The age-herald., 1901-10-27
ACT |.

| back ground, so that on the right a portion of it is hidden by the trees, and it is only visible again at further distance. In the foreground, to the left King Henry Is seated under a tall stur- dy oak near him stand the Saxon and Thuringian nobles. On the other side are Frederick of Telramund and Or trud. The background is occupied by retainers. An open circle in the middle
 into which the Herald and four
 Trumpeters advance. Trumpets sound. Herald-Hear, nobles, lords, and free
 men of Brabant- Henry, the King of Germans. hither
 comes
 With you to barley as the law provides. With loyal feeling hear ye his command! Men of Brabant-With loyal feeling
 hear we his commando; So welcome King Henryl welcome to
 Brabant!
 King (rising)-Heav' save ye, loving
 subjects of Brabanti did not come hither through likeness The kingdoms deep distresses learn from l me.
 First shall I tell you of the weary
 troubles
 That, from the East oft threaten Ger
 many?
 About the March were women-children
 praying: | "HeaVn shield us from the wild Hun
 garian's rage!
 With me, the kingdoms head, 1t was a
 duty
 To put an end to such abhorr'd disorder. A sev'n years truce by force of arms | gaind
 And this I used to give the realm new
 strength.
 The towns I fenc'd and fortresses built Our men of arms 1 fitly exercisd. Now tribute we refuse-the term expires And we are once more threatend by the
 foe. Now is it time to guard the kingdom s
 honor.
 The East-the west-both are alike to all. The German nation calls upon her chill
 dren,
 And foes will tremble when they hear saxons and Thuringians (striking thelr l arms)-For German honor fight we all King (reseating himselD--You nfsS
 stimmon. subjects. of Brabantl At once proceed to Maintz with all your
 forces. Much to our grief are we .5ompelled to That you n discord and disorder live Of factions and confusion I am told; Therefore explain, Fredrick of Telra-
 mund.
 That thou art virtues self I know full
 well;
 Explain then, and the cause of mischief
 tell.
 Fred.-Thanks to thee, King. that thou
 art here to judge. | The truth I tell thee-falsehood ne CT l learnd.
 Brabant's late Duke upon his death-Ded
 lay,
 And unto me confieded both his children Elsa the maiden and her brother Godfrey. l Him reard faithfully through growing
 boyhood. His life deem'd the jewel of my honor. | King Henry, measure all my depth of
 grief
 When of that fair jewel was despoiled. Once Elsa through the forest took the | boy | To stroll: but woe is me! return'd alone, With show of sorrow asking for her
 brother.
 From him. she said, she heedlessly had
 stray'd,
 And not trace of Godfrey could she | find.
 yainly we sought the lost one to recover. Elsa at last terrified with threats. | Till by her falt'ring tongue and pallid | features
 The fearful deed was told that she had | done.
 With deepest horror shrank I from the | maid.
 To me her sire the right to make her | mine Had giv'n; but this too gladly resign'd. | And took wife whom 1 could truly love, Ortrud, the child of Radbod, Friesland 8 1 prince. Now do I accuse Elsa of Brabant- Her brother perish'd by her guilty hand! EThis land, as lawfully my own, I claim, Being nearest kinsman to the Duke. | My wife, besides, is of the race that once Unto this land a line of princes gave. My cause thou knowest-judge 1t, noble
 King.
 All the Men with horror)-Who could
 of crimes like this have thought? A heavy charge this count hath brought King-A heavy accusation 'tis indeed. A crime so fearful seems impossible. Fred.-My King, she whom l rightly
 cast aside
 Is giv'n to folly and to vanity, And accuse her now of hidden sin. She thought. forsooth, having removd
 her brother bant,
 Reject the hand of him who fairly
 claims it,
 And openly protect her secret minion. King-Call the accused one here; the | trial shall. | Proceed at once. Heavn guide my 1udg- | ment righti
 Gle solemnly hangs his shield on the oak. The Saxons and Thuringians thrust their drawn swords into the
 ground the men of Brabant lay theirs | before them). | Herald (advances into the middle)-Now
 shall the cause be tried as ancient use requires | King-Never again my shield to wear, l Till judgment is pronounced, I swear! Chorus (men)-Ne'er to the sheath re-
 turn the sword. | Till justice speaks the mighty word Herald-There, where the royal shield | you see,
 You soon will hear the Kings decree | Therefore call. in accents clear, | Elsa, without delay appear. SCENE IT.
 (Elsa enters in a simple white dress; long train of her ladies similarly at- tired. These remain in the back ground while Elsa advances slowly and timidly into the center of the foreground) | Chorus (men)-Behold. she comes! The l charge how heavy. | Yet does she look-ah, so bright and pure! | He who could venture to accuse her, Must doubtless of her guilt be sure | King-Art thou. then. Elsa of Brabant? (Elsa bows acknowledgement And as thy judge me dost thou recognize? l (she bows again)