much. Geo. Enough-I will send a priest.-(Exit HUGO.) I fathom his plot. He would add another witness to the tale of Martin's guilt. But no priest shall approach him. Reynold, thinkest thou not we could send one of the troopers, disguised as a monk, to aid Martin in making his escape? Rey. Noble sir, the followers of your house are so well known to those of Maltingen, that I fear it is impossible. Geo. Knowest thou of no stranger who might be employed? His reward shall exceed even his hopes. Rey. So please you-I think the minstrel could well execute such a commission: he is shrewd and cunning, and can write and read like a priest. Geo. Call him.-(Erit REYNOLD.) If this fails, I must employ open force. Were Martin removed, no tongue can assert the bloody truth. Enter MINSTREL. Geo. Come hither, Minhold. Hast thou courage to undertake a dangerous enterprise? Ber. My life, sir knight, has been one scene of danger and of dread. I have forgotten how to fear. Geo. Thy speech is above thy seeming.-Who art thou? Ber. An unfortunate knight, obliged to shroud myself under this disguise. Geo. What is the cause of thy misfortunes? Ber. I slew, at a tournament, a prince, and was laid under the ban of the empire. Geo. I have interest with the emperor. Swear to perform what task I shall impose on thee, and I will procure the recall of the ban. Ber. I swear. Geo. Then take the disguise of a monk, and go with the follower of Count Roderic, as if to confess my wounded squire Martin. Give him thy dress, and remain in prison in his stead. Thy captivity shall be short, and I pledge my knightly word I will labour to execute my promise, when thou shalt have leisure to unfold thy history. Ber. I will do as you direct. Is the life of your squire in danger? Geo. It is, unless thou canst accomplish his release. Ber. I will essay it. [Exit. Geo. Such are the mean expedients to which George of Aspen must now resort. No longer can I debate with Roderic in the field. The depravedthe perjured knight must contend with him only in the arts of dissimulation and treachery. Oh, mother! mother! the most bitter consequence of thy crime has been the birth of thy first-born! But I must warn my brother of the impending storm. Poor Henry, how little can thy gay temper anticipate evil! What, ho there! (Enter an Attendant.) Where is Baron Henry? Att. Noble sir, he rode forth, after a slight refreshment, to visit the party in the field. Geo. Saddle my steed! I will follow him. Att. So please you, your noble father has twice demanded your presence at the banquet. Geo. It matters not-say that I have ridden forth to the Wolfshill. Where is thy lady? Att. In the chapel, sir knight. Geo. 'Tis well-saddle my bay horse-(apart) for the last time. [Exit. Rod. What? Hugo. Martin has escaped. Rod. Villain! thy life shall pay it! (Strikes at HUGO-is held by WOLFSTEIN.) Wolf. Hold, hold, Count Roderic! Hugo may be blameless. Rod. Reckless slave! how came he to escape? Hugo. Under the disguise of a monk's habit, whom by your orders we brought to confess him. Rod. Has he been long gone? Hugo. An hour and more, since he passed our sentinels, disguised as the chaplain of Aspen: but he walked so slowly and feebly, I think he cannot yet have reached the posts of the enemy. Rod. Where is the treacherous priest? Hugo. He waits his doom not far from hence. [Exit Hreo. Rod. Drag him hither. The miscreant that snatched the morsel of vengeance from the lion of Maltingen, shall expire under torture. Re-enter HUGO, with BERTRAM and Attendants. Rod. Villain what tempted thee, under the garb of a minister of religion, to steal a criminal from the hand of justice? Ber. I am no villain, Count Roderic; and I only aided the escape of one wounded wretch whom thou didst mean to kill basely. Rod. Liar and slave! thou hast assisted a murderer, upon whom justice had sacred claims. Ber. I warn thee again, count, that I am neither liar nor slave. Shortly I hope to tell thee I am once more thy equal. Rod. Thou! Thou!- Ber. The same. Rod. And who has now, in the disguise of a priest, aided the escape of Martin, squire to George of Aspen? Ber. The same-the same. Rod. Then, by the holy cross of Cologne, thou hast set at liberty the murderer of thy brother Arnolf! Ber. How! What! I understand thee not! Rod. Miserable plotter!-Martin, by his own confession, as Wolfstein heard, avowed having aided Isabella in the murder of her husband. I had laid such a plan of vengeance as should have made all Germany shudder. And thou hast counteracted itthou, the brother of the murdered Arnolf! Ber. Can this be so, Wolfstein? Wolf. I heard Martin confess the murder. Ber. Then am I indeed unfortunate! Rod. What, in the name of evil, brought thee here? Ber. I am the last of my race. When I was outlawed, as thou knowest, the lands of Ebersdorf, my rightful inheritance, were declared forfeited, and the Emperor bestowed them upon Rudiger when he married Isabella. I attempted to defend my domain, out Rudiger-Hell thank him for it-enforced the ban against me at the head of his vassals, and I was constrained to fly. Since then I have warred against the Saracens in Spain and Palestine. Rod. But why didst thou return to a land where death attends thy being discovered? Ber. Impatience urged me to see once more the land of my nativity, and the towers of Ebersdorf. I came there yesterday, under the name of the minstrel Minhold. Rod. And what prevailed on thee to undertake to deliver Martin? Ber. George, though I told not my name, engaged to procure the recall of the ban; besides, he told me Martin's life was in danger, and I accounted the old villain to be the last remaining follower of our house. But, as God shall judge me, the tale of horror thou hast mentioned I could not have even suspected. Report ran, that my brother died of the plague. Wolf. Raised for the purpose, doubtless, of preventing attendance upon his sick-bed, and an inspection of his body. Ber. My vengeance shall be dreadful as its cause! The usurpers of my inheritance, the robbers of my honour, the murderers of my brother, shall be cut off, root and branch! Rod. Thou art, then, welcome here; especially if thou art still a true brother to our invisible order. Ber. I am. Rod. There is a meeting this night on the business of thy brother's death. Some are now come. I must despatch them in pursuit of Martin. Enter HUGO. Hugo. The foes advance, sir knight. Rod. Back! back to the ruins! Come with us, Geo. No news of Martin yet? Geo. Nor of the minstrel? Wic. None. Geo. Then he has betrayed me, or is prisonermisery either way. Begone, and search the wood, Wickerd. [Exeunt WICKERD and followers. Hen. Still this dreadful gloom on thy brow, brother? Geo. Ay! what else? Geo. He who discovers any part of our mystery, must himself become one of our number. Hen. How so? Geo. If he does not consent, his secrecy will be speedily ensured by his death. To that we are sworn -take thy choice! Hen. Well, are you not banded in secret to punish those offenders whom the sword of justice cannot reach, or who are shielded from its stroke by the buckler of power? Geo. Such is indeed the purpose of our fraternity; but the end is pursued through paths dark, intricate, and slippery with blood. Who is he that shall tread them with safety? Accursed be the hour in which I entered the labyrinth, and doubly accursed that, in which thou too must lose the cheerful sunshine of a soul without a mystery! Hen. Yet for thy sake will I be a member. Geo. Henry, thou didst rise this morning a free man. No one could say to thee, "Why dost thou so?" Thou layest thee down to-night the veriest slave that ever tugged at an oar-the slave of men whose actions will appear to thee savage and incomprehensible, and whom thou must aid against the world, upon peril of thy throat. Hen. Be it so. I will share your lot. Geo. Alas, Henry! Heaven forbid! But since thou hast by a hasty word fettered thyself, I will avail myself of thy bondage. Mount thy fleetest steed, and hie thee this very night to the Duke of Bavaria. He is chief and paramount of our chapter. Show him this signet and this letter; tell him what matters will be this night discussed concerning the house of Aspen. Bid him speed him to the assembly, for he well knows the president is our deadly foe. He will admit thee a member of our holy body. Hen. Who is the foe whom you dread? Geo. Young man, the first duty thou must learn is implicit and blind obedience. Hen. Well! I shall soon return and see thee again. Geo. Return, indeed, thou wilt; but for the restwell! that matters not. Hen. I go thou wilt set a watch here? Geo. I will. (HENRY going.) Return, my dear Henry; let me embrace thee, shouldst thou not see me again. Hen. Heaven! what mean you? Geo. Nothing. The life of mortals is precarious; and, should we not meet again, take my blessing and this embrace-and this-(embraces him warmly.) And now haste to the duke. (Exit HENRY.) Poor youth, thou little knowest what thou hast undertaken. But if Martin has escaped, and if the duke Hen. Once thou thoughtest me worthy of thy arrives, they will not dare to proceed without proof. friendship. Geo. Henry, thou art young Hen. Shall I therefore betray thy confidence? Geo. No! but thou art gentle and well-natured. Thy mind cannot even support the burden which mine must bear, far less wilt thou approve the means I shall use to throw it off. Hen. Try me. Geo. I may not. Hen. Then thou dost no longer love me. Geo. I love thee, and because I love thee, I will not involve thee in my distress. Hen. I will bear it with thee. Geo. Shouldst thou share it, it would be doubled to me! Hen. Fear not, I will find a remedy. Geo. It would cost thee peace of mind, here, and hereafter. Hen. I take the risk. Geo. It may not be, Henry. Thou wouldst become the confidant of crimes past-the accomplice of others to come. Hen. Shall I guess? Geo. I charge thee, no! Hen. I must. Thou art one of the secret judges. Re-enter WICKERD and followers. Wic. We have made a follower of Maltingen prisoner, Baron George, who reports that Martin has escaped. him free for the good news-and, Wickerd, keep a Geo. Joy! joy! such joy as I can now feel! Set good watch in this spot all night. Send out scouts to find Martin, lest he should not be able to reach Ebersdorf. Wic. I shall, noble sir. [The kettle-drums and trumpets flourish as for setting the watch the scene closes. SCENE II. The chapel at Ebersdorf, an ancient Gothic building. ISABELLA is discovered rising from before the altar, on which burn two tapers. Isa. I cannot pray. Terror and guilt have stifled devotion. The heart must be at ease-the hands must be pure when they are lifted to Heaven. Midnight is the hour of summons: it is now near. How can I pray, when I go resolved to deny a crime which every drop of my blood could not wash away! And my son! Oh! he will fall the victim Geo. Dost thou know what the discovery has of my crime! Arnolf! Arnolf! thou art dreadfully cost thee. Hen. I care not. VOL. I.-4 V avenged! (Tap at the door.) The footstep of my dreadful guide. (Tap again.) My courage is no more. (Enter GERTRUDE by the door.) Gertrude! is it only thou? (embraces her.) Ger. Dear aunt, leave this awful place; it chills my very blood. My uncle sent me to call you to the hall. Isa. Who is in the hall? Another Soldier. Father Ludovic heard the same. Wic. Hear me, ye hare-livered boys! Can you look death in the face in battle, and dread such nursery bugbears? Old Reynold saw his vision in the strength of the grape. As for the chaplain, far be it from me to name the spirit which visits him; Ger. Only Reynold and the family, with whom but I know what I know, when I found him conmy uncle is making merry. Isa. Sawest thou no strange faces? Isa. Art thou sure of that? Is George there? Ger. No, nor Henry; both have ridden out. I think they might have staid one day at least. But come, aunt, I hate this place; it reminds me of my dream. See, yonder was the spot where methought they were burying you alive, below yon monument (pointing.) Isa. (starting.) The monument of my first husband. Leave me, leave me, Gertrude. I follow in a moment. (Exit GERTRUDE.) Ay, there he lies! forgetful alike of his crimes and injuries! Insensible, as if this chapel had never rung with my shrieks, or the castle resounded to his parting groans! When shall I sleep so soundly? (As she gazes on the monument, a figure muffled in black appears from behind it.) Merciful God! is it a vision, such as has haunted my couch? (It approaches: she goes on with mingled terror and resolution.) Ghastly phantom, art thou the restless spirit of one who died in agony, or art thou the mysterious being that must guide me to the presence of the avengers of blood? (Figure bends its head and beckons.j-To-morrow! To-morrow! I cannot follow thee now! (Figure shows a dagger from beneath its cloak.) Compulsion! I understand thee: I will follow. (She follows the figure a little way; he turns, and wraps a black veil round her head, and takes her hand: then both exeunt behind the monument.) fessing Bertram's pretty Agnes in the chestnut grove. Con. But, Wickerd, though I have often heard of strange tales which I could not credit, yet there is one in our family so well attested, that I almost believe it. Shall I tell it you? All Soldiers. Do! do tell it, gentle Conrad. Wic. And I will take t'other sup of Rhenish to fence against the horrors of the tale. Con. It is about my own uncle and godfather, Albert of Horsheim. Wic. I have seen him-he was a gallant warrior. Con. Well! He was long absent in the Bohemian wars. In an expedition he was benighted, and came to a lone house on the edge of a forest: he and his followers knocked repeatedly for entrance in vain. They forced the door, but found no inhabitants. Frank. And they made good their quarters? Con. They did and Albert retired to rest in an upper chamber. Opposite to the bed on which he threw himself was a large mirror. At midnight he was awaked by deep groans: he cast his eyes upon the mirror, and saw Frank. Sacred Heaven! Heard you nothing Wic. Ay, the wind among the withered leaves. Go on, Conrad. Your uncle was a wise man. Con. That's more than gray hairs can make other folks. Wic. Ha! stripling, art thou so malapert? Though thou art Lord Henry's page, I shall teach thee who commands this party. All Soldiers. Peace, peace, good Wickerd: let Conrad proceed. Con. Where was I ? Frank. About the mirror. Con. True. My uncle beheld in the mirror the reflection of a human face, distorted and covered with blood. A voice pronounced articulately, "It is yet time." As the words were spoken, my uncle discerned in the ghastly visage the features of his own father. Soldier. Hush! By St. Francis I heard a groan. (They start up, all but WICKERD.) Wic. The croaking of a frog, who has caught cold in this bitter night, and sings rather more hoarsely than usual. Frank. Wickerd, thou art surely no Christian. (They sit down, and close round the fire.) Con. Well-my uncle called up his attendants, and they searched every nook of the chamber, but found nothing. So they covered the mirror with a cloth, and Albert was left alone: but hardly had he closed his eyes when the same voice proclaimed, "It is now too late;" the covering was drawn aside, Con. Well sung, Wickerd; thou wert ever a jovial and he saw the figuresoul. Enter a trooper or two more. Frank. Merciful Virgin! It comes. (All rise.) Wic. Where? what? Con. See yon figure coming from the thicket! Enter MARTIN in the monk's dress, much disorder Wic. Hast thou made the rounds, Frank? Frank. Yes, up to the hemlock marsh. It is a stormy night; the moon shone on the Wolfshill, ed: his face is very pale, and his steps slow. and on the dead bodies with which to-day's work Wic. (levelling his spike.) Man or devil, which has covered it. We heard the spirit of the house of thou wilt, thou shalt feel cold iron, if thou budgest a Maltingen wailing over the slaughter of its adhe-foot nearer. (MARTIN stops.) Who art thou? What rents: I durst go no farther. Wie. Hen-hearted rascal! The spirit of some old raven, who was picking their bones. Con. Nay, Wickerd; the churchmen say there are such things. Frank, Ay; and Father Ludovic told us last sermon, how the devil twisted the neck of ten farmers at Kletterbach, who refused to pay Peter's pence. Wic. Yes, some church devil, no doubt. Frank. Nay, old Reynold says, that in passing, by midnight, near the old chapel at our castle, he saw it all lighted up, and heard a chorus of voices sing the funeral service. dost thou seek? Mar. To warm myself at your fire. It is deadly cold. Wic. See there, ye cravens, your apparition is a poor benighted monk : sit down, father. (They place MARTIN by the fire.) By heaven, it is Martin-our Martin! Martin, how fares it with thee. We have sought thee this whole night. Mar. So have many others (vacantly.) Mar. Did you see him too? Con. Whom? Baron George? Mar. No! my first master, Arnolf of Ebersdorf. Wic. He raves. Mar. He passed me but now in the wood, mounted upon his old black steed; its nostrils breathed smoke and flame; neither tree nor rock stopped him. He said, "Martin, thou wilt return this night to my service!" Wie. Wrap thy cloak around him, Francis; he is distracted with cold and pain. Dost thou not recollect me, old friend? Mar. Yes, you are the butler at Ebersdorf; you have the charge of the large gilded cup, embossed with the figures of the twelve apostles. It was the favourite goblet of my old master. Con. By our Lady, Martin, thou must be distracted indeed, to think our master would intrust Wickerd with the care of the cellar. Mer. I know a face so like the apostate Judas on that cup. I have seen the likeness when I gazed on a mirror. Wic. Try to go to sleep, dear Martin; it will relieve thy brain. (Footsteps are heard in the wood.) To your arms. (They take their arms.) Enter two Members of the Invisible Tribunal, muffled in their cloaks. Con. Stand! Who are ye? 1 Mem. Travellers benighted in the wood. Wic. Are ye friends to Aspen or Maltingen? 1 Mem. We enter not into their quarrel: we are friends to the right. Wic. Then are ye friends to us, and welcome to pass the night by our fire. 2 Mem. Thanks. (They approach the fire, and regard MARTIN very earnestly.) Con. Hear ye any news abroad? АСТ V. SCENE 1. The subterranean chapel of the castle of Griefenhaus. It seems deserted, and in decay. There are four entrances, each defended by an iron portal. At each door stands a warder clothed in black, and masked, armed with a naked sword. During the whole scene they remain motionless on their posts. In the centre of the chapel is the ruinous altar, half sunk in the ground, on which lie a large book, a dagger, and a coil of ropes, besides two lighted tapers. Antique stone benches of different heights around the chapel. In the back scene is seen a dilapidated entrance into the sacristy, which is quite dark. Various Members of the Invisible Tribunal enter by the four different doors of the chapel. Each whispers something as he passes the Warder, which is answered by an inclination of the head. The costume of the Members is a long black robe, capable of muffling the face: some wear it in this manner; others have their faces uncovered, unless on the entrance of a stranger: they place themselves in profound silence upon the stone benches. Enter COUNT RODERIC, dressed in a scarlet cloak of the same form with those of the other Members. He takes his place on the most elevated bench. Rod. Warders, secure the doors! (The doors are barred with great care.) Herald, do thy duty! [Members all rise.-Herald stands by the altar. Her. Members of the Invisible Tribunal, who 2 Mem. None; but that oppression and villany judge in secret, and avenge in secret, like the Deity, are rife and rank as ever. Wie. The old complaint. 1 Mem. No! never did former age equal this in wickedness; and yet, as if the daily commission of enormities were not enough to blot the sun, every hour discovers crimes which have lain concealed for years. Con. Pity the Holy Tribunal should slumber in its office. 2 Mem. Young man, it slumbers not. When criminals are ripe for its vengeance, it falls like the bolt of Heaven. are your hearts free from malice, and your hands from blood-guiltiness? [All the Members incline their heads. Rod. God pardon our sins of ignorance, and preserve us from those of presumption. [Again the Members solemnly incline their heads. Her. To the east, and to the west, and to the north, and to the south, I raise my voice; wherever there is treason, wherever there is blood-guiltiness, wherever there is sacrilege, sorcery, robbery, or perjury, there let this curse alight, and pierce the marrow and the bone. Raise, then, your voices, and say with me, wo! wo, unto offenders! All. Wo! wo! [Members sit down. Her. He who knoweth of an unpunished crime, 1 Mem. Even now, we heard a tale of a villain, let him stand forth as bound by his oath when his who, ungrateful as the frozen adder, stung the bo-hand was laid upon the dagger and upon the cord, som that had warmed him into life. Mar. (attempting to rise.) Let me be gone. Con. (detaining him.) Whither now, Martin ? Mar. To mass. Mar. Conrad, bear me off; I would be away from these men. Con. Be at ease, and strive to sleep. Mar. Too well I know-I shall never sleep again. 2 Mem. The wretch of whom we speak became, from revenge and lust of gain, the murderer of the master whose bread he did eat. Wic. Out upon the monster! 1 Mem. For nearly thirty years was he permitted to cumber the ground. The miscreant thought his crime was concealed; but the earth which groaned under his footsteps-the winds which passed over his unhallowed head-the stream which he polluted by his lips-the fire at which he warmed his bloodstained hands-every element bore witness to his guilt. Mar. Conrad, good youth-lead me from hence, and I will show thee where, thirty years since, I deposited a mighty bribe. [Rises. Con. Be patient, good Martin. 1 Mem. On this very spot. 1 Mem. In the name of the Invisible Judges, I charge ye, impede us not in our duty. [All sink their weapons, and stand motionless. Mar. Help! help! A Mem. Help him with your prayers. [He is dragged off. The scene shuts. and call to the assembly for vengeance! Member (rises, his face covered.) Vengeance! vengeance! vengeance! Rod. Upon whom dost thou invoke vengeance? Accuser. Upon a brother of this order, who is forsworn and perjured to its laws. Rod. Relate his crime. Accuser. This perjured brother was sworn, upon the steel and upon the cord, to denounce malefactors to the judgment seat, from the four quarters of heaven, though it were the spouse of his heart, or the son whom he loved as the apple of his eye: yet did he conceal the guilt of one who was dear unto him; he folded up the crime from the knowledge of the tribunal; he removed the evidence of guilt, and withdrew the criminal from justice. What does his perjury deserve? Rod. Accuser, come before the altar; lay thy hand upon the dagger and the cord, and swear to the truth of thy accusation. Accuser. (his hand on the altar.) I swear! Rod. Wilt thou take upon thyself the penalty of perjury, should it be found false? Accuser. I will. Rod. Brethren, what is your sentence [The Members confer a moment in whispers-a silence. Eldest Mem. Our voice is, that the perjured brother merits death. Rod. Accuser, thou hast heard the voice of the assembly; name the criminal. Accuser. George, Baron of Aspen. [A murmur in the Assembly' A Member (suddenly rising.) I am ready according to our holy laws, to swear, by the steel and the cord, that George of Aspen merits not this accusation, and that it is a foul calumny. Accuser. Rash man! gagest thou an oath so lightly? Member. I gage it not lightly. I proffer it in the cause of innocence and virtue. Accuser. What if George of Aspen should not himself deny the charge? Member. Then I would never trust man again. Accuser. Hear him, then, bear witness against himself (throws back his mantle.) Rod. Baron George of Aspen! Geo. The same-prepared to do penance for the crime of which he stands self-accused. Rod. Still, canst thou disclose the name of the criminal whom thou hast rescued from justice; on that condition alone, thy brethren may save thy life. Geo. Thinkest thou I would betray for the safety of my life, a secret I have preserved at the breach of my word?-No! I have weighed the value of my obligation-I will not discharge it but most willingly will I pay the penalty! Rod. Retire, George of Aspen, till the assembly pronounce judgment. Geo. Welcome be your sentence-I am weary of your yoke of iron. A light beams on my soul. Wo to those who seek justice in the dark haunts of mystery and of cruelty! She dwells in the broad blaze of the sun, and Mercy is ever by her side. Wo to those who would advance the general weal by trampling upon the social affections! they aspire to be more than men-they shall become worse than tigers. I go better for me your altars should be stained with my blood, than my soul blackened with your crimes. [Exit GEORGE, by the ruinous door in the back scene, into the sacristy. Rod. Brethren, sworn upon the steel and upon the cord, to judge and to avenge in secret, without favour and without pity, what is your judgment upon George of Aspen, self-accused of perjury, and resistance to the laws of our fraternity. [Long and earnest murmurs in the assembly. Rod. Speak your doom. Eldest Mem. George of Aspen has declared himself perjured;-the penalty of perjury is death! Rod. Father of the secret judges-Eldest among those who avenge in secret-take to thee the steel and the cord;-let the guilty no longer cumber the land. Eldest Mem. I am fourscore and eight years old. My eyes are dim, and my hand is feeble: soon shall I be called before the throne of my Creator;-How shall I stand there, stained with the blood of such a man? Rod. How wilt thou stand before that throne, loaded with the guilt of a broken oath? The blood of the criminal be upon us and ours! Eldest Mem. So be it, in the name of God! He takes the dagger from the altar, goes slowly towards the back scene, and reluctantly enters the sacristy. Eldest Judge from behind the scene.) Dost thou forgive me? Geo. (behind.) I do! (He is heard to fall heavily.) Re-enter the old judge from the sacristy. He lays on the altar the bloody dagger. Rod. Hast thou done thy duty? Eldest Mem. I have. (He faints.) Rod. He swoons. Remove him. [He is assisted off the stage. During this four members enter the sacristy, and bring out a bier covered with a pall, which they place on the steps of the altar. A deep silence. Rod. Judges of evil, dooming in secret, and avenging in secret, like the Deity: God keep your thoughts from evil, and your hands from guilt. Ber. I raise my voice in this assembly, and cry, Vengeance! vengeance! vengeance! Rod. Enough has this night been done-(he rises and brings BERTRAM forward.) Think what thou doest-George has fallen-it were murder to slay both mother and son. Ber. George of Aspen was thy victim-a sacrifice to thy hatred and envy. I claim mine, sacred to justice and to my murdered brother. Resume thy place!-thou canst not stop the rock thou hast put in motion. Rod. (resumes his seat.) Upon whom callest thou for vengeance? Ber. Upon Isabella of Aspen. Rod. She has been summoned. Herald. Isabella of Aspen, accused of murder by poison, I charge thee to appear, and stand upon thy defence. [Three knocks are heard at one of the doors-it is opened by the warder. Enter ISABELLA, the veil still wrapped around her head, led by her conductor. All the members muffle their faces. Rod. Speak, accuser. Ber. I impeach thee, Isabella of Aspen, before this awful assembly, of having murdered, privily and by poison, Arnolf of Ebersdorf, thy first husband. Rod. Canst thou swear to the accusation? Ber. (his hand on his allar.) I lay my hand on the steel and the cord, and swear. Rod. Isabella of Aspen, thou hast heard thy accusation. What canst thou answer? Isa. That the oath of an accuser is no proof of guilt! Rod. Hast thou more to say? Rod. Speak on. Isa. Judges invisible to the sun, and seen only by the stars of midnight! I stand before you, accused of an enormous, daring, and premeditated crime. I was married to Arnolf when I was only eighteen years old. Arnolf was wary and jealous; ever suspecting me without a cause, unless it was because he had injured me. How then should I plan and per petrate such a deed? The lamb turns not against the wolf, though a prisoner in his den. Rod. Have you finished? Isa. A moment. Years after years have elapsed without a whisper of this foul suspicion, Arnolf left a brother! though common fame had been silent, natural affection would have been heard against me-why spoke he not my accusation? Or has my conduct justified this horrible charge? No! awful judges, I may answer, I have founded cloisters, I have endowed hospitals. The goods that Heaven bestowed on me I have not held back from the needy. I appeal to you, judges of evil, can these proofs of innocence be down-weighed by the assertion of an unknown and disguised, perchance a malignant accuser? Ber. No longer will I wear that disguise (throws back his mantle.) Dost thou know me now? Isa. Yes; I know thee for a wandering minstrel, relieved by the charity of my husband. Ber. No, traitress! know me for Bertram of Ebersdorf, brother to him thou didst murder. Call her accomplice, Martin. Ha! turn'st thou pale? Isa. May I have some water?-(Apart.) Sacred Heaven! his vindictive look is so like Water is brought. A Member. Martin died in the hands of our breth ren. Rod. Dost thou know the accuser, lady? Isa. (reassuming fortitude.) Let not the sinking of nature under this dreadful trial be imputed to the consciousness of guilt. I do know the accuserknow him to be outlawed for homicide, and under |