Gonzaga, I offer thee this hand, which often Thou hast pressed upon the morn of battle, when We knew not if we e'er should meet again: Wilt press it now once more, and give to me Thy faith that thou wilt be defense and guard Of these poor women, till they are returned Unto their kinsmen? _Gonzaga._ I do promise thee. _Count._ When thou go'st back to camp, Salute my brothers for me; and say to them That I die innocent; witness thou hast been Of all my deeds and thoughts--thou knowest it. Tell them that I did never stain my sword With treason--I did never stain it--and I am betrayed.--And when the trumpets blow, And when the banners beat against the wind, Give thou a thought to thine old comrade then! And on some mighty day of battle, when Upon the field of slaughter the priest lifts His hands amid the doleful noises, offering up The sacrifice to heaven for the dead, Bethink thyself of me, for I too thought To die in battle. _Antonietta._ O God, have pity on us! _Count._ O wife! Matilde! now the hour is near We needs must part. Farewell! _Matilde._ No, father-- _Count._ Yet Once more, come to my heart! Once more, and now, In mercy, go! _Antonietta._ Ah, no! they shall unclasp us By force! {_A sound of armed men is heard without._ _Matilde._ What sound is that? _Antonietta._ Almighty God! {_The door opens in the middle; armed men are seen. Their leader advances toward the Count; the women swoon._ _Count._ Merciful God! Thou hast removed from them This cruel moment, and I thank Thee! Friend, Succor them, and from this unhappy place Bear them! And when they see the light again, Tell them that nothing more is left to fear. VII In the Carmagnola having dealt with the internal wars which desolated medieval Italy, Manzoni in the Adelchi takes a step further back in time, and evolves his tragedy from the downfall of the Longobard kingdom and the invasion of the Franks. These enter Italy at the bidding of the priests, to sustain the Church against the disobedience and contumacy of the Longobards.