Scene—Westphalia.
ACT I.
SCENE I.—A spacious cavern, veined with ore, marking the remains of a sulphur mine. In the back a sheet of water, with a lamp hanging over it; and cells with iron grating before them. At the right wing a large brazen door, at the left wing another with steps leading up to it. Everard discovered—knocking and trumpets.
Ever. Hark! another victim. [Unbars the door. Enter Zastrow, leading in a prisoner, whose eyes are bandaged.
Pri. Whither, Oh, whither would ye lead me? To pass apparently o'er rugged rocks, ascend high mountains, and descend to vaults; hear the close baying of the forest wolf, and the loud cataract's terrific roar; and now, e'en now, perhaps, to stand upon the verge of some stupendous precipice——
Zastrow (removing the prisoner's veil) Behold! behold the precincts of that famed tribunal that renders justice to the Christian cause, and strikes dismay throughout the Christian world.
Pris. Merciful Heaven! if justice be the boast of your tribunal, why all this dark, mysterious—
Zas. How! dare but to whisper one invidious word against an institution that's upheld by——
Pris. (crossing to Everard) To you, who seem to wear a human form, to you I make appeal. Some three months past my interest called me from my native land here to Westphalia; and but last night, when all around was calm and still as my own thoughts, a loud terrific knocking at the portal convulsed my habitation. I rushed to know the cause, and, by the moon's pale beam, read, on a banner fixed into the earth, this awful summons: "Appear, Augustus Montfort, before the free knights! traitor appear." How, how was I to act? A stranger to their hidden mystic forms, I sought my neighbours for inquiry, when, sad reverse! I, who before was welcomed with their smiles, met now such fearful and contemptuous looks, that but for conscious and inherent pride, I had been then your victim.