Lod. And when you are free—when smiling, friends surround you—when all for you is liberty, and peace and happiness, do not—oh! do not quite forget, that a poor captive, languishing in his solitary cell—
Venoni. Forget you? never! by that life which you now give me, never; I swear it! once at liberty, my first care shall be to effect your rescue, my second to secure your happiness. Oh! surely if aught in life is sweet it is when the heart overflows with gratitude, and the hand has the power to perform what that grateful heart dictates and desires: oh? surely if there is aught which gives mortals a foretaste of the bliss of angels, it is when affection brings a smile upon the furrowed cheeks of those to whom we are indebted for our existence. Tis to you that I owe that gift; and while I have life, never will I forget that it is to you I owe it. Now then away! one embrace: one blessing: then pray for me, father, pray for me, and farewell! Exit with the lamp.
Lod. (alone) Spirits who favour virtue oh! strengthen his arms! aid him! support him! hark he is at the door! I hear him! again, and again! repeat the blow! hark, hark, it breaks, it shivers! and see—
Venoni, appearing above with the lamp.
Venoni. Freedom, freedom, freedom, friend, farewell! I speed to rescue you. Exit.
Lod. Fly, fly! you bear with you my blessing! (kneeling) Heaven, I adore and thank you! I have preserved a fellow creature’s life.
[The scene closes.
[SCENE II.]—an anti-chamber in the viceroy’s palace.
Enter Benedetto, Carlo, Pietro, &c.
Ben. Here, Pietro! Carlo! where are you all? they call for more iced water! the supper-room is not half lighted—and Carlo, Carlo, bless my heart! I had almost forgotten! Carlo, take three of your fellows, and help to bring out the fat countess of Calpi, who has just fainted away in the ball room. Exeunt servants.