[Dickon sits, facing left, at the virginals. At first, his fingers in playing give sound only to the soft tinkling notes of that ancient instrument; but gradually, strange notes and harmonies of an aërial orchestra mingle with, and at length drown, the virginals. The final chorus is produced solely by fantastic symphonic cawings, as of countless crows, in harsh but musical accord. During the song Richard enters. Dickon’s music, however, does not cease but fills the intervals between the verses. To his accompaniment, amid the whispered and gradually increasing wonder, resentment, and dismay of the assembled guests, Ravensbane, with his eyes fixed upon Rachel, sings.]
Baron von Rabenstod arose; (The golden sun was rising) Before him flew a flock of crows: Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing—
“Ill speed, ill speed thee, baron-wight; Ill speed thy palfrey pawing! Blithe is the morn but black the night That hears a raven’s cawing.”
[Chorus.] Caw! Caw! Caw!
MISTRESS DODGE [Whispers to her husband.] Did you hear them?
MINISTER DODGE Hush!
AMELIA [Sotto voce.] What can it be?
CAPTAIN BUGBY Oh, the latest, be sure.
DICKON You note, my friends, the accompanying harmonics; they are an intrinsic part of the ballad, and may not be omitted.
RAVENSBANE [Sings.] The baron reckèd not a pin; (For the golden sun was rising) He rode to woo, he rode to win; Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing— He rode into his prince’s hall Through knights and damsels flow’ry: “Thy daughter, prince, I bid thee call; I claim her hand and dowry.”