Ab. (behind the crowd.) Forbear! she is your rightful princess!
Prin. Merciful powers! who dare e'n breathe—
Ab. (rushing through the crowd, and approaching the prince.) Here, in these hallowed aisles; here, in the face of Heaven, and of man, by all your hopes of future preservation, avow your treason, and your sovereign's wrongs, detested, treacherous, murderous villain!—(prince much agitated.) See, guilt is on him! Now, ye who had no faith (to the monks) and ye who trample upon sacred rights (to the free knights) behold how sacred justice is displayed! There's the usurper, sinking with remorse, and here Manfredi, shedding tears of joy at his regain'd, belov'd Theresa's feet! [The prince lets his sword fall, and reclines on the arm of Walbourg. Ravensburg flies to Agnes, and takes her from the free knights. Abbot kneels on one side of Agnes, Ravensburg on the other.
Rav. Manfredi! Sovereign!
Ab. He knows it—knows, on her suppos'd decease, this hand inform'd him of Manfredi's motives—and that, disgusted with a sickening world, in calm retirement, he should seek for peace. He sought it here—and in Bellarmin's name, was here most safely sheltered! When, soon, the daring calumny spread wide, of "traitor"—of "assassin"—and the sad narrative perverted, confirm'd the perjur'd statement. You'll say I should have answered this? No—aware such influence, and such arts, would, with such judges, beat down humble truth, I kept immur'd! and my reported death checking inquiry, whilst the loud world sung forth the slanderer's praise, I could look inward, and exclaim, better forever undeserved disgrace, than hear applause the heart can never sanction!
Ag. My lord, (to Ravensburg) though lost in wonder and in joy, and now most certain he proclaim'd me as Manfredi's daughter, to give a colour to each cruel charge! yet can I see a fellow creature, torn with such convulsive agony!—Go—speak—console him.
Ab. (to prince.) You hear!
Prin. I do! and if Manfredi had, like me, beheld her angel mother's form, the strong resemblance had betray'd the secret, and mad ambition had been sooner crush'd! I sue, I supplicate for death—life, life's the dreaded punishment for guilt like mine! Come—I implore ye!
Ab. 'Tis gone! 'tis vanished! and I, who hated and opposed, now feel my edict surpasses even royal rights! Monarchs may spare, yet also they must punish! By my prerogative, I can but pardon—be safe within these walls, till higher power determines on your fate. (the prince is led up the stage.) Now hope we to fulfill a far more welcome office, the union of two hearts, that beat in unison, and that, and our forth-coming installation, past—(music without)—Hark! they come—the warfare o'er, the sons of peace approach.
Rav. (looking out.) Oh! glorious, welcome sight! and let none say the days of darkness are returned, when such desert is crown'd with such reward. My lord, they enter—they expect you.