tender supported by
the Polish nobles, but Fritelli coming up assures the innkeeper, that
it is to be the Arch-Duke. Meanwhile the King enters in hot haste
asking for horses, in order to take himself away as quickly as
possible. Unfortunately there is only one horse left and no driver,
but the King orders this to be got ready, and declares that he will
drive himself. During his absence Alexina and Minka, who have
proceeded to the spot, are full of pity for the unfortunate King, as
well as for his friend De Nangis. Alexina resolves to put on servant's
clothes, in order to save the fugitive, and to drive herself. Of
course Henry is enchanted when recognizing his fair driver and both set
about to depart.

Minka, left alone, bewails her fate and wants to stab herself,
whereupon De Nangis suddenly appears in search for the King. At the
sight of him, Minka quickly dries her tears, being assured that her
lover is true to her. Fritelli however, who at first had rejoiced to
see his wife's admirer depart, {172} is greatly dismayed at hearing
that his fair wife was the servant-driver. He madly rushes after them,
to arrest the fugitives. But the faithful guard is already on the
King's track, and together with his Cavaliers, brings them back in
triumph.

Finding that, whether her will or no, he must abide by his lot, and
hearing further, that the Arch-Duke has renounced his pretentions to
the crown of Poland, the King at last submits. He unites the faithful
lovers, De Nangis and Minka, sends Fritelli as Ambassador to Venice
accompanied by his wife Alexina, and all hail Henry de Valois as King
of Poland.

LOHENGRIN.

Romantic Opera in three acts by RICHARD WAGNER.

This is the most popular of all Wagner's operas. No need to say more
about its music, which is so generally known and admired, that every
child in Germany knows the graceful aria, where Lohengrin dismisses the
swan, the superb bridal chorus etc.

Wagner again took his material from the old legend, which tells us of
the mystical knight Lohengrin, (Veron of Percifal), Keeper of the "Holy
Grail".

The scene is laid near Antwerp, where "Heinrich der Vogler," King of
Germany, is just levying troops amongst his vassals of Brabant, to
repulse the Hungarian invaders. The King finds the people {173} in a
state of great commotion, for Count Frederick Telramund accuses Elsa of
Brabant, of having killed her young brother Godfrey, heir to the Duke
of Brab