Cornell University Library The original of tinis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924009316724 PR5841.W7D7"'""""""-"'"^ °''.^!I'a? -The witch of Rosenburg ; The hid 3 1924 009 316 724 DRAMAS: The Witch of Rosenburg. The Hidden Gem H. E. CARDINAL WISJ^MAJi^ gi. p. i. (S. THE WITCH OF ROSENBURG, DRAMA IN THREE ACTS. COMPOSED FOR THE CHILDREN pF St-. Leo's Convent. Gar low. 1864. HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL WISEMAN, Archbishop of Westminster. KE\7 TOEK : P O'SHEA, PUBLISHEE, 15 WARREK STIIEET. The Witch of Rosenburg, DRAMA IN TEHEE ACTS. This is the first and only manuscript of the Drama written by the Author, and forwarded to St. Leo's Convent, with his Blessing, and a request for prayers. N. C. W. London, November 15, 18(M. 8, York Place, Portman Sqt'ARE, London "r December 12th, 1864. My Dear Cousin and Daughter in Christ : It has pleased Almighty God to afflict me again with ill ness, and I write from my bed. Many thanks for your kind letter on St. Nicholas' day i soon after this letter yovi will receive a small box, addressee? to the Eev. Mother, from me ; it is intended for the Commu- nity, and contains a little Christmas Present, of things from the Tyrol, not indeed of much value. But my special desire is that it be opened at recreation id presence of all the Community, and you will let me know if they like it. Prayers if you please — to-day is the anniversary of your foundation. Your affectionate Father in Christ, N. CARD. WISEMAN. DRAMATIS PERSONS. Countess Anna Von Eosenburg, living in tlie Castle near. Bertha, her confidential maid. LoTTE (Charlotte*), Schoolmistress in the village. Gretchen (Margarett), her friend. Frau Pi.u.mper, the Burgomaster's vrifo. Frau Semmel, the Baker's wife. Frau Zucker, the Grocer's wife. Their three Children, and other girls The Scene is in a mountain village in the Tyrol. [The opening Scene may be changed into a wood by having merely a curtain to fall before the image in the garden, as described in Scone I.] The costumes as herewith sent, for the peasant women and girls. Lotte in a simple dark gown and white apron, with a small cap, as a stranger, not in costume. The Countess in more ordinary lady's dress, with white body and sleeves, and large liat with riband, i&e. Sertha the same, plainer, and wide brimmed straw hat. N. B. — The colors in different parts of peasants' dresses may be varied — I'ed being preferred. * Karlotte— Lotte— Lotchen. t Margarette— Greta— Gretchen. The termination in shon is the n»ore familiar and affectionate. THE PROLOGUE. If writing verse were but a poet's work, I certainly should try this job to shirk; But I have no resource ; I fain must go it, Though I shall thereby prove, I am no poet : My orders are explicit; — write a play, " Prologue and Epilogue," — I must obey ; And so would you, if such a summons came, So gently brcuthed, in dear St. Leo's name : The purpose of a Prologue chiefly is, To tell the moral bearing of the ])iece. Kow, my wish is — the youthful to remind, Always to be considerate and kind, Not to judge rashly — nor defects to spy. But estimate with heart, as well as eye : Not to despise, in pride of early strength, Those whom, of days, God blesses with the length, Though they may dim the eye, and curve the frame. To be hand to the maimed, foot to the lame: Seeking of age the pains thus to assuage ; To earn themselves, one day, a painless age. (9) 10 THE PROLOGUE. Thus far our poet, — now it is our turn ; If it be his to teach, — 'tis ours to learn : May we, through life, to practise, never fail, The lessons taught us in this simple tale ! Fearless to be, in innocence's cause. Heedless alike of censure or applause ; So let us make of common plans reversal, And treat what we shall act as a rehearsal ; What here is fiction — later will be fact . — To-day we practice, what through life we hope to act. THE WITCH OF ROSENBURG. PART I. Scene 1. — A garden, in the centre of the background a statue of our Lady on a pedestal. In front six children, each hold- ing a wreath of flou-ers, three on each side, in lines diverginj from the statue towards the front, LoTTE in plain dark role beside the image. LoTTE and Children. CHCJRUS OF CHILDREN. [Air, the Tyrolese Song of Liberty.— Jt/oore.] I. Joyfully Mary's glories singing, Joyfully oh ! joyfully oh ! Come we loving tribute bringing, Joyfully oh ! joyfully oh ! Mist-clad echoes wake on the mountain. Drown the roaring dash from the fountain : With her name above them ringing, Joyfully oh ! joyfully oh ! Joyfully, joyfully, joyfully, joyfully, joyfully, joyfully oh ! Joyfully oh 1 joyfully oh ! (11) 12 THE WITCH OF EOSENBU&O. ir. Lovingly on her footsteps pressing, Lovingly oh ! lovingly oh ! Let us gain her love and blessing, Lovingly oh ! lovingly oh ! Mary be the star on us shining, Whether life be fresh or declining, Her sweet smile our hearts caressing. Lovingly oh ! lovingly oh ! Lovingly, lovingly, lovingly, lovingly, lovingly, lovingly oh ! Lovingly oh ! lovingly oh ! 11 r. Happily round her image closing. Happily oh ! happily oh ! Round her feet our gifts disposing. Happily oh ! happily oh ! Nothing shall on earth our hearts sever, Mary's children be sisters ever ! On her tender heart reposing, HapjDily oh ! happily oh ! Happily, happily, happily, happily, happily, happily oh ! Happily oh ! happily oh ! THE WITCU OF KOSENBURG. 13 [^At the beginning of the third stanza, the children, holding their wreaths, move inwards, still singing. The two in front go slowly before the others to the foot of the image. Lotte takes their wreaths from them, and hangs them, by small hooks on them, to an invisible string round the foot or top of the pedestal. They return to their places behind the others ; so the two next, and the two last. While this is going on, enters the CouNTESS Anna, dis- guised in a red cloak and hood, which completely covers her dress, and conceals her features. She is btni double, leaning on a erutched stick, and trembling, shaking her hands and head, as if palsied. She creeps up slowly, so that when the children have finished^ and turn fairly round, she has reached the middle, and they see her. The children areterrified, and scream, "A witch I a witch ! " and run away in every direction.'] LoTTE. Stop, stop ! Don't be bo foolish. Child. A witch ! a hag ! Lotte. Fear nothing ; stay with me, dear children. Child. A witch ! a witch ! \_Exeunt Children. Scene II. — Lotte and Anna Anna. What is the matter? What is the mean- ing of this confusion ? Lotte. Oh, nothing. Your sudden entrance startled the poor children, and they ran away. They will no doubt return again. Anna. Were they afraid of me, then ? 2 14 THE WITCH OF EOSENBUEG. LoTTE. YoLi know these children of the moun- tains are inclined to be carried away by foolish terrors. But it will be my care to remove them to the utmost. Anna. I understand you. I heard their cries: they believe me to be a witch. Do you take me for one ? LoTTE. Oh no, no. I have no such fears. Anna. Are you not from this country? Your dress seems foreign. LoTTB. No : I came from afar, and have only been here a few months. Anna. And you do not shrink from a poor old thing like me ? J^O'i'TE. [_aside. What a sweet voice she has for one so old !] Why should I ? Am I not poor too? Anna. Yes; but you are young, and I am old and decrepit. LoTTE. Then so much the more you need assist- ance from the young. Anna. And have you no repugnance to an ugly old hag, as the children called me ? LoTTB. [laughing.] Poor things ! Do they not pray daily that their parents should enjoy a long life ; and is not decrepitude, or palsy, or, if you please, ugliness, almost a condition of their prayers being heard ? THE WITCH OF EOSENBURG. 15 Anna. Then you fear no mischance from me? You do not beHeve me to be spiteful, or mis- chievous, or likely to harm you ? LoTTE. No, my good grandame, I fear not man. Anna. No ! Then have you no fear ? LoTTE. Yes, I have a twofold fear, but very diiFer- ent iu their characters. Anna. "What are they ? LoTTE. I fear God, and I fear sin : the one with love, the other with abhorrence. Anna. Happy the mother that owns such a child ! [Lotte bursts into tearsJ] What is the matter, child? Have I hurt your feelings? [Sooth- ingly.^ Have you suffered misfortune ? LoTTE. I have no mother ! I am a poor orphan ; a friendless wanderer upon earth. No, not friendless. [Pointing upwards.'\ I have a Father there. Anna. O that I could be a mother to you on earth ! But what can a poor helpless creature like me do for any one ? Lotte. Much, very much. Anna. What? Lotte. Give the young the merit of helping you. [Puts a gold coin into Anna's hand, who takes ?V.] Anna. Thank you a thousand times. [Looks at it imtently.] But gold ! Where got you this ? iC THE M'lTCH OF ROSENBURG. You ill can spare it. It is pierced and has beer worn. IMuch agitated.'] Where has it been ? LoTTE. It was my poor mother's, and my father's before her. I have no other, and feel ashamed to wear it or keep it when I see one before me in greater need than myself. Anna. Bat you are poor yourself. LoTTE. Yet young and strong, and can work for my bread. The little salary for my schooling, my knitting and sewing, give me enough to live on. Anna, [iiwved.l Child, God will bless you for your charity — yes, your fearless charity to a poor helpless old stranger. But I must leave you. LoTTE. Will you not come and rest in my poor cottage ? It is hard by. Anna. No, thank you; you have made me richer than T have been this many a day. Will you give me your arm to the high road, and then I will totter along. . [LOTTE i/ives Anna her arm, and leach her out , when they come to the side, Anna stops.~\ Anna. What were you doing when I came in here ? LoTTE. The children were practising for a village festival a song which I had composed and put to a popular air for them. THE WITCH OF ROSENBURG. 17 Anna. And I appeared like a hawk amongst your chicks, and frightened them away. I fear I have done you mischief, and yet you have been kind to me, and shown no anger. LoTTE. [laughing cheerfully.^ How could I have acted otherwise? I should not have been a Christian else. Anna. Where did you acquire these principles — aye, and your accomplishments ? Poor children do not learn to compose songs, and put them to music. LoTTE. My dear mother, before her death, secured to me the best education in St. Leo's Convent, near the place of my birth ; it was my only in- heritance, and my best. Anna. And was it from her you inherited your courage? LoTTE. My father, whom I never knew, was an officer of high rank. If there is anything in it I may owe it to him. Anna, [starting.] An officer ! "Well, adieu. God bless you. LoTTE. Good bye, my good old dame. [Leads her out and then returns,] 2* 18 THE WITCH OF EOSENBUBG. Scene III. — Lotte alone. LoTTE. Poor thing ! how will she ever get home without help ? I wonder where her home is. She seemed to be a stranger to the children. Poor children, too, I may well say. That they should have been frightened away by a poor harmless old woman — taking her for a witch. No doubt their parents will give them a good lesson, perhaps chastise them, for being so weak and silly. In the meantime, their little festival has been spoiled. How thankful I ought to be that a good edu- cation has made me feel so differently, and only compassionately towards the miserable. Suifer- ing ourselves is a great lesson. But what a mystery my own poor little life is to myself. Who and what was my father ? My mother, who died so young, could only tell me that he was a noble ofScer in garrison, in the distant province where I was born, and married her, a poor peasant; but before he could make his marriage known to his family, was killed in quelling a riot. Here are his precious relics. [Taking them from her bosom.'\ This is his portrait. [Kiss- THE WirCII OF EOSENBUEG. 19 iiig it and replacing ?7.] This is the invaluable document ■which attests his marriage ; this his last letter, unfinished and without his name, but stained with his blood. But of what use are these papers to me, who know not where to look for his family ? I have wandered thus far, and must rest contented to end my days as schoolmistress at Rosenbiirg. [Hears some one coming, and hastily puts back the papers.^ Scene IV. — Lotte and Gretchen. Geetchen. [i-ushing in, singing To-le-ra-la, or some such oadence.'\ What, dear Lotchcn, alone? I thought some of your children would be hero. Have they all run away ? What has been the matter ? Lotte. Oh, nothing. Have you heard or seen anything ? Gret. Heard or seen anything? I should think so. Both. I never saw such a regular hulla- baloo in our quiet village. First, I met the children running in, scream- ing, some tumbling over and crying. Among these was little Plumper, the tailor's — that is, the Burgomaster's — child \sarGastically'\, who 20 THE WITCH OF ROSENBUEG. fell with a great crash at her father's door. Everybody came out in a terrible state, and questioned the children, who at first could give no account of their panic. At last they told an incoherent story of a witch having appeared, nobody knew how, at the school, and attacked them with a stick ; that she had two eyes like coals, and a beard and hair like adders ; and so they ran away. So I thought I would come and learn the truth. LoTTE. Really, Gretchen, I can hardly help laugh- ing — only I fear the poor children may have really suffered. Geet. Pooh, pooh, Lotchen, they will be no worse after they have each had a cup of tea, or a thump on the back, according to the disposition of their parents. But what is it all about? LoTTE. The fact is that a jioor old palsied woman, in a red cloak, made a sudden appearance here, while the children were rehearsing my little hymn, when they took wing like a flock of starlings. The poor woman said not a word, and I, who remained, never saw her face. She was bent double, and kept her hood low down. Gret. [shaking her head gravely. '\ Do you know, Lotchen, that I fear I should have run away too. An old woman, doubled down, in a red THE WITCH OF BOSENBUUG. 21 cloak, and wagging her head ! no, I could hardly have stood it. Ah, now, don't laugh at me. You are a scholar, and I am only a poor orphan, that can only knit and sew, and scarcely read. But really, if all that does not make a witch, I don't know what does. LoTTE. Why, my dear Gretchen, nothing does. Geet. Nonsense, now. You don't mean that. LoTTE. Well, we will talk it over. In the mean- time Geet. Why, look out for squalls. You must come away. LoTTE. What for ? Geet. Because, before I came up the hill here, I saw a solemn conclave being held in the square by Frau Plumper, who was very red, Frau Zucker, who was very pale, and Frau Semmel, who Avas very blue; and I'm sure there was mischief brewing among them. Tiaey were pointing this way. So as Frau Plumper went in to get her walking shoes, being always in slippers, and I know she can only go gingerly up hill, I ran straight up to warn you. LoTTE. I am ready to face them, and speak the truth to them. Geet. They will not listen to you. So come with me to the little chapel in the forest, and I will 22 THE WITCH OF EOSENBURG. come back and let you know when ■ asicZe.J Sem. How wicked! ) All. The witch! the hag! Plump, \_out of breath, and pressing her chest.~\ Miss Lotte, arc you not ashamed to appear here after all that has happened ? ZucK. Yes, you bold girl, go away, do; it is too bad. Sem. To make everybody else miserable, and spoil our feast. Do go. Lotte. You may well suppose, ladies, that I have not come here for my own enjoyment. But I was told that the lady of the feast would not come if I was excluded — I do not know why, for I have never seen her. Plump. Whet ! the new great Indy ? iI-iOTTE, Yos. THE WITCH OF EOSEXBUEO. 61 Plump, [laughing contemptuously.'} Very likely, indeed. Ber. It is indeed quite true. I told Lotte of it myself. Sem. Well, that is puzzling. Lotte. But besides that reason, I had another, whiih was irresistible. ZucK. Pray, what was that ? Lotte. That I found this poor old lady sitting on the road-side, not being able to get here for the feast ; and she asked me to give her my arm, which of course I could not refuse. Plump. Of course : you could refuse nothing to your old friend, the witch. ZucK. Take her away at once, the hideous bel- dam. Sem. Avaunt, wicked old witch ! Children. Oh, dear Lotty, take her away, do. Lotte. Shame, ladies, shame ! ]\Iy children, trust me. Whom among you all has this poor old and helpless creature wronged or harmed ? Does not age claim reverence? Does not infirmity call for compassion ? Has not hunger and weak- ness a better right to the enjoyment of a feast than youth and strength ? Plump. Feast, did you say? Do you mean to say that that wicked old thing was to sit down 6 62 THE WITCH OF EOSENBURG. with US at the treat ? I would as soon eat off a dish that I had seen a black spider crawl over, as partake of a feast at which she sat beside me. Avaunt ! LoTTE. No, Frau Plumper, we will not interfere with your enjoyment. My poor old protegee and I will find some corner apart, or a bench outside, at which we will gladly receive the crumbs that you can spare us. But when you greet loyally and affectionately your present and your future mistresses, the prayers for blessings from the two jjoorest, the aged cripple and the homeless orphan, will be allowed above, to mingle with yours, and they will not be re- jected, as they are by you, with disdain. Pluiip. Do you mean to say that you will keep her here to face the Countess and her heiress ? LoTTE. Certainly, and without fear. I have never seen her to speak to her, though I have experienced her bounty. But if half that I have heard of her is true, she will never drive away the old and suffering from her feast. Plump. That is very possible; she is so exces- sively good. But that does not make it less the duty of her faithful and loving vassals to de- fend her from imposture and from the intrusion of improper characters, which witches certainly arc. THE WITCH OF EOSENBUEG. 63 LoTTE. This is too bad! "What right or reason have you to call my poor companion (who, I hope, does not hear you) by such disgraceful names ? ZucK. Put an end to this. Do not let the Countess be insulted by the presence of such a person on her estate. Plump. Who, I? Sem. Yes, Dame Plumper; you, as the Burgo- master's wife, ought to command liere. Plump. I, indeed! I would not touch her for the best piece of broadcloth at Innspruck fair. LoTTE. Once more, ladies, I appeal to your wo- manly and kindly feelings, if not to your charity. Have compassion on one so stricken with years and infirmities. The hand of our Heavenly Father is laid heavily upon her, that ours may lighten the burden. In doing so, it is that very Hand which sheds youth and strength on you, beauty and innocence on your children — that you take hold of and reverently raise from the curved shoulders of this His aged daughter. He loves to see His own aifec- tionate trials no less affectionately relieved. £While she has been speaking, Bertha fias gone behind Attn A, and placed her hands on her shoulders.^ Plump. That's right, Mam'selle Bertha, leid her 64 THE WITCH OF ROSENBUEG. quietly out. You know best, and have courage to do what you know to be your good mistress' pleasure. LoTTE. [to Bertha.] O Hiss Bertha, do you go with them? Am I ]eft alone? Am I mis- i taken in my estimate of the Countess' char- acter ? Ber. I must do my duty, Lotte. LoTTE. [icccjyinff.] Well, even so; I will not abandon my poor old charge, made dearer to me by the abandonment. I will lead her out. [^The Countess drops her stick. At the signal, Bertha tin- clasps her cloak and draws off the hood and cloak. The Countess Anna stands erect, in the middle. LoTTE lets go her arm and modestly retreats hack. All are seized with shame and astonishment .~\ All. The Countess ! Countess Anna ! \_All are in confusion and disorder for some time.'] Plximp. Pardon, Madam. ZuCK. and Sem. Forgive us, Countess. We did not know it was you, or else Anna. Of course you did not, my good friends. However, my disguise has enabled me to hear the kind things you have said of me personally, though at the expense of the poor supposed witch. But I miss one here. Where is my; faithful guide and fearless champion? \_Goes to THE WITCH OP EOSENBUEG. 65 Lotte, takes her hand, and brings her forward on her right.'] Here is one who truly knows, and has fcvught me real charity. Till now she ha-s never seen me, nor has she known to whom she has been kind. She intended all her good- ness to be bestowed .on the old, the powerkss, the deformed, and the unamiable. Come, my child, and let me publicly acknowledge myself a debtor to you for the lessons you have taught me, as well as for the alms you have bestowed on me. All. Alms ! Is it possible ? Akna. Yes, alms; nay, gold. Pltjmp. [j-ather maliciously.] Oh, then she was not so poor when she left us as some people pretended. AxNA. No, for she •was rich in \irtue. But listen to the history of her alms. When I intruded on these children and frightened them from school — for which I am trying to make up to- day by drawing them to school — Childeen. [interrupting] O thanks, thanks ! How good ! Anna. My intention was to try this girl, who had inspired me with an inexplicable affection, from what I heard of her, and saw from a distance — an affection quite inexplicable to me till now. 6» 66 THE WITCH OF EOSENBUEG. By the experiment, I wished to learn if she was really courageous in her charity, and worthy to be joined to my faithful Bertha in the distribu- tion of my little alms. ZucK. Do not call them little, Madam. Pi^UMP. No, indeed ; we know them too well for that. Anna. Well, this child, Lotte, at once gave me proof of her intrepidity by supporting me and offering me harbor in her cottage. But I was not prepared for evidence of her lavish charity. Lotte. O dear Madam, say nothing about it; I now know how bold I was and liow presumptu- ous to treat you so. But, indeed, I did not know you. Anna. Peace, child. I must do my duty. She took out a gold piece and slipped it modestly into my hand! It is to commemorate this orphan's gift that I have summoned and am going to treat you to-day. Several. How so, Madam ? Anna. Well, listen. I saw that the piece had been worn round the neck as a keepsake or medal, for it had a sacred figure on it. I at once recognized it as one worn by a brave young officer, once most dear to me, but killed while gallantly doing his duty. [ Weeps; Lotte starts.] *-HE WITCH OP EOSENBUEG. 67 He was Lotte's father. She is no longer, there- fore, what you and I have believed her. She is nobly born, and I have called you all together to-day to recognize her before you all, as what she is, and give her a position more wortliy of her birth. Henceforward siie must be treated as she deserves, and be suitably provided for. Lot IE. [overpoicered.^ O Countess, generous and truly noble, I deserve not all this goodness, and especially all this public recognition and praise. I am willing to labor for my bread, and try to do good silently, ratlier than deprive the more deserving of your bounty. Gret. I am sure, if any one deserves every bless- ing, it is you, who have never foiled to be good to every one. Madam, let me be the first to thank you for your generous reward of virtue. Dear Lotchen is worthy of all your kindness and honor. All. Yes, yes ! All blessing to Lotte ! Plomp. But pardon me. Madam, if I am taking a liberty in saying that we understood you had a still greater purpose in assembling us. Anna. What is that ? Plump. We were told that we were to have the honor of being presented, and of paying our homage to a rich and noble lady, your guest and 68 THE WITCH OF IIOSENBUKG. heiress; whom, consequently, after the many years of liappiuess with which we pray heaven to bJess you, our children may have to honor, though we can scarcely hope they will love as we do you, as lady of Rosenburg, and mistress paramount. Anna. You are quite right. Dame Plumper. ZucK. Will that noble dame be soon here? Anna, [taking Lotte by the hand.'] She is already before you. This is that high-born and worthy lady, heiress by birth, as well as by deserts, of all my ^^vorldly estate, and of much more. Plump. Most marvellous ! ) An , IP,, f ^" «5 o?ice m ZucK. How wonderful ! V c, TT J. T I I great amazement. Sem. How extraordinary! ) -^ Anna. A few words will explain all. But first, come to my heart, my darling niece ! I have done violence to my feelings thus far, for your sake, but now I can bear it no longer. \_They embrace in tears and sobbing.] To have seen so much virtue in one so young did indeed de- light me. But to have discovered in one so close and dear to me, by holiest ties, is beyond my hopes or deserts. I told you that to Lotte's alms — I must still call you so Lotte. Oh, yes, yes, always. Never call me any- thing but Lotte. THE WITCJH OF ROSENBURG. 69 The Children, [^clapping tlieir hands.^ Yes, Lotchen, Lotchen, nothing else. Anna. Well, to those alms you owe your present festival. The officer, by whom I recognized it, having been worn from boyhood, and who was Lotte's father, was my dear brother, the Count Ludwigron E,osenburg. Had not Lotte's ex- treme charity promj)ted her to part with so precious a memorial, to relieve an old witch, as everybody thought her, she might have re- mained a village schoolmistress all her life. The train thus begun was followed up. Lotte carried about her papers which, though incom- plete, through my dear brother's death, fur- nished the clue to certain information that leaves no doubt that she is his child by a marriage which he had no time to make known. And her mother's death left her a helpless orphan, in a distant province. And to confirm all, better proof to my affections than all the lawyer's parchment, is this miniature left by her mother to her. [^Taking it out.'] Ber. And pardon me, Madam, if I have reserved till DOW a discovery which I made only this morning. Lotte. What is that ? \^Eagerly.] Ber. Besides the perfect likeness of her brother. 70 THE WITCH OF EOSENBUEG. which the Countess found in the front of the locket, I discovered that the back opened with a spring, concealing locks of two persons' hair, with the names in enamel of Count Ludwig and Charlotte Bluhm. LoTTE. [starting and agitated.^ ]\Iy dear mother's name. Gret. Yes, and yours, ever since I have known you._ Akna. Then there is no doubt of this : that you have in this my niece, the true heiress of my brother, real Count of Eosenburg. All that you see is her's — that castle, that village, and all the family estates. I have kept them care- fully for such a chance, and shall retire to my own, my mother's propert}'. LoTTE. No, never, never let that be. I entreat and implore you not to leave the spot on which your virtues are adored by all your people. Plump. No, indeed, you must not leave us. Countess! The young and new lady will enjoy all our confidence and aiiection, for Ave have now learnt her real worth. ZucK. And I am sure she will forgive any past misunderstanding. Children. We have always loved you, Lotte; won't you come and sec us, and bring tlio Countess with you ? THE WITCH OF ROSENBURQ. 71 LoTTE. To be sure I will. Gret. As for me, I can only ask to be your maid, to be with you sometimes. [Bashful and sor- rowful.~\ Anna. Her maid? You, her truest and best friend ? No, I am sure you will continue such, and be to her what my faithful Bertha is to me : my right hand and true heart in doing and ad- vising the little good I am able to do. LoTTE. A thousand thanks, dearest aunt ; but how shall I learn the new duties of this unexpected condition of life without the wisdom of your advice and the example of your virtues ? No, we must not separate. Anna. Then be it so. I do not think we shall quarrel. Plump, [cheerfully.'] We now know what name to put in our song. But how shall we distinguish in future between our two countesses ? Anna. Oh, you must call Lotte in future by the title. Sem. And you, Madam ? Anna, [laughinff.] Oh, you may call me the " Witch of Rosenburg." Gret. [poily.] No, indeed, Madam. Pardon me, but as you have placed me iu Lotchen's house- hold, it is my duty to defend her rights and claim her titles. 72 THE WITCH OF EOSENBUEG. Anna. Well, how is she a witeh? She has not appeared in a red cloak, nor with a broomstick. Geet. No, Ma'am ; but still I maintain her right to the name. She has scarcely been three months here, and she has fascinated all the children of the village, so as to make them love her dearly. Is it so, children ? Childeen. Yes, yes, indeed. Geet. As for myselij I do not know what phil- tores or love potions she has used ; but she has certainly bewitched me to fondness for her, such as I have never felt for any one else. You must answer for yourself, Countess. Anna. Truly, I can say the same. Go on. Geet. She has thrown a spell over those ladies which has completely changed Ihciu towards her; for I am sure they honor and love her virtues as well as respect her rank. Plump, dv. We do, we do, most heartily. Geet. Only one thing remains which only a witch can do. Ber. What is that? GiiET. Transform herself. Anna. How has Lotte done this? Geet. She has transmuted lici-solf, not into a hare, or a black cat, or an owl ; but into a ('ountcss froui a schooliiiistfuss, and i'rom a pour orphan girl into. Madam, your dear child. THE AVITCH OF C'SENBUEG. 73 Anxa. Bravo, Gretchen, you are right. Lotte's has been the true magic, for it has ret[uired but one chai-m to do all this. All. And what is that? AsxA. Virtue. CHORUS. WOMEX. Up, from mountain, plain and valley, Huntsmen, peasants, rise and rally Round our hospitable Dame ; Peal aloud your* horns and voice-; Till the dimmest pruk rejoices In the echo of her name. [_This is repeated lii wen's voices, with hunting-horns accompaniment, very distant, like an echo of the womtn's song.'\ TI. WOMEN. For this day both birth and merit MEN. \_Rfpcat as above, hut nearer.'^ » Our in the mens repetition. 7 74 THE WITCH OF EOSENBUEG. WOMEN. Give us one who shall inherit MEN. [Repeat, nearer still.'] WOMEN. All the virtues of her race : MEN. [Repeat, nearer.^ ALL. [The men close, though not seen."] Long live Lotchen, fearless maiderij, Be her head with blessings ladeu, Radiant be her brow with grace^ ©hs Jtt4. THE WITCH OF ROSENBUKG. 75 EPILOGUE. SPOKEN BY GRETCHEN, I. A.S once his walk the good St. Philip took, Along the Chlesa Nuovo's corridor, He met a father, with demurest look, Creeping along the wall to the church door. II. Standing in front, he brought him to a stand, Leaning upon his trasty walking staff; And with his well-worn rosary in hand, Eyed him so quaintly as to make him laugh. III. Then said : " My father, whither on so fast ? " " JSTot very fast," the old man said, " but soon 'Twill, after twenty-one,* strike the half-past; And 'tis my turn to preach this afternoon." Y "To preach: is that all? Please to go up-stairs. And for my children a nice drama write; Better to make them happy, than say prayers. In whom good angels take their chief delight." * The Italian hours used to run to twenty-four, which was, all the year round, half aa hour after sunset. 76 THE WITCH OF KOSENBUEQ V. " But, Father Philip, crowds are in tht church: You would not rob them of this means of grace?" "Oh, no ! we must not leave tliem in the lurch-. Tell Father Chrysostom to take your place. VI. " He's always ready. A^iy one can preach, But very few, like you, can write a play." "And fewer can, like you, dear Philip, teach How, than to preach, 'tis better to obey." VII. Now, you those kindly sjDirits imitate. Clergy or laitj', our good honored frier ,i. Who come our feast to share or consecni ,