altars of Siva, and that the gods have demanded that the hostage must suffer in the absence of Sayid. Ilmas bids her attendants array her in bridal robes, and in the next scene appears in an open space near the city gate, surrounded by the court retinue and soldiers, and accompanied by her maidens, strewing flowers in her path. Ilmas is led to the centre of the space and kneels down, the executioner standing over her and awaiting the signal to be given by the watchman when the sun sets. Before that time comes the latter excitedly announces the rapid approach of an Arab horseman. While the crowd stand eagerly waiting his arrival, Sayid gallops through the gateway and presents himself to the Prince. He then turns to Ilmas, who warmly receives him, and affirms that whatever fate may overtake him she shall always cherish his memory. Sâwa relents, bids the Arab live and be his friend, and we infer the happiness of the lovers from the invocation of "Love the Conqueror," which brings the Damon and Pythias story, to a close. A very brief orchestral prelude introduces the opening chorus with solos:-- "Alas! our land is desolate, The children cry for bread; Around, fierce fire and sword devour, Our women wail their dead. "We pray for vengeance on the foe, To death consign them all; Siva, arise and fight for us, Or see thine altars fall." As the expressive chorus comes to a close, an allegro movement leads to a dialogue between the people and the watchman, and subsequently with the horseman, who announces the approach of the victorious army, followed by a second chorus of the people invoking Siva ("Vishnu, Vishnu, thou hast heard our Cry!"). The scene is very dramatic throughout, and is accompanied by vigorous and suggestive music. The next number is a triumphal march, remarkable for its local color, and gradually increasing in power and effect as the army approaches the city. It is followed by an excited dialogue between Sâwa and Sayid, with choral responses, and leads up to a beautiful melody for Sayid:-- "Where sets the sun adown the crimson west My native valley lies; There by a gentle stream that murmurs rest My father's tents arise. "Fearing no harm, the happy peasant tills, The woolly flocks increase; The shepherd's pipe is heard upon the hills, And all around is peace." Another dramatic scene follows, in which Sâwa consents to Sayid's return to his father, and accepts Ilmas as his bondswoman, which leads to a very spirited and elaborate melody for the latter ("First of his Prophet's Warriors he"). The first part closes with the departure of Sayid and a repetition of the choral invocation of Siva. The second part opens in an apartment of Sâwa's palace, and discloses Ilmas sitting with her maidens, as a thunderstorm dies away in the distance. The latter join in a graceful chorus, which is one of the most beautiful numbers in the cantata:--