Epilogue

Bass Recit.

In the convent of Drontheim

Knelt Astrid, the Abbess,

At midnight, adoring.

She heard in the silence

The voice of one speaking

Without in the darkness,

Now louder, now nearer,

Now lost in the distance.

Soli and Chorus.

"It is accepted,

The angry defiance,

The challenge of battle!

It is accepted,

But not with the weapons

Of war that thou wieldest!

"Cross against corslet,

Love against hatred,

Peace-cry for war-cry!

Patience is powerful;

He that o'ercometh

Hath power o'er the nations!

Chorus (unaccompanied).

"As torrents in summer,

Half-dried in their channels,

Suddenly rise, though the

Sky is still cloudless,

For rain has been falling

Far off at their fountains;

"So hearts that are fainting

Grow full to o'erflowing,

And they that behold it

Marvel, and know not

That God at their fountains

Far off has been raining!

Soli and Chorus.

"Stronger then steel

Is the sword of the Spirit;

Swifter than arrows

The light of the truth is,

Greater than anger

Is love, and subdueth!

"The dawn is not distant,

Nor is the night starless;

Love is eternal!

God is still God, and

His faith shall not fail us;

Christ is eternal! "

A strain of music ends the tale,

A low, monotonous, funeral wail,

That with its cadence, wild and sweet,

Makes the long Saga more complete.