The English and American stage Author:Richard Henry Dana Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: A c T i. Scene I—the parlor of a convent. CLAUDINE, ANTONIA, and AGATHA TRIO. Claud. Ah, how can I leave, in a convent so drear, A heart thus with g... more »rief overflowing ? Ant. Ah, why should I grieve, when a friend Idved so dear, Sees fate her best blessings bestowing ? Ago. Ah, who can believe, when a maid may stay here, She'd find any pleasure in going ? Claud. We must part, then, dear Antonia. Ant. Tis for your good, Claudine, and I rejoice at it. Claud. Farewel, sister Agatha. Ago,. I'm sorry you're going, lady, and Antonia is sorry that she stays behind. Ant. You love confinement, sister Agatha, I can't say I do. Ago,. But, then, I'm portress, I keep the keys, and having the power to escape. I've no desire for it. [exit (Antonia comes forward with Claudine) Ant. My noviciate not having yet commenced, I shall expect you sometimes at the grating of the parlor window-. Claud. Expect rather, that 1 shall get permission for you to visit me ; and, as your inclinations are against taking the veil, perhaps my father's power may AM. Hush ! here's the abbess. enter the Abbess, pompously. Abbess. Donna Claudine, they wait to conduct yom into the world, into the gay world, child ; I pity you from my heart, and am sorry I can't go with you. Claud. Madam! Abbess. To give you such advice as, I'm sure, you'll want. Claud. The instructions I have already received from you— Abbess. Will be entirely useless where you are going. Ant. I should hope not, dear madam. Abbess. Bless thy simplicity! what do you know of the wickedness she may encounter. 1 am experienced, child; well, fare thee well, Claudine. Ant. Adieu, my friend. Claud. Adieu ! good-bye, dear madam—I take hut half my heart with me, and within these two ho...« less