Among the many curiosities of the poem is a play, ingeniously imitated, in form and spirit, from those monstrosities of the early drama, the Miracle Plays. The fourth part is devoted to a convent in the Black Forest, and the soliloquy of Friar Claus, in the wine-cellar—of Friar Pacificus, transcribing and illuminating MSS.—of the Abbot Ernestus, pacing among the cloisters—and the convivial scene in the rectory—are fine descriptions of cloistered life, true both to the ideas and facts of the time. The passionate confession of the Abbess Irmingard to Elsie, is in Longfellow’s most powerful style, and has a fire and fierceness of outright and downright passion, not common to his representations of emotion. All of these would afford many choice passages for quotation; we have but room, however, for Friar Cuthbert’s sermon, delivered in front of the Strasburg Cathedral, on Easter Day. This, with a quaint audacity of its own, elbows out even its betters in verse and sentiment, and vehemently claims the right to be cited: Friar Cuthbert, _gesticulating and cracking a postilion’s whip_. What ho! good people! do you not hear? Dashing along at the top of his speed, Booted and spurred, on his jaded steed, A courier comes with words of cheer. Courier! what is the news, I pray? “Christ is arisen!” Whence come you? “From court.” Then I do not believe it; you say it in sport. _Cracks his whip again._ Ah, here comes another riding this way; We soon shall know what he has to say. Courier! what are the tidings to-day? “Christ is arisen!” Whence come you? “From town.” Then I do not believe it; away with you, clown. _Cracks his whip more violently._ And here comes a third, who is spurring amain; What news do you bring, with your loose-hanging rein, Your spurs wet with blood, and your bridle with foam? “Christ is arisen!” Whence come you! “From Rome.” Ah, now I believe. He is risen, indeed. Ride on with the news, at the top of your speed! _Great applause among the crowd._