CHORUS OF PRIESTS. Gift him with power, O God; and let Thy Holy Spirit descend upon him! Deliver us from our enemies, O Lord! THE MAN. Let us all, princes, knights, and nobles, take a solemn oath to defend the glory and fame of our fathers! Let us swear that though hunger and thirst may lead us to death, they shall not force us to dishonor! Let us vow that no suffering shall induct us to capitulate, to yield one of our just rights, or to sacrifice any of the duties due to our Creator! Swear! MANY VOICES. We swear. The Archbishop elevates the Cross, they kneel and pledge their faith. CHORUS OF PRIESTS. The perjured Thou wilt punish in Thy wrath, O God! The faint-hearted Thou wilt punish in Thy wrath, O God! The traitor Thou wilt punish in Thy wrath O God! THE MAN (_drawing his sword_). Keep the oath, and I promise glory--for victory, pray to God! He leaves the church, surrounded and followed by bands of knights, nobles, etc. * * * * * A courtyard in the castle of the Holy Trinity. The Man, counts, barons, princes, noblemen. A COUNT (_leading the Man aside_). What--is all irretrievably lost? THE MAN. Not all, unless your courage fail before the time. THE COUNT. Before what time? THE MAN. Before death! A BARON (_leading him off on the other side_). It is reported that you have seen and spoken with our dreadful foe, Count Henry. If we should fall into his hands, will he have the least compassion upon us? THE MAN. To tell you the truth, such compassion as our fathers never dreamed could be shown to them: '_the gallows_!' THE BARON. We must guard against that to the utmost of our power! THE MAN. What says your excellency? PRINCE. I must speak a few words alone with you, (_He draws Count Henry aside_.) It is all very well to encourage our people, but you must surely be aware that we can hold out no longer. THE MAN. What else is left us, prince? PRINCE. As you have been appointed chief, it is for you to propose the terms of _capitulation_. THE MAN. Not so loud.... PRINCE. Why not? THE MAN. Because your excellency would thus forfeit your own life! (_He turns to the men thronging around him._) He who speaks of surrender will be punished with death! BARON, COUNT, AND PRINCE (_together_.) He who speaks of surrender will be punished with death! ALL. With death! With death! Vivat! vivat! EXEUNT. * * * * * The gallery of the tower. The Man. Jacob. THE MAN. Where is my son, Jacob? JACOB. He is in the north tower, seated on the threshold of the old vault and dungeon, singing strange songs of prophecy. THE MAN. Man the Leonoren bastion as strongly as possible, stir not from the spot, and make constant use of the best glass to observe what movements are going on among the forces of the besiegers. JACOB. So help me God the Lord! It were well to give a glass of brandy to our troops to keep up their sinking courage.