_Prior._ She did, oh, rage! though snares were laid for her at every step, though where’er she turned, her eye met seductions of such enchanting power, as might have thawed the frozen bosom of chastity herself! but virtuous love already occupied Josepha’s whole heart; and no room was left for impurer passions: or if for a moment she felt her wavering senses too forcibly assailed, she only pronounced the name of Venoni, and turned with disgust from every thought of pleasure, whose enjoyment would have made her less worthy of his love. But the hour of my revenge approaches! Venoni---- _Jer._ His last abode is prepared: his wealth once secured to our monastery, the donor shall be soon disposed of. _Prior._ I hear a noise-- tis Venoni: ever about this hour he comes to bathe yonder grating with his tears. Let us retire: solitude and the ideas which Josepha’s tomb suggests, can but increase the confusion of his mind, and rivet the chains which bind him in our power. He is here: follow me in silence. [Exeunt. [As they go off on one side, _Venoni_ enters on the other: he walks slowly; his arms are folded, and his head reclines on his shoulder. _Venoni._ It was no mistake! oh, man, man! frail and inconstant! yes; for an instant I felt pleasure, and yet Josepha is no more; but the dream was of thee, my beloved, and oh! it was so fair, so lovely! however it is gone, and I am myself again; again am fit for the dead, and I hasten to thee my Josepha! (_turning to the grate_) I salute ye, cruel bars, which separate my beloved and me: another day has past, and again I mourn beside you! ye are cold: (_kissing them_) so is Josepha’s heart; so too will mine be shortly. (_rapidly_) Yet while still that heart shall palpitate, while one spark of that fire still lives in it which was kindled by her eyes, still will I mourn beside you, cruel bars; still kneel and mourn beside you! (_kneeling, and resting his head against the grate_) The _viceroy_ enters. _Viceroy._ That plaintive voice-- I cannot be mistaken. Tis he! tis Venoni! my friend! _Venoni._ (_starting_) Benvolio! you within these walls! ah, did I not entreat-- I told you, I repeat it now, I’m dead to the world. I exist for no one-- for nothing-- but grief and the memory of Josepha. Leave me! leave me! (_he resumes his despondent attitude_) _Vice._ Not till I have obtained one last, last interview. Venoni, I claim it in the name of that paternal friendship which I have borne you for so many years, and which even now I feel for you as strong as ever. I claim it in the name of that sacred union, once so near connecting us by the most tender ties: I claim it in the name of her, who while living was alike the darling of both our hearts, and in whose grave the affection of both our hearts alike lies buried-- Venoni, I claim it in the name of Josepha. _Venoni._ (_quitting the grate_) Of Josepha? say on you shall be heard.