(tenor) introduces the Angel, who delivers her message to the Peri ("One
Hope is thine"), to which the latter replies in a sensuous melody, full
of Oriental color ("I know the Wealth hidden in every Urn"). The tenor
Narrator introduces at this point a quartet ("O beauteous Land"), in
which the two trebles, tenor, and bass alternate, followed by the full,
powerful chorus, "But crimson now her Rivers ran." A weird march, fairly
barbaric in its effect, indicates the approach of the tyrant of Gazna,
and introduces the stirring chorus of the Indians and Conquerors ("Hail
to Mahmoud"). The tenor Narrator describes the youthful warrior standing
alone beside his native river and defying the tyrant. Once more the
chorus shouts its greeting to Mahmoud, and then ensues a dialogue in
recitative between the two, leading up to the youth's death and a double
chorus of lamentation ("Woe, for false flew the Shaft"). The tenor
Narrator describes the flight of the Peri to catch the last drop of blood
shed for liberty; and then all the voices join with the soprano solo in a
broad, strong, exultant finale ("For Blood must holy be"), which is one
of the most effective numbers in the work.

The second part opens in the most charming manner. The tenor Narrator
pictures the return of the Peri with her gift, leading up to the Angel's
solo ("Sweet is our welcome"), which preludes a brief choral passage for
sixteen female voices. After the Narrator's declaration of her
disappointment, the scene changes to Egypt, and in a dainty, delicate
three-part chorus the Spirits of the Nile are invoked not to disturb the
Peri. Her lament is heard ("O Eden, how longeth for thee my Heart!"), and
the Spirits now weave a gentle, sympathetic strain with her song. A long
tenor narration follows ("Now wanders forth the Peri sighing"),
describing the pestilence brooding over the Egyptian plains, the music to
which is very characteristic. The scene of the maiden dying with her
lover is full of pathos, and contains two exquisite numbers,--the
narrative solo for mezzo-soprano ("Poor Youth, thus deserted"), and the
dying love-song of the Maiden ("O let me only breathe the Air, Love").
The scene closes with a sweet and gentle lament for the pair ("Sleep
on"), sung by the Peri, followed by the chorus, which joins in the
pathetic farewell.

The third part opens with a lovely chorus of Houris ("Wreathe ye the
Steps to Great Allah's Throne"), interspersed with solos and Orie