University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Nunnery, a Lady Abbess, and Two Nuns.
Lady Abbess.
Oh how welcome seems the returning day,
After this night of horrors!—

1st Nun.
[crossing herself]
Blessed Mary defend us, from all the
Threat'ning dangers of the succeeding night!

2d Nun.
[crossing herself]
May all the holy angels, and host of Saints, be our protection this day; and the
Ensuing days, until our army drives
The enemies away.

Lady Abbess.
Heav'nly Father!— [crossing herself.]

Such another night, for all the world I
Wou'd not choose to pass!—
Amidst the displosion of our own guns
In the garrison, (so near us) and the
Continual discharge from Point Levi, and
The British ships, of mortars and cannon,
The city seem'd to reel; nay, the very
Ground trembled under us! whilst the whole air
Felt one unintermitted shock; and in
The undulating space, long hung the hoarse
Growling sound, like distant thunder.

1st Nun.
Good heav'ns!—
How dreadful was the scene within our walls!
Deban'd the cheering company of the
More intrepid sex, to sooth our souls and
Calm our fears, each sister gave herself for lost!

2d Nun.
How shocking thro' the gloom of night, wou'd the
Discharge of their artill'ry, and mortars,
Flash like lightning, against our walls, and gleam
Horrible thro' the long range of all our
Cells! and then to raise us from the trembling
Stupor into which the sight had thrown us,
Instantly, the terrific roar roll'd over head!

1st Nun.
Methinks I yet hear the battering of
The balls! and see the shells, (like meteors)
With their flaming tails, descending thro' the air!

Lady Abbess.
The shrieking sisterhood, (like a flock of
Frighten'd doves, trembling! and scatt'ring from an
Eagle sousing down) oft as they heard the
Warning voice; a shell! or flight of shells! in
Doleful accents pierce their ears, or saw the
Flaming show'r aloft, fell prostrate! kneel'd! and
Pray'd! or ran almost each a different
Way, as fear suggested; seeking shelter,
And dubious of th' event!—and from our
Apartments, as they burst around us, broke
Forth a terrifying scream!—

1st Nun.
To this without our walls, in a dismal
Concert, rung the groans, and cries, of dying
People!—Houses tumbling into ruins!—
Or perishing in flames:—Fearful mothers,
With their children crying, and thronging in
Heaps; not knowing where to fly for present
Security, and calling loud on all
The saints for help.

Lady Abbess.
Alas! in vain!—
For over head would rise another show'r
Of shells, and send them screeching headlong to
A distant spot!—many too slowly fled;
For death, with unrelenting haste, follow'd
At their heels, and as a peasant cuts thro'
A grassy meadow, so he mow'd down the
Crowd!—

2d Nun.
Oh terrible!—if they shou'd take the city!
And we shou'd fall into the hands of these
Rough Englishmen!

1st Nun.
I'm shock'd at the thought!—

2d Nun.
The very idea harrows up my
Soul!—
And darts a tremor thro' every nerve!—

Lady Abbess.
I hope it will not happen as you fear,
We have all the saints on our sides, to pray
For us; the bold General Montcalm, (who
Has often beat them) and twelve thousand French
Soldiers, with a Canadian militia,
And some thousands of Indians, to fight for
Us, and they are not half our number.

2d Nun.
But still my good Lady they may beat us;
And then alas what may we expect will
Be the consequence!

1st Nun
to Lady Abbess.
Our Confessors, Father Dominic, and
Father Francis, have told us strange things.

Lady Abbess.
Perhaps our good fathers were a little
Too rash in forming their judgments, or were
Misinform'd. What their whole nation is, I
Cannot say; but I'm told by a Lady,
Who was at Louisbourg when taken by them,
That the officers behaved with the greatest
Civility and politeness to all,
But in a more peculiar manner, to
The religious Ladies, and orders, of
All sorts; kept the strictest decorum in
The town, among their soldiers, and stuck most
Honourably to their capitulation,
Injuring none, after the deliv'ry
Of the forts and town.

1st Nun
to Lady Abbess.
I'm greatly shock'd at what our Confessors
Have told us!

Lady Abbess.
My dear children, discard these fears: I hope
The Governor will not give up the town;
But if he should, let this calm all our doubts:
These are the men, who treated their captive
Enemies with so much humanity
And good manners at Louisbourg.

2d Nun
to Lady Abbess.
How know you that, Madam?

Lady Abbess.
From the same Lady, who inform'd me of
Their former behaviour. I trust we're safe
From personal insult: for where the true
Spirit of brav'ry inspires the breast of
Any Commanders in Chief, a manly
Generosity accompanies it;
And they'll keep the troops under then command,
In good order and discipline,

2d Nun.
Heav'n hear my pray'r and grant they may!
For I'm almost at my wit's end!—

Lady Abbess.

[Exeunt omnes.