fuse to perform yourself?
you, who decline the task of distributing your wealth to advantage, how
can you expect to find in strangers the spirit of benevolence more
active?-- would you have your fortune well administered, at least set
yourself an example to your heirs: summon your fortitude, return to the
world once more, and----

_Venoni._ I cannot! tis impossible! I am here!-- here I must remain. My
understanding impaired-- a wretched creature, quite alone in the wide,
wide, world-- a feeble reed, crushed and broken by the tempest-- I
required support-- I require it still-- the superior of this house-- the
good man regrets my beloved, and mingles his tears with mine. I have
found no one but him whose heart was open to my affliction-- who would
listen to my complaints unwearied-- who would talk to me of Josepha.
I am here-- and Josepha-- she is here too! nothing separates us except
those bars. I am near her grave-- I am near her-- I live near her--
I will die near her! (_leaning against the grate_)

_Vice._ The superior of this house? and are you sure you know his real
character? mark me, unfortunate! yet should we be overheard----

_Venoni._ We are alone-- proceed.

_Vice._ Know you a friar, called in this monastery by the name of
Michael?

_Venoni._ I have seen the man; and now it strikes me that unusual care
has been always taken to prevent our being left alone.

_Vice._ This Michael has written to me-- but I know not if I ought--
Venoni, should you betray----

_Venoni._ How, Benvolio? you doubt----

_Vice._ I doubt the soundness of your head, not the sentiments of your
heart-- yet it must be risked-- Venoni, I came hither in search of
father Michael-- I heard your voice, and hastened to embrace you once
more. Doubtless, I shall not be permitted to see this friar; be that
your care. He writes, that what he has to disclose is of extreme
importance; that it concerns-- but you shall hear his letter--
(_reading_) "I have secrets to divulge of consequence too great to be
confided to paper. Suffice it, that your friend Venoni is in danger;
totally in the power of his most cruel enemy----"

[At this moment the _prior_ enters; the viceroy hastily conceals
the letter in his bosom.]

_Prior._ (_in an humble voice_) I heard that your excellence was in the
convent, and was unwilling to deprive you of an uninterrupted interview
with your friend. But the hour is come, when our rules enjoin us
solitude; pardon