e presents their future
mistress to them, and all render homage; only Bertram, struck to the
heart by Melusine's loveliness, which is not for him, stands scornfully
aside.

The first scene of the second act represents the sepulchral crypt of
the Lusignan family. The old Duke has been found dead in the forest,
and a choir of monks sings the Requiem. Bertram's mournful song and
the lament of the women are of surpassing beauty; also the contrasting
sounds {220} from merry music of Raymond's wedding procession, now and
then heard, cause an excellent musical effect. A hermit, Peter von
Amiens, now entering comforts the widowed Duchess and warns them all of
Melusine. He relates the legend of the water-fairy, who with sweet
voice and mien entices and seduces human beings. The poor mother
implores Heaven to save her son, while Bertram invokes Hell to avenge
his father on the murderer.

The scene changes into the park belonging to Raymond's palace. Raymond
and Melusine enjoy their nuptial bliss, until the rising of the
full-moon awakes in Melusine the irresistible longing for her native
element. Notwithstanding her husband's entreaties, she tears herself
from him, and Raymond, mindful of his oath, retires. But Melusine's
steps are interrupted by Bertram, who has tracked her and now declares
his love. She scornfully rejects him, and he, enraged and jealous,
threatens to betray Raymond, whose bloody sword he has found at the
spot, where their father was murdered. But Melusine escapes to the
gray temple in the garden and she prophesies, that Raymond will be
happy as long as he keeps her faith, and then vanishes into the
interior. Bertram remains motionless and stunned, until he hears
Raymond's voice, who is waiting for his wife.--Spurred by every evil
feeling of hate and envy he peremptorily asks Raymond to surrender all
his possessions, his wife Melusine, even his life, deeming that his
brother has forfeited every right through the murder.--But {221}
Raymond oblivious of the deed through the effect of the magic draught,
draws his sword, when his mother interferes. The Duchess repeats to
her son the suspicion expressed by the hermit in regard to Melusine and
Raymond anxiously calls for her to refuse the accusation.--But instead
of his wife, sweet songs are heard from the temple, he forgets his
oath, spies into its interior through a cleft and perceives the place
of the nixies, with Melusine in their midst. Recognizin