_Blenda._ In Nature's studio, Blenda's models rise In various shapes to gladden and surprise. The shadows of their beauties to secure, Leads genius many trials to endure. But what a triumph waits the earnest heart, Who on the canvas sees her trophies start To life and action, adding, age on age, To history many a bright, illumined page! Portraying vice with rarely gifted hand, She sees a warning light 'gainst passion stand. Depicting virtue in her pure attire, She warms all hearts to worship and aspire. Inwrapping sense and soul with pleasure high, To homage leads the world's applauding cry. Look on the picture I will now display,— Religion standing in the heavenly way, Her finger pointing in the Book of truth, Instruction pouring in the ears of youth. _Tableau: "The Heavenly Way" Music._ BLENDA _takes_ POESIE'S _hand, and leads her_ R., t_hen turns, and points to_ C. POESIE _falls upon her knees with clasped hands_. PRIMEVA _and her sprites, who are in a line, back, separate_ R. _and_ L., _disclosing group_. RELIGION, _standing_ C., _an open Bible supported on her left hand, rests upon her arm, the open pages towards audience; her right hand rests on the page, with one finger pointing. At her right hand, kneels_ JOY, _pointing with her left hand to_ RELIGION, _her right on the shoulder of_ SORROW, _who is crouching before her, with her face buried in her hands. Left of_ RELIGION, PRAYER _kneels, joining the hands of a little child who is in front of her: she is looking up at_ RELIGION. _Music soft and low, until the group is formed, then_,— _Chorus_: "_How gently, how calmly._" So gently, so calmly descending, Religion glides over the earth, So pure, so bright, She decks the earth with heavenly light, That charms to calm and sweet repose. Oh, lovely spirit! Genia in triumph shall soon arise; Blenda calls beauty from out the skies; She shall be honored evermore; Goddess of Art, your crown is secure. Joyous are we, &c. (_Music continues until all change to their old positions._) _Poesie._ I am enraptured with your beauteous art; Sweet Blenda, let me henceforth share your heart. _Genia._ Classica waits, fair maid: we hold her dear; With words of counsel let her now draw near.