("Over us Stars
shine") anticipates the Voice, which in a sensuous aria ("Who is the
sovereign Lord of the Heart?") sings the power of love. In graceful
chorus the spirits taunt him, whereupon he once more resolves to fly and
to abandon the cause of Satan, but is thwarted by them. A weird chorus
closes the first part ("Satan a-hunting is gone"), ending with an
impressive strain:--

"Stormily falleth the night:
Frightened maidens fleeing,
Demon hordes all around.
'A cross, see, upraised!
Fly, master! too far we have come.
Hallowed is the ground.'"

The second part opens with a reflective soliloquy by the giant, followed
by a plaintive chorus ("All now is lone and silent") describing the
suffering of our Saviour on the cross and the sadness of a hermit gazing
upon the scene. The giant approaches the latter, and a dialogue ensues
between them, in which the identity of the victim on the cross is
revealed. Having found the King of the universe, Christophorus determines
to devote himself to His cause, and inquires how he may serve Him. He is
informed he must go to the swiftly-rolling river and carry the pilgrims
across. A chanting chorus ("As flows the River seawards, so onward glide
the Years") describes the work of the faithful toiler. Then comes a voice
calling him, and he beholds an Infant waiting for him. He takes Him upon
his shoulders and bears Him into the flood, but as he advances, bends and
struggles beneath his load "as though the whole world he bore." He
inquires the meaning, and the Voice replies:--

"Thou bear'st the world and bearest its Creator:
This Child is Jesus, God's own Son.
Soldier of Christ!
Thine arms were charity and mercy,
The arms of love.
Now mayst rejoice:
The prize of thy faith is won."

A joyful, exultant chorus, ("Blessed of Rivers, the Child embrace")
closes this very graceful little "legend."

Toggenburg.

"Toggenburg," a cycle of ballads, was written in 1880. The music is for
solos and mixed chorus, the ballads being linked together by motives,
thus forming a connected whole. The story is a very simple one. The
bright opening chorus ("At Toggenburg all is in festive Array") describes
the pageantry which has been prepared to welcome the return of Henry,
Knight of Toggenburg, with his fair young Suabian bride, the Lady Etha.
The chorus is followed by a duet and alto or barytone solo, which
indicate the departure of the K