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

sword, with his helmet on his head his shield on his shoulder, and small golden horn at his side). All the Men and Women-A wondrous slght
 We hail thee all, thou heavn-appointed knighti
 (1lsa, looking around, utters a wild shriek of joy at the sight of Lohen- grin, on whom trederick gazes speech less Ortrud, who has previously re- tained her naughty attitude, Is strick- en with terror when she beholds Lo- hengrin and the swan As Lohengrin dismisses the boat, the people, ab- sorbed in expectation, suddenly be- come silent).
 Lohen.-Now down the stream, depart ing. float; Dear swan, I take my leave of thee. Go seek the spot whence came the boat; When thou return'st bring joy to me. See thou art faithful to the end, Farewell, dear swan. thou trusty friend. (The swan departs with the boat, de- scending the river. Lohengrin looks after it mournfully) Chrous (alD-What ecstasies confound us!
 That noble knight with spells has bound Who came a stranger to our land. Lohen. (solemnly advancing. makes obeisance to the King)-Hail, royal Henryi to thy sword May gracious Heav'n accord Its aid! Renown'd and great thy name shall be, And never from this earth shall fade. King-My thanksl The pow'r l recog- nize
 That bound thee to this enterprise. Thou art by Heav'n's own mission here: Lohen.-As champion to noble maid Whom calumny has dared to blight, come and all will soon confess The cause that espouse is right. So, Elsa, speak; if me they choose To be thy champion-wilt refuse. Free from all sense of fear or pride, To me thy safety to confide? Elsa (who has hitherto looked at him, entranced, sinks at his feet-My knight, my champion, as 1 live, All. all I freely to thee give. Lohen-If in the fight I prove victo- rfous,
 Elsa, wilt thou become my wife? Eisa--Aye, as before thy feet I'm lying, Freely to thee give my life. Lohen.-Elsa, should become thy hus- band
 Should nought the ties that bind us break
 Should I defend thy land and people One promise Elsa, must thou make. These questions ask me never, Nor think upon them ever: From whence I hither came What is my rank or name. Elsa-These questions ne'er I'll ask, be- leve me.
 Lohen.-Mark, Elsa, thou must not de- ceive me. These questions ask me never. Nor think upon them ever: From whence I hither came What is my rank name. EIsa-My shieid-my angel-my pre- server,
 Who holds that free guilt am free, No power of doubt could be sufficient To shake my firm belief in thee. As my protector dost thou stand, So do honor thy command Lohen. (raising her and clasping her to his bosom)-Elsa, my heart Is thine! King and Others-Is this dream? What must I think2 Some magic must my soul amaze; feel my heart within me sink hen on that noble form gaze.
 hen (having eonfded Elsa to the Ting, advances solemnly to the cen
 l-Now hearl To all assembled
 known
 of Brabant from gilt Is freel
 ,dericA, falsely she's accused by
 IS own Judgment will the truth
 own.
 Risk not the fight, our counsel
 Il meant;
 slight'st it. thou'lt repent
 fter a long hesitation suddenly
 es)-Tll rather die than yield.
 spells have brought thee here,
 thou, with the front so bold
 falsehood ne'er have told,
 with thee I'll gladly fight
 t'ry sure will wait on right.
 sn.-King Henry, now arrange the light.
 lg-Advance. then, forward-three for either champion, And for the combat measure well the ring
 (Three Saxons advance for Lohengrin; three of Brabant for Frederick. With solemn steps they measure the ground and mark it off with three spaces). Herald-Let all unto my words give None with this fight must interfere. Outside the lists be sure ye stand. 4 freemen, forfeit with the hand; Ye who the law shall disobey, If serfs, ye with your heads shall pay. All the Men-The freemen forfeit with his hand
 Forfeit the serf with head shall pay Herald-Ye doughty champions hear me tool
 To honor's laws be firm and true; Let no base witchcraft or deceit The ends of justice now defeat. May gracious Heaven protect the right, In Heaven confide, not human might. Lohen and Fred.-May gracious Heav' n protect the righti Tn Heayn I trust not human might King (who has solemnly advanced into the middle)-Heav in prayer thine aid seeki
 Der this assembly now preside. Now let the sword thy Judgment speak, That by thy will we may abide King and Chorus-Oh, let the arm Of right be strong And feeble be the arm of wrong. Oh. help us now in our distress, Our wisdom is but foolishness. Elsa and Lohen.-Soon will be known thy just decree. Almighty Judge, I trust In thee! Ort.-The vict'ry must to him belong, In ev'ry fight his arm is strong. Fred-I bow before thy high decree Almighty Judge, give strength to mel (At signal from the Herald the trum- pets sound for the combat The King, drawing his sword, strikes 1t thrice against his shield At the first stroke Lohengrin and Frederick take their positions; at the second they draw their swords; at the third they com mence the encounter. After several violent passages, Lohengrin strikes Frederick to the ground). Lohen. (holding his sword at Frederick s throat)-To me thy life by Gods de- cree Is giv'n, | take it not-go, make thy peace with Heav'nl
 (The King leads Elsa to Lohengrin; she sinks enraptured on his bosom. Inn mediately after Frederick's fall the Saxon. Thuringian, and Brabant mo- bles have resumed their swords. The te xuit h