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SCENE II. —Interior of the Convent

Enter Blandiman and Belisanta

Belisanta

Have all retired? Are we observed, my friend?

Blandiman

The fathers seek their cells to offer prayers for the new converts.

Belisanta

Alas! 'tis now the twentieth year since I have sought the mournful consolation of recounting how much a wretched woman owes thy friendship.

Blandiman

Away with sorrow, and in this moment of rejoicing, demand an audience of the king, your brother.

Belisanta

He thinks his sister guilty. Was I not banished by my husband the Emperor of Greece, fatally wrought on by traiterous slander, when, you, alone, accompanied a weak, defenceless woman?

Blandiman

Never shall I forget when, wearied with anguish and fatigue, you sat beneath a blasted oak; the wind with mournful sound scattered the falling leaves – meanwhile your groans were echoed by the distant murmur of nightly prowling wolves.

Belisanta

When, at my request you left me, in the hope of finding human aid, two babes, the offspring of my unkind husband, first saw the light. Starting with agony, these eyes beheld one of my children in the savage gripe of a most hideous bear. One desperate effort, short as furious, impelled me to attempt pursuit. I fell, and knew no more of sense, till from a peasant's wife I learned that she had found and borne me to her humble dwelling.

Blandiman

I wandered far, till the sound of horns led me to where I met the king, who with a frown at hearing of your name, on pain of death, warned me to leave his presence.

Belisanta

Vainly I sought my infant left behind – reason a second time forsook her seat. – The sisters of this convent poured balm into my bosom, and religion, cloathed in the garb of patience, brought me peace.

Blandiman

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.

(Pantomime Music.)

Valentine takes a respectful Leave of the King, and an affectionate one of Eglantine, who seems to reproach Henry and Haufray with causing his departure —Valentine goes off with the Peasants; the King, &c. on the opposite Side – The Scene closes.