?
And next immured in a long vaulted cell, where, as I gazed upon devices
framed to heighten my alarm, two ghastly figures, wrapt in mortuary
veils, rushed forth, and laying bare my breast, with a new-slaughtered
captive's blood, there marked a crucifix, and then descending to a
deeper cell, where, in full council, round an altar formed of human
skeletons, the secret knights appeared; and, whilst the cavern rung with
the loud shrieks of burning and of tortured victims, they proffered me
their oath--that oath which bound me to destroy friend, father,
mistress! Mighty Heaven! let bigots reconcile and court these scenes. I
have the common feelings Nature prompts, and fly from such barbarity.
[_Going._

_Prin._ Hold! By this desperate, this outrageous act, you have incurred
and well deserved our vengeance. And who is Ravensburg, that thus
condemns what laws, what monarchs, and what pontiffs sanction; and which
to loyal and obedient minds is now the rallying beacon of their hopes;
for who, but this all-seeing court, can save your sovereign and
_friend_, _father_, _mistress_, from a conspiracy, perhaps as fatal as
that by which the princess, young Theresa fell?

_Rav._ How!

_Prin._ Hear me. Some fourteen tedious years are past since on my loved,
lamented brother's death, this infant, only child, became the victim of
that curst Italian fiend, the count Manfredi's treachery, and I, against
my will, was hailed prince palatine. Manfredi perished not as he
merited. He died a natural death, and with him treason seemingly
extinct, I, like the rest of Europe's zealous champions, joined the
crusaders in the Holy Land. You followed, and you fought so nobly, I
confess I little thought that Ravensburg would join with new Manfredis
to overthrow his prince.

_Rav._ That I! lives there the slanderous and calumnious wretch who
dare----

[_Drawing his sabre._

_Prin._ (_holding his arm_) The man who will not court the certain means
by which foul treason may be traced and crushed, so far encourages and
aids the crime, that he is himself a traitor. And now, when journeying
from my capital, I hither come for counsel and redress--Shame! Oh,
shame! if feeling for your prince have no effect, think of an absent
father's claims, who, to the loss of a son's valued life, may add his
own and others of his race. (_Ravensburg shows alarm: takes him aside._)
Ay, the tribunal once offended, will mark and watch with such suspicio