THE GOLDEN LEGEND. PROLOGUE. THE SPIRE OF STRASBURG CATHEDRAL. Night and storm. LUCIFER, with the Powers of the Air, trying to tear down the Cross. Lucifer. Hasten! hasten! O ye spirits! From its station drag the ponderous Voices. O, we cannot! For around it All the Saints and Guardian Angels Throng in legions to protect it; The Bells. Laudo Deum verum! Plebem voco! Congrego clerum! Lucifer. Lower! lower! Hover downward ! Seize the loud, vociferous bells, and DD Clashing, clanging, to the pavement Hurl them from their windy tower! Voices. All thy thunders Here are harmless! For these bells have been anointed, The Bells. Defunctos ploro! Pestem fugo! Festa decoro ! Lucifer. Shake the casements! Break the painted Panes, that flame with gold and crimson; Scatter them like leaves of Autumn, Swept away before the blast! Voices. O, we cannot ! The Archangel Michael flames from every window, With the sword of fire that drove us The Bells Funera plango! Fulgura frango! Sabbata pango! Lucifer. Aim your lightnings At the oaken, Massive, iron-studded portals! Sack the house of God, and scatter Wide the ashes of the dead! Voices. O, we cannot ! The Apostles And the Martyrs, wrapped in mantles, The Bells. Excito lentos! Dissipo ventos! Paco cruentos! Lucifer. Baffled! baffled! Inefficient, Craven spirits! leave this labour Over field and farm and forest, Lonely homestead, darksome hamlet, Blighting all we breathe upon! [They sweep away. Organ and Gregorian Chant Choir. Nocte surgentes I. The Castle of Vautsberg on the Rhine. A chamber in a tower. Prince Henry. I cannot sleep! my fervid brain And throws its misty splendours deep A breath from that far-distant shore To stony channels in the sun! Come back! ye friends, whose lives are ended! Come back, with all that light attended, Which seemed to darken and decay When ye arose and went away! They come, the shapes of joy and woe, The dreams and fancies known of yore, |