And the broad vale, oh! dedicate, with meadow

land and plain.

Repentance thus expressed finds grace, and never pleads in vain.

KAISER.

Thinking upon my heavy crime, such terrors on me seize,

I leave it to yourself to fix at will the boundaries.

ARCHBISHOP.

First, then, be the polluted land, defiled by magic

art,

For ever to the service of the Highest set apart. Already I in spirit see the stately walls aspire, Already feel the morning sun's first rays light up the choir.

The rising structure to a cross enlarges and extends; Believers see with joy the nave that lengthens and ascends;

The faithful thro' rich portals stream, borne on with burning zeal,

And over vale, and over hill, is heard the bell's first peal;

From towers, that heavenward point and strive, rings the far-echoed sound,

There, kneeling down, the penitent a better life. hath found.

And at the dedication day-oh! would that it

were now

And kneeling in that church-thy gift-such peni

tent wert thou.

KAISER.

Oh! may this pious work avail to-day,

To praise the Lord, and put my sin away!
Already, in the thought sublime, above myself I

feel.

ARCHBISHOP.

I, as the Chancellor, arrange formality and seal.

KAISER.

Prepare the fitting document, purporting to secure This to the Church, and I'll with joy affix my signature.

ARCHBISHOP (takes leave, but immediately returns). And to the work, as it proceeds, must thou too dedicate

Land-dues, benevolences large, and tribute, rent, and rate

For ever. To support the staff with money you should aid;

The bursar and the auditor must not be under

paid.

That the building may go quickly on, you cannot, sure, withhold,

From the plunder of the enemy, an offering of gold.

We also shall have need-the thing admits not of

disguise

Of foreign timber, lime, and slate, and of them large supplies.

The Carriage will cost nothing: we'll have orators

addressing

The crowd, to preach who serves the Church may reckon on her blessing.'

KAISER.

[Exit.

Grievous and heavy is the sin wherewith I've burthened me;

These odious sorcerers bring me tó a sad extremity.

ARCHBISHOP (returns again with a deep obeisance). Pardon me, Sire. The sea-shore of the realm to that bad man

Has been conveyed; yet will he fall under the Church's ban,

Unless, repentant, to the Church from all that land you give

Tithes, contributions, rents and rates, and dues

derivative.

KAISER (vexed).

The land! Call you that land,' o'er flowed by

ocean vast?

ARCHBISHOP.

Where patience and good title are, possession comes

at last.

For us may your all-gracious word inviolate re

main!

KAISER (alone).

[Exit.

What will he next, perhaps, demand?—The realm

o'er which I reign?

ACT V.

OPEN COUNTRY.

WANDERER.

BAUCIS. PHILEMON.

WANDERER.

Yes! 't is their dusk grove of linden,

Strong in undecaying age;
And shall I again behold them,
After years of pilgrimage?

Still the same old place-see yonder!
See the hut that sheltered me,
When upon these downs the billows
Flung me from the stormy sea!
Oh! that I once more could greet them—
My old hosts-even then they were
Old. And can I hope to meet them?
Earnest, active, kindly pair!

Oh! but they were kindly people!
Shall I knock? or with my voice
Question gently? Do my old friends
Still in doing good rejoice?

BAUCIS (a very old woman).

Softly! softly! gentle stranger,
To his rest the old man leave;