ries into such hidden guilt, that the detected villain,
awe-struck, cries, "this is not man's but Heaven's unerring vengeance."

_Zas._ And, once detected, shall free knights forgive! Be death the doom
of all the prince's foes.

_Prin._ (_after a short pause_) Ay, death: for long inured to daring and
to desperate deeds, still deeper must I plunge. But Oh, my friend! in
the bright morn of life--(_aside to_ Walbourg.)

_Trumpets within. The prince shows surprise._

_Zas._ The council are electing a free knight: the gallant Ravensburg.

_Prin._ Ravensburg! the brave heroic youth, who on the plains of
Palestine first stamped the glory of the Christian arms! I guess his
honest, loyal motive. He has heard rumours of conspiracy, and here, as
in the field, would die to serve his prince.

_Ever._ So he avowed, my liege; and also that his father, the baron
Ravensburg, had urged him, and though he started when he entered, and
wondered much why all our actions should be thus involved in dark
obscurity, yet loyal and parental love prevailed, and he rushed into add
one more to the ennobled list that graces the tribunal.

_Prin._ Exalted Ravensburg! Let all who would uphold their prince's
cause like thee, uphold this hallowed institution.

_Enter_ Ravensburg, _hastily._

_Rav._ In storm, in battle, in the hour of malady, I can brave danger
with heroic firmness; but here I own and feel myself so much a coward,
that not for worlds would I return and face that scene of unexampled
horror. Back with me as I came; and, do I live to utter it? your arm. I
sicken, faint with apprehension.

_Prin._ Why, Ravensburg! The motive, loyal and parental love, and yet
dare hesitate! Return--perform the solemn rites--

_Rav._ What! swear I will pursue all doomed by this despotic court, and,
swifter than the lightning, strike a deadly weapon e'en in a parent's
breast! Never!

_Prin._ Never!

_Ravens._ My liege, error, perhaps, misleads me; but, trained in camps
and the rough school of war, though I ne'er felt that superstitious zeal
which founded and supports these unknown judges, yet an enthusiast in
the Christian cause, I would maintain it as the cause deserves, by open
vindication of its rights, and not by such mysterious arts as truth and
justice must disdain to practise.

_Prin._ Mysterious arts!

_Ravens._ Ay. Why else at dead of night, with shrouded sight, was I
conducted to this drear abyss, through ways apparently unknown to man