Scene IV
(The interior of the chapel of the Convent of Santa
Maria della Pieta. Charles Stuart, Flora, and his daughter
in the attire of a Nun, on the left hand in the foreground
of the crowd. The Madre, Angela, and Madalena on the
right. The Officials walk to and fro swinging the Censors.
A procession enters from the back of the stage, chanting
solemn music. The lights of the High Altar are
extinguished, but the chapel remains illuminated. As
the Priest enters the music ceases.
Priest
(Taking Madalena's hand)
Is it your own free will that you resign
The world?
Madalena
It is.
Priest
Your own free will alone?
Remember, you become the Bride of Heaven.
You are to look no more upon the things
Of earth—you are to be Heaven's bride alone.
If there is any thing you love more than
You do this Heaven, you should not take the veil—
For nothing can absolve you from it then.
Speak, is it so?
Madalena
It is.
Priest
Then, from the brow,
All radiant now with thought, must these dark locks
In rich profusion, now be clipt. Kneel down.
Madalena
(Kneeling)
The sweet little bird of my hope is gone,
Pillowed away up in the peaceful sky
Upon the beautiful wings of his soul!
(As he gathers her locks in his hand to cut them off,
Sir Ronald enters.)
Sir Ronald
Hold, hold thy hand! these locks are mine, away!
Madalena
(Rising and embracing him)
Oh, Ronald, Ronald! Is this you?
Sir Ronald
It is.
Madalena
My own dear Ronald! And he lives, he lives!
Sir Ronald
And loves thee still.
Madalena
I know he does, he does!
Charles Stuart
The hand of Providence is here.
Flora
These are
The fruits of love.
Charles Stuart
Now there is joy indeed!
Sir Ronald
Ay, joy of joys! My heart is circumposed
With joy!
Charles Stuart
Now are we kings indeed!
Flora
And queens
My lord.
Madalena
Ay, joyful queens all crowned with love—
Far richer than the Caledonian crown.
Sir Ronald
How have you been?
Madalena
Right sick at heart, but now
Quite well.
Charles Stuart
Now my happiness is complete.
(Enter Francisco, the Monk, Fernando following him.)
Monk
Make way for young Fernando—let him come.
Madalena
(Embracing him)
Fernando, is it you?
Fernando
My own sweet bird!
Madalena
Where have you been?
Fernando
In search of thee!
Charles Stuart
Now, both are one—both mine.
Sir Ronald
(embracing her)
My wife!
Madalena
My king!
Sir Ronald
Oh, if my soul was ever filled with love,
Or ever valued virtue for its sake;
If ever mortal felt immortal joy,
Or drank new pleasure from the cup of bliss,
I feel it now—feel it with all my soul.
(Curtain falls.)
