men, who are to pay ransom. They all make
merry and the famous ballet on the ice forms part of the amusements.
In the back-ground we see Muenster, which town is in the hands of Count
Oberthal's father, who refuses to surrender it to the enemy. They
resolve to storm it, a resolution which is heard by young Oberthal, who
has come disguised to the Anabaptists' camp in order to save his father
and the town.

But as a light is struck, he is recognized and is about to be killed,
when John hears from him that Bertha has escaped. She sprang out of
the window to save her honor, and falling into the stream, was saved.
When John learns this, he bids the soldiers spare Oberthal's life, that
he may be judged by Bertha herself.

John has already endured great pangs of conscience at seeing his party
so wild and bloodthirsty. He refuses to go further, but hearing, that
an army of soldiers has broken out of Muenster to destroy the
Anabaptists, he rallies. Praying fervently to God for help and
victory, inspiration comes over him and is communicated to all his
adherents, so that {282} they resolve to storm Muenster. They succeed
and in the fourth act we are in the midst of this town, where we find
Fides, who, knowing that her son has turned Anabaptist, though not
aware of his being their Prophet, is receiving alms to save his soul by
masses. She meets Bertha, disguised in a pilgrim's garb. Both
vehemently curse the Prophet, when this latter appears, to be crowned
in state.

His mother recognizes him, but he disowns her, declaring her mad, and
by strength of will he compels the poor mother to renounce him. Fides,
in order to save his life, avows that she was mistaken and she is led
to prison.

In the last act we find the three Anabaptists, Mathisen, Jonas and
Zacharias together. The Emperor is near the gates of Muenster, and they
resolve to deliver their Prophet into his hands in order to save their
lives.

Fides has been brought into a dungeon, where John visits her to ask her
pardon and to save her. She curses him, but his repentance moves her
so, that she pardons him when he promises to leave his party. At this
moment Bertha enters. She has sworn to kill the false Prophet, and she
comes to the dungeon to set fire to the gunpowder, hidden beneath it.
Fides detains her, but when she recognizes that her bridegroom and the
Prophet are one and the same person, she wildly denounces him for his
bloody deeds and stabs hersel