the monk(僧侣)-第66章
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himself to Antonia without his Uncle's consent； endeavoured by
occasional Serenades； to convince his Mistress that his
attachment still existed。 His stratagem had not the desired
effect。 Antonia was far from supposing that this nightly music
was intended as a compliment to her： She was too modest to think
herself worthy such attentions； and concluding them to be
addressed to some neighbouring Lady； She grieved to find that
they were offered by Lorenzo。
The air which was played； was plaintive and melodious。 It
accorded with the state of Antonia's mind； and She listened with
pleasure。 After a symphony of some length； it was succeeded by
the sound of voices； and Antonia distinguished the following
words。
SERENADE
Chorus
Oh！ Breathe in gentle strain； my Lyre！
'Tis here that Beauty loves to rest：
Describe the pangs of fond desire；
Which rend a faithful Lover's breast。
Song
In every heart to find a Slave；
In every Soul to fix his reign；
In bonds to lead the wise and brave；
And make the Captives kiss his chain；
Such is the power of Love； and Oh！
I grieve so well Love's power to know。
In sighs to pass the live…long day；
To taste a short and broken sleep；
For one dear Object far away；
All others scorned； to watch and weep；
Such are the pains of Love； and Oh！
I grieve so well Love's pains to know！
To read consent in virgin eyes；
To press the lip ne'er prest till then
To hear the sigh of transport rise；
And kiss； and kiss； and kiss again；
Such are thy pleasures； Love； But Oh！
When shall my heart thy pleasures know？
Chorus
Now hush； my Lyre！ My voice be still！
Sleep； gentle Maid！ May fond desire
With amorous thoughts thy visions fill；
Though still my voice； and hushed my Lyre。
The Music ceased： The Performers dispersed； and silence
prevailed through the Street。 Antonia quitted the window with
regret： She as usual recommended herself to the protection of
St。 Rosolia； said her accustomed prayers； and retired to bed。
Sleep was not long absent； and his presence relieved her from her
terrors and inquietude
It was almost two o'clock before the lustful Monk ventured to
bend his steps towards Antonia's dwelling。 It has been already
mentioned that the Abbey was at no great distance from the
Strada di San Iago。 He reached the House unobserved。 Here He
stopped； and hesitated for a moment。 He reflected on the
enormity of the crime； the consequences of a discovery； and the
probability； after what had passed； of Elvira's suspecting him to
be her Daughter's Ravisher： On the other hand it was suggested
that She could do no more than suspect； that no proofs of his
guilt could be produced； that it would seem impossible for the
rape to have been committed without Antonia's knowing when；
where； or by whom； and finally； He believed that his fame was too
firmly established to be shaken by the unsupported accusations of
two unknown Women。 This latter argument was perfectly false： He
knew not how uncertain is the air of popular applause； and that a
moment suffices to make him today the detestation of the world；
who yesterday was its Idol。 The result of the Monk's
deliberations was that He should proceed in his enterprize。 He
ascended the steps leading to the House。 No sooner did He touch
the door with the silver Myrtle； than it flew open； and presented
him with a free passage。 He entered； and the door closed after
him of its own accord。
Guided by the moonbeams； He proceeded up the Staircase with
slow and cautious steps。 He looked round him every moment with
apprehension and anxiety。 He saw a Spy in every shadow； and
heard a voice in every murmur of the night breeze。 Consciousness
of the guilty business on which He was employed appalled his
heart； and rendered it more timid than a Woman's。 Yet still He
proceeded。 He reached the door of Antonia's chamber。 He stopped；
and listened。 All was hushed within。 The total silence
persuaded him that his intended Victim was retired to rest； and
He ventured to lift up the Latch。 The door was fastened； and
resisted his efforts： But no sooner was it touched by the
Talisman； than the Bolt flew back。 The Ravisher stept on； and
found himself in the chamber； where slept the innocent Girl；
unconscious how dangerous a Visitor was drawing near her Couch。
The door closed after him； and the Bolt shot again into its
fastening。
Ambrosio advanced with precaution。 He took care that not a board
should creak under his foot； and held in his breath as He
approached the Bed。 His first attention was to perform the magic
ceremony； as Matilda had charged him： He breathed thrice upon
the silver Myrtle； pronounced over it Antonia's name； and laid it
upon her pillow。 The effects which it had already produced
permitted not his doubting its success in prolonging the slumbers
of his devoted Mistress。 No sooner was the enchantment
performed than He considered her to be absolutely in his power；
and his eyes flamed with lust and impatience。 He now ventured to
cast a glance upon the sleeping Beauty。 A single Lamp； burning
before the Statue of St。 Rosolia； shed a faint light through the
room； and permitted him to examine all the charms of the lovely
Object before him。 The heat of the weather had obliged her to
throw off part of the Bed…cloathes： Those which still covered
her； Ambrosio's insolent hand hastened to remove。 She lay with
her cheek reclining upon one ivory arm； The Other rested on the
side of the Bed with graceful indolence。 A few tresses of her
hair had escaped from beneath the Muslin which confined the rest；
and fell carelessly over her bosom； as it heaved with slow and
regular suspiration。 The warm air had spread her cheek with
higher colour than usual。 A smile inexpressibly sweet played
round her ripe and coral lips； from which every now and then
escaped a gentle sigh or an half…pronounced sentence。 An air of
enchanting innocence and candour pervaded her whole form； and
there was a sort of modesty in her very nakedness which added
fresh stings to the desires of the lustful Monk。
He remained for some moments devouring those charms with his
eyes which soon were to be subjected to his ill…regulated
passions。 Her mouth half…opened seemed to solicit a kiss： He
bent over her； he joined his lips to hers； and drew in the
fragrance of her breath with rapture。 This momentary pleasure
increased his longing for still greater。 His desires were raised
to that frantic height by which Brutes are agitated。 He
resolved not to delay for one instant longer the accomplishment
of his wishes； and hastily proceeded to tear off those garments
which impeded the gratification of his lust。
'Gracious God！' exclaimed a voice behind him； 'Am I not deceived？
Is not this an illusion？'
Terror； confusion； and disappointment accompanied these words； as
they struck Ambrosio's hearing。 He started； and turned towards
it。 Elvira stood at the door of the chamber； and regarded the
Monk with looks of surprize and detestation。
A frightful dream had represented to her Antonia on the verge of
a precipice。 She saw her trembling on the brink： Every moment
seemed to threaten her fall； and She heard her exclaim with
shrieks； 'Save me； Mother！ Save me！Yet a moment； and it will be
too late！' Elvira woke in terror。 The vision had made too
strong an impression upon her mind； to permit her resting till
assured of her Daughter's safety。 She hastily started from her
Bed； threw on a loose night…gown； and passing through the Closet
in which slept the Waiting…woman； She reached Antonia's chamber
just in time to rescue her from the grasp of the Ravisher。
His shame and her amazement seemed to have petrified into Statues
both Elvira and the Monk： They remained gazing upon each other
in silence。 The Lady was the first to recover herself。
'It is no dream！' She cried； 'It is really Ambrosio； who stands
before me！ It is the Man whom Madrid esteems a Saint； that I
find at this late hour near the Couch of my unhappy Child！
Monster of Hypocrisy！ I already suspected your designs； but
forbore your accusation in pity
