Craven spirits! leave this labor
Unto Time, the great Destroyer!
Come away, ere night is gone!

_Voices._ Onward! onward!
With the night-wind,
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
Vig lemus omnes!

* * * * *

I.


THE CASTLE OF VAUTSBERG ON THE RHINE.

* * * * *

_A chamber in a tower._ PRINCE HENRY, _sitting alone,
ill and restless._

_Prince Henry._ I cannot sleep! my fervid brain
Calls up the vanished Past again,
And throws its misty splendors deep