Page:Dramas 2.pdf/73

SCENE III.

The Inside of a rustic Hermitage; the Hermit discovered marking a Figure on the Wall.

HERMIT.

This day to all the lonely days here spent;

Making a term of thirty years' repentance
For forty years of sin. Heaven of its mercy
Accept the sacrifice!—Who knocks without?
(Knocking at the door.)
'T is nothing but my fancy. Break of day
Yet scarcely peeps, nor hath a new-waked bird
Chirp'd on my branchy roof. (Knocking again.)
Nay, something does.
Lift up the latch, whoe'er thou art; nor lock
Nor bar, nor any hind'rance e'er prevents
Those who would enter here.

Enter Rovani.

ROVANI.

O pardon, holy Hermit, this intrusion

At such untimely hour; for misery
Makes free with times and seasons.

HERMIT.

Thou sayest well: it will d' off ceremony