The cantata begins with an overture in two movements, an _allegro con fuoco_ and an _allegro vivace_, which describes in vivid tone-colors the passing of the season from winter to spring. The first number is a tenor solo and chorus of Druids, which are full of spring feeling, rising to religious fervor in the close:--
"Now May again Breaks winter's chain, The buds and bloom are springing; No snow is seen, The vales are green, The woodland choirs are singing! Yon mountain height Is wintry white; Upon it we will gather,-- Begin the ancient holy rite; Praise our Almighty Father."
The next number is an alto solo, the warning of an aged woman of the people, which is very dramatic in its style:--
"Know ye not a deed so daring Dooms us all to die despairing? Know ye not it is forbidden By the edicts of our foemen?"
The warning is followed by a stately exhortation from the Druid priest ("The man who flies our sacrifice"), leading up to a short chorus of a very stirring character in which the Druids resolve to go on with their rites. It is followed by a pianissimo chorus of the guards whispering to each other to "secure the passes round the glen." One of them suggests the demon scheme for frightening the enemy, which leads to the chorus:--
"Come with torches brightly flashing; Rush along with billets clashing; Through the night-gloom lead and follow, In and out each rocky hollow. Owls and ravens, Howl with us and scare the cravens."
In this chorus the composer has given the freest rein to his fancy, and presents the weird scene in a grotesque chaos of musical effects, both vocal and instrumental, which may fairly be called infernal, and yet preserves form and rhythm throughout. It is followed by an exalted and impressive hymn for bass solo and chorus, which is a relief after the diablerie of the preceding number:--
"Restrained by might We now by night In secret here adore Thee. Still it is day Whene'er we pray, And humbly bow before Thee. Thou canst assuage Our foemen's rage And shield us from their terrors. The flame aspires! The smoke retires! Thus clear our faith from errors! Our customs quelled, Our rights withheld, Thy light shall shine forever."
Following this impressive hymn comes the terrified warning of the Christian guard (tenor) and the response of his equally terrified comrades:--