A VOICE. Yet another day of passing earthly glory, of all share in which thine ancestors have robbed me and my brethren--and then thou fallest forever--thou, with thy brethren! Your burials will be, as once were ours, without the toll of holy knells, without tears, sobs, or wailing mourners, without friends, without relations, and you will die transfixed upon the same rock of universal human pain! THE MAN. I know you, wretched ghosts! wandering stars amid the angelic hosts! He goes forward into the darkness. GEORGE. Father! go not into that fearful gloom! Father! in the name of Jesus Christ--I implore--I conjure thee--father! THE MAN (_turning toward his son_). Whom do you see below? Speak, and tell me truly, George! GEORGE. The prisoner--he is thyself, my father! He is white as snow--gagged--chained--they drag him on--they torture thee, my father! I hear thy gasping breath--thy groans--thy sobs! (_He falls upon his knees._) Forgive me, father! My mother shines through the dark--and commands me to.... He falls back in a fainting fit. THE MAN (_catching the falling boy in his arms_). This alone was wanting! Ha! my own, my only child has led me to the brink of hell! Mary--inexorable spirit! God!! And thou, second Mary, to whom I have so often prayed! Here then is the beginning of eternal darkness, eternal torture!... Back! back into life! one day of glory is at least still left me! First must I combat with my fellow men--and then for my eternal struggle! CHORUS OF SPIRITS (_dying away in the distance_). _Because thou hast loved nothing, revered nothing, save thyself and thine own thoughts--thou art, damned to all eternity!_ * * * * * A large hall in the castle of the Holy Trinity; arms and armor hang upon the walls, with various Gothic ornaments. The Man; women, children, some old men, and nobles are kneeling at his feet. The Godfather stands in the centre of the hall, and crowds of men are in the background. THE MAN. No, no. By my son--by the memory of my wife--never! never! VOICES OF WOMEN. Have mercy upon us! Hunger gnaws our bowels; our children die of famine; fear is upon us day and night; have pity upon us! VOICES OF MEN. It still is time! Listen to the herald--dismiss not the envoy! GODFATHER. I regard not your reproaches, Count Henry, for my whole life has been that of a good citizen. If I have assumed the office of ambassador, which I am at this moment fulfilling, it is because I understand the age in which we live, and estimate our times aright. Pancratius is, if I may so express myself, the representative of the people.... THE MAN. Out of my sight, old man!--(_Aside to Jacob._) Bring a detachment of soldiers hither! Exit Jacob. The women rise from their knees weeping and sobbing, and the men draw back a few paces. A BARON.--We are all lost, and through you alone, Count Henry! SECOND BARON. We renounce all further obedience.