ACT HI ROB ROY goes up the stage-the Boy enters from inn, with the claymore-RASHLEIGH sizes it, and calls "GALBRAITH MACSTUART!"--the People shout-ROB ROY sees he is betrayed, and, running off, is met by two so diers, who point their guns at him he rushes across th other side, where he is met by two more soldiers, then by GALBRAITH, then by MAC STUART-he then makes a rush at RASHLEIGH, who keeps him at bay with his drawn sword Tableau pause, ROB ROY is bound by soldier's with a cord. SCENE I-The Pass of Lochard.-Millery Music. Captain. Halt! front! (To Dougal.) Go to the front, sir! (To the Bailie.) Now, sir, you wish to speak with me. Bailie. Yes, captain, I crave that liberty; and for the sake o' 'a concerned, I'm sorry you didu grant it a fall half hour gane by! for it's my siucere advice, for the sake o' ye're friends in general, and mysel' in particular, that you make the best o' your way back again to a place o' safety-if you do not by the hand o' my body, there is no ane o' us wil gang hame to tell the tale. Captain. Make yourself easy, sir! Bile. Easy! I canna mak mysel' easy, sir. My conscience! he'll hae us a' butelier'd. (Aside.) Captain. As you are friends of the government, gentlemen, you will be happy to learn that it is impossible this gang of rutians can escape the measures now taken to suppress them. Various strong parties from the garrison secure the hills in different parts; three hundred Highlanders are in possession of the upper, while Major (albraith and his troopers occupy the lower passes of this country. Bailie. Ah! that sounds a"very weel; but, in the first place, there's mair brandy than brains in the icad o' that Major Galbraith; in the next I wadna hae you place owre muckle confidence in the Hielanders-corbies winna pick out corbies' een. They may quarrel amang themsel's, and gie ilk ither a stab wi' a dirk, or a slash wi' a claymore now and then; but tak my word for't, they are sure to join in the lang run against a' folks that wear breeks on the hinner ends, and hae get purses in their pockets. Rash. I should better have deserved that reproach, when under the direction of an able tutor, I sought to introduce civil war into the bosom of a peaceful country; but I have done my best to atone for my errors. Galbraith, let him be mounted on the same horse with the strongest trooper of your squadron, buckled in the same beli, and guarded on every side, 'till he's safe in the garri-picious. Captain. (Suddenly turning to Dougal.) The route you have led us is dangerous, and therefore sus Dougal. Weel, weel, Dougal didna mak the roads. Dougal. If the shentlemans wad gang upon better gaits, they should hae staid at hames at Glasgo'. Bailie. That they should, indeed! Dougal. Besides, your honour can no tink to tak Military Music.-ROB ROY is led off, looking steadily blow your brains out on the spot. Your caution, at RASHLEIGH. FINALE.-HIGHLANDERS and SOLDIERS. Chorus. Tramp, tranp, o'er moss and fell, People. MacGregor's) found, bound; And wailing clans shall hear his knell, Was "win or d.e!" SOLO. Women. Guardian spirits of the brave, Chorus. Tramp, tramp, &c. sir, shall not go unregarded, (to the Bailie.) but we must proceed. Bailie, Proceed! My conscience! there's something deevilish hard in being obliged to risk aue's life in a quarrel with which we hae nae concern. Francis. I sincerely grieve that your kindness for me has led you into perils in a cause which is now so hopeless. Bailie. We may shake hands on't. Your troubles will sune be owre, are I shall slumber wi my worthy faither the deacon- rest and bless him. Captain. Now, my lads, forward! HELEN MACGREGOR appears on the point of a projecting rock, with a claymor and target-a trace of pistols in her belt, and a man's bonnet and tartan plaid. Helen. Hold, there! stand! Tell me what seek you in the country of the MacGregor? Bailie. By the soul o' my faither, the deacon! it's Rab's wife, Helen! there'll be broken heads among [Exit. us in three minutes. Helen. Answer me! what is it you seek? Captain. The outlaw rebel MacGregor Campbell. Offer no vain resistance, and assure yourself of kind treatment. We make no war on women. Francis. My example! What's that? Bailie. Taking deevilish good care o' himsel'. He warned me to keep clear o' that amiable leddy we saw the noo; and troth, he's right there again, for Rab himsel's frightened at her, when her bluid's up. Francis. Do you know her? Bailie. A deevilish deal ower weel-but it's lang since we're met, and it's odds if she'll remember Helen. Ay, I am no stranger to your tender mercies! Ye have left me neither name, nor famemy mother's bones will shrink in their grave when mine are laid beside them. Ye have left me neither house nor hold-blanket nor bedding-cattle to feed, or flocks to clothe us-you have taken from us all-all! the very name of our ancestors you Two or three HIGHLANDERS rush on, DOUGAL have taken from us, and now you come to seek our lives! Captain. I seek no man's life, nor would I rashly lose my own. Bailie. Nor I mine! The heads of the HIGHLANDERS appear above the rocks-a volley is fired as HELEN disappears-the first party of SOLDIERS, led on by the SERGEANT, return it, and rush forward-the BAILIE, at the first discharge starts, runs about in great alarm, and scrambles up a rock-DOUGAL at the same time rushes on with HIGHLANDERS, who drive the SOLDIERS up the pass-then re-enters, and rushes off to assist the BAILIE-the drums, bugles, and bagpipe: heard incessantly-as the tumult subsides in the distance, FRANCIS, who has gone off, now re-enters. Francis. The contest has terminated, and I fear, fatally for the assailants. But where is my poor friend? I saw him in a situation of imminent danger, but I trust no random shot has confirmed his melancholy prophecy. Bailie. (Without.) My conscience! Enter BAILIE, greatly disordered-the skirts of his coat torn off, and raged, his wig of, shewing his bald pate-he seizes a cocked hat which is left on the stage, and in his confusion puts it on his head. Bailie. My conscience! Francis. Somewhat damaged. I perceive; but I heartily rejoice the case is no worse. Bailie. Thank ye, thank ye-the case is naething to brag o'-they say a friend sticks as close as a blister. My conscience! I wish I had fand it sae. (Putting himself to rights.) When I can' up to this cursed country-forgie me for swearing-on nac ane's errand but yours, Mr. Osbaldistone! d'ye think it was fair, when my foot slipped and hung by the hurdies to the branch o' a ragged thorn, to lave me dangling, like the sign o' the Golden Fleece owre the door o' a mercer's shop on Ludgate Hill? Dye think it was kind, I say, sir, to let me be shot at like a regimental target, set up for ball practice, and never ance try to help me down, sir? Francis. My good sir, recollect the impossibility of my affording you any relief, without assistance But how were you able to extricate yourself? Bailie. Me extricate! My conscience? I should hac hung there, like Mahomet's coffin, till the day o' Pentecost, 'gin it hadna been for that Dougal creature. He cut aff the tails o' ny coat, and clappit me on my legs again, as clean as if I had never been aff them. Francis. And where is Dougal now? following. Highlanders. Mair Saxons! whiz a brace o' ball through 'em! Dongal. Haud, haud! they're friends to the Mac Gregor. HELEN MACGREGOR, followed by HIGH- Helen. Englishmen, and without arms!-that's strange, where there is a Macgregor to hunt and slay! Ba lie. (Hesitating.) I-I am very happy - exceeding happy-to hae this joyfu' opportunity-ahem! this joyfu' occasion o' wishing my kinsman Rab's wife-a-(she looks at him with great contempt)—a very good morning. Helen. Is it so? Helen Campbell, but Helen. How! Campbell! My foot's upon my native heath, and my name is Macgregor. Bailie. Very weel, Mrs. Camp-Mistress Rob Roy-tutz-Mrs. Macgregor, I beg pardon - I would just crave the liberty o' a kinsman, to salute you. Helen. What fellow art thou, that dare claim kindred with our clan, yet neither wear our dress nor speak our language? Who are you that have the tongue and habit of the hound, yet seek to shelter with the deer? Bailie. Why, my mither, Elspeth Macfarlane, was the wife o' my faither Nicol Jarvie-she was the daughter o' Parlane Macfarlane, and Maggy Macfarlane married Duncan M'Nab, wha stood in the fourth degree Helen. And doth the stream of rushing water acknowledge any relationship with the portion that's withdrawn from it for the mean domestic use of those who dwell upon its banks? Baili. Maybe, no-but when the summer's sun has dried up the brook, and left naething but the chucky-stanes, it wad fain hae that portion back again. I ken ye haud us Glasco' bodies unco cheap; but, Lord help ye, Mrs. Ca-Macgregor, think what a figure I should cut wi' my puir auld hurdies in a kilt and hose gartered below the knee. My conscience! I wad be a bonny figure. I hae been very serviceable to Rab as I am, and wad be mair sae, gin he wad leave aff his evil ways, and no disturb the king's peace. Helen. Yes you, and such as you, would have us hewers of wood, and drawers of water-you'd have us find cattle for your banquets, and subjects for your laws to oppress and trample on. But we are free-free by the very act which has left us neither house nor hearth, food or covering,-which has bereaved us of all-all by vengeance! Bailie. For heaven's sake dinna speak o' ver. geance: Helen. I will speak on't-i will perform it tooI will carry on this day's work by a deed that shall break all bonds between Macgregor and the Lowlanders for ever. Here! Allan, Dougal, bind these Sassenachs neck and heels, and throw them into the Highland Lock to seek for their Highland kins folk. Bailie. My consciense! Dougal. Oigh! to be surely, her pleasure maun be done. Bailie. Ah! but Dougal-ye ken Dougal. Oh, ay! they are friends o' te chief, as I can testify, and cam' here on his assurance o' welcome and safety. Enter CAPTAIN THORNTON, led on by But enough of this. Now mark well my message. If they injure a hair of the Mac Gregor's bead - if they do not set him at liberty within the space of twelve hours, I will send them their Saxon captain, and this Glasgow bailie, each bundled in a plaid, and chopped into as many pieces as there are checks in the tartan. Bailie. My conscience! For Heeven's sake dinna send sican a message! Captain. Give the commanding officer my compliments, sir-Captain Thornton's compliments, of the Royals-ell him to do his duty, and not to waste a thought upon me. I am only sorry for the poor fellows that have fallen into such butcherly hands. If I have been deceived by these artful disgracing the king I serve, or the country that savages, I know how to die for my error, without Helen. Dog! were I to order you to tear out their hearts, and place them in each other's breast, to see which there could best plot treason against the MacGregor-would you dare to dispute my orders? (Distant voices are heard, singing the burther of "The Lament.") Hark! hark! what means that strain? (An emotion of alarm in the High-gave me birth! landers.-Helen becomes more agitated as the sounds approach.) Why is this? Why a lament in the moment of victory? Builie. My conscience! whisht! are you weary o' your life! Oh, Mr. Osbaldistone! gie my service-Bailie Nicol Jarvie's service, a merchant and a magistrate in the Sautmarket o' Glasgow-and Enter ROBERT, HAMISH, and a party of HIGH- tell them there are some folks here in great tribu LANDERS. Robert, Hamish, where's the MacGregor? Where's Helen. Rashleigh? (presenting a pistol.) Helen. That word has saved you. (Puts pistol in belt.) Francis. Rashleigh is my cousin; but, for what cause I am unable to divine, he is my bitterest enemy. Helen. I'll tell you the cause. You have unconsciously thwarted him in love and ambition. He robbed your father's house of government papers, to aid a cause which he has this day deserted, and by his treachery has my husband fallen. Dare you carry a message to these bloodhounds, from the wife of your friend? Francis. I am ready to set out immediately- Helen. No, you must remain; I have further occasion for you. Bring forth the Saxon captain. [Exit Dougal. Francis. You will be pleased to understand, that I came into this country on your husband's invitation, and his assurance of aid in the recovery of those papers you have just now mentioned; and my friend, Mr. Jarvie, accompanied me on the same errand. Bailie. And I wish your freend Mr. Jarvie's boots had been fu' of boiling water, when he pat them on for sic a damnable purpose. Helen. Sons, you may read your father in what this young man tells you-wise only when the bonnet's on his head, and the claymore is in his hand. He never exchanges the tartan for the broad cloth, but he runs himself into the miserable intrigues of these Lowlanders, and becomes again their agent, their tool, their slave. lation, and (looking at Helen) like to come to mair; and the best thing they can do for a' parties, is just to let Rab awa', and mak' nae mair aboot it. Helen. Remember my injunctions! for as sure as that sun shall sink beneath the mountain, my words shall be fulfilled. wail with me-there's not a lady in the Lenuos, If I wail, others shall loath to lose-there's not a farmer but shall cry, but shall cry the Coronach for those she will be "Weel awa'," over a burnt barn-yard, and an empty byre-there's not a laird shall lay his head on the pillow at night, with assurance of being a live man in the morning. Conduct him on his way. (She sinks in grief upon the rock, while the "La- Rob Roy. (Without.) Gregarach! Rob Roy rushes on, and is received in the arms of Ielen, with wild and exulting shouts from the clan-the Bailie, exhilarated to the highest pitch of joy, from the deepest despondency. Helen. MacGregor! husband! life! Bailie. But how did you get out o' their clutches, Rab? Rob. Passing the ford of Avandow, Ewan of Briglands cut the belt that bound us; and I ducked and dived down the river, where not one trooper in a thousand would have dared to follow me Helm. And how fell you within their grasp? Rob By him who has placed a brand where he swore to plant the olive-Rashleigh Osbaldistone. But were he the last and the best of his name, may the fiend keep me, when we next meet, if this good blade and his heart's blood are not well acquainted. Bailie. Weel, there are as mony slips between the throat and the gallows as there are between the cup and the lip. I'm like a dead man restored to life! (a boy advances with the Bailie's wig and cane, which he joyfully receives.) Eh! ye're a braw Hielander; ye'll be a man afore your mither. (turns to Rob Roy jocularly.) Od, Rab, when ye re dividing the spoils o' the field, if you find the tail o' my coat, I'll be muckle obliged to ye for't. Rob. (laughs.) Drink, lads, drink, and be blythe! The Dougal passes about horn cups and cans; the music strikes. The Bailie shakes hands with Rob Roy, who pledges him with cordiality-Chorus. Roy's wife of Aldialloch, Roy's wife of Aldivalloch, We can be As blythe as she, Dancing now the Highland Walloch. And Helen she has found her deary. A Highland dance to the bagpipes by Dougal, and Highlana lads and lasses. The Bailie, enraptured at his escape from danger, joins the dancers. Closed in by SCENE IL-Rocks, near Aberfoil. Enter FRANCIS OSBALDISTONE. Francis. I fear I have dismissed my guide too early. Every step I have taken since his departure renders my way to Aberfoil more intricate. The twilight darkens rapidly, and each succeeding moment the surrounding objects wear a different feature, changeful as my fortunes. SONG.-AIR-"Fee him, father, fee him.' A gleam that cheers a winter's day, But though in hopeless dark despair. Enter SIR FREDERICK and DIANA VERNON, muffled in horsemen's cloaks. Sir F. Soho, friend, whither go you? Francis. To Aberfoil-can you direct me thither? Sir F. Turn the projecting rock on your left, and the village lies before you. Francis. I thank you-in return, let me advise, if you travel northward, to wait till the passes are open-there has been some disturbance in this neighbourhood, Sir F. We have heard so. But the soldiers had the worst, had they not? Francis. Yes; but in another quarter, the outlaw, called Rob Roy, has been captured. Sir F. Know you not Rob Roy has again escaped? Francis. Escaped! I rejoice to hear it. That circumstance will at once secure a friend of mine from danger, and prevent my being detained by a commission with which I was entrusted on his behalf. Sir F. Who are you? What is your name? Francis. My name can be of little consequence to an utter stranger. Diana. Mr. Francis Osbaldistone should not sing his favourite airs when he wishes to remain concealed. Francis. Miss Vernon! at such an hour, in such a lawless country? Sir F. Now, Diana, give your cousin his property, and waste no further time. Diana. But one moment, sir--but one moment, to say farewell. Sir F. Remember, 'tis your last. DUET.-AIR.-"The Lass of Patie's Mill.” Forlorn and broken-hearted, I weep my last adieu! That time can ne'er renew. For some far distant shore; My latest sigh shall bless thee, [Exeunt Diana and Francis. SCENE III.-Interior of Jean MacAlpine's. BAILIE NICOL JARVIE discovered seated at the table. Bailie. Weel, after the fatigue it has been my lot to suffer this blessed day, a cup o' brandy does nae harm. My cousin Rab is bringing his family up to an ill end; and as for my cousin Helen-my conscience! (Drinks.) Thank Heaven, I shall soon leave this dolefu' country. Rab again! why, the man's like a bogle or a ghajst. Enter ROB ROY-he sits down opposite the Bailie. Rob. 'Twas business that made me follow you so quickly, Bailie, and business waits for no man. There is the two hundred pounds I promised you. Never say a Highlander belied his word. Bailie. You're an honest man, Rab- that is, ye've a sort of honesty-a kind o'-Rab, ye're an honest rogue. Rob. Come, come, take your money, and your cup, and say no more about it. Bailie. Weel, here's your health, and my cousin Helen's health, and your twa hopefu' sons, of whom mair anon. As to Helen, her reception o' me this blessed day was the north side of friendly, that I maun say. Rob. Say nothing of her but what is befitting a friend to say, and her husband to hear. Bailie. Weel, weel, we'll let that flee stick to the wa'; but I maun tell you, that your sons are as ignorant as the very cattle you used to drive to market. Rob. And where was I to get them teachers? Wauld you have me put on the college gate of Glasgow," Wanted a Tutor for the children of Rob Roy, the outlaw?" Bailie. Not exactly, that cock wudna fecht, but you might hae taught them something. Rob. I have taught them something. Hamish can bring down a black-cock on the wing, with a single bullet; and his brother drive a dirk through a two-inch deal board. Bailie. Sae muckle the waur, Rab-sac muckle the waur. But I hae been thinking, Rab, to tak' them hame to the Sautmarket, and mak' them 'prentices (Rob starts angrily.)-and I'll gie ye back your twa hundred pounds for the satisfaction. Rob. What! a hundred thousand deevils! The sons of MacGregor weavers? I'd sooner see every loom in Glasgow, beams, traddles, and shuttles, burnt in hell-fire? Bailie. My conscience! that wad be a bleeze! Weel, weel, you needna grip your dirk, as though you were gaun to drive it through me; I'm no a twa-inch deal board. Rob. Give me your hand. You mean well, but you press over hard on my temper. Consider what I have been, and what I am become; above all, consider the cause that has forced me to become what I am. Enter FRANCIS OSBALDISTONE. Francis. Ah! MacGregor and Mr. Jarvie, both safe? Rob. Ay, and like to keep so-the worst hour is past. Bailie. My conscience! but it has left plenty o' sair banes ahint it; but a man mustna expect to carry the comforts o' the sautmarket at his tail, when he gangs visiting his Hieland kinsfolk. Rb (Aside to Francis.) Your father is now in Glasgow; send the packet to him by Mr. Jarvie. Francis. My father! How knew you this? Rob. Dispatch your business and follow me. You shall see the moonlight on the mountain-you shall bear Bailie. What? Francis. This, then, was the cause of Rashleigh's unrelenting hatred. Bailie. Nae matter, we've got the stuff, praise be blest-we've got the stuff! Francis. Mr. Jarvie, I intrust these documents to your care, as, henceforward, the sole agent of my father's concerns in Scotland. Take some repose, and set forward early. Bailie. Sole agent, Mr. Osbaldistone! (Bowing.) I'll not affect to disclaim having done my best to deserve the favours o' my frien's in Crane alley, London; or that the recompense will not be advantageous to Nicol Jarvie, merchant and magistrate, in the Sautmarket o Glasgow. But, Mr. Osbaldistone, I trust you'll say as little as need be o' our prauks here amang the hills. If the members o' the Town Council were to ken that ane of their body was seen feighting we' a red-het poker, or dangling like an auld scarecraw o'er a potatoe garden-my conscience! they wadna be weel pleased. If Bailie Graham was to hear o't it wad be a sair hair in my neck as lang as I leeve. Francis. Fear nothing, sir, on that score. Your kindness deserves, and shall receive every expression of the most grateful sentiments; but let me beg of you to lose no time in returning home. Bailie. That you may swear; and the next time you catch me out o' hearing o' St. Mungo's bells again, may Rab Roy sleep wi' his ancestors, aud me wi' his widow! Eh! My conscience! [Exeunt Bailie and Francis. SCENE IV. Rob Roy's Cave, and view of Loch Lomond by moonlight. Enter ROB ROY and FRANCIS OSBALDISTONE. Rob. Let me now speak of my own concerns. My kinsman said something of my boys that sticks to my heart, and maddens in my brain-'twas truth he spoke, yet I dared not listen to it-'twas fair he offered, yet I spurned that offer from very pride. My poor bairns! I'm vexed when I think they must lead their father's life. Francis. Is there no way for amending such a life, and thereby affording them an honourable chance of Rob. You speak like a boy! Think you that the Rob. The night-bird scream! you will listen to old gnarled oak can be twisted like the green sapher bodings? Now the mist is on the brae, and the ling? Think you I can forget being branded as an spirit of the Gregarach walks! But I forget-you outlaw-stigmatised as a traitor a price set upon mean kindly. Farewell, cousin, farewell. (Shakes my head, and my wife and family treated as the hands with the Bailie, who is much affected, to dam and cubs of a wolf? The very name, which Francis.) Follow me towards the Loch; I would came to me from a long and noble line of martial speak with you in private. (As Rob is about to exit, ancestors, denounced, as if it were a spell to conthe Bailie goes up to him, and offers him the purse, jure up the devil. which he rejects.) Keep your trash, Bailie, keep your Francis. Rely on it, the proscription of your name and family is considered by the English as a most cruel and arbitrary law. Rob. Still it is proscribed; and they shall hear of my vengeance, that would scorn to listen to the story of my wrongs; they shall find the name of MacGregor is a spell to raise the wild devil withal Ah, Heav'n help me! I found desolation where I |
