Page:The Mysterious Mother - Walpole (1781).djvu/33
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
A TRAGEDY.
25
While waiting your arrival, I have haunted
Her convent's parlour. 'Tis my mother's wish
To match her nobly. Hence her guardian abbess
Admits such visitors as claim her notice
By worthy bearing, and convenient splendor.
O Florian, union with that favour'd maiden
Might reconcile my mother—Hark! what sound—
[A chapel bell rings.
Her convent's parlour. 'Tis my mother's wish
To match her nobly. Hence her guardian abbess
Admits such visitors as claim her notice
By worthy bearing, and convenient splendor.
O Florian, union with that favour'd maiden
Might reconcile my mother—Hark! what sound—
[A chapel bell rings.
FLORIAN.
A summons to some office of devotion.
My lord, weigh well what you project—
[Singing within.
A summons to some office of devotion.
My lord, weigh well what you project—
[Singing within.
EDMUND.
I hear
Voices that seem approaching—huh! they sing.
Listen!
I hear
Voices that seem approaching—huh! they sing.
Listen!
FLORIAN.
No; let us hence: you will be known.
No; let us hence: you will be known.
EDMUND.
They cannot know me—see!
They cannot know me—see!
SCENE II.
FLORIAN, EDMUND, MARTIN, Orphans.
[A procession of children of both sexes, neatly cloathed in a white and blue uniform, issue from the castle, followed by friar Martin, and advance towards the stage door. They stop, and the children repeat the following hymn, part of which they should have sung within the castle.]
I.
Throne of justice! lo! we bend.
Thither dare our hopes ascend,
Throne of justice! lo! we bend.
Thither dare our hopes ascend,
Where