SCENE II.
Ruins; appertaining to the Scene mysterious
yawning chasms—a practicable iron ladder, and a
platform on which characters may pass, seen through
an aperture in the Ruins.
Enter Minister of Vengeance, indicates that those
Ruins lead to the awful spot where the secret Tribunal
meet—stamps four times, and another Minister
appears—while they are mysteriously consulting,
Rinaldo cautiously enters, and, seeing others approaching
with Aurelia, determines to explore their
secret haunts—she is brought on, and blindfolded.—
Rinaldo, while they are thus engaged, endeavours
to steal in, but is prevented—the Minister again
stamps four times—gong sounds—a chasm opens in
the Ruins, and a ladder is lowered, which Aurelia
is compelled to ascend, when it is suddenly drawn
up, and the chasm closes on them, Rinaldo attempting,
in vain, to follow!—Thunderstruck, he wildly
gazes on the scene, and perceives them, through
an aperture, pass across behind the Ruins, which,
with difficulty, he climbs up to, and forces himself
through, the following strain being sung at the same
time within:
CHORUS OF SECRET AVENGERS.
The Traitress Aurelia's heart's blood is our prize,
And by art or by force shall Rinaldo die!