Venoni. No more, no more! I am dead to the world! yet forget not, that while I lived, I lived to love you. Farewell, Benvolio—farewell for ever! Breaks from him, and exit.
(The viceroy remains in an attitude of profound grief; the prior surveys him in silence with a look of malignant joy; at length he advances towards him)
Pri. (in a hypocritical tone) May I without offence represent to your excellence, that qnight approaches? it must be near the time, when our rules require, that the monastery gates should be closed.
Vice. I read your soul, and your inhuman joy bursts out in spite of your hypocrisy. Exult; but your triumph will be short. I have eyes—they are fixed upon you!—tremble! Exit.
Pri. (fiercely) And you who talk so loudly and so high—tremble for yourself! vain man, you little dream to what heights I can extend my vengeance!
(Father Jeronymo enters with a dark lantern.)
(During the following scene, night comes on, and the moon rises)
Jer. Even now I encountered Venoni, his eyes wild, his lips pale, his whole frame trembling with agitation. I almost dread to inquire the issue of this interview. Say, what result——
Pri. Jeronymo, there was one dreadful moment, when I gave up all for lost—Venoni was on the point of escaping from my power.
Jer. What! the viceroy’s arguments——