Chapter 2

sulphur mine. In the back a sheet of water, with a lamp hanging over it; 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._

_Pri._ Whither, Oh, whither would ye lead me? To pass apparently o'er rugged rocks, ascend high mountains, and descend to vaults; 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 the 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, mysterious--

_Zas._ 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 rushed to know the cause, and, by the moon's pale beam, read, on a banner fixed 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 inquiry, when, sad reverse! I, who before was welcomed with their smiles, met now such fearful and contemptuous looks, that but for conscious and inherent pride, I had been then your victim.

_Zas._ Ay, none, none dare notice the accused.

_Pris._ None, save a monk, who, far less worldly than the rest, stopt, and warned 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 into 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----

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

_Zas._ There (_pointing to the door_) in full council, electing a free knight. And till that awful ceremony's past, they must not be disturbed, 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 _showing compassion._ Zastrow _opens the door, and the prince and_ Walbourg _enter._

_Prin._ So, after an interval of ten long years, again I view and welcome the tribunal. Ay, 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."

_Zas._ And, once detected, shall free knights forgive! Be death the doom of all the prince's foes.

_Prin._ (_after a short pause_) Ay, death: for long inured 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 shows surprise._

_Zas._ The council are electing a free knight: the gallant Ravensburg.

_Prin._ 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 avowed, 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 rushed into add one more to the ennobled list that graces the tribunal.

_Prin._ Exalted Ravensburg! Let all who would uphold their prince's cause like thee, uphold this hallowed institution.

_Enter_ Ravensburg, _hastily._

_Rav._ 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.

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

_Rav._ What! swear I will pursue all doomed by this despotic court, and, swifter than the lightning, strike a deadly weapon e'en in a parent's breast! Never!

_Prin._ Never!

_Ravens._ My liege, error, perhaps, misleads me; but, trained 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.

_Prin._ Mysterious arts!

_Ravens._ Ay. 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, where, as I gazed upon devices framed to heighten my alarm, two ghastly figures, wrapt in mortuary veils, rushed forth, and laying bare my breast, with a new-slaughtered captive's blood, there marked a crucifix, and then descending to a deeper cell, where, in full council, round an altar formed of human skeletons, the secret knights appeared; and, whilst the cavern rung with the loud shrieks of burning and of tortured victims, they proffered me their oath--that oath which bound me to destroy friend, father, mistress! Mighty Heaven! let bigots reconcile and court these scenes. I have the common feelings Nature prompts, and fly from such barbarity. [_Going._

_Prin._ Hold! By this desperate, this outrageous act, you have incurred and well deserved our vengeance. And who is Ravensburg, that thus condemns what laws, what monarchs, and what pontiffs sanction; and which to loyal and obedient minds is now the rallying beacon of their hopes; for who, but this all-seeing court, can save your sovereign and _friend_, _father_, _mistress_, from a conspiracy, perhaps as fatal as that by which the princess, young Theresa fell?

_Rav._ How!

_Prin._ Hear me. Some fourteen tedious years are past since on my loved, lamented brother's death, this infant, only child, became the victim of that curst Italian fiend, the count Manfredi's treachery, and I, against my will, was hailed prince palatine. Manfredi perished not as he merited. He died a natural death, and with him treason seemingly extinct, I, like the rest of Europe's zealous champions, joined the crusaders in the Holy Land. You followed, and you fought so nobly, I confess I little thought that Ravensburg would join with new Manfredis to overthrow his prince.

_Rav._ That I! lives there the slanderous and calumnious wretch who dare----

[_Drawing his sabre._

_Prin._ (_holding his arm_) The man who will not court the certain means by which foul treason may be traced and crushed, so far encourages and aids the crime, that he is himself a traitor. And now, when journeying from my capital, I hither come for counsel and redress--Shame! Oh, shame! if feeling for your prince have no effect, think of an absent father's claims, who, to the loss of a son's valued life, may add his own and others of his race. (_Ravensburg shows alarm: takes him aside._) Ay, the tribunal once offended, will mark and watch with such suspicious eyes, e'en your most distant kindred, that danger, great as your offence, hangs o'er them.

_Rav._ They cannot--will not----

_Prin._ They will. And picture the reverse: by linking with this formidable chain, which, though invisible encircles all, you may watch o'er your house's safety. (_Noise without of unbarring gates._) They come--from every quarter come--to execute your sentence! You've no alternative--escape you cannot. In church, in palace shall the free knight strike; therefore instantly complete the forms, and aid your country's and your prince's cause; or, like a base detested parricide, involve an aged parent's life--

_Rav._ Hold! hold! A parent's claims are ever paramount; and Heaven, that witnesses my motive, will pardon my consenting.

_Two free knights appear at each door, and are advancing with uplifted daggers._

_Prin._ Forbear! He is a convert. He will unite with us in tracing and o'erthrowing new conspiracy. Come, you're my friend again (_taking Rosenburg's hand_.) And whilst Westphalia's my abode, I will sojourn me in your father's house, and witness, as I'm told, another ceremony; the happy celebration of your nuptials.

_Rav._ My nuptials happy! Well! well! lead on. Be this my first, my lesser sacrifice.

_Music._--_A party of free knights enter at one door, carrying a banner, on which is painted the cross, an olive branch, and a poniard. A party likewise enter at the other door, carrying a banner on which is painted an eye, surrounded by clouds, and radiated like the sun._ Prince, Ravensburg, _and train exeunt, free knights following._