THE GOLDEN LEGEND BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE GOLDEN LEGEND PROLOGUE. THE SPIRE OF STRASBURG CATHEDRAL. _Night and storm._ LUCIFER, _with the Powers of the Air, trying to tear down the Cross._ _Lucifer._ HASTEN! hasten! O ye spirits! From its station drag the ponderous Cross of iron, that to mock us Is uplifted high in air! _Voices._ O, we cannot! For around it All the Saints and Guardian Angels Throng in legions to protect it; They defeat us everywhere! _The Bells._ Laudo Deum verum Plebem voco! Congrego clerum! _Lucifer._ Lower! lower! Hover downward! Seize the loud, vociferous bells, and Clashing, clanging, to the pavement Hurl them from their windy tower! _Voices._ All thy thunders Here are harmless! For these bells have been anointed, And baptized with holy water! They defy our utmost power. _The Bells._ Defunctos ploro! Pestem fugo! Festa decoro! _Lucifer._ Shake the casements! Break the painted Panes that flame with gold and crimson! Scatter them like leaves of Autumn, Swept away before the blast! _Voices._ O, we cannot! The Archangel Michael flames from every window, With the sword of fire that drove us Headlong, out of heaven, aghast! _The Bells._ Funera plango! Fulgora frango! Sabbata pango! _Lucifer._ Aim your lightnings At the oaken, Massive, iron-studded portals! Sack the house of God, and scatter Wide the ashes of the dead! _Voices._ O, we cannot! The Apostles And the Martyrs, wrapped in mantles, Stand as wardens at the entrance, Stand as sentinels o'erhead! _The Bells._ Excito lentos! Dissipo ventos! Paco cruentos! _Lucifer._ Baffled! baffled! Inefficient, Craven spirits! leave this labor Unto Time, the great Destroyer! Come away, ere night is gone! _Voices._ Onward! onward! With the night-wind, Over field and farm and forest, Lonely homestead, darksome hamlet, Blighting all we breathe upon! (_They sweep away. Organ and Gregorian Chant._) _Choir._ Nocte surgentes Vig lemus omnes! * * * * * I. THE CASTLE OF VAUTSBERG ON THE RHINE. * * * * * _A chamber in a tower._ PRINCE HENRY, _sitting alone, ill and restless._