nd embers, over heaps of ruins? Let me go, I
entreat!

THE MAN. Forward! forward! and descend with me!

The last songs of the people are dying away behind us; a few torches
here and there just glimmer through the gloom!

Ha! under those hoary trees drooping with the night dew, and through
this curdling, whitening vapor, see you not the giant shadow of the dead
Past? Hark! hear you not that wailing chant?

THE BAPTIZED. Everything is shrouded in the thickening mist; at every
step we descend, deeper, deeper!

CHORUS OF WOOD SPIRITS. Let us weep for Christ, the persecuted, martyred
Jesus!

Where is our God; where is His church?

THE MAN. Unsheathe the sword--to arms! to arms!

I will restore Him to you; upon thousands and thousands of crosses will
I crucify His enemies!

CHORUS OF SPIRITS. We kept guard by day and night around the altar and
the holy graves; upon untiring wings we bore the matin chime and vesper
bell to the ear of the believer; our voices floated on the organ's peal!
In the glitter of the stained and rainbow panes, the shadows of the
vaulted domes, the light of the holy chalice, the blessed consecration
of the Body of our Lord--was our whole life centred!

Woe! woe! what will become of us?

THE MAN. It is growing lighter; their dim forms fade and melt into the
red of morn!

THE BAPTIZED. Here lies your way: this is the entrance to the Pass.

THE MAN. Hail! Christ Jesus and my sword! (_He tears off the liberty
cap, throws it upon the ground, and casts pieces of silver upon it.)_
Take together the Thing and the Image for a remembrance!

THE BAPTIZED. You pledge your word to me for the honorable treatment of
him who will visit you at midnight?

THE MAN. An old noble never repeats or breaks a promise!

Hail! Christ Jesus and our swords!

VOICES (_from the depths of the Pass_). Mary and our swords! Long live
our lord, Count Henry!

THE MAN. My faithful followers, to me--to me!

Aid me, Mary, and Christ Jesus!

* * * * *

Night. Trees and shrubbery. Pancratius, Leonard, and attendants.

PANCRATIUS (_to his attendants_). Lie upon this spot with your faces to
the turf, remain perfectly still, kindle no fires, beat no signals, and,
unless you hear the report of firearms, stir not until the dawn of day!

LEONARD. I once more conjure you, citizen!

PANCRATIUS. Lean against this tall pine, Leonard, and pass the night in
reflection.

LEONARD. I pray