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De Monfort

A Tragedy
Baillie, Joanna (1762-1851)
  
DE MONFORT:
  
PERSONS OF THE DRAMA.

collapse section1. 
ACT I.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
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ACT II.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
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ACT III.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
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ACT IV.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
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ACT V.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.

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SCENE III.

Before the gates of the convent. Enter Jane De Monfort, Freberg, and Manuel. As they are proceeding towards the gate, Jane stops short and shrinks back.
Freb.
Ha! wherefore? has a sudden illness seiz'd thee?

Jane.
No, no, my friend.—And yet I am very faint—
I dread to enter here.

Man.
Ay, so I thought:
For, when between the trees, that abbey tower
First show'd its top, I saw your count'nance change.
But breathe a little here: I'll go before,
And make inquiry at the nearest gate.

99

Freb.
Do so, good Manuel.
[Manuel goes and knocks at the gate.
Courage, dear madam: all may yet be well.
Rezenvelt's servant, frighten'd with the storm,
And seeing that his master join'd him not,
As by appointment, at the forest's edge,
Might be alarm'd, and give too ready ear
To an unfounded rumour.
He saw it not; he came not here himself.

Jane
(looking eagerly to the gate, where Manuel talks with the porter).
Ha! see, he talks with some one earnestly.
And seest thou not that motion of his hands?
He stands like one who hears a horrid tale.
Almighty God!
[Manuel goes into the convent.
He comes not back; he enters.

Freb.
Bear up, my noble friend.

Jane.
I will, I will! But this suspense is dreadful.
[A long pause. Manuel re-enters from the convent, and comes forward slowly with a sad countenance.
Is this the face of one who bears good tidings?
O God! his face doth tell the horrid fact:
There is nought doubtful here.

Freb.
How is it, Manuel?

Man.
I've seen him through a crevice in his door:
It is indeed my master.

[Bursting into tears.
[Jane faints, and is supported by Freberg.— Enter abbess and several nuns from the convent, who gather about her, and apply remedies. She recovers.
1st nun.
The life returns again.

2d nun.
Yes, she revives.

Abb.
(to Freb.)
Let me entreat this noble lady's leave
To lead her in. She seems in great distress:
We would with holy kindness soothe her woe,
And do by her the deeds of christian love.

Freb.
Madam, your goodness has my grateful thanks.

[Exeunt, supporting Jane into the convent.
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