx-
 iety).see! you see. the charge is not My cause is prov'd the cause of right. All the Men-The accusation seems too
 true.
 Elsa Approaching the King)-My King
 and master, 1 implore thee One summons more to call my champion: Too far was he to hear the first King-The summons shall be. heard
 again.
 Herald-He who in sight of Heavn
 comes here to fight For Elsa of Brabant, step forth at once! (The summons is repeated; a long
 pause).
 All the Men-By this dull silence Heavn
 decides.
 Elsa 1kneeling)-Thou gav'st to him my
 supplication; He came to me by thy decree. Great Heaven. oh. order now my cham
 pion To lend his aid and set me free. Fen as I saw him once before Oh, -cl him now appear once more. Chose who stand on an elevation near
 est the river, perceive in the distance
 a boat, drawn by swan. gradually
 approaching; a knight is standing in
 the boat)
 Men first a few, then more as they ap-
 proach the river)-See! there! Be-
 hold a wonderi How? swami It draws boat, and in it is man. Yes, see him! there he stands, a gallant
 knight: My eyes he blinds his armor is so bright See! he approaches. With a chain of
 gold The swan would bring him here. Behold
 behold! 3 Most of the persons assembled have
 hastened towards the river. The King
 surveys the scene from his elevated
 seat Frederick, who listens with as- {.
 tonishment, and Ortrud. who looks
 gloomily toward the background. re-
 main in front likewise Elsa. who 1ast-
 ~ns with rapture to the abovs descripr