sa a champion; but the signal trumpets have
sounded twice, and no one comes forward to do battle on her behalf.
Suddenly there appears, in a distant bend of the river Scheldt, a boat
drawn by a swan, in which is standing a knight clad in silver armour.
Amidst the greatest excitement the knight gradually approaches, and
finally disembarks beneath the shadow of the king's oak. He is accepted
by Elsa as her champion and lover on the condition that she shall never
attempt to ask his name. If she should violate her promise,
Lohengrin--for it is he--must return at once to his father's kingdom.
Telramund is worsted in the fight, having no power to fight against
Lohengrin's sacred sword, and the act ends with rejoicings over the
approaching marriage of Lohengrin and Elsa.

In the second act it is night; Telramund and Ortrud are crouching upon
the steps of the Minster, opposite the palace, plotting revenge.
Suddenly Elsa steps out upon the balcony of the Kemenate, or women's
quarters, and breathes out the tale of her happiness to the breezes of
night. Ortrud accosts her with affected humility, and soon succeeds in
establishing herself once more in the good graces of the credulous
damsel. She passes into the Kemenate with Elsa, first promising to use
her magic powers so as to secure for ever for Elsa the love of her
unknown lord. Elsa rejects the offer with scorn, but it is evident that
the suggestion has sown the first seeds of doubt in her foolish heart.
As the day dawns the nobles assemble at the Minster gate, and soon the
long bridal procession begins to issue from the Kemenate. But before
Elsa has had time to set foot upon the Minster steps, Ortrud dashes
forward and claims precedence, taunting the hapless bride with ignorance
of her bridegroom's name and rank. Elsa has scarcely time to reply in
passionate vindication of her love, when the King and Lohengrin approach
from the Pallas, the quarters of the knights. Lohengrin soothes the
terror of his bride, and the procession starts once more. Once more it
is interrupted. Telramund appears upon the threshold of the cathedral
and publicly accuses Lohengrin of sorcery. The King, however, will not
harbour a suspicion of his spotless knight. Telramund is thrust aside,
though not before he has had time to whisper fresh doubts and suspicions
to the shuddering Elsa, and the procession files slowly into the
Minster.

A solemn bridal march opens the next act, while the maids of honour