whole universe were at his feet.

THIRD COUNT. And yet he has done nothing but cut his way through the
camp of the peasants at night!

FIRST COUNT. He left one hundred, nay, it is reported, two hundred of
their men dead upon the place of combat.

SECOND COUNT. Let us object to his appointment as general-in-chief.

THE MAN (_kneeling at the feet of the Archbishop_). I lay my trophy at
thy feet!

ARCHBISHOP (_giving him a sword_). Gird this sword upon thee; it was
once consecrated to Saint Florian!

MANY VOICES. Long live Count Henry! Vivat! vivat!

ARCHBISHOP. And thus sealing thee with the sign of the cross, I commit
to thy hands the sole command of this, our last fortress and refuge upon
earth.

It is the universal wish that thou shouldst assume the rank of
general-in-chief.

MANY VOICES. Long live our general! Vivat! vivat!

A VOICE. I will not give my consent to the appointment!

MANY VOICES. Away with the objector! Long live Count Henry!

THE MAN. If any one present have just cause to reproach me, let him
proclaim it openly, and not hide himself in the crowd!

He pauses; no one responds.

I accept this sword from thy hands, most reverend father; and may God
send me an early and sudden death if I fail to deliver thee!

CHORUS OF PRIESTS. Gift him with power, O God; and let Thy Holy Spirit
descend upon him! Deliver us from our enemies, O Lord!

THE MAN. Let us all, princes, knights, and nobles, take a solemn oath to
defend the glory and fame of our fathers!

Let us swear that though hunger and thirst may lead us to death, they
shall not force us to dishonor!

Let us vow that no suffering shall induct us to capitulate, to yield one
of our just rights, or to sacrifice any of the duties due to our
Creator! Swear!

MANY VOICES. We swear.

The Archbishop elevates the Cross, they kneel and pledge their
faith.

CHORUS OF PRIESTS. The perjured Thou wilt punish in Thy wrath, O God!

The faint-hearted Thou wilt punish in Thy wrath, O God!

The traitor Thou wilt punish in Thy wrath O God!

THE MAN (_drawing his sword_). Keep the oath, and I promise glory--for
victory, pray to God!

He leaves the church, surrounded and followed by bands of knights,
nobles, etc.

* * * * *

A courtyard in the castle of the Holy Trinity. The Man, counts,
barons, princes, noblemen.

A COUNT (_leading the Man aside_). What--is all irretrievably los