University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

An ante-room; Rovani discovered pacing to and fro.
Rov.
Their conference is long. The gentle hermit
Has had, I fear, no easy task.—He comes!
Enter Hermit.
Save thee, good father! hath thy shriving sped?
How is thy penitent?

Hermit.
Better, I hope: may heav'n preserve his mind
In the meek frame in which I left it! Never,
In all my intercourse with wretched sinners,
Have I with a more keen ungovern'd spirit
Stronger contention held.

Rov.
I well believe thee:
For I have seen ere now his spirit strive
In all the restless energy of passion.
Thou hast at last subdued him?

Hermit.
Thank God, I have! Meek and resign'd to heav'n
He now appears. But go to him, my son;
He needs thy presence much. Within an hour
He leaves the castle,—leaves his wife and child;
It is not fit that he should be alone.
Go, good Rovani, and with soothing words
Keep thou his resolution to the bent.

Rov.
Ah! such a resolution! Heard I right?
To leave his wife and child?

Hermit.
Question me not, my son; there is good cause:
'Tis meet that he should go.

Rov.
Forgive me, father!
That solemn voice and sorrowing eye too well
Asserts there is a cause,—a fearful cause.
I will obey thee.
[Going, but returns again.
Is there aught further thou wouldst have me do?

Hermit.
He will, perhaps, desire to see his lady;
But till he be prepared to leave the castle,
And take his last farewell, methinks 'twere better
They should not meet.

Rov.
I understand you, father.

[Exeunt severally.