SCENE.--_The Abbey gate, with ditches, drawbridges, and spikes. Time--about an hour before sunrise. The conspirators appear as if in ambuscade, whispering, and consulting together, in expectation of the signal for attack. The_ WAITER _is habited as a Knight Templar, in the dress of his Order, with the cross on his breast, and the scallop on his shoulder_; PUDDINGFIELD _and_ BEEFINGTON _armed with blunderbusses and pocket pistols; the Grenadiers in their proper uniforms. The Troubadour, with his attendant Minstrels, bring up the rear--martial music--the conspirators come forward, and present themselves before the gate of the Abbey.--Alarum--firing of pistols--the Convent appear in arms upon the walls--the drawbridge is let down--a body of choristers and lay-brothers attempt a sally, but are beaten back, and the verger killed. The besieged attempt to raise the drawbridge_--PUDDINGFIELD _and_ BEEFINGTON _press forward with alacrity, throw themselves upon the drawbridge, and by the exertion of their weight, preserve it in a state of depression--the other besiegers join them, and attempt to force the entrance, but without effect._ PUDDINGFIELD _makes the signal for the battering ram. Enter_ QUINTUS CURTIUS _and_ MARCUS CURIUS DENTATUS, _in their proper military habits, preceded by the Roman Eagle--the rest of their legion are employed in bringing forward a battering ram, which plays for a few minutes to slow time, till the entrance is forced. After a short resistance, the besiegers rush in with shouts of victory._ _Scene changes to the interior of the Abbey. The inhabitants of the Convent are seen flying in all directions._ _The_ COUNT OF WEIMAR _and_ PRIOR, _who had been feasting in the refectory, are brought in manacled. The_ COUNT _appears transported with rage, and gnaws his chains. The_ PRIOR _remains insensible, as if stupefied with grief._ BEEFINGTON _takes the keys of the dungeon, which are hanging at the_ PRIOR'S _girdle, and makes a sign for them both to be led away into confinement.--Exeunt_ PRIOR _and_ COUNT _properly guarded. The rest of the conspirators disperse in search of the dungeon where_ ROGERO _is confined._ FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 204: A See the "Robbers." a German tragedy, in which robbery is put in so fascinating a light, that the whole of a German University went upon the highway in consequence of it.] [Footnote 205: See "Cabal and Love," a German tragedy, very severe against Prime Ministers and reigning Dukes of Brunswick. This admirable performance very judiciously reprobates the hire of German troops for the _American war_ in the reign of Queen Elizabeth--a practice which would undoubtedly have been highly discreditable to that wise and patriotic princess, not to say wholly unnecessary, there being no American war at that particular time.]