To the bright and hopeful ray,
Which from the altar riseth, chasing
From the heart the sateless sorrow
That eats vexed life away.
[The Chorus, having now arranged themselves into a regular band in the middle of the Orchestra, sing the First choral hymn.
CHORAL HYMN.
STROPHE.
I’ll voice the strain.[n12] What though the arm be weak
That once was strong,
The suasive breath of Heaven-sent memories stirs
The old man’s breast with song.