Lot. Ay, her affianced husband. lives are in your power; preserve them and save yourself; one act of glorious repentance, and the blessings of the surrounding country are ours. Observe! appease her disappointed spirit-induce her to quit the cave, and leave Claudine in safety. Wolf. (Going up to, and closely observing Ravina.) Plausible hypocrite, Ravina has no weapon of destruction-how then? (Crossing back to Lothair.) Lot. (Looking towards Ravina.) Ah! (Asid.) We are saved. (Crossing to Ravina, and snatching the vial which she had retained in her hand, and holding it up to Wolf.) Behold, let conviction satisfy your utmost doubts. Wol (Looking at the label.) Poison! you then are honest, Wolf unjust-I can doubt no longer. (Seizes Ravina by the arm.) Fiend! descend instantly, in darkness and despair anticipate a dreadful punishment. [Music.-Ravina clasps her hands in entreaty, and descends the trap, which is closed violently by Wolf. Wolf. Now, Spiller, follow me to the Flask. (Music.) Be sure, make fast yon upper door. Lo [He takes his broad miller's hat, for which Flask at the door. [Music.-Lothair points to the magazine-shews the SCENE IV. The Cottage of Riber.-The sign of the train to Ravina, and explains his intention-then gives a pho phorous bottle, which he shews the purpose of-she comprehends him-Claudine's action, astonishment, and terror-Lothair opens the trap up the stage. Rav. Enough, I understand. Lot. (Advancing.) Be careful, be cautious, I implore you;-convey the train where I may distinctly see you from without the mill; and, above all, let no anxiety of mind, no fear of failure, urge you to fire the train, till I give the signal. Remember, Claudine might be the victim of such fatal indiscretion. Rav. But, Wolf. Re-enter WOLF, who hearing his name halts at the back of the cavern. Lot. Wolf, with his guilty companions, shall fall despised and execrated. (Seeing Wolf.) Ah! (Aside to Claudine.) Remove the train. Wolf. Villain! [Wolf levels a pistol at Lothair-Ravina utters an Lot. One moment. Lo. I have used none-hear the facts. Lot Hatred to thee-jealousy of the fair Claudine, urged this woman to attempt her life. (Points to Claudine.) Wolf. Indeed!-for what purpose was that pass disclosed? (Pointing to the trap.) Lot. I dared not leave them altogether. Wolf. Vain subterfuge-your threat of destruction on me and my companions Lot. Was a mere trick, a forgery, a fabrication to Enter COUNT FREDERICK FRIBERG, and Count. This must be the house! Karl. Clear as daylight; look, sir, the "Flask!" Oh, and there stands the mill! I suppose old roughand-tough, master Grindoff, will be here presently. Well, I'm glad we are in the right road at last; for such ins and outs, and ups and downs, and circumbendibuses in that forest I never Count. True; we may now obtain guides and assistance to pursue that ruffian! Karl. (Aside.) Pursue again!-not to save all the she sex!-flesh and blood can't stand this. Count. (Abstracted.) Yet, after so long an absence, delay is doubly irksome-could 1 but see her my heart doats on! on. Karl. Ah! could 1 but see what my heart doats Count. My sweet Laurette! Karl. Fool! so I mustn't enjoy a good dinner even in imagination. Count. Still complaining! Karl. How can I help it, sir? I can't live upon air, as you do. Count. You had plenty last night." Karl. So I had last Christmas, sir; and what sort of a supper was it after all?-One apple, two pears, three bunches of sour grapes, and a bowl of milk: one of your forest meals-I can't abide such a crue! cold diet-oh, for a bumper of brandy! but, unfortunately, my digestion keeps pace with my appetite-I'm always hungry.-Oh! for a bumper of brandy! Count. Hush! [Music heard within the Flask. Karl. What's that? Somebody tickling a guitar into fits; soft music always makes me doleful. Count Go into the house-stay: remember, I would be private. Karl. Private-in a public-house. Oh, I understand, incog: but the miller knows you, sir. Count. That's no reason all my people should. Karl. I smoke-they'd be awed by our dignity and importance-poor things, I pity 'em-they are not used to polished society.-Holloa! house! landlord! Mr. Flask. Enter LOTHAIR. Karl. Good entertainment here for man and beast, I'm told. Lot. You are right. Karl. Well; here's master and I! Lot. You are welcome. (Aside.) I dare not say otherwise; Wolf is on the watch. [Wolf appears, watching at a window. Karl. Have you got anything ready? Lot. Too much, I fear. [Smacking his lips. Karl. Not a bit, I'll warrant. I'm devilish sharp set. Lot. Well, you are just in time. Karl. Pudding-time, I hope! have you got any meat. Lot. I must ask him. (Aside, and looking around anxiously.) Won't your master Karl. No! he lives upon love; but don't be alarmed; I'll make it worth your while; I'm six meals in arrear, and can swallow enough for both of us. [Exit Karl, with Lothair, to the Flask-Wolf closes the window. Count. Yes, I'm resolved-the necessity for passing the river must by this time have urged the peasantry to re-establish the ferry; delay is needless. I'll away instantly to the Chateau Friberg, and with my own people return to redress the wrongs of my oppressed and suffering tenantry. Enter KARL. Count. Well, your news? Karl. Glorious!-The landlord, Mr. Flask, is a man after my own heart, a fellow of five meals a day. Count. Psha!-who are the musicians? Karl. Ill-looking dogs, truly;-Savoyards, I take it; one plays on a thing like a frying-pan, the other turns something that sounds like a young grindstone. Count. What else? Karl, As fine an imitation of a shoulder of mutton as ever I clapp'd my eyes on. Enter KELMAR, exhausted by haste and fatigue. Kel. Ah, the Count and his companion!-Thank heaven, I am arrived in time! my master will be saved, though Claudine, my poor unhappy child, is lost. Fly, I beseech you, fly from this spot! Do not question me; this is no time for explanations; one moment longer, and you are betrayed-your lives irrecoverably sacrificed. Count. Would you again deceive us? Kel. I have been myself deceived-fatally deceived! let an old man's prayers prevail with you! Leave, oh leave this accursed place, and Enter WOLF, in his miller's dress. Kel. Ay, the miller! than has hope forsaken me. Kel. One successful effort more, and death is wel come. Wolf. Villain! Kel. Thou art the villain-see-behold! [With a violent effort of strength, the old man sudd nly turns upon the miller, and tears open his vest, bereath which he appears armed-Wolf, at the same instant, dashes Kelmar from him, who, impelled forward, is caught by the Count-the Count draws his sword-Wolf draws pistols in each hand from his side pockets, and his hat falls off at the same instant-appropriate music. Count. 'Tis he! the same! 'tis Wolf. Wolf. Spiller! Golotz! [Rushes out. Karl. Is it Wolf? Damn his pistols! This shall reach him. [Throws down the poniard, and, catching the Count's sword, hastens after Wolf-the report of a pistol is immediately heard. Exit Count Friberg and Kelmar. At the same moment, GOLOTZ, and another robber, disguised, followed by Lothair, burst from the house. Go. We are called; Wolf called us!-Ah, they have discovered him! Lot. 'Tis too late to follow him, he has reached the bridge. Gol. Then he is safe; but see, at the foot of the hill, armed men, in the Friberg uniform, press forward to the mill. Lot. This way,-we must meet them, then; in, to the subterranean pass! [Exit Golotz.] Now, Claudine, thy sufferings shall cease, and thy father's wrongs shall be revenged, [Exit. SCENE V.-A near View of the Mill, standing on an elevated Projection-from the foreground a narrow Bridge passes to the rocky Promontory across the Ravine. MUSIC.-Enter RAVINA, ascending the ravine with the fusee, which she places carefully in the crannies of the rock. Rav. My trial is over; the train is safe. From this spot I may receive the signal from Lothair, and, at one blow, the hapless victims of captivity and insult are amply, dreadfully avenged. (A pistol is fired without.) Ah, Wolf! Enter WOLF, as pursued, and turning, fires his remaining pistol, then hurries across the bridge, which he instantly draws up-KARL following. Wolf. (With a shout of great exultation.) Ha, ha! you strive in vain! Karl. Cowardly rascal! you will be caught at last. [Shaking his sword at Wolf. Wolf. By whom? Karl. Your only friend, Beelzebub: run as fast as you will, he'll trip up your heels at last. descend from the spot alive, unless with liberty. Wolf. Fool-hardy slave, I have sworn never to Karl. Oh, we'll accommodate you; you shall have liberty to ascend from it; the wings of your own of you into the other world. mill shall be the gallows, and fly with every rascal Wolf. Golotz!-Golotz, I say! [Calling towards the mill Enter COUNT FRIBERG, with KELMAR and the Attendants from the Chateau Friberg, in uniform, and armed with sabres. Count. Wretch! your escape is now impossible. [He seizes Kelmar by the collar. Surrender to the injured laws of your country. Wolf. Never! the brave band that now await my commands within the mill double your number. Golotz! Enter GOLOTZ, from a small door in the Mill. Enter RAVINA-Wolf starts. Rav. She is here! What would you? withdraw your followers, and let my troop pass Count. Hold yet a moment! Count. Till thou art yielded up to justice, they [Exit Golotz. never shall depart. Rav. Traitress! What, then, art thou? But I come not here to parley; ere it be too late, make one atonement for thy injuries,-restore this old man's child. Wolf. For that threat, be this your recompense! Lot. (Throwing aside his cloak.) And this my triumph. [MUSIC.-Lothair places himself before Claudine, and receives Wolf's attack-the Robber is wounded, staggers back, sounds his bugle, and the Mil is crowded with Banditti - Lothair throws back the bridge, catches Claudine in his arms, upon his release from Wolf and hurries upon the bridge. Lot. (Crossing the bridge with Claudine in his arms.) Ravina, fire the train. Rav. I cannot. Lot. Nay, then give me the match! [Lothair instantly sets fire to the fusee, the flash of which is seen to run down the side of the rock into the gully under the bridge, from which Ravina has ascended, and the explosion immediately takes place-Kelmar, rushing forward, catches Claudine in his arms. A COMEDY, IN FIVE ACTS.-BY JOHN TOBIN. Jaques.-"WHY, YOU RAGAMUFFINS! WHAT D'YE TITTER AT?"-Act iii, scene 2. CAMPILLO. LOPEZ. VOLANTE. ZAMORA. HOSTESS. Is not the lady I have chosen fair? Count. Nay, she is beautiful. Duke. Of a right age? [womanhood. Count. In the fresh prime of youth, and bloom of Duke. A well-proportioned form, and noble preCount. True. [sence? Duke. Then her wit;-Her wit is admirable! Count. There is a passing shrillness in her voice. Duke. Has she not wit? Count. A sharp-edged tongue, I own vn; But uses it as bravoes do their swords- [ness! Not for defence, but mischief. Then, her gentleYou had almost forgot to speak of that. Duke. Ay, there you touch me! Yet, though she be prouder Then the vexed ocean at its topmost height, And hear, amid the rending tackle's roar, The spirit of an equinoctial gale. What, though a patient and enduring lover- With humble thanks, her kindness and her scorn; I was not born to be a woman's slave! Count. You have found me so In matters of some moment. I have prepar'd a penance for her pride, (All things are well digested for the purpose), She, like a well-train'd hawk, shall, at my whistle, Count. Most excellent! A plot of rare invention! Duke. When, with a bold hand, I have weeded out The rank growth of her pride, she'll be a garden Duke. You've her father's voice? Count. Yes; and we have concerted, that this Instead of Friar Dominic, her confessor, [evening, Who from his pious office is disabled By sudden sickness, I should visit her; And, as her mind's physician feel the pulse Of her affection. Duke. May you quickly find Her love to you the worst of her offences! He is a common railer against women; Count. Most rare ones A happy wit, and independent spirit, Duke. And then he is a brave, too, 1 marvel much they suffer them to walk What most that active member of a woman Count. Have you found it? [smoke-jack! Rol. Umph! not exactly-something like a For it goes ever without winding up: But that wears out in time-there fails the simile. Next I be thought me of a water-mill; But that stands still on Sundays; woman's tongue Needs no reviving sabbath-and besides, A mill, to give it motion, waits for grist; Now, whether she has aught to say or no, A woman's tongue will go for exercise. In short, I came to this conclusion: Most earthly things have their similitudes, But a woman's tongue is yet incomparable,Was't not the duke that left you? Count. 'Twas. Rol. He saw me, And hurried off! Count. Ay! 'twas most wise in him, Rol. Why now, in reason, what can he expect? To marry such a woman! A thing so closely pack'd with her own pride, Count. Peace, Rolando! You rail at women as priests cry down pleasure; Who, for the penance which they do their tongues, Give ample licence to their appetites. Come, come, however you may mask your nature, I know the secret pulses of your heart Beat towards them still. A woman hater! Pshaw! A young and handsome fellow, and a brave one Rol. Go on. Count. Had I a sister, mother, nay, my grandam, I have a sneaking kindness for the sex; |