trouble in their midst, and that
by right of his office as high justice of the realm he would
fain bring peace among them. He therefore summons Frederick of
Telramund, the guardian of the dukedom of Brabant, to state the
cause of dissension. This nobleman relates how the dying Duke
of Brabant confided his children, Elsa and Godfrey, to his care,
how tenderly he watched over them, and how much sorrow he felt
when the young heir, having gone out in the forest to walk with
his sister one day, failed to return. Frederick of Telramund
then goes on, and tells how he could not but suspect Elsa of her
brother's murder. He had therefore renounced her hand, which he
had once hoped to win, had married Ortrud, daughter of Radbod,
the heathen king and former possessor of all this tract of land,
which he now claims as his own by right of inheritance.

The people at first refuse to believe his dark accusation against
Elsa; but when Frederick declares she murdered her brother
so as to become sole mistress of the duchy, and to bestow it
upon some unworthy lover, the king sends for the maiden, and,
hanging his shield upon an oak, declares he will not depart
until he has tried this cause:--

'HERALD.

Now shall the cause be tried as ancient use requires.

KING.

Never again my shield to wear
Till judgment is pronounced, I swear.'

The people receive this decree with joy, and the men, drawing
their swords, thrust them into the ground as they form a
circle around the king. These preparations for a solemn court
of justice are scarcely ended when Elsa appears, all in white,
and attended by her ladies, who stand in the background while
she timidly advances and stands before the king. Her youth,
beauty, and apparent innocence produce a great effect, not only
upon the bystanders, but also upon the king, who gently begins
to question her.

But, instead of answering him, the fair maiden merely bows
and wrings her hands, exclaiming, 'My hapless brother!' until
the king implores her to confide in him. Suddenly her tongue
is loosened, and she begins to sing, as if in a trance, of a
vision with which she has been favoured, wherein a handsome
knight had been sent by Heaven to become her champion:--

'I saw in splendour shining
A knight of glorious mien,
On me his eye inclining
With tranquil gaze serene;
A horn of gold beside him,
He leant upon his sword.
Thus when I erst espied him
'M