The Mirror of Taste, and Dramatic Censor Part 11

_Ben._ No? that's very much to your credit.

_Mich._ (_acquiring confidence_) Nor am I partial to him.

_Ben._ Nor I neither, heaven knows! there's my hand upon it. Father, you're a very sensible honest man.

_Mich._ You appear to be well acquainted with the prior's character: but for heaven's sake do not betray me!

_Ben._ I betray you? to be sure one ought not to wish one's neighbour ill. But if the fire, which lately consumed a wing of your convent, had consumed in it-- you understand me, I wont say no more: but if a certain event had taken place, I dont believe I should have broken my heart for grief, father.

_Mich._ The prior was absent at the time of the conflagration; he ran no danger; but that accident may be the source of other dangers to him, of which at present he little dreams.

_Ben._ Indeed! as how, pray, as how? as how? dear, I shall be mighty glad to hear how.

_Mich._ I dare not explain myself except to your lord. But tell me, good old man, is not the viceroy greatly interested in the fate of young Venoni?

_Ben._ Extremely.

_Mich._ Is he aware, that tomorrow Venoni will p.r.o.nounce his vows?

_Ben._ Bless my heart! so soon!

_Mich._ The victim of despair, looking on the world with horror and disgust, considering as the only good left for him on earth, the permission to inhabit an asylum contiguous to that which contains the ashes of his beloved. (_mysteriously_) For you are aware, that our monastery is only separated from the Ursuline convent by a party-wall.

_Ben._ Indeed? the Ursuline convent? it was there, that Josepha breathed her last-- if I remember rightly, it is under father Clestino's direction?

_Mich._ (_expressively_) Under his direction? you are right! yes! it is under his direction; and who says that, says every thing.

_Ben._ Well, father; and so Venoni-- ?

_Mich._ (_with energy_) a.s.sists the superior's views, and languishes till the hour arrives when he must sacrifice his liberty for ever: when, renouncing the world and himself, he will become subject to the insolent caprice, to the arbitrary commands, to the tyrannical hatred of a man frequently unjust, never to be appeased; and who is himself the prey of all those worldly pa.s.sions, which he secretly and dearly cherishes in his own heart, but whose slightest indulgence he punishes without mercy upon others.

_Ben._ Well, father, this at least I must say for you, you seem to be perfectly well acquainted with the moral characters of your fellows.

Dear, dear! and so then it is tomorrow, that this poor gentleman, so amiable-- with talents so brilliant, with a heart so generous and so good--

_Mich._ His talents? his heart? those perhaps are still unknown to our superior:-- but Venoni is immoderately wealthy, and of that the prior was perfectly well informed. But the viceroy returns not, and I dare not tarry longer!-- good old man, give your lord this letter; say that my seeing him before tomorrow is of the utmost importance to Venoni-- to himself!

_Ben._ You will return then?

_Mich._ Alas! that will be impossible! entreat, that for heaven's love, the viceroy would deign to visit me at my convent. He must inquire for father Michael.

_Benedetto._ For father Michael? I'll not forget; and he shall have this letter immediately.

_Mich._ I thank you-- as to the manner in which I have spoken of my superior, the most profound secrecy----

_Ben._ Oh! mum's the word.

_Mich._ Should it reach his knowledge-- blessed saints, protect me!

Jeronymo, the prior's confidant, comes this way! (_drawing his cowl over his face in great agitation_) should he observe me-- my liberty-- perhaps my life-- friend, farewell! (_going._)

_Ben._ (_opening a side door in the palace_) Stay, stay! go down this pa.s.sage; at the end of it, turn to the left-- it leads to the garden; traverse it, and you will find a little door unlocked, which will let you out unseen within a bow-shot of your monastery.

_Mich._ Heaven's blessing be with you! a thousand, thousand thanks!

[Exit hastily.

_Ben._ (_calling after him_) That's right! a little further! take care, there are two or three steps. To the left, to the left!-- that's it-- your most obedient servant-- (_with a low bow; after which he turns from the palace_) and now-- mum, mum!

Enter father _Jeronymo_.

_Jer._ Bless you, son!

_Ben._ Save you, father!

_Jer._ Was not a friar of our order here even now?

_Ben._ Not that I saw-- (_aside_) there's a good round lie now!

_Jer._ I suppose, then, I was mistaken.

_Ben._ I suppose you were: I can't conceive any thing more likely.

_Jer._ (_aside_) I could have sworn, that father Michael-- this shall be inquired into further-- _salve_, son!

[Exit.

_Ben._ (_bowing_) Your sanct.i.ty's most obedient.-- And this is the prior's confidant? then the prior's confidant is as ill-looking a hang-dog, as I've set my eyes upon this many a day!

Enter _Fishermen_.

_Ben._ Now lads, now! why, you look busily.

_1st fish._ Well we may, signor: the viceroy entertains all the grandees of Messina this evening, and our fish will bear a treble price. Come, come, look to the nets, lads, (_they go to their boats_)

_Ben._ Ay, ay! good luck to you! and now I'll seek my lord with this letter. So, so, my reverend father Clestino!-- a convent of nuns under your direction! only separated by a party-wall!-- ha, ha! that looks to me very much as if-- hush, hush, signor Benedetto! what you are saying is not quite so charitable as it should be! bless my heart, bless my heart, how naturally is a man disposed to think the worst he can of his neighbours! ah, fy upon you, Benedetto; fy upon you!

[Exit.

_1st fish._ (_in the boat_) Now, lads, are you ready?

_2d fish._ Ay, ay! pull away!

_1st fish._ Off we go then.

_All._ Huzza!

GLEE.

Ply the oar, brother, and speed the boat; Swift o'er the glittering waves we'll float; Then home as swiftly we'll haste again, Loaded with wealth of the plundered main.