er my brain burst! his
name--the name of your accuser?

_Ag._ I dread to utter it, for all approve what the prince Palatine
affirms.

_Ab._ (_apart._) I thought it was subdued--I said the gnawing viper was
extinct; but since it cross my path again, may the fulfillment of this
new atrocious act be most important to his purpose! For let the vassal
world bow down to his imperious will, alone I'll blast the deadly
scorpion's wiles, and snatch one victim from his fiend-like fury!
Manfredi's daughter! False! false as your accuser's heart! and knowing
that, 'tis joy, 'tis transport to protect you.

[_Taking Agnes's hand._

_St. Clair._ Horror! Protect her.

_Bern._ All gracious powers! thus in defiance of our sacred champions.

_Ab._ Hear me. If the tribunal be composed of high, unblemished, and
enlightened minds, who meet to render free impartial justice, however
ungracious be their forms, those forms 'twere idle to oppose; but if
they thus condemn--if private malice beat down public good--if made a
vehicle to gratify tyrannic power, they prove a midnight sanguinary
band; I, sacred champion of the Christian cause, will give a bright
example of its justice, by baffling those who prostitute its name.

_Bern._ This is Bellarmin! this the pious monk! who boasted of promoting
general welfare, and now commences his career by plunging us in ruin.
But shall we patiently submit to be involved in his most impious
rashness? or shall we instantly dismiss the culprit? and, as we ought,
give the free knights the quickest means of vengeance?

_St. Clair._ For this ingratitude, all join Bernardo.

_Bern._ (_seeing that all take part with him._) All!

_Abbot._ Hold! I implore ye! My motives known, no censure will await me!
But, till they are, confide in one who, if before he felt unceasing
gratitude for all your kindness, what must he now? when, like
yourselves, he can exalt his abbey's fame, by once more sheltering in
its holy walls, a wrong'd unhappy, persecuted being!

_Ag._ (_appealing to the monks._) Unhappy! most unhappy!

_Bern._ In vain, in vain; for every where the free knights see; and
seeing, every where approach, and oft by such mysterious paths, that
magic-like, they flash on the pursued. Hark! behold! (_a party of free
knights are seen descending the avenue of pine trees._) Guard well the
gate! for all who seek not to secure the culprit, partake the crime, and
share in the destruction.

[Zastrow _advanc