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! 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; Still the same old place-see yonder! Oh! but they were kindly people! BAUCIS (a very old woman). Softly! softly! gentle stranger, |