_Pri._ (_above_) For a few moments wait above: you, Jeronymo, precede me with the torch. _Lod._ Heavens! tis the prior! twenty years have elapsed since I heard it; but too well do I remember that dreadful voice, which pronounced on me the sentence of separation from the world forever. What business-- perhaps, my death-- alas, alas! I fear it! wretched as my existence is, frail as is the fibre by which I am attached to life, still the moment is awful, which must sever it for ever; whither shall I turn-- how avoid-- I dare not regain my prison-- this cell too will doubtless be searched-- (_a light flashes across the gallery_) he comes! tis to this very dungeon that his steps are addrest-- where then, oh, where shall I drag my fainting limbs-- ha! perhaps, that secret passage may be unknown even to the prior-- perhaps it may awhile conceal-- it must be tried-- see, see! he is here! away, away! [Exit, and closes the door after him. Enter the _prior_ and _Jeronymo_, with torches. _Pri._ I tell you this dungeon is impenetrable: in vain will our enemies seek its entrance. _Jer._ But still the viceroy’s suspicions aided by his authority. Besides, is not father Michael fled? _Pri._ Father Michael! absurd! and how then, is it in his power to betray us? we reposed in him no confidence; he has never been initiated into our mysteries, and can have no possible reason for suspecting even the existence of this dungeon. _Jer._ Yet still I cannot but fear-- _Pri._ Your fears are groundless-- I am aware that Venoni will be inquired after; but how plausible will be the answer? “he has escaped from us in the night, and whither delirium may have led the wanderer, we are ignorant.” Say that the viceroy insists that Venoni is still within these walls! we have no objection to his searching through the whole monastery, perfectly secure that his search must be of no avail. Tis already midnight. Place the lamp upon yonder tomb; place too that dagger near it, the only mercy which my hatred can allow him;-- then when despair shall reach its height, when he feels that hope is lost to him, and that existence is a curse, then if he has courage let him grasp that weapon, and thank the clemency of Cœlestino. Come! all is prepared! Enter _Anastasio_ and _Nicolo_, with _Venoni_, whom they throw upon the floor. _Pri._ Object of everlasting hate! object of never to be sated vengeance, lie thou there! live to feel the pangs of dying with every moment of the day, that day whose light thou never shalt behold again. Follow me! [Exeunt prior, &c. _Lodovico_ appears at the private door. _Lod._ They are gone; their victim remains-- oh, let but his escape be effected through my aid, and then how soon this old weak frame ceases to feel, I care not! (_he descends_)