Have you ne'er yet disclosed your name and rank? BELISANTA. Accounted dead, and masses for my soul's health yearly ordered, I vowed that as my children were for ever lost to me, my husband and my brother unconvinced of the cruel treacheries employed against me, ne'er to be known but as a sister of this order. BLANDIMAN. Yet may you hope that providence will watch o'er piety and innocence, and but to-day, I learned that Valentine, a favourite of the king's was found-- _Enter a Friar._ FRIAR. The duties of our order require your presence to join the Pagan captives in preparation for the sacred change they are about to make. BELISANTA. We attend you, father.----(_To BLANDIMAN_) The ceremony past, I wait your leisure--and for your friendly deeds, they'll meet reward from where I hope my prayers have long since registered them. [_Exeunt._ SCENE III.-- _The Palace._ (_Descriptive Music._) _The KING discovered on his Throne, attended by VALENTINE, HENRY, HAUFRAY, and the Peers of France--the Princess is announced by her Ladies, and enters--the KING presents VALENTINE to her as the Preserver of his Life, she receives him with a warmth of Gratitude approaching to Love--the KING leads her to a Seat, resumes his Throne, and speaks_: KING. Be it proclaimed that any of my subjects who have petitions to our throne, may now approach. The best acknowledgement we offer heaven for good received, is when we use the ample power it gives to bless our people.--The greatest monarch he, whose subjects are the happiest.----Let all enter. _The Music plays a characteristic Symphony--a Group of Peasantry enter, the Principal of whom unfolds a Petition, and while he and the rest kneel, recites the following_ _CHAUNT._ With lowly respect, zeal, devotion, and duty, To your Majesty's state, and our Princess's beauty, We entreat that you'll graciously grant us assistance Against a wild man, who in spite of resistance, Whoe'er in his road he may meet with, destroys, And your peaceable subjects and liegemen annoys, Then let your brave knights take this wild-man away, And your humble petitioners shall ever pray. _Chorus_--Then let, &c. KING. What armed force will undertake this enterprize? When a savage strikes at the general safety, 'tis the duty of all good citizens to join against him. HENRY. Haply, young Valentine, in gratitude for the high favours he receives, would gladly go alone on such an errand. HAUFRAY. Ay, good my liege, his all-subduing valour must succeed. VALENTINE. For once, whate'er your motives you're my friends. It had been arrogance, had _I_, before so many gallant knights, proposed myself; but now I swear, living or dead, to bring this fell destroyer to your presence, or in the forest he inhabits, leave this form a worthless token of his victory.