Chapter 10

_Enter the_ abbot _and_ Agnes.

_Ab._ An unknown orphan, named Agnes Lindorf, by him, your benefactor!

_Ag._ By baron Ravensburg, whose son has so befriended me. But I detain you from most urgent duty. The great, the good, all, all advance to grace your installation.

_Ab._ They do. But he, this baron, you suspect may know the motive for your accusation? (_Agnes accords._) Oh that I knew! for I would court each, the most trifling circumstance, still further to destroy your fell accuser's hopes. Well, well, they are destroyed! Long ere this dark tribunal had a name, ages had sanction'd our monastic rights. And let but your protecting friend arrive, you may pass free from this devoted land, to one where unmask'd justice sits in open day, and prince and peasant meet with equal hearing.

_Ag._ We may, we may--and live to recompense thy matchless kindness. But still these awful these enrag'd avengers! Why, why does he delay?

_Enter_ St. Clair.

_St. Clair._ My lord, a stranger!

_Ag._ (_looking out._) 'Tis he! 'tis Ravensburg!

[_Exit St. Clair._

_Enter_ Ravensburg.

Welcome! Oh welcome! Behold the man (_pointing to the abbot_) who scorning prejudic'd, corrupt compliance--(_Ravensburg turns away, and hides his face._) Hah! that look! those tears!

_Rav._ For thee they fall, and for thy more than father! I've watch'd, I've hasten'd from my fell associates--(_abbot starts_)--Ay, I, by oath, am sworn to be the deadly foe of Agnes, and of all who give her aid. But when I know that she deserves that aid, and that this boasted institution's power is made subservient to such lawless crime, as ancient record of tyrannic guilt can give no proof of, I trust that he, who boldly shall retract such oath, is deem'd less guilty in the eye of Heaven, than he who cowardly fulfills it. This for myself--for you, who, singly, have oppos'd this hydra of rapacious power, and in a glorious cause, claim'd the just right of sanctuary and of pardon--how will you meet the tenfold horrors that will soon burst forth on till within these walls!

_Ag._ On all!

_Ab._ They cannot--dare not!

_Rav._ They dare! for her escape discover'd, they sent forth sanguinary knights, who soon return'd, and in full council stated, that one, most nobly acting on his founder's edict, defied their power, and pardon'd the condem'd! All murmur'd, and all menac'd! till I, declaiming on the glaring outrage of those, who call'd themselves a sacred band, disputing sacred rights, had 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!

_Ab._ (_after a struggle._) Well! the result?

_Rav._ 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!

_Ag._ And this! this havoc 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._

_Ab._ (_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 youn pright power! that watches o'er the virtuous, will combat in our cause!--(_drums and trumpets heard at a short distance._) Hark! they come!

_Ag._ They do! they do! and see! the prince, in person, leads the furious band! Look! there! behold!

[Ravensburg _looks out._ Abbot _turns away._

_Ab._ Not, not for worlds, lest, maddening at the sight, I lose all memory of holy function, and rush to strike the murderer of my peace dead in his army's presence! Villain! barbarian!----(_weeps._) Oh! the day has been, when these, fair 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!

_Rav._ Unequall'd man! fit guardian of such rights--speak! can my arm--

_Ab._ (_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 through the western gate upon the river's edge.

_Rav._ I'll seek my father, ascertain each fact, and, fear not, Agnes! the pangs of parting will be paid at meeting!

_Ab._ 'Twill do! 'twill prosper! And my great founder's edict thus revived--should they persist in prostituting justice's 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._