promoting general welfare.

_Voice_ (_without._) Help! for mercy! help!

_Abbot._ The voice of one distressed! Unbar the gates--give them free
entrance.

[_St. Clair opens the gate--Agnes rushes in._

_Agnes_ (_falling at the abbot's feet._) Protect me! save me! I'm
pursued, o'ertaken;

_Bern._ (_suddenly._) Pursued!--

_Ag._ No--not pursued--I scarce know what I utter--my friend, my kind
protecting friend! who was conducting me through yonder forest,
compell'd to leave me by strong urgent circumstance, bade me seek
shelter in this holy pile, till one he named could hasten to my
relief--and you'll consent! You pious men must feel, that virtue never
seems more lovely, than when her arm is stretched to raise the helpless
and unfortunate.

_Ab._ (_raising her._) Rise; and, till your friend arrive, confide in
one, who train'd in dire misfortune's school, can keenly feel for
others.

_Bern._ My lord, reflect. She own'd she was pursued, and in these
perilous, these disastrous times, shall strangers be thus welcom'd? I
would hear further.

_Ab._ What further would you hear? Sorrow in any shape, should meet with
pity; but when it supplicates in female form, we dry its tears, nor wait
to ask what caus'd them! Unknown! unquestion'd, I found welcome here,
and none yet know the story of my wrongs; why, therefore pry into her
hidden grief? 'tis harsh, it is unmanly! come. [_Trumpet, sounds
without._

_Bern._ Now, who was harsh in forewarning? Know ye that awful sound?
Know ye the free knight's summons? (_goes to the abbey gate._) Come
forth, and vindicate the cause of those who justify the Christian faith.
(_Monks enter from the abbey._) Lo! the accused! [_Pointing to Agnes._

_Ag._ (_to the abbot._) Do not desert me! On my soul I'm innocent.

_Ab._ (_who has turn'd from her._) Away! you have profaned our hallow'd
ground! And thus, pursued by those, whose mandates all submissive
sanction, I am no more your friend. Begone!

_Ag._ (_clinging to him._) Is mine the age for plotting death by subtle
poison? Is mine the sex for treason and conspiracy? And if I am the
daughter of the count Manfredi, am I to answer for my wretched father's
crimes.

_Ab._ Manfredi's daughter.

[_Turning towards her with emotion._

_Bern._ (_opening the garden gate._) Behold! read there! (_pointing to
the banner, and reading._) "Condemn'd traitress! Agnes Manfredi appear!"

_Ab._ Manfredi _had_ no daughter! Speak, e'