inst
the sighs of the wretched. The poor youth is already in the palace,
and--

_Vic._ (_eagerly_) Already here?-- where, where is he?

_Mar._ Who waits? (_servant enters_) signor Venoni-- conduct him hither
instantly, away!

[Exit servant.

_Pri._ (_observing the viceroy's emotion_) Ah! my good lord, what a
heart have you for friendship! happy, thrice happy he whose worth or
whose misfortunes can inspire you with such interest and such zeal!
(_The viceroy answers by a gesture of contemptuous impatience_)

_Venoni_, in the habit of a novice, pale, wild, and haggard,
enters, conducted by the servant, who retires.

_Vice._ } _together._ { My friend!
_Mar._ } { My son!
(_hastening to receive him_)

_Venoni._ (_embracing them with a melancholy smile_) I am permitted then
to see you once more-- you, whom I have ever loved so truly-- you, the
only ones who are still dear to me in the world! (_he sees Hortensia;
his countenance becomes disturbed, and he shudders: then recovering
himself, he bows humbly, but with a look of gloom, and addresses her in
a lowered voice, with much respect_) noble lady, can you pardon this
intrusion? I fear the sight of one so lost, so wretched--

_Hor._ (_embarrassed_) Venoni can never be unwelcome. I have not
forgotten-- I never shall forget-- that there was a time when-- that had
I not hoped to make my child adopt--

_Pri._ (_interrupting her hastily_) Dear lady, compose yourself: your
extreme sensibility overpowers you.

_Vice._ But answer me, Venoni; why is it that I see you in this habit?

_Mar._ Wherefore renounce the world? wherefore adopt a resolution so
desperate, so extreme? your country has a right to your services, and--

_Pri._ My noble lords, when the voice of religion calls an unfortunate
to her bosom--

_Venoni._ The voice of religion! no, father, no! the voice which has
called me, is the voice of despair, my friends. I have lost every thing,
every thing! and what then have I to do with the world? they who would
serve their country, must possess strength of mind and health of body:
mine have both yielded to the pressure of calamity! they who would serve
their country, must possess their reason in full force and clearness: my
reason-- it is gone, quite gone! despairing passion has deranged all my
ideas, has ruined all my faculties-- I now have left but one sentiment,
one feeling, one instinct-- and that one is