with Lucifer, describing the temptation, and
closes with a second solo by the Prince, accompanied by a warning chorus
of angels. The second scene opens before the cottage of Ursula at
evening, with a short alto recitative ("Slowly, slowly up the Wall") with
pastoral accompaniment, followed by a very effective choral hymn ("O
Gladsome Light") sung by the villagers ere they depart for their homes,
the Prince's voice joining in the Amen. The remainder of the scene
includes a dialogue between Elsie and her mother, in which the maid
expresses her determination to die for the Prince, and a beautiful prayer
("My Redeemer and my Lord") in which she pleads for strength to carry out
her resolution, closing with her noble offer to the Prince, which he
accepts, the angels responding Amen to the blessing he asks for her.

The third scene opens with Elsie, the Prince, and their attendants on the
road to Salerno where the cure is to be effected by her sacrifice. They
fall in with a band of pilgrims, among whom is Lucifer in the disguise of
a monk. The two bands part company, and as night comes on the Prince's
attendants encamp near the sea. The continuity of the narrative is varied
by a simple, graceful duet for the Prince and Elsie ("Sweet is the Air
with budding Haws"); the Gregorian music of the pilgrims in the distance
("Cujus clavis lingua Petri"); the mocking characteristic song of Lucifer
("Here am I too in the pious Band"), interwoven with the chant; the song
of greeting to the sea by the Prince ("It is the Sea"); and a very
effective solo for Elsie ("The Night is calm and cloudless"), which is
repeated by full chorus with soprano obligato dwelling upon the words
"Christe Eleison." The fourth scene opens in the Medical School at
Salerno, and discloses Lucifer disguised as the physician Friar Angelo,
who receives Elsie and takes her into an inner apartment, notwithstanding
the protests of the Prince, who suddenly resolves to save her, and
finally effects her rescue. The music to this scene is very dramatic, and
it also contains a short but striking unaccompanied chorus ("O Pure in
Heart").

The fifth scene is short. It passes at the door of Ursula's cottage,
where a forester brings the mother the news of Elsie's safety and of the
Prince's miraculous cure. The dialogue is followed by a prayer of
thanksgiving ("Virgin, who lovest the Poor and Lowly"). The last scene
opens on the terrace of the castle of Vautsberg. It is the even