Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/388

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386
DE MONFORT: A TRAGEDY.


(A folding door at the bottom of the stage is opened, and enter Bernard, Thomas, and the other two Monks, carrying lanterns in their hands, and bringing in De Monfort. They are likewise followed by other Monks. As they lead forward De Monfort the light is turned away, so that he is seen obscurely; but when they come to the front of the stage they all turn the light side of their lanterns on him at once, and his face is seen in all the strengthened horrour of despair, with his hands and cloaths bloody)

(Abbess and Nuns speak at once, and starting back.)
Holy saints be with us!

Bern to Abb. Behold the man of blood!

Abb. Of misery too; I cannot look upon him.

Bern to Nuns. Nay, holy sisters, turn not thus away.
Speak to him, if, perchance, he will regard you:
For from his mouth we have no utt'rance heard,
Save one deep and smother'd exclamation,
When first we seiz'd him.

Abb. to De Mon. Most miserable man, how art thou thus?
(Pauses.)
Thy tongue is silent, but those bloody hands
Do witness horrid things. What is thy name?

De Mon. (Roused; looks steadfastly at the Abbess for some time, then speaking in a short hurried voice.) I have no name.

Abb. to Bern. Do it thyself: I'll speak to him no more.