_Ab._ What further would you hear? Sorrow in any shape, should meet with pity; but when it supplicates in female form, we dry its tears, nor wait to ask what caus'd them! Unknown! unquestion'd, I found welcome here, and none yet know the story of my wrongs; why, therefore pry into her hidden grief? 'tis harsh, it is unmanly! come. [_Trumpet, sounds without._ _Bern._ Now, who was harsh in forewarning? Know ye that awful sound? Know ye the free knight's summons? (_goes to the abbey gate._) Come forth, and vindicate the cause of those who justify the Christian faith. (_Monks enter from the abbey._) Lo! the accused! [_Pointing to Agnes._ _Ag._ (_to the abbot._) Do not desert me! On my soul I'm innocent. _Ab._ (_who has turn'd from her._) Away! you have profaned our hallow'd ground! And thus, pursued by those, whose mandates all submissive sanction, I am no more your friend. Begone! _Ag._ (_clinging to him._) Is mine the age for plotting death by subtle poison? Is mine the sex for treason and conspiracy? And if I am the daughter of the count Manfredi, am I to answer for my wretched father's crimes. _Ab._ Manfredi's daughter. [_Turning towards her with emotion._ _Bern._ (_opening the garden gate._) Behold! read there! (_pointing to the banner, and reading._) "Condemn'd traitress! Agnes Manfredi appear!" _Ab._ Manfredi _had_ no daughter! Speak, e'er my brain burst! his name--the name of your accuser? _Ag._ I dread to utter it, for all approve what the prince Palatine affirms. _Ab._ (_apart._) I thought it was subdued--I said the gnawing viper was extinct; but since it cross my path again, may the fulfillment of this new atrocious act be most important to his purpose! For let the vassal world bow down to his imperious will, alone I'll blast the deadly scorpion's wiles, and snatch one victim from his fiend-like fury! Manfredi's daughter! False! false as your accuser's heart! and knowing that, 'tis joy, 'tis transport to protect you. [_Taking Agnes's hand._ _St. Clair._ Horror! Protect her. _Bern._ All gracious powers! thus in defiance of our sacred champions. _Ab._ Hear me. If the tribunal be composed of high, unblemished, and enlightened minds, who meet to render free impartial justice, however ungracious be their forms, those forms 'twere idle to oppose; but if they thus condemn--if private malice beat down public good--if made a vehicle to gratify tyrannic power, they prove a midnight sanguinary band; I, sacred champion of the Christian cause, will give a bright example of its justice, by baffling those who prostitute its name. _Bern._ This is Bellarmin! this the pious monk! who boasted of promoting general welfare, and now commences his career by plunging us in ruin. But shall we patiently submit to be involved in his most impious rashness? or shall we instantly dismiss the culprit? and, as we ought, give the free knights the quickest means of vengeance? _St. Clair._ For this ingratitude, all join Bernardo.