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 [44KB 8' 24"] |
The Spire of Strasburg Cathedral. Night and storm.
Lucifer, with the Powers of the Air, trying to tear down the Cross.
| Lucifer |
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Hasten! Hasten!
O ye spirits!
From its station drag the pond'rous
Cross of iron, that to mock us
Is uplifted high in air!
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| Voices |
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O, we cannot;
For around it
All the saints and guardian angels
Throng in legions to protect it;
They defeat us ev'rywhere!
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| The Bells |
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Laudo Deum verum!
Plebem voco!
Congrego clerum!
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| Lucifer |
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Lower! Lower!
Hover downward!
Seize the loud vociferous bells, and
Clashing, clanging, to the pavement
Hurl them from their windy tower. |
| Voices |
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All thy thunders
Here are harmless!
For these bells have been anointed
And baptized with holy water!
They defy our utmost power.
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| The Bells |
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Defunctos ploro!
Pestem fugo!
Festa decoro.
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| Lucifer |
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Shake the casements!
Break the painted
Panes, that flame with gold and crimson:
Scatter them, scatter them like leaves of Autumn,
Swept away before the blast!
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| Voices |
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O, we cannot;
The Archangel
Michael flames from ev'ry window,
With the sword of fire that drove us,
Headlong, out of heaven, aghast!
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| The Bells |
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Funera plango!
Fulgura frango!
Sabbata pango!
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| Lucifer |
Voices |
The Bells |
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Aim your lightnings
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At the oaken, |
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Massive, iron studded portals! |
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O, |
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Sack the house of God, and scatter, |
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we cannot, O we cannot, |
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Ex- |
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Scatter, scatter, |
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The Apostles And the |
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-cito lento, |
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Scatter wide the |
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Martyrs, wrapped in |
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ashes of the dead! |
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mantles stand as warders |
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Disipo ventos! |
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Sack the house of God, and scatter |
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Stand as |
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Paco |
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Wide the ashes of the dead! |
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sentinels o'erhead! |
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cruentos! |
| Lucifer |
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Baffled! baffled!
Inefficient,
Craven spirits! leave this labour
Unto Time, the great Destroyer!
Come away,
Come away, ere night is gone!
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| Voices |
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Onward! onward!
With the night-wind,
Over field, and farm, and forest,
Lonely homestead, darksome hamlet,
Over field, and farm, and forest,
Over field, and farm, and forest,
Field and farm and forest,
Field and farm and forest,
Blighting all we breathe upon. |
They sweep away. Organ and Gregorian Chant.
| Choir |
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Nocte surgentes
Vigilemus omnes,
Nocte surgentes
Vigilemus omnes,
Omnes, omnes, omnes. |
Date modified
6 December, 2007
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