_Pri._ (_to Venoni_) You hear this accusation, my son! you hear it, and are silent! you, who are acquainted with my whole heart; you who know well how little I regard your wealth; that wealth, which perhaps I might desire without a crime, since it would only be placed in my hands, in order that it might pass into those of the unfortunate: that wealth which you would aid me yourself to distribute, and which-- you turn away your eyes? you are afraid to encounter mine? the blow is then struck. I see-- I feel too well that my friend is lost to me! _Venoni._ (_eagerly_) Oh, no, no, no! never shall I forget the share which you have taken in my misfortunes; never shall I forget how much I owe to your consoling attentions, to your sympathy and pity. But yet-- I confess-- Benvolio’s remonstrances-- the duties which he has recalled to my contemplation-- my country’s claims upon my services---- _Vice._ (_embracing him_) Courage, my friend! proceed! dare to become a man once more, and restore to your native land that most precious treasure, a virtuous citizen! _Pri._ (_with assumed gentleness_) I have no more to say: since such is your choice, return to the world, my son; I oppose it no longer. Undoubtedly you will there meet with pleasures and indulgences, such as the sad and silent cloister could little hope to offer you. Perhaps you act wisely; perhaps in the tumult of society, surrounded by gay and fascinating objects who will spare no pains to charm and please you, at length you may succeed in forgetting the unfortunate, to whose remembrance you once were prepared to sacrifice every thing. _Venoni._ (_starting in horror at the idea_) I! I forget her! forget Josepha! _Pri._ And in fact-- why renounce all the delights of life for one who cannot know the sacrifice-- who now is nothing more than an unconscious heap of ashes---- _Venoni._ Josepha! _Pri._ No more will you kneel at yonder grate; no more will that tomb---- _Venoni._ Josepha! _Vice._ (_indignant at the prior’s success_) This artifice-- this insidious language---- _Pri._ (_pressing his point_) Yes, yes! I see how it will be! she, whom heaven scarcely balanced in your heart, soon abandoned, soon forgotten, soon replaced---- _Venoni._ (_almost frantic_) Never, never! _Vice._ Rash youth! pronounce not---- _Pri._ You have sworn a thousand times to live near her, to die near her---- _Venoni._ (_in the most violent agitation_) I have! I have sworn it! I will keep my vow, and-- hark! (_the bell strikes nine; at the first sound Venoni starts, and utters a dreadful shriek; the blood seems to curdle in his veins, and he remains in an attitude of horror like one petrified._) _Pri._ (_triumphant_) Ah, listen to that bell! twas at this very hour, that Josepha’s eye-lids closed for ever! twas at this very hour, that-- (_the bell ceases to strike; Venoni recovers animation_)