to doubting
God himself. There is no faith more on earth. Away, then, forever
away! "Learn the fate from which I save you!" he finally turns
to her, as if softened by her pleading to the point of wishing
her to know that he leaves not in hate and anger, but very pity
for her feminine frailty; and he states plainly the threatening
fate of which we heard him give but a warning before. "Condemned
am I to the most dreadful of dooms. Tenfold death would be to me
yearned-for bliss. A woman alone can deliver me, a woman who shall
keep her faith to me even until death. You, it is true, had sworn
truth to me, but not as yet before the Almighty, and that it is
which saves you. For know, unhappy woman, the fate which overtakes
her who breaks her vow of eternal constancy to me: Everlasting
damnation is her portion. Innumerable have been the victims already,
through me, of that dread sentence. But you--you shall be saved.
Farewell, then, and farewell, to all time, salvation!" Again he
turns shoreward. "Indeed, indeed, I know you," Senta follows still;
"Full well I know your fate. From the first moment of seeing you
I knew you. The end is at hand of your torture! I am she through
whose fidelity you shall find salvation!"

Erik, in terror for Senta, has called wildly toward the house,
toward the ship, for help to save her. Daland, Mary, and the young
girls have come hurrying from the house, the Norwegian sailors
from the ship. "No, no, you know me not!" the Hollander is saying;
"No suspicion have you who I am! Inquire of the seas of every zone,
inquire of the seaman overscoring the main--Behold"--he points
at the ship whose blood-red sails are set and whose ghastly crew
show uncannily active in preparations for departure; "Behold and
recognise this ship, terror of every pious soul.... The Flying
Dutchman I am called!"

With lightning rapidity he has gone aboard. Instantly the weird
ship is under way and amid the cavernous Yohohoes of its seamen
making for the open sea.

Senta struggles to follow. Her father, Erik, her nurse, all forcibly
hold her back. But she is suddenly stronger than them all. She
tears herself free and rushing from them climbs a rock projecting
into the deep water. With all her strength she calls after the
departing Hollander, "Praise be to your angel and his decree! Here
am I, faithful to you until death!" and springs into the sea.

Upon the instant, the red-sailed ship, with all its crew, sinks. A
great w