are a prudent man, and though the warmth of my temper betrayed me
into some unbecoming expressions, I honour your virtue, and wish to
be indebted to you for the repose of my life and the preservation
of my family."

"The will of heaven be done!" said the Friar. "I am but its
worthless instrument. It makes use of my tongue to tell thee,
Prince, of thy unwarrantable designs. The injuries of the virtuous
Hippolita have mounted to the throne of pity. By me thou art
reprimanded for thy adulterous intention of repudiating her: by me
thou art warned not to pursue the incestuous design on thy
contracted daughter. Heaven that delivered her from thy fury, when
the judgments so recently fallen on thy house ought to have
inspired thee with other thoughts, will continue to watch over her.
Even I, a poor and despised Friar, am able to protect her from thy
violence--I, sinner as I am, and uncharitably reviled by your
Highness as an accomplice of I know not what amours, scorn the
allurements with which it has pleased thee to tempt mine honesty.
I love my order; I honour devout souls; I respect the piety of thy
Princess--but I will not betray the confidence she reposes in me,
nor serve even the cause of religion by foul and sinful
compliances--but forsooth! the welfare of the state depends on your
Highness having a son! Heaven mocks the short-sighted views of
man. But yester-morn, whose house was so great, so flourishing as
Manfred's?--where is young Conrad now?--My Lord, I respect your
tears--but I mean not to check them--let them flow, Prince! They
will weigh more with heaven toward the welfare of thy subjects,
than a marriage, which, founded on lust or policy, could never
prosper. The sceptre, which passed from the race of Alfonso to
thine, cannot be preserved by a match which the church will never