THE FREE KNIGHTS,

&c. &c.

Act I

SCENE 1.

A spacious Cavern, veined with ore, marking the remains of a Sulphur Mine. In the back, a Sheet of Water, with a Lamp hanging over its and Cells, with Iron Grating before them. At the right Wing, a large brazen Door; at the Left Wing, another, with Steps leading up to it.

EVERARD discovered.

[Knocking, and Trumpets.

Ever. Hark! another victim! [Unbars the door.

Enter ZASTROW, leading in a Prisoner, whose eyes are bandaged.

Pris. Whither! Oh, whither would ye lead me? to pass, apparently, o'er rugged rocks, ascend high mountains, and descend to vaults;

B

hear the close baying of the forest wolf, and the loud cataract's terrific roar; and now, e'en now, perhaps, to stand upon the verge of some stupendous precipice!

Zastrow (Removing prisoner's veil). Behold! behold the precincts of that famed Tribunal, that renders justice to the Christian cause, and strikes dismay throughout the Christian world.

Pris. Merciful Heaven! if justice be the boast of your Tribunal, why all this dark, mysteri

Zastrow. How!-dare but to whisper one invidious word against an institution that's upheld by

Pris. (Crossing to Everard.) To you, who seem to wear a human form-to you I make appeal. Some three months past, my interest called me from my native land, here to Westphalia and but last night, when all around was calm and still as my own thoughts, a loud terrific knocking at the portal, convulsed my habitation. I rush'd to know the cause, and by the moon's pale beam, read on a banner fix'd into the earth, this awful summons: "Appear, Augustus Montfort, before the Free Knights!-Traitor, appear!" How, how was I to act? A stranger to their hidden, mystic forms, I sought my neighbours for enquiry--when, sad reverse! I, who before was welcom'd with their smiles, met, now, such fearful and contemptuous looks, that but for conscious and inherent pride, I had been then your victim.

Zastrow, Ay, none, none dare notice the accused.

Pris. None, save a monk, who, far less worldly than the rest, stopt, and warn'd me to obey this, their first summons; or soon a second, and a third

would follow and, on my then not answering, not only would my sentence be proclaimed, but my best friend, ay, my own son, were he a member of this dread tribunal, would, by a solemn oath, be bound to plunge his dagger in his father's heart! Such are Free Knights! Such the famed members of this lauded Court! And having further learnt, that on the tolling of the midnight bell, at my own gate, or at the citadel, a chosen minister of vengeance passed, to pilot the accused, I went; and you, through paths most dangerous and inscrutable, have brought me to the spot where justice reigns ;-if so, give the first proof of justice-trial !-by that I am prepared to stand or fall.

Ever. Trial! alas! it may be years

Pris. Years! I'll not believe it. Where are my judges?

Zastrow. There! (pointing to the door) in full council, electing a Free Knight. And 'till that awful ceremony's past, they must not be disturb. ed; nor then, but by their chief, Prince Palatine, who, on returning from the holy wars, comes to consult them on affairs of state. (Music). Hark! he approaches! this way to your dungeon.(Prisoner appeals). Nay, no parleying-you have to cope with those who'll teach you patience and submission.

[Music.-Prisoner is led into his Cell, and Zastrow bars the Gate, Everard shewing Compassion. Zastrow opens the Door, and the Prince and Walbourg enter.

Prince. So, after an interval of ten long years, again I view and welcome the Tribunal. Ay,

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Walbourg, welcome it. For though dark traitors, plotting against a state, may oft elude the common vigilance which broad and open justice takes, yet can they escape the penetrating eye of this deep-searching and all-powerful Court? No, unseen, it sees, and, unknown, pries into such hidden guilt, that the detected villain, awe-struck, cries," this is not man's, but heaven's unerring

vengeance.

Zastrow. And, once detected, shall Free Knights forgive? Be death the doom of all the Prince's foes!

Prince (After a short pause). Ay, death! for long inur'd to daring and to desperate deeds, still deeper must I plunge. But, oh, my friend! in the bright morn of life(Aside to Walbourg).

[Trumpets within. The Prince shews surprise

Zastrow. The Council are electing a Free Knight; the gallant Ravensburg.

Prince. Ravensburg! the brave heroic youth, who on the Plains of Palestine first stamped the glory of the Christian arms! I guess his honest, loyal motive-he has heard rumours of conspiracy, and here, as in the field, would die to serve his Prince.

Ever. So he avow'd, my Liege; and also that his father, the Baron Ravensburg, had urged him, and though he started when he entered, and wondered much why all our actions should be thus involved in dark obscurity, yet loyal and parental love prevailed, and he rush'd in to add one more to the ennobled list that graces the Tribunal.

Prince. Exalted Ravensburg! Let all who would uphold their Prince's cause like thee, uphold this hallowed Institution.

Enter RAVENSBURG, hastily.

Ravens. In storm, in battle, in the hour of malady, I can brave danger with heroic firmness; but here I own and feel myself so much a coward, that not for worlds would I return and face that scene of unexampled horror! back with me as I came, and do I live to utter it? Your arm-I sicken, faint with apprehension.

Prince. Why, Ravensburg! The motive, loyal and parental love, and yet dare hesitate! Return --perform the solemn rites

Ravens. What! swear I will pursue all doom'd by this despotic Court, and swifter than the lightning, strike a deadly weapon e'en in a parent's breast! Never!

Prince. Never!

Ravens. My Liege! error, perhaps, misleads me; but train'd in camps and the rough school of war, though I ne'er felt that superstitious zeal which founded and supports these unknown. Judges, yet an enthusiast in the Christian cause, I would maintain it as the cause deserves, by open vindication of its rights; and not by such mysterious arts as truth and justice must disdain to practise.

Prince, Mysterious arts!

Ravens. Aye; why else at dead of night, with shrouded sight, was I conducted to this drear abyss, through ways apparently unknown to man? And next immured in a long vaulted cell,