I will regain my own cell,
sink on my couch of straw, pardon my enemies, and expire! let me see!
yes! twas about this spot that I made the opening, and these stones
removed--

_Pri._ (_above_) For a few moments wait above: you, Jeronymo, precede me
with the torch.

_Lod._ Heavens! tis the prior! twenty years have elapsed since I heard
it; but too well do I remember that dreadful voice, which pronounced on
me the sentence of separation from the world forever. What
business-- perhaps, my death-- alas, alas! I fear it! wretched as my
existence is, frail as is the fibre by which I am attached to life,
still the moment is awful, which must sever it for ever; whither shall I
turn-- how avoid-- I dare not regain my prison-- this cell too will
doubtless be searched-- (_a light flashes across the gallery_) he comes!
tis to this very dungeon that his steps are addrest-- where then, oh,
where shall I drag my fainting limbs-- ha! perhaps, that secret passage
may be unknown even to the prior-- perhaps it may awhile conceal-- it
must be tried-- see, see! he is here! away, away!

[Exit, and closes the door after him.

Enter the _prior_ and _Jeronymo_, with torches.

_Pri._ I tell you this dungeon is impenetrable: in vain will our enemies
seek its entrance.

_Jer._ But still the viceroy's suspicions aided by his authority.
Besides, is not father Michael fled?

_Pri._ Father Michael! absurd! and how then, is it in his power to
betray us? we reposed in him no confidence; he has never been initiated
into our mysteries, and can have no possible reason for suspecting even
the existence of this dungeon.

_Jer._ Yet still I cannot but fear--

_Pri._ Your fears are groundless-- I am aware that Venoni will be
inquired after; but how plausible will be the answer? "he has escaped
from us in the night, and whither delirium may have led the wanderer, we
are ignorant." Say that the viceroy insists that Venoni is still within
these walls! we have no objection to his searching through the whole
monastery, perfectly secure that his search must be of no avail. Tis
already midnight. Place the lamp upon yonder tomb; place too that dagger
near it, the only mercy which my hatred can allow him;-- then when
despair shall reach its height, when he feels that hope is lost to him,
and that existence is a curse, then if he has courage let him grasp that
weapon, and thank the clemency of Coelestino. Come! all is prepared!

Enter _Anastasio