Evangeline

PART I: Evangeline and Gabriel as children are being taught their lessons by Father Felician, priest and pedagogue. After their lessons they hurry to the forge of Basil, the blacksmith, to watch him at his work. Thus passed a few swift years and they no longer were children. Gabriel, a "valiant youth," helps his father, Basil, at the forge; Evangeline keeps house for Benedict, her father. We see Evangeline carrying a flagon of home-brewed ale to the reapers in the fields at noontide. We see the prayerful attitude of the reapers and Father Felician as they bear the Angelus. At eve the flocks return from pastures and "the cows patiently yield their udders unto the milkmaid's hand." "Thus at peace with God and the world, the farmer of Grand-Pre lived on his sunny farm." PART II: In part two the Arcadians are still enjoying their happy, peaceful life, but a shadow of gloom is thrown over them at times by the advent of English troops with a proclamation from Governor Lawrence commanding all the men to appear at church to hear the reading of His Majesty's wishes. Basil believes it threatens disaster. Benedict, however advises patience. "Now has the season returned when the nights grow colder and longer." We see Benedict by the wide-mouthed fire place and Evangeline at her spinning wheel. A knock at the door and Basil and Gabriel enter, followed soon by the Notary, who draws the betrothal contract. We next see harvests gathered in. the peasants working on the dikes, and then the betrothal feast spread "under the open sky. In the odorous air of the orchard." After the feast they dance under the orchard trees. PART III: "And lo, with a summons sonorous," while they were merrily dancing, "Sounded the bell from its tower" bidding them to come to the church to bear the King's Mandate. "Thronged ere long was the church with men. Without, in the church-yard, waited the women." The English soldiers marched on, and demanding admittance in the King's name, "enter the sacred portal." Colonel Winslow, in front of the chancel, reads the King's Mandate, that inside of five days they must be driven from their homes and their lands be confiscated by the State. Their wives may gather such of their household goods as they can carry with them. The men will be kept prisoners in the church until the day of embarking. After hearing the mandate all is uproar and confusion. High above the others rises Basil's voice crying, "Down with the tyrants." In the midst of the confusion Father Fe