That he had fallen into cruel hands- Enter HILDEBRAND with an old sword drawn. Oh my master, [He fastens the door and windows, and Have I been in your service seventy years; But to desert you in the neediest time? [A loud battering is heard at the gates. Lord of M. Nay then, I'll do my best. Hild. [He arms himself. I had a young man's vigour in my arm; Lord of M. The lord of Kronberg! I am poor Hildebrand, who saved your life!" He passed me with a curse! Oh for the strength I wasted on the eve of Childermas! Lord of M. The poor man hath his evil in this life, His reckoning in the next! Hild. 1st Voice. Give's here the straw and matches, by We'll serve them as the hornet, burn them out! But first, my aged servant, take a blessing Hild. [kneeling.] My gracious lord, brand and the Lord of Maine rush out with drawn swords; the men close upon them, and bear off the Lord of Maine, leaving Hildebrand wounded among the burning ruins. SCENE II. Night-a rocky glen, at the entrance of a lonesome Old Man. Wherefore these signs? Rivers of blood, to show the blood of Christ; The death on the cross; and moans and hissings Mother S. Peace, driveller, hold your peace! 2nd Man. No, no; these signs, These awful, fiery signs, have other meanings [The gates give way with a loud crash. Tokens of wrath, to show the end o' the world Curse that old wood! Now, my dear master, back, this is my place! Is now at hand! Philip of M. I see these diverse sights Hild. They've lost the scent! Oh, my most ex- But what of these, my friends? cellent master, If man's good deeds have any worth with heaven, Lord of M. Peace, peace, good friend, I hear These things are tokens, Mother S. Thou art a wise man! I do read these As thou. But hark! here comes the Innocent 1st Voice. [outside.] Here hides the ancient fox; The poor dumb innocent that now doth speak come, now unearth him! 2nd Voice. This is the only habitable corner! Such wonders are abroad! 1st Man. He has work to do! He is sent forth in these bad, awful times For some great meaning! Mother S. Nothing has been done, Fearful or good, which he has not foretoldThere is a god or else a devil in him! 2nd Man. Hist, hist! he comes, and soon he will begin! "Tis thus he rocks his body to and fro, When the fit's on him. [The crowd gives way, and the Innocent Look, they 're coming from the clouds! Hence! ye hide him from my view Philip. Carried to the dungeons! Jan. S. And the grand cedar floors smell like frankincense I'll warrant them they cost a world o' money! Philip. This shall but kindle fiercer, bloodier vengeance! Jan. S. And poor old Hildebrand has been dug out! He fought for his master, and was sorely wounded; The burning walls fell on him- he was deadMangled, and black with blood and masking smoke. Philip. There shall be a reckoning for that old man's life! Enter CONRAD, and other miners. See you that bloody beacon in the east? Conrad. I do! It is a beacon that will rouse Thousands of sleeping hearts, which, but for that Would have slept on! The forest is aroused; The cry is "Vengeance, and the Lord of Maine!" Mother S. And there has blood been shed-I know there has! I can smell blood, even as the raven can! Conrad. In the black glen we have left seven bo dies Bloodhounds were they, upon our leader's scent; Many voices. We owe you more! Mother S. [aside.] I love the smell of blood! Philip. Now, friends, unto your homes! An hour will come [He parts the crowd, and looks round him. When I shall need your bravest energies — Where art thou, O warrior true? Of that you shall have warning; and till then, Ha! I see thee! thou art he! Farewell! Get thee hence to victory. Many voices. Nay, we will with you, even now; Others. [He falls back insensible, at Philip's feet. Will be your guard! Thou art the man he aimed at. Philip of Maine, I am. All. Philip of Maine! our leader. Philip of Maine! Mother S. And we will to the burning. [They all disperse. SCENE III. Some evenings afterwards-three men sitting round a fire in a cave, opening upon broken ground. 1st Man. It is a general out-break. No faint impulse, Enter JAN SCHWARTZ and many FORGEMEN, in great Where'er ye go, people are under arms. Threatening one moment, and next moment quelled; haste. 2d Man. As I, this morn, stood on the wooded heights, O'erlooking the wild rocky pass of Forges, forks, The while Destruction gathers up itself, To crush him with its concentrated force. 1st Man. What's this about? Man of the crowd. Philip has set us free! But Heaven confounds whom it forebodes to ruin! The damned collector stripped us, dead and living: Philip and Gaston 'neath its castle gates, 2d Man. Gaston I do not like. These strange adventurers Start up in troublous times, as crawling things 1st Man. 2d Man. His voice is like a trumpet! Never heard I so rich, so full a voice- Or fixedly determined 'gainst his purpose, Of a deep, rolling sea! A wild crowd of people come up. People. God save Philip! Hurrah for the Deliverer! Who's for Philip? The body on the bier- the new-made bride- Dealt him a wound in 's body that cut short Another Man. And ripping up his bags, SCENE IV. A street in the city. [They all follow. Enter a MAN, crying papers. Man. Here is a full and true account of the wonderful and awful prophecy delivered by one who rose from the dead; in which is plainly foretold the strange and solemn events which are coming upon the earth; to which is added, the downfal of pride, and a clear explanation of the terrible and portentous signs and tokens in the sky, written by the learned Dr. Astreus: together with an account of sundry wonders and mysterious visitations which were witnessed in many places of this state. All which are explained with reference to things which are about coming to pass. "He that runneth may read." Many Voices. Give us one! Here's money, give us one! [The man distributes his papers, and then goes forward. Another MAN rushes in. Off with ye, every one of you! off, off, A troop is coming down! They all disappear. Innocent. Man of pride, the hour Thou shalt bow thyself in fear; Thou shalt gnash thy teeth in rage; Thou shalt curse thy drooping age — near, Mother S. We know of whom he speaks! Ah no, he speaks again! Innocent. Cometh night upon the noon? Mighty, art thou fallen so soon? See ye not these streets run blood?- [He sinks down insensible. 2d Man. Dark sayings are these all! their hands! Off! I brook not gyves nor bands! Down the silent, echoing street, Lord of M. What messenger of mercy may'st thou be, That daily visitest this dreary cell, And ministerest kind comfort to my need? Ida. [placing the viands before him.] Eat, drink, Did I not see thy weak and trembling frame, Meantime I will compose my mind to speak Lord of M. Heaven grant I have! yet not in My years are well nigh full his years are few, Your son is free Three leagues from this he lieth with his army! canst not mean Philip of Maine ! Ida. The very same, I mean! Lord of M. Ha! is it so? Scarce forty days have Since he was friendless and of no account! Like the fierce torrent of a mountain river, [He gives a spring upward, and is seized Their old allegiance—all declare for Philip! Mother S. Unhand him, cut-throats! [All the people struggle to rescue him; he Hans Clef. This is his blood! By heaven it is The castle is blockaded. In our walls Lord of M. Lord of M. But proceed! Lord of M. Art thou Lord Kronberg's daughter? Ida. Thou must henceMust to thy son, and counsel him to temper Vengeance with mercy. When he knows thee safe, Perchance he may withdraw. And more than this, Flee for thy life! A gibbet is erected, Thou'll see it in the moonlight, on the walls; There 't was my father's orders to convey thee, A terror to the foe, when day should break; — And woman as I am, weak, timid woman, I dare oppose my judgment unto his! He shall not stain his name - a noble name, By basely taking life from such as thouAn old and unoffending nobleman! Hence to thy son! and, friend, remember this, Thou hast had mercy, and be thou for us An angel of sweet mercy! He is not in the dungeon-he has 'scaped! Try on the rack the soldiers who were taken Ida. My father, no! - these men are innocent"T was I who gave him freedom! Lord of K. I would not let thy noble name be stained Lord of K. Hence with her to the dungeon! she's a traitor! Sene. My good lord, no! She is your child, my lord! Bertha [clasping her arms' around her.] Off, off! And hang them all and that wild prating idiot! [He goes out with the Seneschal. |