How dark it looks in the depths! A sea of heads in wild commotion surges there; the valley swarms with human life as ocean's slimy sands with creeping things that writhe and sting. The sun! the sun! He mounts above the rocky peaks; the pallid vapors rise in blood and melt in gold, and as they roll and lift into the sky, more and more distinctly grow upon the view the threatening swarms of men still gathering below. The quivering mist rolls into crimson clouds and scales the craggy cliffs; it dies softly away into the blue depths of the infinite sky. The valley glitters like a sea of light, throws back the dewy sunshine in a dazzling glare, for every hand is armed with sharp and sparkling blades and points of steel--and millions are seen pouring into its depths, numberless as they will pour into the vale of the Last Judgment. * * * * * A cathedral church in the castle of the Holy Trinity. Lords, senators, dignitaries are seen seated on either side, each under the banner of a king or knight. Bands of nobles stand behind the banners. The Archbishop is in front of the high altar, a choir of stoled Priests kneel behind and around it. The Man appears, pauses a few moments on the threshold of the church, then advances slowly up the aisle to the Archbishop, holding a banner in his hand. CHORUS OF PRIESTS. O God of our fathers! we, Thy last priests, pray in the last church of Thy Son now standing upon earth for the faith of our ancestors! Deliver us from our enemies, O Lord our God! FIRST COUNT. See with what pride Count Henry regards us. SECOND COUNT. As if the whole universe were at his feet. THIRD COUNT. And yet he has done nothing but cut his way through the camp of the peasants at night! FIRST COUNT. He left one hundred, nay, it is reported, two hundred of their men dead upon the place of combat. SECOND COUNT. Let us object to his appointment as general-in-chief. THE MAN (_kneeling at the feet of the Archbishop_). I lay my trophy at thy feet! ARCHBISHOP (_giving him a sword_). Gird this sword upon thee; it was once consecrated to Saint Florian! MANY VOICES. Long live Count Henry! Vivat! vivat! ARCHBISHOP. And thus sealing thee with the sign of the cross, I commit to thy hands the sole command of this, our last fortress and refuge upon earth. It is the universal wish that thou shouldst assume the rank of general-in-chief. MANY VOICES. Long live our general! Vivat! vivat! A VOICE. I will not give my consent to the appointment! MANY VOICES. Away with the objector! Long live Count Henry! THE MAN. If any one present have just cause to reproach me, let him proclaim it openly, and not hide himself in the crowd! He pauses; no one responds. I accept this sword from thy hands, most reverend father; and may God send me an early and sudden death if I fail to deliver thee!