BRITTANY A SCHOOL PLAY. BASED UPON THE LEGEND OF | ste Sh. URSULA, : : MAY BE GIVEN BY GIRLS ONLY, OR BY BOTH GIRLS AND BOYS. THE URSULINES OF ST. TERESA’S, 187 HENRY STREET, NEW YORK Copyright, 1894, by The Ursulines of St. Teresa's. GUTTMANN’S *% Gymnastics of the Voice, * CURE of STUTTERING and STAMMERING. To this new edition of this most excellent work has been added Guttmann’s System - for the Cure of Stuttering and Stammering, with tables for practice, and minute direc- tions given so thatthe stammerer or the teacher may prepare additional tablesif desired. This is a book that every voice-user should have. Itis a system of correct breath- | ing in singing and speaking, based upon physiological laws, and is a practical guide in : the training and use of the voice for all purposes. It is designed for schools and for ‘ self-instruction. ee ! Part |.—Treats of the Anatomy of the Vocal and Respiratory Organs. Part Il.—Treats of the Activity of the Vocal Organs. 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F IOHNi, FOLEY. => FLORISI,—~ 2260 BOWERY, FIRST PRIZES AWARDED FOR NEW AND ORIGINAL DESIGNS, AT LENOX LYCEUM. N EW YORK. ED PINA UD )“ PhIES “URSULA OF BRITTANY,” cacu. COPIES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM = - = Sl TERESA'S /-WRSULINE ACADEMY: 139 HENRY STREET. ; . . NEW YORK. Mme. AMALIE KOEHLER, \ COSTUMER, f wie Ped COSTUMES FURNISHED FOR CONVENTS AND ACADEMIES. 54 UNION SQUARE, East Bet. 17th & 18th Sts. (Formerly 2 Union Square.) NEW YORK. URSULA OF BRITTANY. ANA GA FH Ie ScENE I.— Coast of Brittany. A garden. Sitting in groups with needlework or books or musical instruments, LADIES ODILIA, CORDULA, CUNERA, and LITTLE Ima. OpiLt1a. Our fair Princess is late this morning, and a fair, bright day it is. The sun is toward the noon and yet we have not seen her loved face. CUNERA. She still remains before the altar, as I have seen her oft of late, so rapt, as if in converse with the Holy One imprisoned there. CorpULA. How tiresome, to be sure, to be always praying ! ' I can*scarce say my morning orisons ere I must haste away to these green woods. | Cun. Yes, ’tis true, when forced to stay it 7s tiresome, but then, you know, you are not the Princess Ursula. Cor. That is true, for if I were the Princess Ursula, I would not. long remain pent up in this dull place. I would soon choose from the many princes who are her suitors. But she disdains them all, and remains with the King, her father. Op. And such a father! Who can blame her? While she has all the prerogatives of a queen, why should she leave this almost absolute sway to be only queen consort to some rough warrior? Our gracious King loves his only daughter more than any husband would. [nter Ips with Oxiva and CoLuMBA. | Oh, here comes Ida with the ‘‘ dove” and the ‘‘ olive !” (9) 10 URSULA OF BRITTANY. Ipa. Yes, dear friends, I bring to you the symbols of meek- ness and peace. Oxtva. I greet you, fair friends, and say with our Holy One, ‘* My peace I give to you,” one and all. CotumBpa. And I say, may the ‘‘dove” dwell with you ever. Cor. [ironically]. Oh, to be sure; you will both bide with us until fond suitors claim you, then farewell to ‘‘ peace” for all of us, I ween; for you will have your lords on whom to dance attendance, and we [sighing] be dying of envy that we have none upon whom to bestow our wifely care. What say you, sweet ones all? Ov. Now I, for one, shall not; for I shall have no lord but the Lord of Peace who was meek and humble of heart. Ipa. I would say the same, my dear, could I be sure of giv- ing myself to Him in my youth and die for Him as dear Agnes of Rome. Cot. That blessing may be yours sooner than you think; for have you not heard of the threatened invasion of our shores by the pagans across the channel ? Ipa. No. Oh, how nice that will be! Then I shall have my chance of martyrdom. Cor. And I my chance of a noble warrior to take me to his island home and make me a queen. Cun. How worldly you are, Cordie! But if the truth were proved and the trial came, it would not surprise me if you were the bravest to die for your faith. Cor. No, no, not die would I, but dive for it, and convert those ‘‘ noble Angles into angels.” Ipa. Oh, yes, I think I should like that, too. OL. Do youxknow, I think our fair Princess has some fore- bodings. She seems more contemplative than ever. I have seen her with that far-off look in her eyes, as if she had a vision of futurity. URSULA OF BRITTANY. Ti Ipa. Ah! here she comes, and looking as you say. A vision herself she seems. [.AJl look off L.] , [ £nter Ursuua, L. | Ursuxta. Fair day to you all, sweet ones. [Al rise. ] Op. ‘The day is fair, indeed, to us when our dear Princess deigns to bear us company. We have waited long for your coming. Ur. Yes, the morn is far spent; but let us now make amends for the long delay, and to our studies hie. What read you there, Odilia dear ? [Lnter, running up to UrRsuLaA and embracing her, Ima and LILLIE. | Ima. Dear, dear -Princess, will you tell us what you mean by ‘‘ Magi?” Lillie says they are birds with bright plumage and sing oh, so sweetly. Are they birdies ? Ur. No, my little pet, they are wise men. Ima and Litu1z. Oh, only men ? Ipa. Yes, but there were three Magi, three kings who went to look for our Lord. Ima. Three kings! [Counts 1, 2, 3 on fingers.| I do not know what you mean by kings. Ipa. Why, do you not know our good King Theonotus ? Litu1z. Oh, is our good papa Theonotus a king? Then I like kings. Ima. Now tell us, Ida, about the three kings you call the Magi. Ur. Yes, dear little ones, she shall. Ida, dear, recount the history of the Magi. Ipa. Three Kings came riding from far away, Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar. Three Wise Men out of the East were they, And they travelled by night and they slept by day For their guide was a wonderful, beautiful star. The star was so beautiful, large and clear U, OF ILL. LIB. 12 a URSULA OF BRITTANY. That all the other stars of the sky Became a white mist in the atmosphere, . And by this they knew that the coming was near Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy. Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows Three caskets of gold with golden keys. Their robes were of crimson silk with rows Of bells and pomegranates and furbelows; Their turbans like blossoming almond trees. And so the Three Kings rode into the West Through the dusk of night over hill and dell; And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast, And sometimes talked as they paused to rest With the people they met at some wayside well. ‘¢Of the Child that is born,” said Baltasar, ‘¢Good people, I pray you tell us the news; For we in the Kast have seen His star, And have ridden fast and have ridden far To find and worship the King of the Jews.” And the people answered: ‘‘ You ask in vain. We know of no king but Herod the Great!” They thought the Wise Men were men insane, » As they spurred their horses across the plain Like riders in haste and who cannot wait. And when they came to Jerusalem, Herod the Great, who had heard this thing, Sent for the Wise Men and questioned them, And said: ‘* Go down into Bethlehem And bring me tidings of this new King.” So they rode away; and the star stood still— The only one in the grey of morn ;— Yes, it stopped; it stood still of its own free will, Right over Bethlehem over the hill, The City of David, where Christ was born. URSULA OF BRITTANY. 13 And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard, Through the silent street, till their horses turned And neighed as they entered the great inn-yard ; But the windows were closed and the doors were barred And only a light in the stable burned. And cradled there in the scented hay, In the air made sweet with the breath of ane) The little Child in the manger lay,— The Child that would be King one day Of a kingdom not human but divine. His mother, Mary of Nazareth, Sat watching beside His place of rest, Watching the even flow of His breath; For the joy of life and the terror of death Were mingled together in her breast. They laid their offerings at His feet: The gold was their tribute to a King; The frankincense, with its odor sweet, Was for the Priest, the Paraclete; The myrrh for the body’s burying. And the mother wandered and bowed her head And sat as still as a statue of stone; Her heart was troubled yet comforted, Remembering what the Angel had said Of an endless reign and of David’s throne. Then the Kings rode out of the city gate With a clatter of hoofs in proud array ; But they went not back to Herod the Great, For they knew his malice and feared his hate, And returned to their home by another way. Ur. How beautiful! Lit. What did they run after the star for? I have run after a star, too, but I could not reach it. Could the Wise Men reach it? Oh, how I should like to have one to play with! 14 | _ URSULA OF BRITTANY. Ur. No,-my little lily of the valley, you could not have one and neither did the Wise Men reach it; but they followed it and it stopped over the house where our dear Lord, the little Christ Child, was born. When you are older you will understand it better. [To the others.| May we ever follow our guiding stars, sisters mine. Cun. What will it be? oh, what will it be? Ur. Seek to know God’s holy will in all things. Follow the teachings of our holy mother, the Church. How many lives made beautiful and sweet By self-devotion and self-restraint Whose pleasure is to run without complaint On unknown errands of the Paraclete, Fail of the nimbus artists paint Around the forehead of the saint. Op. My maxim shall be: ‘¢ Let nothing disturb me, Let nothing affright me. All things are passing, God never changeth. Who God possesseth In nothing is wanting, Alone God sufficeth.” Ur. Ah, Odilia mine, you have the key to the treasures of Heaven. [Looking off L.| Ah, here comes the King, my father! His look is anxious. What sees he there ? [Look f., forward. Enter 'THEONOoTUS L. looking off R. URSULA goes to meet him, takes his hand and kisses it. | Ur. Ah, my gracious; King and father dear, what does that anxious mien portend? Why gaze you so earnestly seaward ? [Ladies withdraw to L. and stand in groups looking off R.| THEONOTUS. See you not, my daughter, the stir among the fishermen along the shore? ‘There are ships off the coast. They are gay with the colors of ‘‘ Old Britain.” URSULA OF BRITTANY. 15 Ur. Oh, my father, whence come they, and come they for peace or for war ? THEO. God only knows! But we shall know ere long, my child; and whether for peace or for war, our hospitality shall be offered. If for peace, we shall thus fix their good intentions; and if for war, we may thus take the malice from their hearts. God knows, we have only to act like good Christians, brave and hospitable. I- have ordered the courtiers to meet them and con- duct them to the castle. Now, my daughter, you have to take the place of your departed mother, and to your duty as a daughter is added the dignity of Queen of your father’s court. You must help ms, then, to welcome these strangers to Brittany. Ur. [kissing his hand]. Your pleasure is mine, my father and King. ScenE IJ.—Room in castle. KinG THEONOTUS in centre on a dais. His courtiers and the strangers stand on each side. THEo. Hail, heralds! and if from God, I welcome you the more; since great is God, and therefore great His gifts. Speak without fear, for him alone I hate who brings ill news or makes unjust demands, unmeet for kings. AMBASSADOR. We thank you for your most gracious [al] bowing] welcome, and haste to disclose the object of our visit, the sole reason why we turned our prows, by royal mandate, - toward the stormy coast of Brittany. It is no other than to secure the hand of the Princess Ursula for the King’s son Conon, the heir to the British throne. Her graces of mind and heart are already famous; and since our eyes have beheld her, we can say our King was wise to send us across this rough channel, if we can win so fair a bride for Prince Conon. Happy will it be for Britain to be ruled by such a queen. THEO. Noble lords, you honor me and my house. I know your young Prince to be of royal mind and good heart. But you must remember, the Princess is my only child, and if her grace 16 URSULA OF BRITTANY. and virtues have so won your hearts, what must she not be to me? I beg you, therefore, noble lords and true ambassadors of Eng- land’s King, to give me time for thought. Meanwhile, all that my castle holds and my kingdom can supply is at your command. AmB. We doubt not a favorable answering, knowing, as we do, the mighty deeds of the Britons and the manly beauty, valor and goodness of our young Prince. We thank you again, in the name of our King and. the Prince, for your courteous hospitality. [ The courtiers lead the strangers off R., each one bowing ere leaving. The King, after all have passed out, throws himself dejectedly into a chair. Enter URSULA, starts in surprise, then runs to King and embraces him. | Ur. My father, what has happened ? The strangers came as friends, the banquet was genial— Why are you anxious and unhappy ? THEO. Ah, my child, all our peaceful years are over. These strangers came as friends, ’tis true, but they have heard of my treasure, and they would take from me all that makes life happy. Ur. Say not so, my King, my father. What would they have? Give of your stores, but let not peace be broken. THEO. What would be a crown, a kingdom, without you, my treasure? And they have come in their brave ships and gay equipage to ask of me my only real treasure on earth,—you, my rose, my daughter ! . Ur. But, my father, you have only to tell these noble lords, so honorable and courtly, that your daughter is pledged to an eternal Spouse; that of all mortals her father alone can claim - her service. , THEO. You forget, my child, these noble Britons are all pagans. They have never heard of that Jesus to whom you are solemnly pledged, or have heard of Him only to despise. Him. They will never understand such reason for rejecting the offer of their King. It will be a deadly insult in their eyes. No, URSULA OF BRITTANY. . 17 no, my child, there is nothing but ruin and sorrow before us. I ‘cannot give you to these pagans and thus force you to break your solemn vow; and to refuse their proffer of alliance is to lay my . kingdom open to their dreadful invasions. ‘These ships, which now he so peacefully on the beach, would come to us full of warriors armed to the teeth, unsparing in their revenge. Alas, my child ! upon what misfortunes have we not fallen ? .[ Sadly. | [Ursuta during this speech has stood with hands clasped as if in prayer. | | UR. [cheerily|. Do not be so cast down, my father. If you are perplexed as a Christian king, Christ, our heavenly King, -will not leave you a prey to the ignorance of His claim upon our love and fealty. I am a mere girl; but it is not the wisdom of the wise which is needed to answer these proud am- bassadors. Do not be fretted over this visit of the Britons. Give them swift audience and allow me, with the help of God, who can inspire even dades to utter His wise counsels, to answer the ambassadors in this matter. THEO. As youwish, my child. I know it is not presumption on your part that prompts this strange request. I pray the Lord of the sweet and the fair, for whom is all beauty alone, that no hand ever dare to cull thee but His own. [UrsuLa kneels. 'THEONOTUS places his hand on her head and looks up during those words, then goes out. URSULA; re- mains kneeling with head bowed. Soft music is played, then an invisible chorus sings softly the ‘* Veni Sponsa.” URSULA raises her head, and at the close starts up. | Ur. [ fervently|. .What potent spirit guides the raptured eye To pierce the shades of dim futurity ! Can Wisdom lend with all her heavenly power ? Ah, no! she darkly sees the fate of man, Her dim horizon bound only to a span. - Angel of Truth, thy glittering plumes explore Earth’s loneliest realm and ocean’s wildest shore. 18 URSULA OF BRITTANY. Go, child of Heaven, To thy tongue, shall seraph words be given And power on earth to plead the cause of Heaven. Bright as the pillar rose at Heaven’s command When Israel marched along the desert land — Where barbarous hordes o’er wildest mountains roam. Truth, Faith and Mercy yet shall find a home. O Sacred Truth ! thy triumph ceased a while; But the proud lords of those rebellious lands shall see That man hath yet a soul and dare be free. Faith shall restore the light by nature given, And like Prometheus, bring fire from Heaven. Yes, there are hearts prophetic hope may trust That slumber yet in unregenerate dust, Ordained to free the adoring sons of earth With every charm of wisdom and of worth; Ordained to light with supernal day The mazy wheels of nature as they play. [| Rapturously.| Come, Heavenly Powers, primeval peace restore 5 s Faith, Hope and Love, come, rule forevermore, Above, below, in ocean, earth and sky ! | Ardently.| Ursula, daughter of the Faith, awake, arise, And bid these souls aspire to homes above the skies. | Reverently.| ‘Thou Christ, my Spouse, my Holy One, In me let all Thy holy will be done; And from a glorious virgin band Ring peans jubilant through every land ! Ere gilds the mountain tops the morrow’s sun, I go, I haste, my Lord, my only One! [During the last eight lines, the ‘‘Veni Sponsa” is played softly. CotumBa, OLIva, IpA, CorpuLa, CuNnERA, OpIz1A, approach softly. When Ursuua has finished the lines, she remains standing in attitude of exaltation; the others pose in URSULA OF BRITTANY. | 19 wondering reverence, looking at UrsuLa. Music continues till curtain falls. Red light may be given. | Scene IIJI.— Throne-room of castle. KING THEONOTUS and PRINCESS URSULA seated on throne. The courtiers are on the King’s right, the ladies,on the Princess’s left. The strangers are on each side, front. THEO. Noble sirs, to you I present my daughter, the Prin- cess Ursula, to whom now in reo you may make known your errand here. AmB. Your Majesty, most angust King [bowing], and you, oh, most gracious Princess [bowing low], I have the honor to be commissioned by my own gracious sovereign, Agrippinus, King of England, to ask the hand of the Princess in marriage for his only son and heir to his throne, Prince Conon of England. THeEo. My daughter, the Princess Ursula, oe herself answer the ambassadors. UR. [rising with dignity]. I thank my lord, ithe King of England, and Conon, his princely son, and his noble barons, and you, sirs, his honorable ambassadors, for the honor you have done me, so much greater than my deserving. I hold myself bound to your King as to a second father, and to the Prince, his son, as to my brother and bridegroom, for to no other will I ever listen. [Zhe ambassadors all bow low.; But I have three requests to make, to be complied with ere I can bestow my hand and promise fealty to your gracious sovereigns. [All press for- ward to listen.| First, he shall give to me, as my ladies and companions, ten virgins of the noblest blood in his kingdom. { The ladies look at one another.| ‘To each of these ten, a thou- sand attendants, and to me, a thousand maidens to wait upon me. Second, he shall allow me to do honor to my virginity for three years, during which period, with my companions, to visit the holy shrines where repose the bodies of the saints. My third request is, that the Prince and all his court shall receive baptism, for other than a perfect Christian I may not wed. 20 URSULA OF BRITTANY. TuE0. [aside, and raising his hands in prayer]. O, heavenly wisdom of this answer! If the King of England grants the demands, then the court of England will be Christian, the King a Christian, and eléven thousand virgins redeemed, and dedi- cated to the service of the God of the Christians. Ams. Noble Princess, we thank you for your gracious answer, and now we offer you our homage as to our future queen. [ Hach of the strangers approaches UrRsuLa, kneels on one knee and kisses her hand. | Att. Long live the Princess Ursula ! [ Curtain. | ACT LI, Scene I.— England. A room in the King’s palace. Kina AGRIP- PINUS, PRINCE CONON, BARON CARADOC, AMBASSADOR and others. AGRIPPINUS. How fared ye, noble lords, on your mission across the channel? Was our offer accepted in good faith, or shall we look for rejection ? Conon. Saw you the noble Ursula? Would she grace our court, and will she accept our hand ? Ams. - Your Majesty [to King] and most noble Prince, noth- ing has been exaggerated. We were most cordially welcomed by the King of Brittany and bountifully entertained. We were, indeed, charmed by the beauty, grace and modesty of the Princess Ursula. There was kindness in the dignity of this Christian maiden which we never beheld before. Our King was wise when he sent us in quest of this lovely rose of Brittany. | AGrip. Pray, haste to tell her answer. URSULA OF BRITTANY. | 21 » AmB. ‘The requests she makes ere acceding are: First, ten maidens of the best blood and each to have a thousand maids in- attendance, with a thousand for her personal service; second, that your Majesty, the Prince and the whole court shall become Christians and be baptized; third, that she be granted three years in which, in company with these ladies and maidens, to visit the shrines of the saints at Rome. Carapoc. The conditions are outrageous! Surely your Majesty will not comply. Aarip. Nay, my good lord, we will not refuse, but will leave it to his Royal Highness, the Prince, to accept or reject these conditions, he having the same privilege as the Princess. Con. O, my King and my father, O noble barons and faith- ful ambassadors, what can compare, to a prince and people, with a noble, virtuous and wise queen? ‘Therefore, do I answer that no conditions can be hard that secure to your son, my father, to your Prince, my noble barons, to the people of England, the Princess Ursula. And since the religion of this Princess has brought forth so sweet a flower of wisdom and of virtue, let us hasten to become Christians, too. Call for those priests who have been so long banished from the court of this kingdom, call them from, their dark hiding-places in the mountains and lonely marshes, and let us receive from them the baptism of Christians. As to the train of virgins, which the Princess demands, let them be. called; for, to what nohjer service can British maidens aspire than to wae upon a princess so gentle and discreet, and who is one day to become their Queen ? Aerie. You have chosen well, my son. And now, my noble barons, will you consent to become a Christian band around our throne ? ? Aut. We will, we will, most gracious King ! ' [ Chorus. Curtain. | 22 URSULA OF BRITTANY. Scene II.— Brittany. An open plain or lawn. UrsuLa seated in centre. The ladies of her court on each side of her, in rear. The ten noble ladies of England on the Princess’s right front, with their at- tendants standing. THEONOTUS and Conon seated L. front, with cour tiers standing. Ur. Noble ladies, whom your gracious Prince has brought to me that I may impart the truths of Holy Church, I greet you all as dear sisters, as I welcome you to our virgin band. We’ll travel o’er To honor first the relic store Of martyrs, who died for love Of Him who rules the stars above. Then should it be that Will Divine All must revere, To England’s coasts our barks we’ll steer, And live to glorify His Name. [Here something of the ceremony of the presentation at the Queen's drawing-room may be performed. | Ur. [to AtBA and Rosa]. Fair ladies of roses red and white, Whence come ye with eyes so bright ? ALBA [stepping forward and bowing]. Fair Princess, From Albion’s shores where Angles brave Await to greet you as their Queen. When you shall tread upon her shores, Earth unbidden shall produce her stores. Yes, the land shall laugh And circling ocean smile, And sunlit skies beam o’er your pathway O’er our happy isle. Rosa [stepping forward and bowing]. To you, fair Princess, have we come To learn the way our sovereign to honor and obey. And whatever else your gracious will Into our minds and hearts instill. Ur. Friendship and counsel you shall have. URSULA OF BRITTANY. 23 [Zo Ertnna and IzRNE.] Tell me, sweet ones, in garlands green, Where is the land you have left and sigh for, I ween? ERINNA [stepping forward and bowing]. There are sad eyes IERNE ERIN. that look back upon Erin, | Silent the tears, tho’ brave are the hearts. Plenteous the fruits of that western isle, Many the kings and the princes erstwhile. Melodious her rill, tuneful her birds, Fair are her daughters and comely her mothers, Gentle her sons and wise are her sires— There you shall be greeted More fair than all others. [stepping forward and bowing|. Fair Princess, come with me awhile And wander o’er our sunny isle. For she is a rich and rare land, O she is a fresh and fair land, This native land of mine! No men than hers are braver, Her women’s hearts ne’er waver. I’d freely die to save her And think my lot divine. She’s not a dull nor cold land, O, she’s a true and old land, This native land of mine. Could beauty ever guard her, And virtue still reward her, No foe could cross her border, No friend within it pine. We welcome you, dear Princess, To this native land of mine. To you, dear lady, we have come To learn the good and true way, 24 URSULA OF BRITTANY. Our Prince to revere and obey. Daughters of Erin, welcome From over the beaming sea. Since the sea has brought you hither In a dwelling holy you shall be. [Zo Scotra.] Maiden with scarfs of rainbow hue, Sunny locks and eyes of blue, Pray tell to me what land on earth Brought you from Heaven and gave you birth ? Pray what may those tints convey, To minds of sombre shade ? Scotta [stepping forward and bowing]. O, lady fair, our colors The rank of our peoples betoken ; One hue for the slave, Two tints for the peasant, Three for the warrior brave, Four for the bountiful host, Five for the chieftain true to his post, Six for true hearts and loyal, Seven for blue blood of race royal. O lady, would you sit old Cheviot’s crest below And pensive mark the lingering snow, In all his scaurs abide; And slow dissolving from the hill, In many a sightless, soundless rill Feed sparkling Bowmont’s tide? Fair shines the stream by bank and lea, And westward, hills on hills you see, And Ocean heaves high her waves of foam Around my bonny highland home. ZEITA [stepping forward and bowing]. In my humble home There rise no groves and there no gardens blow, There even the hardy heath scarce dares to grow; UR. Con. Ur. URSULA OF BRITTANY. - 25 But rocks on rocks, in mist and storm arrayed Stretch far to sea their giant colonnade With many a cavern seamed. A race severe are we. The isle and ocean lords Loved for its own the strife with swords. With scornful laugh, the mortal pang defied And blessed their gods that they in battle died. Such were my sires, of simple race. And still the eye may faint resemblance trace In blue eyes, tall form, proportion rare, The limbs athletic and long, light hair. But their high deeds to scale the crags confined, Their only warfare is with waves and wind. And so we’ve come, sweet lady fair, To learn the graces of your mind most rare. You cheer me, with such willing hearts To give what has been sent to me. So list, I pray you, to my ‘words, As they repeat what we must believe, Hre grace to die we shall receive. Speak on, my Princess. We all attend. My task is now to tell How in the beginning the earth Rose out of chaos; Of man’s first disobedience and the fruit Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Brought death unto the world and all our woe, With loss of Eden, till one greater man Restore again the blissful seat; Who first seduced them to that foul revolt, The Angel whose pride Had cast him out of Heaven with his host of rebel Angels, 26 ALBA. Con. -URSULA OF BRITTANY. Who durst defy the Omnipotent to arms; Who in serpent’s guise With guile deceived the mother of mankind. How strange the theme! Can we this believe ? [looking up]. ‘Thou celestial light, Shine inward and the mind thro’ all her powers Irradiate ! There plant light; All mists from thence disperse, That she may see and tell Of things invisible to mortal sight. [During this speech, URsuLa ,stands with hands clasped and eyes rarsed. | Ur. [looking at ALBA and others]. r Ca - ~ The Almighty Father high enthroned, On His right the radiant image Of His glory sat, His only Son. To Him He said: Seest thou that rage transports our adversary ? But man I formed free, and free he must remain Till he enthrall himself, yet shall find Grace in mercy and justice. ' But mercy, first and last, shall brightest shine.” Thus, while God spoke, all Heaven, : And in the blessed spirits sense of new joy diffused. Beyond compare the Son was seen most glorious, And in His face divine compassion shone, Love without end. Then to the Father spoke: O Father, gracious was that word which closed Thy sovereign sentence, that man should find grace.” O Son! in whom my soul hath chief delight, Yet not of will in him but grace in me Freely vouchsafed ! But he with all his posterity must die. | | Die, he cr justice must, URSULA OF BRITTANY. 27 Unless for him some other, able as willing pay Death for death. Say, heavenly powers, ye angels, say, Where shall we find such love ?. Which of ye all will mortal be to redeem Man’s mortal crime, and just the unjust save ? Dwells in all Heaven charity so dear ? But all the heavenly quire stood mute. On man’s behalf intercessor none appeared, Had not the Son of God His dearest mediation thus renewed : | Father, Thy word is passed. Man shall find grace. Behold me! Me for him, life for life, I offer. On Me let all Thine anger fall. I for man will live, and for him die. Pleased, Thou shalt look down and smile, While by Thee raised I ruin all my foes. Then with the multitude of my redeemed Shall enter Heaven, Father, to see Thy face eternally.” Con. O benignity divine ! What joy to be redeemed by such a man ! And so by wondrous birth The head of all mankind tho’ Adam’s son, ALBA. O gracious lady ! who taught you this? Ur. God, as man, preached the truth To human kind. From His apostles The first age received, Succeeding flocks, succeeding pastors feed. Con. O Holy Church ! Behold what heavenly rays adorn her brows ! And from his wardrobe he allows To deck the wedding of his unspotted spouse, She is one, a shining diadem, thus one, thus pure, Like the fair ocean; from east to west All shores are watered by her wealthy tides. wn no A: 28 ROSA. URSULA OF BRITTANY. O gracious Prince! that brought us here, Our grateful hearts believe. And now, fair Princess, lead, And we will follow in love and creed. | Chorus of maidens, or it may be recited by one maiden. THEO. . Con. We’ll follow our Princess bravely as she; Tho’ days will be dreary while we are gone Toil will be weary, hearths will be lone, But we'll follow, we’ll follow bravely as she. [as URSULA approaches him|. Speed thee and save thee, child of my love; Light on thy going shine from above. Glad be thy coming home over the lea, Chorus. | [UrsuLa kneels.] May He, Father of Fathers, bless thee for me! [UrsuLa rises and turns to CONON. | Speed thee and save thee, heart of my love, Light on thy going shine from above. Farewell, my friends; my father, fare thee well. Conon, once more fare thee well. If I may be thine, God’s self will choose. [During the above the maidens form in groups in back around Ursuna, the courtiers at the sides. During chorus kneels, URSULA looking up to 'THEONOTUS. CONON stands beside her. All three in centre. Chorus. Music from Cantata. | Cuorus. Thee God we pray Thee who through wind and wilderness Canst keep us safe alway. For days but servants are of Thee, The nights but work Thy will; The storm-winds know Thy majesty,— Thou speak’st and they are still. Thou who canst keep us day and night, Thou our God wilt lead us by Thy light, URSULA OF BRITTANY. 29 Nor let us lose the glory of the road; - Thy staff shall guide our feet above To reach beneath the banner of the dove, And gain thro’ nightless days Thy crown whose name we praise. [ Curtain. | AC Pas ScENE I.—Cologne Cathedral in the distance. [Ory of Huns outside.| Hu! Hu! [Lnter ATTILA and several Huns. | ATTILA. By rivers red, thro’ forests black, ‘O’er mountain’s old and gray The ghosts of kingdoms point our track And by the sound of rout and rack The eagles mark our way. Huns. Hu! be blood like wine outpoured! What is great? ‘The sword, the sword! Atr. On, from the Steppes that gave us birth, - For cold and white are they, On, to the Edens of the earth, They grow us grapes to make us mirth They bear us foes to slay. Huns. By rivers red thro’ forests black, etc. | Repeat. | Roas. There is the Cathedral of those Christians. Buepa. And there is the Princess Ursula with her maidens assembled at their devotions. 30 ~ URSULA OF BRITTANY. Roas [fo AttinA]. Shall we cut them off ? Arr. Yes, let them die, for if we allow them to pass through the country they will convert the nation. Bie. Good! Then we shall hear no more of this Princess Ursula and ‘her 11,000 virgins. | Art. But spare the Princess, for I shall make her my wife and so have prestige with the great emperor. Roas. Then we may all select wives from among her com- panions ? Att. Yes, take them for wives, and if they refuse then slay them. Now on! Huns. [Chorus ‘‘'Through rivers red,” etc. Hzeunt L. | [| Hnter Conon quickly R.| Con. [excitedly]. What echoes of woe and war! Not such are the signs I have journeyed far To seek that anxious hopes may tell If aught be ill or all be well. | Pointing L.| There stands the fane that she would surely pass for prayer; If well it be, then surely she’ll be there. Heaven keep from strife thy waves, O Rhine! Till she be here and Heaven be mine. The river sings, the river flows, Its song of songs I hear, My heart outworn with longing knows At last that she is near. How should’ a champion’s heart, Grown faint with waiting, fail to rove O’er all the world to seek my saint, my lady, and my love! Good Angels, bring me back my heart And give her back the faith That mortal love hath still its part In love that conquers death. URSULA OF BRITTANY. 31 What were a heaven of starless skies And what all stars above But hopes of banished hearts to rise T'o Heaven on wings of love. [zit L. | [ Curtain. | ScENE II.—Exterior of Cathedral. UrsvuLa, CorRDULA, OLIVA, COL- UMBA, ODILIA, and a number of the maidens. Ur. Thou who has kept us day and een And led us, Thou, our God, Will lead us by Thy glory’s light, Nor let us lose the road. Thy staff shall guide our feet To reach Thy crown of endless days. [Enter CONON. | Con. And thou art here, while o’er the ground: , The forms of demons swarm around. Ely, Ursula! Ur. Conon! ’Tis thou? and here? Couldst thou not wait and trust inme? Why dost thou bid me fly? I see the shield of God without whose will is naught. Con. Alas! I boded ill, but not thy death. Away! Ur. Conon, list. While I walked the garden through I marked the lilies on their stem, How in perfect grace they grew, Till human hands should gather them. "T'were surely best to taste alone of Love That doth with these accord, The plenteous dew that rains upon The planted garden of the Lord. And lo! I caught a whispered word, An unseen presence touched my side; And in my soul of souls I heard: ‘¢ Hail, Ursula! Hail, chosen bride 32 URSULA OF BRITTANY. Of Him who rules sky, earth and tide!” Mine eyes fell open, and I saw What I had dreamed, but never known: Above me, as a cloud of awe, I felt the shadow of the throne! It was an angel spake the word, And in the sound of harps once more I heard ‘¢ Hail, Ursula! hail, chosen bride! Not to the courts of earthly kings, Not to the dross of earthly state, But to the heights of greater things Thy life henceforth is consecrate.” [ Matdens’ Chorus or recited by OLIVA and COLUMBA. | - Ba CROTUS. What unseen wonders round her wake, And move our souls to heavenly fear ? Surely some angel bids her speak, Some angel presence bids us hear. | [During the above URSULA stands in prayer. CONON listens and seems moved to prayer. | Con. [suddenly]. O Ursula, fly! Ur. List again! While on my journey it was,revealed to me that here I should receive a martyr’s crown. Oh, would you pluck it from my brow ? Con. [as if awakening|. Ab! now my dream is o’er! Now wist I what sped my longing heart. Changed is my love, to worship grown. But now that by Heaven we are so closely drawn, I lose thee in thine own clear light, I know thee now by faith, not sight. Methought to thee, mine angel spake, Near us he seemed yet above, Thine angel answered thus to mine: ‘When virtue perfected by pain - URSULA OF BRITTANY. 33 Hath changed earth-love to love divine, Then, stooping, we will lift these twain Where souls that love their God are one, Where He who made them is their joy.” We part not, Ursula, save in seeming. We are one— In spirit one, in spirit will rejoice, T'wo echoes of one mountain’s thrilling voice. Nearer we are than words, than thought can reach, Nearest, as not belonging each to each, - But both to Him, that Love who cannot die. So believe me, Ursula, I no longer aspire To earthly happiness even with thee; And instead of crowning thee Britain’s Queen, I'll share thy crown of martyrdom. Ur. [with delight]. O now thou art indeed my king; nay, the king of men, my Ethereus, new born! [Noise without; the cry of the Huns, ‘‘Hu! Hu!” Enter Huns. CoRDULA runs away; the others run in confusion. | Att. Too late for flying! EH’en now my warriors seize upon their own. Who would escape must choose ’twixt love and dying. i [Conon attempts to shield URSULA, but is caught by two Huns, with whom he struggles. | Arr. [to Ursuna]. And thou, fair maid, ’twixt torture and a throne. Thy beauty fires my heart; a crown awaits thee. Yet will I not woo, e’en for eyes like thine; A conqueror crowns, or his falchion mates thee. Choose if thou’lt be death’s or mine. Weep not, tho’ thou’lt lose thy companions, for I will be thy _ husband and thou shalt: be the greatest queen in all Europe. Ur. O thou cruel man! blind and senseless as thou art cruel, dost thou think I can weep for those who will die gloriously ? For even by thy blood-stained hand, we may meet a glorious 34. URSULA OF BRITTANY. death. Or dost thou hold me to be so base, so cowardly, that I would consent to survive these noble companions and beloved sisters? [CorpuULA comes back to Ursuna who embraces her. | Thou art deceived, and J defy thee, son of Satan, and him whom thou servest. Att. Choose adiclaly if thou’lt be death’s or mine. UR. [in rapture]. Not to the courts of earthly kings, But to the heights of greater things, My life henceforth is consecrate. King—since king of men thou art,— Know that thy sword can give a crown More royal than blood-stained brow Of warrior wins or monarchs own. Aloft, unto a kinglier throne than thine, ~ I mount,— The throne of Him who reigns above the world, alone! Att. ‘Then thou shalt die! [He raises. bow. | Huns. Hu! Hu! | Raise their bows and adjust arrows, others raise battle-axes. CONON runs between Ursuta and Huns as the curtain falls, during which there should be wild music and red lights. | ScENE III.—The same. A tableau is formed before the curtain rises, which should be done quickly to the same music that closed Scene 2. UrsuLa stands in centre with three arrows in her breast as if shot. She holds out her mantle, under which some of the maidens are gathered, and looks up in ecstasy. Conon lies prostrate on his right arm, with arrow at his heart; he looks up at UrsuLA over his left shoulder. CoORDULA stands boldly before a Hun, who lifts a battle-ax as if to strike. Ipa on her knees looks up at a Hun, who seizes her by the hair and raises ax. Others take positions similar, or as if shot by arrows, some on their knees, some prostrate, etc. Cor. [as curtain rises]. 'Thy wings, O Death! Will bear our souls to portals of eternal days, To win the crown whose gold is praise. | Unseen chorus sings ** Veni Ursula.’’] Ur. [loudly and exultingly|. Lord! Father! God! receive my ee ee oe : C fi. en ve }, 3 = c a oh URSULA OF BRITTANY. 30 soul! The clouds unroll! I hear their hymn! I see them stand with beckoning wings! The glorious One holds out His hand! *I come, my Lord, my Spouse, my King! | [first, white light, then red light. 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