who vest me with authority, no selfish passion lurks within my breast! 'Tis past! it is subdued! and whilst life lasts, I will devote that life to ever crushing my own narrowed wishes, and courting the superior joy of aiding and promoting general welfare.

Voice (without). Help! for mercy! help!

Abbot. The voice of one distressed! Unbar the gates give them free entrance.

[St. Clair opens the Gate-Agnes rushes in. Agnes (Falling at the Abbot's feet). Protect me! save me! I'm pursued, o'ertaken! Bern. (Sullenly). Pursued !

Agnes. No-not pursued - I scarce know what I utter-my friend, my kind protecting friend! who was conducting me through yonder forest, compell'd to leave me by strong urgent circumstance, bade me seek shelter in this Holy Pile, till one he named could hasten to my relief-and you'll consent! You pious men must feel, that virtue never seems more lovely, than when her arm is stretched to raise the helpless and unfortunate.

Abbot (Raising her). Rise; and, till your friend arrive, confide in one, who train'd in dire misfortune's school, can keenly feel for others.

Bern. My Lord, reflect. She own'd she was pursued, and, in these perilous, these disastrous times, shall strangers be thus welcom'd? I would hear further.

Abbot. What further would you hear? Sorrow, in any shape, should meet with pity; but when it supplicates in female form, we dry its tears, nor wait to ask what caus'd them! Unknown! unquestion'd, I found welcome here, and none yet know the story of my wrongs; why,

G

therefore, pry into her hidden grief? 'tis harsh, it is unmanly! Come. [Trumpet sounds without. Bern. Now, who was harsh in forewarning? Know ye that awful sound? Know ye the Free Knights' summons? (Goes to the Abbey Gate). Come forth, and vindicate the cause of those who justify the Christian faith. (Monks enter from the Abbey). Lo! the accused!

[Pointing to Agnes. Agnes (To Abbot). Do not desert me!

my soul I'm innocent.

On

Abbot (Who has turn'd from her). Away! you have profaned our hallow'd ground! And thus, pursued by those, whose mandates all submissive sanction, I am no more your friend. Begone!

Agnes (Clinging to him). Is mine the age for plotting death by subtle poison? Is mine the sex for treason and conspiracy? And if I am the daughter of the Count Manfredi, am I to answer for my wretched father's crines?

Abbot. Manfredi's daughter!

[Turning towards her with emotion. Bern. (Opening the garden gate). Behold! Read there! (Pointing to the Banner, and reading). "Condemn'd Traitress! Agnes Manfredi appear!"

Abbot. Manfredi had no daughter! Speak, e'er my brain burst! his name,-the name of your accuser?

Agnes. I dread to utter it, for all approve what the Prince Palatine affirms.

Abbot (Apart). I thought it was subdued-[ said the gnawing viper was extinct; but since it cross my path again, may the fulfillment of this new atrocious act be most important to his purpose! For let the vassal world bow down to his imperious will, alone, I'll blast the deadly scorpion's wiles, and snatch one victim from his fiend-like

fury! Manfredi's daughter! False! false as your accuser's heart! and knowing that, 'tis joy!-'tis transport to protect you! [Taking Agnes' hand. St. Clair. Horror! Protect her!

Bern. All gracious powers! thus in defiance of our Sacred Champions!

Abbot. Hear me! if the Tribunal be composed of high, unblemished, and enlightened minds, who meet to render free impartial justice, however ungracious be their forms, those forms 'twere idle to oppose; but if they thus condemn-if private malice beat down public good—if made a vehicle to gratify tyrannic power, they prove a midnight sanguinary band; I, sacred champion of the Christian cause, will give a bright example of its justice, by baffling those who prostitute

its name.

Bern. This is Bellarmin! this the pious Monk! who boasted of promoting general welfare, and now commences his career by plunging us in ruin. But shall we patiently submit to be involved in his most inpious rashness? or shall we instantly dismiss the culprit? and, as we ought, give the Free Knights the quickest means of vengeance?

St. Clair. For this ingratitude, all join Bernardo.

Bern. (Seeing that all take part with him). All!

Abbot. Hold! I implore ye! My motives known, no censure will await me! But, till they are, confide in one who, if before he felt unceasing gratitude for all your kindness, what must he now? when, like yourselves, he can exalt his Abbey's fame, by once more sheltering in its holy walls, walls, a wrong'd, unhappy, persecuted being!

Agnes (Appealing to the Monks). Unhappy! most unhappy!

Bern In vain-in vain; for every where the Free Knights see-and seeing, every where approach, and oft by such mysterious paths, that, magic-like, they flash on the pursued-Hark! behold! (A party of Free Knights are seen descending the Avenue of Pine-trees). Guard well the gate! for all who seek not to secure the culprit, partake the crime, and share in the destruction.

[Zastrow advancing, his Vizor half up: the

other Knights remaining behind the Trees. Zast. Behold! the Traitress!

Abbot (Coming between Zastrow and Agnes). On one false charge condemn'd, I trust, I'm confident of all she's innocent. (Zastrow still advancing). Nay, ye, who boast yourselves Avenging Knights, recall those chivalrous heroic times, when Knighthood's lance aveng'd a better cause, and flew to guard, and not destroy, such helplessness! Reflect, beside, that love for what's divine (pointing to Heaven), inspires the soul with love for what is human and whilst religion, with the brightening sun, shines forth to gladden and improve, dark superstition, like the cankering blight, infects and withers every social hope!-You pass not further-on my life you pass not!

Zast. Advance! (Free Knights rush forward, and seize Agnes)--and as ye are commanded (pointing to the Banner), strike!

Abbot. And as ye are commanded (pointing to the Inscription on the Statue of Charlemagne), spare! You know my power!(to the Monks) -you know the Edict of our mighty Founder, victorious Charlemagne! who, in return for

laurels won upon this spot, first raised our Abbey, to commemorate conquest; and soon endowing it with right of Sanctuary, next gave the Abbot the more blest prerogative of granting Pardon, where he saw just cause! I see it now! I claim my Abbey's privilege! I stand upon my Founder's Edict and Kings! Laws! Armies! must support the man, who, struggling for a sacred right, asserts mankind's and Heaven's inpiring cause! (The Free Knights unloose their hold of Agnes, who crosses to the Abbot; and the Monks, by their manner, evince conviction). No more I sue for your support to the Monks)-now I command it! And ye, fam'd foes to sacrilegious outrage! (to the Free Knights) proclaim that this, my post, assigned to me by Providence, I will maintain, or perish in the conflict! Lead to the Sanctuary-away!

[Music-Agnes thanks the Abbot, who cheers and encourages her. Free Knights ascend the Avenue, and disappear. Monks exeunt into the Abbey, Abbot following with Agnes.

END OF THE SECOND ACT.