In thy bridal chamber, Like Saint Cecilia, Thou shalt hear sweet music, And breathe the fragrance Of flowers immortal! Go now and place these flowers Before her picture. A ROOM IN THE FARM-HOUSE. Twilight. URSULA spinning. GOTTLIEB asleep in his chair. URSULA. DARKER and darker! Hardly a glimmer GOTTLIEB, starting. The stopping of thy wheel Has wakened me out of a pleasant dream. When suddenly the wheels stood still, And a voice cried "Elsie" in my It startled me, it seemed so near. URSULA. I was calling her: I want a light. ear! Bring the lamp, Elsie. Dost thou hear? In a moment! ELSIE, within. GOTTLIEB. Where are Bertha and Max? URSULA. They are sitting with Elsie at the door. She is telling them stories of the wood, And the Wolf, and Little Red Ridinghood. GOTTLIEB. And where is the Prince? URSULA. In his room overhead; I heard him walking across the floor, As he always does, with a heavy tread. ELSIE comes in with a lamp. MAX and BERTHA follow her; and they all sing the Evening Song on the lighting of the lamps. EVENING SONG. O gladsome light Of the Father Immortal, And of the celestial Sacred and blessed Jesus, our Saviour! Now to the sunset Again hast thou brought us; And, seeing the evening Twilight, we bless thee, Praise thee, adore thee! Father omnipotent! Son, the Life-giver! Spirit, the Comforter! Worthy at all times Of worship and wonder! Amen! PRINCE HENRY, at the door. URSULA. Who was it said Amen? ELSIE. It was the Prince: he stood at the door, And listened a moment, as we chaunted URSULA. Poor Prince! GOTTLIEB. I thought the house was haunted! Poor Prince, alas! and yet as mild MAX. I love him because he is so good, And makes me such fine bows and arrows, And the red squirrels in the wood! |