Amelrosa _in white robes, crowned with flowers_, Estella, _with a letter._
_Amelrosa._ 'Tis strange! At this late hour! In armour say'st thou?
_Estel._ In sable armour; round his neck was slung A bugle horn. In courteous guise he prayed me Give you this note unseen.
"One, not unknown, requests an immediate audience on matters most important. Princess, delay not as you value your father's life." Not signed! My father's life! Estella say, Did he not tell his name?
_Estel._ He said this jewel Would speak whence came his letter.
_Amel._ Ha! The ring I gave Orsino! Quickly seek yon stranger, And charge him meet me at St. Juan's chapel; For there to pass the night in grateful prayer, E'en now I go----Friend speed thee.
_Amel._ [_Alone_] Doubt and terror---- My father's life?--And yet, for such a father What need I fear? Heaven will defend its own, And wings of seraphs shield that king from harm, Whose proudest title is--"his people's father," Whose dearest treasure is his people's love! [_Exit._
SCENE II. _St. Juan's cloisters by moon-light.--On one side a gothic chapel._
_Orsi._ [_Alone in black armour._] Yes, this must be the place-- Estella named, St. Juan's shrine, and sure 'tis for the princess Yon altar flames--Oh! hallowed vaults, how often Ye ring with prayers, which granted would destroy The fools who form them! Virgins there request Their charms may fire the heart of some gay rake, Who proves a wedded curse--There wives ask children, And, when they have them, find their vices such They mourn their birth--The spendthrift begs some kinsman May die, and vows that heaven shall share the spoil-- While the young soldier prays his sword ere long May blush with blood, (and with whose blood he cares not,) Swearing, if so his arm may purchase glory, He'll pay its price, a thousand human hearts. And all these mad, these impious vows are ushered With chant of cloistered maids, and swell of organs-- As could our earthly songs charm Him, who hears Seraphs and cherubs wake their harps divine, While the blest planets, hymning in their orbits, Pour fourth such tones as reached their mortal ears, Man would go mad for very extasy. Well, well! Such forms are good to force example On purblind eyes: but prayer from earth abstracted, Breathed in no ear but Heaven's; when lips are silent, But the heart speaks full loudly; thanks the music, Man's soul the censer, and pure thoughts the incense Kindling with grace celestial: that's the worship Which suits Him best who, past all prayer and praise, Esteems one grateful tear, one heart-drawn blessing, Which, thanking God, declares that man is happy. --Ha! Gleams of torches gild yon distant aisle!