_Bern._ (_seeing that all take part with him._) All! _Abbot._ Hold! I implore ye! My motives known, no censure will await me! But, till they are, confide in one who, if before he felt unceasing gratitude for all your kindness, what must he now? when, like yourselves, he can exalt his abbey's fame, by once more sheltering in its holy walls, a wrong'd unhappy, persecuted being! _Ag._ (_appealing to the monks._) Unhappy! most unhappy! _Bern._ In vain, in vain; for every where the free knights see; and seeing, every where approach, and oft by such mysterious paths, that magic-like, they flash on the pursued. Hark! behold! (_a party of free knights are seen descending the avenue of pine trees._) Guard well the gate! for all who seek not to secure the culprit, partake the crime, and share in the destruction. [Zastrow _advancing, his vizor half up: the other knights remaining behind the trees._ _Zast._ Behold! the traitress! _Ab._ (_coming between Zastrow and Agnes._) On one false charge condemn'd, I trust, I'm confident of all she's innocent. (_Zastrow still advancing._) Nay, ye, who boast yourselves avenging knights, recall these chivalrous heroic times, when knighthood's lance aveng'd a better cause, and flew to guard, and not destroy, such helplessness! Reflect, beside, that love for what's divine (_pointing to heaven_) inspires the soul with love for what is human! and whilst religion, with the brightening sun, shines forth to gladden and improve, dark superstition, like the cankering blight, infects and withers every social hope! You pass not further; on my life you pass not! _Zast._ Advance! (_free knights rush forward and seize Agnes_) and as ye are commanded (_pointing to the banner_) strike! _Abbot._ And as ye are commanded (_pointing to the inscription on the statute of Charlemagne_) spare!--you know my power!--(_to the monks_)--you know the edict of our mighty founder, victorious Charlemagne! who, in return for laurels won upon this spot, first raised our abbey, to commemorate conquest; and soon endowing it with right of sanctuary, next gave the abbot the more blest prerogative of granting pardon, where he saw just cause! I see it now! I claim my abbey's privilege! I stand upon my founder's edict! and kings! laws! armies! must support the man, who, struggling for a sacred right, asserts mankind's and heaven's inspiring cause! (_the free knights unloose their hold of Agnes, who crosses to the abbot; and the monks, by their manner evince conviction._) No more I sue for your support--(_to the monks_)--now I command it!--And ye, fam'd foes to sacreligious outrage!--(_to the free knights_)--proclaim that this, my post assigned to me by providence, I will maintain or perish in the conflict! Lead to the sanctuary--away! [_Music._--Agnes _thanks the_ Abbot, _who cheers and encourages her._ Free knights _ascend the avenue, and disappear._ Monks _exeunt into the abbey._ Abbot _following with_ Agnes. _End of Act II._ ACT III