Rol. Oh! to thy surprise, no doubt. Pis. And bound too! heart, 'twill rise to the common God of nature and humanity, and cry aloud for vengeance on his accursed destroyer's head. Piz. Be that peril mine. Rol. (Throwing himself at his feet.) Behold me at thy feet. Me, Rolla!-Me, the preserver of thy life!-Me, that have never yet bent or bowed before created man!-In humble agony I sue to you-prostrate I implore you—but spare that child, and I will be your slave. Piz. Rolla! still art thou free to go: this boy remains with me. Rol. Then was this sword heaven's gift, not thine! (Seizes the Child.) Who moves one step to follow me, dies upon the spot. [Exit, with the Child. Piz. Pursue him instantly; but spare his life. (Exeunt Almagro and Soldiers.) With what fury he defends himself! Ha! he fells them to the ground--and now— Enter ALMAGRO. Alm. Three of your brave soldiers are already victims to your command to spare this madman's Rol. So fast, thou need'st not fear approach-life; and if he once gain the thicketing me. Alm. The guards surprised him, passing our outpost. Piz. Release him instantly. Believe me, I regret this insult. Rol. You feel then as you ought. Piz. Nor can I brook to see a warrior of Rolla's fame disarmed. Accept this, though it has been thy enemy's. (Gives a sword.) The Spaniards know the courtesy that's due to valour. Rol. And the Peruvian how to forget offence. Piz. May not Rolla and Pizarro cease to be foes? Rol. When the sea divides us; yes! May I now depart? Piz. Silence! imprudent! Seest thou not-? (Pointing to Rolla.) Dax. In their way, they found a Peruvian child, who seems Piz. What is the imp to me? Bid them toss it into the sea. Rol. Gracious heavens! It is Alonzo's child! Give it to me. Piz. Ha! Alonzo's child! Welcome, thou pretty hostage. Now Alonzo is again my prisoner! Rol. Thon wilt not keep the infant from its mother? Piz. Will I not? What, when I shall meet Alonzo in the heat of the victorious fight, think'st theu I shall not have a check upon the valour of his heart, when he is reminded, that a word of mine is this child's death? Rol. I do not understand you. Piz. My vengeance has a long arrear of hate to settle with Alonzo; and this pledge may help to balance the account. Rol. Man! Man! Art thou a man? Couldst thou hurt that innocent! By Heaven! it's smiling in thy face. Piz. Tell me, does it resemble Cora? Rol. Pizarro! thou hast set my heart on fire. If thou dost harm that child, think not his blood will sink into the barren sand. No! faithful to the eager hope that now trembles in this indignant Piz. Spare him no longer. (Exit Almagro.) Their guns much reach him. He'll yet escape! Holloa to those horse. The Peruvian sees them; and now he turns among the rocks; then is his retreat cut off. (Rolla crosses the wooden bridge over the cataract, pursued by the Soldiers: they fire at him; a shot strikes him.) Piz. Now! Quick! quick! seize the child!(Rolla tears from the rock the tree which supports the bridge, and retreats by the back ground, bearing off the child.) Re-enter ALMAGRO. Alm. By hell! he has escaped! and with the child unhurt. me, Dav. No; he bears his death with him. Believe I saw him struck upon the side. Piz. But the child is saved--Alonzo's child! Oh! the furies of disappointed vengeance! Alm. Away with the revenge of words! Let knowledge of the secret pass, which through the us to deeds. Forget not we have acquired the rocky cavern's gloom, brings you at once to the strong hold, where are lodged their women and their treasures. Piz. Right, Almagro! Swift as thy thought draw forth a daring and a chosen band. I will not wait for numbers. Stay, Almagro! Valverde is informed Elvira dies to-day? Alm. He is and one request alone she- Alm. The boon is small: 'tis but for the noviciate habit which you first beheld her in. She wishes not to suffer in the gaudy trappings which remind her of her shame. Piz. Well, do as thou wilt; but tell Valverde, at our return, as his life shall answer it, to let me hear that she is dead. [Exeunt severally. SCENE III.-Ataliba's Tent. Enter ATALIBA, followed by CORA and ALONZO. Cora. Oh! avoid mè not, Ataliba! To whom, but to her king, is the wretched mother to address her griefs? The Gods refuse to hear my prayers. Did not my Alonzo fight for you? And will not my sweet boy, if thou'lt but restore him to me, one day fight thy battles too? Al. Oh! my suffering love-my poor heartbroken Cora!-you but wound our sovereign's feeling soul, and not relieve your own. Cora. Is he our sovereign, and has he not the power to give me back my child? PIZARRO. Ata. When I reward desert, or can relieve my people, I feel what is the real glory of a king; when I hear them suffer, and cannot aid them, I mourn the impotence of all mortal power. (Voices behind.) Rolla! Rolla! Rolla! Enter ROLLA, bleeding, with the Child, followed by Rol. Thy child! (Gives the Child into Cora's arms, and falls.) Cora. Oh God! there's blood upon him! Al. Rolla, thou diest! Rol. For thee and Cora! (Dies.) Enter ORANO. Ora. Treachery has revealed our asylum in the rocks. Even now the foe assails the peaceful band retired for protection there. Al. Lose not a moment! Swords, be quick! Your wives and children cry to you. loved hero's body in the van; 'twill raise the fury Bear our of our men to madness. Now, fell Pizarro! the death of one of us is near! Away! Be the word of assault, Revenge and Rolla! [Exeunt. Charge. SCENE IV.-A Recess among the rocks. Enter PIZARRO, ALMAGRO, VALVERDE, and Piz. Well! if surrounded, we must perish in the centre of them. Where do Rolla and Alonzo hide their heads? Enter ALONZO, ORANO, and Peruvians. Al. Alonzo answers thee, and Alonzo's sword shall speak for Rolla. Piz. Thou know'st the advantage of thy numbers. Thou dar'st not singly face Pizarro. Al. Peruvians, stir not a man! Be this contest only our's. Piz. Spaniards! observe ye the same. (Charge. They fight. Alonzo's shield is broken, and he is beat down.) Piz. Now, traitor, to thy heart! (At this moment, Elvira enters, habited as when Pizarro first beheld her. Pizarro, appalled, staggers back. Alonzo renews the fight, and slays him.) [ACT V. ATALIBA enters, and embraces ALONZO. Ata. My brave Alonzo Alm. Alonzo, we submit. Spare us; we will embark, and leave the coast. Val. Elvira will confess I saved her life; she has saved thine. Al. Fear not. You are safe. (Spaniards lay down their arms.) think to meet me here. An awful impulse, which Elv. Valverde speaks the truth; nor could he my soul could not resist, impelled me hither. Al. Noble Elvira! my preserver! How can I speak what I, Ataliba, and his rescued country, owe to thee! If amid this grateful nation thou would'st remain Elv. Alonzo, no! The destination of my future life is fixed. Humb' ed in penitence, I will endeamasked by shallow cheerfulness, have long convour to atone the guilty errors, which, however address the throne of mercy in behalf of others, sumed my secret heart. When, by my sufferings purified, and penitence sincere, my soul shall dare thee, thou virtuous monarch, and the innocent race thou reignest over, shall Elvira's prayers address for thee, Alonzo, for thy Cora, and thy child; for the God of Nature. Valverde, you have preserved my life. Cherish humanity, avoid the foul examples thou hast viewed. Spaniards, returning to your native home, assure your rulers they mistake the road to glory, or to power. Tell them, that the pursuits of avarice, conquest, and ambition, never yet made a people happy, or a nation reat. (Casts she passes, and exit. Flourish of trumpets. Valverde, a last look of agony at the dead body of Pizarro as Almagro, and Spanish soldiers exeunt, bearing off Pizarro's body.) Al. Ataliba, think not I wish to check the voice DIRGE.-Priests and Priestesses. ? A COMIC OPERA IN TWO ACTS.-BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF. ACT I. Dieg. You know, Ursula, when I took Leonora SCENE I-A Garden belonging to Don Diego's house. from her father and mother, she was to live in the Enter DON DIEGO, musing. AIR. DIEGO. Thoughts to council-let me see- A husband, is the question. But fear makes the danger seem double: Not so much as a mouse; house with me three months; at the expiration of which time, I entered into a bond of four thousand pistoles, either to return her to them spotless, with half that sum for a dowry, or make her my true and lawful wife. Urs. And, I warrant you, they came secretly to inquire of me, whether they might venture to trust your worship. Lord! said I, I have lived with the gentleman nine years and three quarters, come Lammas, and never saw any thing uncivil by him in my life; nor no more I ever did; and to let your worship know, if I had, you would have mistaken your person; for I bless heaven, though I'm poor, I'm honest, and would not live with any man alive that should want to handle me unlawfully. Dieg. Ursula, I do believe it; and you are particularly happy, that both your age and your person exempt you from any such temptation. But, be this as it will, Leonora's parents, after some little difficulty, consented to comply with my proposal; and, being fully satisfied with their daughter's temper and conduct, which I wanted to be acquainted with, this day being the expiration of the term, I am resolved to fulfil my bond, by marrying her to-morrow. Urs. Heaven bless you together. Dieg. During the time she has lived with me, she has never been a moment out of my sight: and now tell me, Ursula, what you have observed in her? Urs. All meekness and gentleness, your wor. ship; and yet, I warrant you, shrewd and sensible; | wearing a mean stuff gown, look at yourself, I egad! when she pleases, she can be as sharp as beseech you; the dress you have on is fit for a a needle. princess. Dieg. You have not been able to discover any particular attachments? Urs. Why, sir, of late I have observed- Urs. That she has taken greatly to the young kitten. Dieg. O! is that all? Urs. Ay, by my faith! I don't think she is fond of any thing else. Dieg. Of me, Ursula? Urs. Aye, aye, of the kitten, and your worship, and her birds, and going to mass. I have taken notice of late, that she is mighty fond of going to mass, as your worship lets her, early of a morning. Dieg. Well! I am now going to her parents, to let them know my resolution; I will not take her with me, because, having been used to confinement, and it being the life I am determined she shall lead, it will be only giving her a bad habit. I shall return with the good folks to-morrow morning; in the meantime, Ursula, I confide in your attention; and take care, as you would merit my favour. Urs. I will, indeed, your worship; there is not a widow gentlewoman in all Salamanca fitter to look after a young maiden. Dieg. Go, and send Leonora to me. [Exit Ursula.] I dreamt last night that I was going to church with Leonora to be married, and that we were met on the road by a drove of oxen. Oxen ; I don't like oxen! I wish it had been a sheep. Enter LEONORA, with a bird on her finger, she holds in the other hand by a string. AIR-LEONORA. Say, little, foolish, fluttering thing, Whither, ah! whither would you wing Your airy flight? Stay here, and sing, our mistress to delight. No, no, no, Sweet Robin, you shall not go: Where, you wanton, could Half so happy as with me? Re-enter DIEGO. Dieg. Leonora! Leon. Here I am. you be flock of [Exit. which Dieg. I am going this evening to your father and mother, and I suppose you are not ignorant of the cause of my journey. Are you willing to be my wife? Leon. I am willing to do whatever you and my father and mother please. Dieg. But that's not the thing; do you like me? Leon. Y-es. Dieg. What do you sigh for? Leon. I don't know. Dieg. When you came hither, you were taken from a mean little house, ill situated, and worse furnished; you had no servants, and were obliged, with your mother, to do the work yourself. Leon. Yes, but when we had done, I could look out at the window, or go a walking in the fields. Dieg. Perhaps you dislike confinement? Leon. No, I don't, I am sure. Dieg. I say, then, I took you from that mean habitation, and hard labour, to a noble building, and this fine garden; where, so far from being a slave, you are absolute mistress; and instead of Leon. It's very fine, indeed. Dieg. Well, Leonora, you know in what manner you have been treated since you have been my companion; ask yourself again now, whether you can be content to lead a life with me according to the specimen you have had. Leon. Specimen! Dieg. Aye, according to the manner I have treated you-according Leon. I'll do whatever you please. Leon. Heigho! I think I am sick. He's very him, because we ought not to be ungrateful; but I good to me, to be sure, and it's my duty to love wish I was not to marry him for all that, though I'm afraid to tell him so. Fine feathers, they say, make fine birds; but I am sure they don't make happy ones; a sparrow is happier in the fields than a goldfinch in a cage. There is something makes me mighty uneasy. While he was talking to me, I thought I never saw any thing look so ugly in my life. O dear now, why did I forget to ask leave to go to mass to-morrow? I suppose, because he's abroad, Ursula won't take me. I wish I had asked leave to go to mass. SONG.-LEOnora. Were I a shepherd's maid, to keep SCENE II. A Street in Salamanca. [Exit. Enter LEANDER and two SCHOLARS, in their university gowns. Leand. His name is Don Diego. There's his house, like another monastery, or rather prison; his servants are an ancient duenna, and a negro slave 1 Schol. And after having lived fifty years a bachelor, this old fellow has picked up a young thing of sixteen, whom he by chance saw in a balcony! 2 Schol. And you are in love with the girl? Leand. To desperation; and I believe I am not indifferent to her; for finding that her jealous guardian took her to the chapel of a neighbouring there in the habit of a pilgrim, planting myself as convent every morning before it was light, I went near as I could; I then varied my appearance, continuing to do so, from time to time," 'till I was convinced she had sufficiently remarked understood my meaning. and 1 Schol. Well, Leander, I'll say that for you, there is not a more industrious lad in the university of Salamanca, when a wench is to be ferrited. 2 Schol. But pr'ythee, tell us now, how did you get information? Leand. First, from report, which raised my curiosity; and afterwards from the negro I just now mentioned. I observed that when the family were gone to bed, he often came to air himself at yonder grate. You know I am no bad chanter, nor a very scurvy minstrel; so taking a guitar, clapping a black patch on my eye, and a swathe upon one of my legs, I soon scraped acquaintance with my friend Mungo. He adores my songs and sarabands, and taking me for a poor cripple, often repays me with a share of his allowance, which I accept, to avoid suspicion. 1 Schol. And so Leand. And so, sir, he has told me all the secrets of his family; and one worth knowing: for be informed me last night, that his master will this evening take a short journey into the country, whence he proposes not to return 'till to-morrow, leaving his young wife, that is to be, behind him. 2 Schol. Zounds! let's scale the wall. Leand. Fair and softly. I will this moment go and put on my disguise, watch for the don's going cut, attack my negro afresh, and try if, by his means, I cannot get into the house, or, at least, obtain a sight of my charming angel. 1 Schol. Angel! is she then so handsome? Leand. It is time for us to withdraw: come to my chambers, and there you shall know all you [Exeunt two Scholars. can desire. SONG.-LEANDER. Hither, Venus, with your doves, Round me light your wings display, Oh, could I but, like Jove of old, What locks, what bars should then impede, SCENE III. The outside of Don Diego's House, Enter DON DIEGO from the house, having first unlocked the door, and removed two or three bars which assisted in fastening it. Mungo. (Rising.) Ah, massa, bless your heart. Dieg. What do you leave your load there for? Dieg. Take it up, rascal. Mungo. Yes, bless your heart, massa. Dieg. No, lay it down: now I think on't, come hither. Mungo. What you say, massa? Dieg. Can you be honest? Mungo. Me no savee, massa, you never axe me before. Dieg. Can you tell truth? Mungo. What you give me, massa? Dieg. There's a pistreen for you; now tell me, do you know of any ill going on in my house? Mungo. Ah, massa, a d--n deal. Dieg. How! that I'm a stranger to? Mungo. No, massa, you lick me every day with your rattan; I'm sure, massa, that's mischief enough for poor neger-man. Dieg. So, so. Mungo. La! massa, how could you have a heart to lick poor neger-man, as you lick me last Thursday? Dieg. If you have not a mind I should chastise you now, hold your tongue. Mungo. Yes, massa, if you no lick me again. Mungo. You know, massa, me very good servant. Mungo. And ought to be use kine Dieg. If you utter another syllable— Mungo. And I'm sure, massa, you can't deny but I worky worky. I dress a victuals, and run a errands, and wash a house, and make a beds, and scrub a shoes, and wait a table. Dieg. (Beats him.) Take that. Now will you listen to me? Mungo. La massa, if ever I saw SONG. MUNGO. Dieg. I am going abroad, and shall not return 'till to-morrow morning. During this night I charge you not to sleep a wink, but be watchful as a lynx, and keep walking up and down the entry, that if Stay here, perverse animal, and take care that vou hear the least noise you may alarm the family. nobody approaches the door; I am going in, and shall be out again in a moment. [Exit into the house. Dieg. With the precautions I have taken, I Mungo. So I must be stay in a cold all night, think I run no risk in quitting my house for a short and have no sleep, and get no tanks neither; den time. Leonora has never shewn the least inclina-him call me tief, and rogue, and rascal, to tempt me. tion to deceive me; besides, my old woman is prudent and faithful, she has all the keys, and will not part with them from herself: but supposesuppose-by the rood and St. Francis, I will not leave it in her power to do mischief. A woman's not having it in her power to deceive you is the best security for her fidelity, and the only one a wise man will confide in; fast bind, safe find, is as excellent proverb. I'll e'en lock her up with rest; there is a hasp to the door, and I have a padlock within which shall be my guarantee; I will wait 'till the negro returns with the provisions he is gone to purchase; and clapping them all up together, make my mind easy by having the key they are under in my pocket. [Exit. the Enter MUNGO, (singing) with a hamper. Mungo. (Sits down upon the hamper.) Go, get you down, you d―n hamper, you carry me now. Dear heart, what a terrible life am I led! Me wish to de lord me was dead. Whate'er's to be done, Oh! oh! Me wish to de lord me was dead. (Diego having entered the house during the song, after Mungo goes in, appears to bolt the door on the inside.) |