SCENE II.--

_Interior of the Convent._

_Enter BLANDIMAN and BELISANTA._

BELISANTA.

Have all retired? Are we observed, my friend?

BLANDIMAN.

The fathers seek their cells to offer prayers for the new converts.

BELISANTA.

Alas! 'tis now the twentieth year since I have sought the mournful consolation of recounting how much a wretched woman owes thy friendship.

BLANDIMAN.

Away with sorrow, and in this moment of rejoicing, demand an audience of the king, your brother.

BELISANTA.

He thinks his sister guilty. Was I not banished by my husband the Emperor of Greece, fatally wrought on by traiterous slander, when, you, alone, accompanied a weak, defenceless woman?

BLANDIMAN.

Never shall I forget when, wearied with anguish and fatigue, you sat beneath a blasted oak; the wind with mournful sound scattered the falling leaves--meanwhile your groans were echoed by the distant murmur of nightly prowling wolves.

BELISANTA.

When, at my request you left me, in the hope of finding human aid, two babes, the offspring of my unkind husband, first saw the light. Starting with agony, these eyes beheld one of my children in the savage gripe of a most hideous bear. One desperate effort, short as furious, impelled me to attempt pursuit. I fell, and knew no more of sense, till from a peasant's wife I learned that she had found and borne me to her humble dwelling.

BLANDIMAN.

I wandered far, till the sound of horns led me to where I met the king, who with a frown at hearing of your name, on pain of death, warned me to leave his presence.

BELISANTA.

Vainly I sought my infant left behind--reason a second time forsook her seat.--The sisters of this convent poured balm into my bosom, and religion, cloathed in the garb of patience, brought me peace.

BLANDIMAN.

Have you ne'er yet disclosed your name and rank?

BELISANTA.

Accounted dead, and masses for my soul's health yearly ordered, I vowed that as my children were for ever lost to me, my husband and my brother unconvinced of the cruel treacheries employed against me, ne'er to be known but as a sister of this order.

BLANDIMAN.

Yet may you hope that providence will watch o'er piety and innocence, and but to-day, I learned that Valentine, a favourite of the king's was found--

_Enter a Friar._

FRIAR.

The duties of our order require your presence to join the Pagan captives in preparation for the sacred change they are about to make.

BELISANTA.

We attend you, father.----(_To BLANDIMAN_) The ceremony past, I wait your leisure--and for your friendly deeds, they'll meet reward from where I hope my prayers have long since registered them.

[_Exeunt._