Meshach, and
Abednego. The angels watch over the patriarch, and he comes out of the
fire unharmed. Some of the people standing by ascribe the miracle to
Baal, some to Dagon, some to Ashtaroth, and a few to Jehovah, and at last
get into a quarrel with each other. Nimrod interposes his authority, and
orders them to their work on the tower again. Soon the heavens cloud
over, and a storm is seen approaching. Abraham prophesies destruction,
and Nimrod orders him to be seized and hurled from the summit of the
tower; but before his commands can be executed, a thunderbolt strikes it
and crumbles it into a heap of shapeless stones. While Abraham exults
over the destruction, the dispersion of the three races, the Shemites,
Hamites, and Japthides, occurs. Nimrod laments over the result of his
folly, and at last acknowledges the authority of the Divine Power, and
thus the story ends.

The _dramatis personae_ are Nimrod (bass), Abraham (tenor), Master Workman
(baritone), four Angels (boys' voices), the choruses by Nimrod's
followers, the People, Angels, and Demons. The overture is a confused,
formless number, indicating the darkness. In the beginning there is no
clear musical idea; but at last the subject assumes definite form as the
dawn breaks and the Master Workman announces the sunrise and calls the
People to their work, in the recitative, "Awake! ye Workers, awake!" The
summons is followed by the chorus, "To work," in which the vocal part is
noisy, broken, and somewhat discordant, representing the hurry and bustle
of a crowd of working-men,--with which, however, the orchestra and organ
build up a powerful theme. The song of the Master Workman is also
interwoven, and the chorus is finally developed with great vigor and
splendid dramatic effect. Nimrod now appears, and in a triumphant
outburst ("Stately rises our Work on high") contemplates the monument to
his greatness now approaching completion. Abraham rebukes him ("How,
Mortal, canst thou reach His Presence?"). The scene at this point is full
of dramatic vigor. Nimrod hurls imprecations at Abraham, followed by
strongly contrasting choruses of the angry People and protecting Angels,
which lead up to the mixed chorus of the People, indicating the confusion
of tongues as they severally ascribe the escape of Abraham from the
furnace-fire to Baal, Dagon, Ashtaroth, and Jehovah, and closing with
tumultuous dissension, which is quelled by Nimrod. The effect of the
Angels' voices in