Mi. (in despair releasing him) Remain, then, madman, since thou wilt have it so! remain, and perish! Exit hastily.
Venoni. (alone, and wandering about the garden with a distracted air) Where shall I direct—where seek—a cloud obscures my eyes—despair, rage, powers of vengeance! powers of fury! guide me, desert me not; give me strength to—my limbs refuse to bear me: I faint, I die! (he falls upon the ground)
The prior, the fathers Jeronymo, Anastasio, and Nicolo, and other monks enter with torches.
Pri. (speaking without) What clamours make the garden resound? who thus disturbs the hallowed silence which——how? Venoni! alone! stretched on the earth! he is insensible; yet sure there was some one with him! speak, Jeronymo; heard you not?—
Jer. Two voices certainly seemed to mingle, and the dispute was earnest.
Ana. Whoever was here, cannot have gone far. Let us seek.
Pri. Lose not a moment: be Nicolo your companion. Exeunt Anastasio and Nicolo.
Pri. Meanwhile, be it our care to restore Venoni to himself: his fortune is not yet in our possession. (he kneels and supports Venoni in his arms) My son! Venoni! look up, Venoni.
Venoni. (reviving) Who names me? who speaks to me?
Pri. One whom your situation cuts to the very heart. What has produced this new distress? tell me, my son?