1st Nun.Amen, amen!
2d Nun. How does the lady?
Bern. She sits and bears his head upon her lap;
And like a heaven-inspir'd angel, speaks
The word of comfort to his troubled soul:
Then does she wipe the cold drops from his brow,
With such a look of tender wretchedness,
It wrings the heart to see her.
1st Nun. Ha! hear ye nothing?
2d Nun. (Alarmed.)Yes, I heard a noise.
1st Nun. And see'st thou nothing?
(Creeping close to her sister.)
Bern.'Tis a nun in white.
Enter Lay Sister in her night cloaths, advancing from the dark end of the gallery.
(To Sister.) Wherefore, my daughter, hast thou left thy cell?
It is not meet at this untimely hour.
Sist. I cannot rest. I hear such dismal sounds,
Such wailings in the air, such shrilly shrieks.
As though the cry of murder rose again
From the deep gloom of night. I cannot rest:
I pray you let me stay with you, good sisters!
(Bell tolls.)
Nuns. (Starting.) What bell is that?
Bern.It is the bell of death.
A holy sister was upon the watch
