gain'd some Proselytes, when the Prince Palatine appear'd, and, like the torrent from the mountain's brow, assailed each obstacle, and swept down all before him! Abbot [After a struggle]. Well! the result? Ravens. Most savage, most inevitable! for while in force they come to claim their victim, you, and the brotherhood, are all proscribed for treason and for sacrilege! Agnes. And this! this havock is my causing! mine! a poor orphan whose death no kindred will deplore, whilst the whole world will mourn my kind defender's loss! My Lord, 'tis past! Lov'd friend, farewell! and if one victim will appease their rage, I'll hail the sacrifice, and die contented. [Going. Abbot (Stopping her). Die first this hated despot! who, ever,fiend-like, strikes his envious fangs, where Heaven most loves, and man's most bound to guard! I Pardon! I give Sanctuary! and whilst one spark of ebbing life glows here, whilst one small fragment of these walls remain, that fragment may be stained with dire assassin's blood! but a poor orphan, who, I know, is innocent, shall live to soar and triumph o'er her foes! Let them advance! ourselves, our Abbey, can support some contest, and yon bright power! that watches o'er the virtuous, will combat in our cause!-(Drums and Trumpets heard at a short distance) Hark! they come! Agnes. They do! they do! and see! the Prince, in person, leads the furious band! Look there! behold! [Ravensburg looks out. Abbot turns away. Abbot. Not, not for worlds, lest, maddening the sight, I lose all memory of holy function, d rush to strike the murderer of my peace dead 1 his army's presence! Villain! barbarian! Weeps). Oh! the day has been, when these, air Nature's brightest gems, hung on my cheek as emblems of pure sympathy! But now, like drops of fire, they serve to light the brand of discord and revenge!-Come-to the Sanctuary! Ravens. Unequall'd man! fit guardian of such rights-speak! can my arm Abbot (Taking him aside). Your father-mark -your father may have heard why she is called Manfredi's daughter. I would know this, and all that you can learn. Now, whilst there's hope, away-and this (giving him a key) secures your private entrance thro' the western gate upon river's edge. the Ravens. I'll seek my father, ascertain each fact, and, fear not, Agnes! the pangs of parting will be paid at meeting! Abbot. Twill do ! 'twill prosper! And my great Founder's Edict thus revived-should they persist in prostituting Justice' name, I will throw wide my Abbey-gates, and pardoning all they dare proscribe, make it a bulwark 'gainst the common foe! Come-away! [Exeunt. SCENE III. A Road near Corbey. Enter CHRISTOPHER. Chris. So, this is the place of meeting-from hence we were to start for Franconia-and not I here! Ulrica not yet come! Mighty well! our marriage but an hour old, and keep her husband waiting! Enter ULRICA. So, you begin, Madam--you torment already. Ulrica. Why, if I do torment, Christopher, it's only to please you the more-it is, upon my honour. Chris. Please by tormenting! how, Madam? Ulrica. Aye-ask the God of Love, if it isn'tChris. Yes; but where am I to find him? Ulrica. True-where is Love to be found? SONG-ULRICA. I. Where does the urchin Love abide ? Say, does he with the dove reside? II. No fix'd abode the traitor knows- Then smiles in lovers' eyes. Chris. He does-in mine; and now I'll tell you-Tis all out, and I've within me the true, real Roland blood. It seems, the strange old Count had privately made aunt his wife; but his estate descending with his title, she thought she might support her rank, by getting for her niece a famous husband-and she has got one, hasn't she, Ulrica? Ulrica. She has-but, seriously, think not that I stay'd from idle motives.-Poor Agnes has found shelter in Corbey Abbey; but the Prince, and the Avenging Knights, march in full force to batter down its walls. Chris. Indeed! Ulrica. Now-now I heard it from the noble Ravensburg, who seeks his father, to hear the whole of Agnes' hapless story. And my aunt's influence no more prevailing, perhaps the Baron will relent—at least, I hope so. Chris. So do I-and we won't stir. Ulrica. No-not while one glimmering hope remains of Agnes' safety, and her foes' defeat. Chris. No, that we won't-but go, and plead in her behalf. [Kissing Ulrica's hand. Ulrica. That I will; and doubt not, Christopher-Heaven still will guard the unprotected orphan ! [Exit. Chris. Never-never was couple so match'd! so much alike in all that's amiable and lovely! Oh, when we arrive in Franconia! I know one of our neighbours, who will be all envy-Baron Donderdronkdickdorff; for, tho' his wife treats him with the most sovereign contempt, he is still obliged to look up to her. SONG-CHRIstopher. I. Baron Donderdronckdickdorff said, one summer's day, "Tho' wedlock's a word that revolts, "Whatever our folks in Westphalia may say, "I've a great mind to marry Miss Quoltz. "For of all the dear angels that live near the Weser, "Tho' of all German Barons ambitious to please her, II. Poor Donderdronckdickdorff, with amorous phiz, "Ah! Baron!" she sigh'd, "what a pity it is, "You are not half so long as your name!" "If names," said the Baron," were smaller, or bigger, "To suit ev'ry size at a pinch, "Your name, dear Miss Quoltz, to keep up to your figure, "Wou'd measure six foot and an inch." How I should like, &c, III. The wedding-day fix'd, both the parties agreed, That the peasants should dance German waltzes, And drink to the future mix'd long-and-short breed Of the Donderdronckdickdorffs and Quoltzes. To the church, then, on foot, went the ace with his size— "What's this crowd for?" cries one of the people. "For a Baron, who's taking," an arch wag replies, "A morning's walk under the steeple." How I should like, &c. IV. Before supper, one night, e're the honeymoon fled, And over the chimney-piece stuck him. As the servant came in, said the Baron, "You clown, "Not a word when the guests come to sup: "I have only been giving my wife a set-down, "And she giving me a set-up." How I should like, &c. [Exit. |