When they in turn grew old and thought of dying--
Even such men as these now gird themselves
With swords and Bibles, and, nought doubting, rush
Into the world's undying chronicles!
This struggle hath in it a solemn echo
Of the old world, when God was present still
In fiery columns, burning oracles:
Ere earnest faith and new reality
Had grown diluted, fading from the earth
Through feeble ages of a mock existence,
Whose Heaven and Hell were but as outer fables,
That trouble not man's stage-like dream of life.

[_Exit into the Inn._]


END OF ACT I.




ACT II.

SCENE I.

[_2nd Grooves._]

_A large Barn with folding doors. In it a number of
Cavaliers drinking at various rude tables. Some
women are interspersed among them. Many are