he scarf with the greatest emotion._)
Eternal Providence! Theresa! princess! Oh, great God of
Nature!--(_rushing into the sanctuary._)

_Rav._ Theresa!--Mighty heaven!

[_Flourish. The gates are forced._

_Enter the_ prince Palatine, free knights, Crusaders, _and_ soldiers.

_Prin._ First seize yon renegade! (_free knights seize Ravensburg_) next
force the sanctuary!--(_free knights and soldiers enter the sanctuary by
force_) and then no more on others shall her fate depend. This
arm----(_knights and soldiers bring Agnes from the sanctuary to the
front, all the characters following_)--Now, while all thoughts are
deadened in my heated brain, but those of fury and revenge--thus treason
falls, and the vile traitress dies. [_Seizing Agnes, and going
to stab her with his sword._

_Ab._ (_behind the crowd._) Forbear! she is your rightful princess!

_Prin._ Merciful powers! who dare e'n breathe--

_Ab._ (_rushing through the crowd, and approaching the prince._) Here,
in these hallowed aisles; here, in the face of Heaven, and of man, by
all your hopes of future preservation, avow your treason, and your
sovereign's wrongs, detested, treacherous, murderous villain!--(_prince
much agitated._) See, guilt is on him! Now, ye who had no faith (_to the
monks_) and ye who trample upon sacred rights (_to the free knights_)
behold how sacred justice is displayed! There's the usurper, sinking
with remorse, and here Manfredi, shedding tears of joy at his regain'd,
belov'd Theresa's feet! [_The_ prince _lets his sword fall, and reclines
on the arm of_ Walbourg. Ravensburg _flies to_ Agnes, _and takes her
from the_ free knights. Abbot _kneels on one side of_ Agnes, Ravensburg
_on the other._

_Rav._ Manfredi! Sovereign!

_Ab._ He knows it--knows, on her suppos'd decease, this hand inform'd
him of Manfredi's motives--and that, disgusted with a sickening world,
in calm retirement, he should seek for peace. He sought it here--and in
Bellarmin's name, was here most safely sheltered! When, soon, the daring
calumny spread wide, of "traitor"--of "assassin"--and the sad narrative
perverted, confirm'd the perjur'd statement. You'll say I should have
answered this? No--aware such influence, and such arts, would, with such
judges, beat down humble truth, I kept immur'd! and my reported death
checking inquiry, whilst the loud world sung forth the slanderer's
praise, I could look inward, and exclaim, better forever undeserved