Young sculptor Heronius visits the abode of Father Time and begs for fame. Time presents him with the laurel wreath and enters his name in his book. Heronius returns to his studio, draws the curtains from his latest work, a beautiful ...See moreYoung sculptor Heronius visits the abode of Father Time and begs for fame. Time presents him with the laurel wreath and enters his name in his book. Heronius returns to his studio, draws the curtains from his latest work, a beautiful statue of a nude woman, and stands lost in admiration of his own achievements. Some of his friends and acquaintances call upon him and he, hastily drawing the curtains over his statue, receives them. Some of them desire to inspect his statue, but he prevents them; he offers them wine and they drink to his success. He leaves his apartment for a few moments to escort some of his guests to the entrance to his house, and his secret enemy stealthily enters, seizes a mallet, and shatters the statue to atoms. Returning. Heronius discovers the disaster and falls unconscious. Heronius, having lost fame, returns to Father Time, who presents him with the red rose of love. Going forth, he wanders through the royal gardens and stops to admire a handsome statue. Meanwhile, beautiful young Princess Idealia has left the palace and is also strolling through the gardens, accompanied by her female attendant. She passes Heronius, he turns, their eves meet and love enters into both their hearts. The Princess' attendant orders him away, but he, not to be gotten rid of so easily, follows, and the Princess, finally turning, sees him and dismissing the woman awaits his coming. He attempts to kneel before her, but she, raising him to his feet, leads him away and they give themselves up to a brief dream of bliss. During their walk they visit Father Time, who presents Heronius with the flower of contentment. He in turn presents it to the Princess, who accepts it. During this time, the woman attendant has sought out the King and has informed him of his daughter's infatuation with Heronius. The King is very angry and summons the Princess and Heronius to appear before him, the messenger to Heronius being none other than the enemy who destroyed his statue. The King is seated in state, two of his favorite dancers performing for him, when the Princess appears followed shortly after by Heronius. The King then orders his daughter to be married to Heronius' enemy and has Heronius driven from the palace. Filled with the most poignant grief, Heronius again appears before Father Time, who this time presents him with the last flower, the flower of death. Going from the haunts of Time, Heronius is seized by Roman soldiers and chained to a rock on the seashore, where he is left to die. The Princess, learning of his terrible fate, rushes off to join him and while on the way Time presents her also with the last flower. Coming upon Heronius chained to the rock, the Princess falls upon his breast and her heart being torn with unspeakable grief, she also expires. Then Father Time crosses off the names of Heronius and Idealia from the book of life. Written by
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