THE
Golden Legend
BY
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
THE GOLDEN LEGEND
PROLOGUE.
THE SPIRE OF STRASBURG CATHEDRAL.
Night and storm.
with the Powers of the
Air, trying to tear down the Cross.
Lucifer.
Voices.
The Bells.
Lucifer.
Voices.
The Bells.
Lucifer.
Voices.
The Bells.
Lucifer.
Voices.
The Bells.
Lucifer.
Voices.
They sweep away. Organ and Gregorian Chant.
Choir.
I.
THE CASTLE OF VAUTSBERG ON THE RHINE.
A chamber in a tower.
sitting alone,
ill and restless.
Prince Henry.
A flash of lightning, out of which
appears,
in the garb of a travelling Physician.
Lucifer
Prince Henry
starting
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry (ironically)
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer (reading).
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer (showing a flask).
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer (pouring).
Prince Henry.
An
with an aeolian harp hovers in the air
Angel.
Lucifer (disappearing).
Prince Henry (drinking).
The Angel.
Prince Henry.
Drinks again
The Angel.
Prince Henry (sinking back).
His head falls On his book
The Angel (receding).
COURT-YARD OF THE CASTLE.
standing by the gateway.
Hubert.
A horn sounds
Enter
the Minnesinger
Walter.
Hubert.
Walter.
Hubert.
Walter.
Hubert.
Walter.
Hubert.
Walter.
Hubert.
Walter.
Hubert.
Walter.
Hubert.
Walter
Hubert.
Walter.
Leaning over the parapet
II.
A FARM IN THE ODENWALD
A garden; morning;
seated, with a
book
at a distance, gathering flowers.
Prince Henry (reading).
comes in with flowers.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
A ROOM IN THE FARM-HOUSE.
Twilight.
spinning.
asleep in his
chair.
Ursula.
Gottlieb (starting)
Ursula.
Elsie (within).
Gottlieb.
Ursula.
Gottlieb
Ursula
comes in with a lamp
and
follow her;
and they all sing the Evening Song on the lighting of the lamps
Prince Henry (at the door)
Ursula
Elsie
Ursula
Gottlieb
Max.
Bertha.
Gottlieb.
Bertha.
Gottlieb.
Elsie.
Gottlieb.
Elsie.
Ursula.
Gottlieb.
Elsie.
Ursula.
Elsie.
Max.
Gottlieb.
Max.
Bertha.
Ursula.
Max.
Gottlieb.
Ursula.
Gottlieb.
Max and Bertha.
They go out with
Ursula, (spinning).
Gottlieb.
Ursula.
Gottlieb.
ELSIE'S CHAMBER.
Night.
praying.
Elsie.
THE CHAMBER OF GOTTLIEB AND URSULA.
Midnight.
standing by their bedside, weeping.
Gottlieb.
Elsie.
Ursula.
Elsie.
Gottlieb.
Elsie.
Gottlieb.
Ursula.
Elsie.
Ursula
Elsie.
Ursula.
Elsie
Ursula.
Elsie.
Gottlieb.
Ursula.
Elsie.
Ursula.
Gottlieb
Ursula.
Elsie
Gottlieb.
Elsie.
Gottlieb.
Ursula.
Gottlieb.
Ursula.
goes out.
A VILLAGE CHURCH.
A woman kneeling at the confessional.
The Parish Priest (from within)
The woman goes out. The Priest comes forth, and
walks slowly up and down the church
A pause
A pause
A pause
Goes out. Enter
as a Priest
with a genuflexion, mocking
Looking round the church
He puts in money.
Seats himself in the confessional
Prince Henry entering and kneeling at the confessional.
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry
Lucifer
Prince Henry.
Lucifer
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
stretching forth his hand and muttering
The Angel
with the æolian harp
A ROOM IN THE FARM-HOUSE.
Gottlieb
Ursula
Gottlieb
hides her face
Elsie
Prince Henry.
Gottlieb.
Prince Henry.
Gottlieb.
Ursula.
Gottlieb.
IN THE GARDEN.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
III.
A STREET IN STRASBURG.
Night.
wandering alone, wrapped in a cloak.
Prince Henry.
Crier of the dead (ringing a bell).
Prince Henry.
Crier of the dead.
Prince Henry.
Crier of the dead.
Prince Henry.
Crier of the dead (at a distance).
Prince Henry.
Walter the Minnesinger
Prince Henry
Walter
Prince Henry
Walter
embracing him
Prince Henry
Walter
Prince Henry
Walter
Prince Henry
Walter
Prince Henry
Walter
Prince Henry
aside
Walter
Prince Henry
They go out
flying over the city
SQUARE IN FRONT OF THE CATHEDRAL.
Easter Sunday
preaching to the
crowd from a pulpit in the open air
and
crossing the square
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Elsie.
Prince Henry
Friar Cuthbert (gesticulating and cracking a postilion's whip)
Cracks his whip again.
Cracks his whip more violently.
Great applause among the crowd.
The Cathedral bells ring
IN THE CATHEDRAL.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
A
in armor, booted and spurred, passes with
his train.
Prince Henry.
THE NATIVITY.
A MIRACLE PLAY.
THE NATIVITY.
INTROITUS.
Præco.
Blows his trumpet.
I. HEAVEN.
Mercy
at the feet of God
Justice.
Mercy.
Justice.
God.
The Four Virtues.
Wisdom.
God.
Here the
shall leave Paradise and
fly toward the earth; the jaws of Hell open below,
and the Devils walk about, making a great noise.
II. MARY AT THE WELL.
Mary.
The Angel Gabriel.
Here
looketh around her, trembling, and
then saith:
Mary.
Gabriel.
Mary
Here the
appearing to her, shall say:
Gabriel.
Mary.
Here the Devils shall again make a great noise, under the stage.
III. THE ANGELS OF THE SEVEN PLANETS,
bearing the Star of Bethlehem.
The Angels.
Raphael.
Gabriel.
Anael.
Zobiachel.
Michael.
Uriel.
Anachiel.
A sudden light shines from the windows of the stable in the village below.
IV. THE WISE MEN OF THE EAST.
The stable of the Inn. The
and
Three Gypsy Kings,
and
shall come in.
Gaspar.
Melchior.
Belshazzar
The Child Christ
The Virgin
She gives them swaddling-clothes and they depart
V. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.
Here shall
come in, leading an ass, on which
are seated
and the
Mary
Joseph
Mary
Joseph
Here
shall alight and go to the spring.
Mary
Here a band of robbers shall be seen sleeping, two of whom shall rise and come forward
Dumachus
Joseph
Dumachus
Titus
Dumachus
Titus
Mary
Jesus
Here a great rumor of trumpets and horses, like the noise of a king with his army, and the robbers shall take flight.
VI. THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS.
King Herod.
Here he shall stride up and down and flourish his sword.
He quaffs great goblets of wine.
Here a voice of lamentation shall be heard in the street.
Rachel.
Herod.
Rahab.
Herod.
Soldiers (in the street)
The Nurse Medusa.
Herod.
He falls down and writhes as though eaten by worms.
Hell opens, and
and
come forth,
and drag him down.
VII. JESUS AT PLAY WITH HIS SCHOOLMATES.
Jesus.
Judas.
They draw water out of the river by channels, and
form little pools
makes twelve sparrows of
clay, and the other boys do the same.
Jesus.
Judas.
Jesus.
Here
shall clap his hands, and the sparrows
shall fly away, chirruping.
Judas.
He strikes
on the right side.
Jesus.
Here
shall come in, and say:
Joseph.
VIII. THE VILLAGE SCHOOL.
The
with a long beard, sitting on
a high stool, with a rod in his hand.
Rabbi.
Judas.
Rabbi.
Judas.
Rabbi.
Judas.
Rabbi.
Jesus.
Rabbi.
Jesus.
Rabbi.
Here
shall lift up his rod to strike
and his right arm shall be paralyzed.
IX. CROWNED WITH FLOWERS.
sitting among his playmates, crowned with
flowers as their King.
Boys.
Here a traveller shall go by, and the boys shall lay hold of his garments and say:
Boys.
Traveller.
He passes by; and others come in, bearing on a litter a sick child.
Boys.
The Bearers.
Jesus.
He touches the wound, and the boy begins to cry.
IV.
THE ROAD HIRSCHAU.
and
with their attendants, on
horseback.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
They turn down a green lane.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
They pass on.
THE CONVENT OF HIRSCHAU IN THE
BLACK FOREST.
The Convent cellar.
comes in with a
light and a basket of empty flagons.
Friar Claus.
Fills a flagon.
He drinks.
Sets it running.
He drinks.
Fills the other flagon and departs.
THE SCRIPTORIUM.
transcribing and illuminating.
Friar Pacificus
He looks from the window.
He makes a sketch.
Goes out.
THE CLOISTERS.
The
pacing to and fro.
Abbot.
Enter
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
Prince Henry.
Abbot.
They go in. The Vesper-bell rings.
THE CHAPEL.
Vespers; after which the monks retire, a chorister
leading an old monk who is blind
Prince Henry.
The Blind Monk
Prince Henry
The Blind Monk
Prince Henry.
They kneel.
THE REFECTORY.
Gaudiolum of Monks at midnight. LUCIFER disguised
as a Friar.
Friar Paul (sings).
Friar Cuthbert.
Friar Paul (sings).
Friar Cuthbert.
Friar Paul (sings).
Friar Cuthbert.
Friar John.
Friar Cuthbert.
Friar John.
Friar Cuthbert.
Kisses the girl at his side
Friar John.
Friar Paul (sings).
Friar Cuthbert (to the girl).
Friar Paul (continues.)
Friar Cuthbert.
Girl.
Friar John.
Friar Paul.
Friar John.
Friar Paul.
Friar John.
Friar Paul.
Friar John.
Lucifer.
Monks.
Lucifer.
Monks,
Lucifer.
Monks.
Lucifer.
A roar of laughter
Friar John.
All (drinking and shouting).
The Chapel-bell tolls
Lucifer (starting).
Friar Cuthbert.
Friar John.
All.
Friar Cuthbert.
Lucifer.
Monks.
Lucifer.
Friar Cuthbert.
Lucifer
Monks
Lucifer
Friar Cuthbert
Lucifer
opens the window suddenly, and seizes
They beat him.
Friar Siebald
Friar Paul
Friar Siebald
Friar Paul
shouting and beating
Lucifer
The Monks (in confusion)
Friar Cuthbert (to the girl)
Friar Francis
Friar Cuthbert
Abbot
THE NEIGHBORING NUNNERY.
The
sitting with
in the
moonlight.
Irmingard
V.
A COVERED BRIDGE AT LUCERNE.
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Elsie.
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Elsie.
Prince Henry
Elsie.
Prince Henry
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry (emerging from the bridge).
They pass on
THE DEVIL'S BRIDGE.
and
crossing, with attendants.
Guide.
Lucifer (under the bridge).
Guide.
Lucifer (under the bridge).
Guide.
Lucifer (under the bridge).
Guide.
Lucifer (under the bridge).
Guide.
They pass on
Lucifer
under the bridge
THE ST. GOTHARD PASS.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Elsie
Prince Henry
Guide
They pass on
AT THE FOOT OF THE ALPS.
A halt under the trees at noon
Prince Henry
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Pilgrims (chaunting the Hymn of St. Hildebert)
Lucifer (as a Friar in the procession).
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Pilgrims (chaunting).
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Friar Cuthbert.
Prince Henry.
Friar Cuthbert.
Prince Henry.
Friar Cuthbert.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer (at a distance).
Friar Cuthbert.
Prince Henry.
Pilgrims (chaunting afar off)
THE INN AT GENOA.
A terrace overlooking the sea. Night.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer (singing from the sea)
Prince Henry
Elsie (coming from her chamber upon the terrace).
Prince Henry.
AT SEA.
Il Padrone.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Il Padrone.
VI.
THE SCHOOL OF SALERNO.
A traveling Scholastic affixing his Theses to the gate
of the College.
Scholastic.
He goes out. Two Doctors come in disputing, and followed by pupils.
Doctor Serafino.
Doctor Cherubino.
Doctor Serafino.
Doctor Cherubino.
Doctor Serafino
Doctor Cherubino
They rush out fighting. Two Scholars come in.
First Scholar
Second Scholar
First Scholar
Second Scholar
First Scholar
Second Scholar
First Scholar
Second Scholar
First Scholar
They go in. Enter
as a Doctor.
Lucifer
Reads.
Enter
and
with attendants
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Prince Henry.
Lucifer.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
To her attendants.
To
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Lucifer.
goes in with
who thrusts
back and closes the door.
Prince Henry.
Forester.
Ursula.
Forester.
Ursula.
Forester.
Ursula (despairing).
Forester.
Ursula.
Forester.
Ursula.
Forester.
Ursula.
Forester.
Ursula.
Forester.
Ursula.
Goes out toward the garden.
Forester.
He drinks.
Goes out blowing his horn.
THE CASTLE OF VAUTSBERG ON THE RHINE.
and
standing on the terrace at
evening. The sound of bells heard from a distance.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
Elsie.
Prince Henry.
They go in.
EPILOGUE.
THE TWO RECORDING ANGELS ASCENDING.
The Angel of Good Deeds
with closed book
The Angel of Evil Deeds (with open book).