Wil. Sir, they'll be cumbersome to dance in. Sir O. Fellow, do as I bid you. [Pushes him out.] Oh, more lights here in the hall-and d'ye hearbe ready to welcome all comers. [Exit Servant.] [Observing Laurette and Matilda.] I must not however appear in their secrets yet.

TRIO. Matilda, Laurette, and Sir Owen.

Matilda. [Aside to Laurette.]

Yes, yes, Florestan will be here,
After the dance he will appear.

Laurette.

Oh! what delight, what joy 'twill be; Sure he'll find means to speak to me. Matilda. [To Sir Owen, seeing him approach.} We no secrets have, good knight, I am saying that my sight Is again restor❜d to light.

Laurette. [Very demurely.]

Yes, my father, very true,

We no secrets have from you,

The youth's well bred and honest too.

Sir Owen.

I'm sure you have no mystery,
Pray talk on, and don't mind me.

Laurette. [To Matilda, aside.]

But does he know how well I love,
And does he swear he'll constant prove?
Matilda.

Had you but seen the generous youth,
He knelt and vow'd eternal truth.

Laurette.

-Kneel and vow,

Ah! he'll be true, I'm happy now.

Sir Owen.

What, he tells thee that his sight
Is again restor❜d to light?

Laurette.

Yes, my father, very true,
We no secrets have from you:
He is saying that his sight
Is again retstor'd to light.

Matilda.

We no secrets have, good knight,
I am saying that my sight

Is again restor❜d to light.

Sir Owen.

What, he tells thee, &c. &c. &c.
Laurette.

Yes, my father, &c. &c.

[Tabors and Pipes heard behind the Scenes.

Sir O. So, our guests are at hand. My Laurette, give them welcome.

JULIE runs in.

Julie. They are all coming, and all so gay, and so neatly drefs'd-indeed, sir, they are-and I saw the little bride myself, blushing and looking so pretty. Dear, it must be a charming thing to be married!

Laur. Yes, they are coming indeed, sir.

Sir O. And are you ready, my little Julie, with the dance you-

In

Julie. Yes, that I am. But pray what are all those fine knights gathering about the house for? They don't look as if they came to be merry. deed, sister, they look so fierce, you'd be frighten'd. Sir O. Oh no, my child, they will not hurt us. Julie. No!-then I vow they shall all dance, swords, and helmets and all.

[She runs to meet the Peasants, who appear.

CHORUS OF PEASANTS.

Join hearts-join hands,

In loving bands,

None are happy till they're pair'd;
Nothing's joy that is not shar'd.

Pea. When alone the maid sits pining,
Nature's beauties seem declining,
Nothing can afford delight;

But the favour'd youth appearing,
With his presence all things cheering,
Flowers how sweet-the sun how bright.
CHORUS.

Join hearts-join hands,
In loving bands,

None are happy till they're pair'd;
Nothing's joy that is not shar'd.

Ant. O'er the sultry mountain ranging,
Shade and pasture ever changing,
Soon I tire my flock to tend;

But if chance Collette address me,
Toil and heat no more opprefs me,
Soon, too soon my labours end.
CHORUS.

Join hearts-join hands,'
In loving bands,
None are happy, &c. &c.

DANCE OF PEASANTS.

FLORESTAN having entered, and requested LAURETTE to be his Partner, is preparing to dance. Drums beat to Arms. The Peasants retire.

Flor. Ha! what do I hear!

[Sir Owen and Matilda's Knights approach him.

Sir O. Sir-you are my prisoner.

Flor. Sir!

Sir O. You.

Flor. What treason is this?

Flor.

CHORUS OF CAVALIERS.

Vain defiance, strive no more,
Yield our king-our chief restore;
Vain resistance-fate's decree
Sets imprison'd Richard free.
Threats he fears not, who is just
To his honour, to his trust.

[Exeunt

SCENE changes, and represents the Castle assaulted by MATILDA's Troops. BLONDEL puts himself at the head of the Pioneers, and the Assault continues. RICHARD appears on the Fortress without Arms, endeavouring to free himself from three armed Soldiers. BLONDEL mounts the Breach, runs to the King, wounds one of the Guards, and snatches his Sword; the King seizes it; they put the rest of the Soldiers to flight. BLONDEL then throws himself at RICHARD's Feet, who embraces him-At this Moment is heard the grand Chorus of Long live the King! The Besiegers display the Colours of MATILDA, who appears. She sees RICHARD at liberty; flies towards him, and sinks in his Arms. FLORESTAN is then conducted to the King by the Seneschal and Sir OWEN. RICHARD returns him his Sword.

Rich. O love! → gratitude!-But oh! Matilda!what can I say to thee, my soul's beloved! my deliverance! my reward! [Embraces her. To Sir Owen, &c.] I have more thanks to pay. My heart feels all it owes. And when to my native England I return, so may I prosper in my subjects' love, as I cherish in the memory of my sufferings here-a lefson to improve my reign-compassion should be a monarch's nature-I have learn'd what 'tis to need it-the poorest peasant in my land, when misery prefses, in his King shall find a friend.

FINALE.

Oh blest event!-oh! glorious hour!
Liberty and love we sing;

Oh! may they with resistlefs pow'r,
Protect the blessings which they bring.

CHORUS.

Faithful lovers, banish fear,

Our delight, our triumph share.

TRIO.

Matilda, Laurette, and Blondel.

No more shall doubt or sorrow

Disturb my anxious breast, The sun that gilds to-morrow, At length beholds me blest.

CHORUS.

Oh! blest event!-oh! glorious hour!
Liberty and love we sing ;

Oh! may they with resistlefs power,
Protect the blessings which they bring!

END OF VOL. X.

C. WHITTINGHAM, Printer, Dean Street.