for heaven's sake.

_Lod._ Have found it here; found it, where its existence is probably
unknown even to the prior, since he selected this dungeon for your
confinement-- observe this private door-- (_opening it_) this passage
leads to a closed portal; its fastnings are massy-- I endeavoured but in
vain to force them; that bar, which I wrenched from my dungeon door--

_Venoni._ That bar? tis mine! I have it! come father, come! to the
portal!

_Lod._ Alas, my son! the ponderous fastenings-- the bolts-- the bars
will resist!

_Venoni._ Oh, talk not to me of resistance! what force can oppose the
efforts of a lover, a frantic desperate lover! father, there was a
maiden-- how fair she was, nothing but thought can imagine-- how I
adored her, nothing but this heart can feel! father, this maiden-- they
tore her from me, they murdered her-- murdered her barbarously-- tis for
her sake that I wish for liberty! tis to avenge her murder that I go to
labour; and can you doubt my success? no, no! that thought will turn my
blood into consuming fire, will harden every nerve into iron, will endow
every limb, every joint, every muscle with vigour and strength and
powers herculean-- come, father, come.

_Lod._ Oh! that I could! but age-- but infirmity-- go, go, my son,
I will remain, and pray for you.

_Venoni._ What? go, and leave you still in the power of your foe! never,
never!

_Lod._ Dear generous youth, you must! I should but impede your flight;
I should but mar your exertions. Away then! effect your own escape--
then return, and rescue me, if possible-- but should you find me dead,
oh! believe, that it will have sweetened the bitter hour to think, that
my existence lasted long enough to preserve yours.

_Venoni._ Thou good old man--

_Lod._ Yet one word! should you force the portal, and reach the interior
of the Ursuline convent in safety, shape your course towards the garden:
the wall is low-- to scale it is easy and--

_Venoni._ Enough! and now-- (_going_)

_Lod._ And when you are free-- when smiling, friends surround you-- when
all for you is liberty, and peace and happiness, do not-- oh! do not
quite forget, that a poor captive, languishing in his solitary cell--

_Venoni._ Forget you? never! by that life which you now give me, never;
I swear it! once at liberty, my first care shall be to effect your
rescue, my second to secure your happiness. Oh! surely if aught in life
is sweet it is when the heart overflows with