Blin. But I shall be your father-in-law soon.

Blin. We have so much to say; the farm, the settlements, the attorney, the sult

Mrs. B. But your head is so confused. However, there is no help, for he is already on the

stairs.

Gov. (Without.) Easy, friend, easy; 'sblood!

Ros. Yes, and my heart beats quick, just as it does when I see him.

Blin. And mine just as it does when I see you-I mean your mother. She is like you.

Ros. My mother! Ah! you are as young as your likeness.

Blin. Looks are deceitful. But, Rosina, you must love me, if not for my own sake, for the sake of my likeness.

Ros. Ah! but I don't love him; he is unfortunate, and I feel interested in his fate, that's all.

Blin. You pity him! I'll avow myself at once, and-(Aside.) Dearest Rosina, I-I-(A footstep is heard.) Oh! here's this teasing, amorous Widow; she haunts me.

(Aside, and walking about.)

Enter MRS. BELMONT, with an unfolded note.

Mrs. B. We shall have an addition to our party Cousin, you'll not object to an old friend of mine, whom I prepare you to esteem.

Blin. A friend of yours? I shall be happy to see him. I wish him at the devil with all my heart.

(Aside.)

Mrs. B. An honest, plain, rough Irishman. The laws of his country forbade him, as a catholic, serving in the armies of his own monarch, whom be adores as the father of a great, free, and happy people.

Blin. We have many brave Irish with our troops, all much esteemed: but who is your friend?

Mr. B. A singular character; eccentric, and, at times, warm to a degree. His employment gives him an appearance of harsh authority, while, in reality, he is mild and humane. After this sketch, you will allow for a rough diamond. IIe wishes to be introduced to a soldier of your marit, and being within five minutes walk, comes without form-the Governor of the castle.

Blin. (Starting.) Eh! who? the Governor? (Walks about agitated.) All my unlucky planets must have joined. (Aside.)

Mrs. B. Run, haste, Rosina, give directions that the supper suit our guests. (Rosina, with her eyes fixed on Blinval, does not attend.) Why ain't you gone?

Ros. Oh! the resemblance is astonishing. [Aside and exit. Mrs. B. How kind of our good friend, the very first hour you arrive.

Blin. (Still walking about.) Oh, kind! Yes, yesd-d kind! (aside)-kind to a degree; but I'm so dreadfully fatigued after fighting with the robbers, that I feel oppressed with sleep.

Mrs. B. Well, we'll sup early, then.

Blin. But can't we sup alone? On the footing we stand, a third is the devil.

Mrs. B. (Smiling.) We will have opportunities enough of being tête-à-tête,

laure, and let the sergeant wait.

Blin. (Aside.) Now impudence stand my ally. There's no alternative. (Turns on one side, draws up the collar of his coat round his face, pulls his hat over his eyes, and stands with his arms folded.)

Enter the GOVERNOR OF SORRENTO.

Gov. (Speaking as he enters.) If they ask for me here, tell 'em, remember, I'm just gone there, honey. Well, here and I'm come, quicker than my billet which got here first. 'Faith! and the captain will rejoice to be made known to an old veteran who has had some hard knocks to secure him a snug retreat, and a good flask of lachryma christi to fight his battles over. Be introducing us, Widow; I must tell him about my last campaign.

Mrs. B. Cousin; our friend, the Governor, cousin. Count Murville! the Governor of the castle.

Blin. (Still with his back to them.) Three thousand. and the enemy thought five, with the advantage of a wood, but his right flank left in the air.

Gov. Eh? what? By Saint Patrick, the most extraordinary fellow! how long will he keep in the air? Hallo! Count Murville, here's ould O'Rourke O'Donnel, Governor of Sorrento, and-whew! (Whistling.) 'Sblood! he's as deaf as my invalid sergeant of artillery. Och! and you'll have a nice

husband.

Blin. (Aside.) Psha! 'tis absurd, and I'll e'en brave the storm.

Mrs B. Cousin, cousin! our friend, the Governor. How provoking!

Blin. Eh! who? Oh! I beg pardon; I was absorbed in a dull calculation.

Gov. (Advancing.) No excuses, jewel, to ould O'Donnel. (Starts back on seeing his face.) Och! from the south tower? the strongest part of the what?-devil burn me!-yet, how could he get whole castle, sure! Och! it's impossible! haven't I had the keys all under locks in my own room?

Blin. (All this time looks the Governor full in the face, and turns occasionally, with affected surprise, to Mrs. Belmont.) I'm fortunate in attracting your notice. P'rythee, widow, what can this mean?

Gov. That Count Murville! Hubaboo! Botheration! 'Faith! it's a young wild devil of the death's heads, I have now snug enough there, between four walls, not a stone's throw from us. (Strutting up to him.) Sir, let me tell you, sir, that while O'Rourke O'Donnel governs the castle, he will govern and keep his prisoners safe, though they do break

out.

Blin. Ha, ha, ha! Widow, is your friend often What upon earth have I to say to your prisoner? Here I'm Count Murville.

thus?

Gov. No, sir-'sblood! here you are-zounds! here you are not Count Murville. Widow, he is as like one of my prisoners as two drops of whisky. Mrs. B. And this prisoner

Gov. Is a wild rogue that found the world not wide enough for his mad pranks; and has the happiness of exercising them at his liberty, in a nice room, five yards by ten, in the south tower.

Gov. Och! he's as safe as bolts, walls, bars and chains can keep him. Sure, I know that, though he stands here just now.

Mrs. B. Ah! poor young man! you treat him too harshly.

Gov. 'Faith! my orders are positive. But I soften as much as possible. Humanity has a command over me strict as the king's, and I obey both masters with pleasure. But this Blinval

Blin, Blinval! We served in the same corps, and were never asunder; he is as like me as if we'd been twins.

Gov. Twins! Zounds! he's yourself. Well, well, as it's explained, you can't be he, and you're well off; he's in a pretty mess.

Blin. I'm as much grieved and suffer as much as if I were in his place, we were such friends.

Gor. Were you so? 'Faith! I have a mind-but you must take your oath-No, no, I won't be satisfled with that; you must give me your honour. Blin. What do you mean?

Gov. (To Mrs. B.) I can't be satisfied till I see them both in one spot, standing there, cheek by jowl, like two double cherries. He shall sup here.

Blin. Who?

Gov. Blinval.

Blin. Sup here! Blinval!

Mrs. B. It will be very kind.

Blin. You must not think of it. If it were known -his confinement's so strict

Gov. 'Faith! and I run some risk; but to oblige a friend-Och! be easy, he shall sup here.

Blin. There will be bloodshed, then; we have quarrelled most furiously.

Gov. Quarrelled! Aha! that's the best news I have heard. It's the sure road to be as thick as mustard. You shall be friends.

Blin. I can never see him.
Gov. You shall be friends.
Blin. We two can't meet.

Gov. Och! be easy; I am the best hand in Italy at an accommodation. Didn't I make up the quarrel at Balmuddery, when honest Pat Holloway had put Captain Noraghan's nose clean out of joint.

Blin. And how had he done that?

Gov. 'Faith! he had squeezed it tight, between his finger and thumb a little.

SONG.-GOVERNOR.

Arrah! what a big nose had the bold Captain Nora ghan!

Pat Holloway he pull'd it till he made him to roar again.

"Pat Holloway I'll shoot you, you never shall snore

ghan, again."

Blin. (Aside.) I've no alternative; back to my prison.

Mrs. B. How happy this will make poor Blinval! Come, you must oblige me and be reconciled; it is my first request, and I insist on your compliance.

Blin. Insist, madam! My injured honour brooks no interference. Seek not to thwart me; some dreadful consequences might ensue, some consequences you cannot foresee. Insist, madam! I wish you a good night. (Rushes into the bed-chamber and locks the door.)

Mrs. B. What madness and rudeness! I thought in Murville to have found mildness and sensibility. Oh man, man! tax us not with deceit, when in your own proud sex there's such a proof of the wide difference between professions and

actions.

Ros. Sure, that's a little ungallant. Then our nice supper's of no use.

Mrs. B. His place will be supplied. The Governor conceives there's a resemblance betwen Murville and one of his prisoners, and is gone for the captive.

Ros. What, the gay prisoner in the tower? Oh! there's a great resemblance; so striking! there's no mistaking it.

Mrs. B. Indeed! Pray, Rosina, how came you to

Whack fal de diddle! Well-a-day! Whack fal de diddle!

middle,

hours to hear him sing. He bewails his captivity, Complains that all the world forsakes him, except me. Could I hear this and not be sorry for his fate?

Mrs. B. Rosina, your simplicity affects me; to pity him in his distress is amiable; but to love him would be imprudent. Be cautious, then, Rosina; nor sully with a fault one of the heart's best virtues -compassion for the unfortunate.

SONG.-MRS. BELMONT.

From pity's power thou need'st not fly;
The tear she sheds adorns the eye;
And when down beauty's cheek it flows,
More bright its radiant crimson glows.
But there's a sigh, and there's a tear,
That bids youth's roses disappear;
Beware lest thine their influence prove,
Beware lest pity turn to love.

That tear is love's, and love's that sigh;
They fade the cheek, they dim the eye.
Ah! let not, then, thy artless bloom
In sighs and tears so dire consume.

Then, if thy heart tumultuous beat
Whene'er thine eyes yon raptive's meet,
Away, nor more such danger prove,
For soon thy pity would be love.

[Exeunt.

ture, that's all. But I've some pleasure in reserve; there's an old friend hard by, though you've quarrelled, and you shall sup with him to-night; I am determined you shall be reconciled; and, though Murville

Blin. (With affected surprise.) Murville! I esteem him more than I can express; but I cannot forget having cheated him out of a fine girl. It was my fault; we are so alike, I easily passed in his place.

Gov. Like! 'Slife! but you had the same father, How it happened that's not my business, but you're brothers, or I'm not governor. Come, shall we march?

Blin. Willingly; and if you bring us together, you will have worked a miracle.

Gov. Hubaboo! honey, leave all to me. 'Faith! I'll not rest till you are face to face.

Blin. Then your rest's gone in this world, take. my word.

Gov. Allons, donc. Nous verrons.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-Blinval's Room in the Prison. A large

SCENE IV-Mrs. Belmont's.

following.

Enter BLINVAL by the trap-door. He hurries in, rolls the stone back, and puts the tables and chairs in their places.

Blin. There, then, I'm safe. Now Mr. Governor, one instant to derange this mad head, and I'm at your service. (Pulls his hair out of form, and gives as much disorder as he can to his appearance. A clanking heard of a chain.) Hark! Oh! my old buck, I must have had a few dips in the Shannon, too, not to outwit your excellence.

(Walks about in a melancholy manner with his arms crossed.)

Enter the GOVERNOR of SORRENTO. Gov. Och! and you're there. Well, then, I'm an ould blockhead, and that's all. You may go back. (To the Guard outside.) Ah! what, my little Kill Colonel! Well, but what makes you so dismal? Don't be faint-hearted, boy; joy sometimes penetrates even the walls of a prison.

Blin. Joy! You are too generous, too much a man of honour, to add the pangs of raillery to my distress. Am I released?

Gov. 'Faith! and who told it you? Fair and softly; only six months, and tired so soon! That's no great compliment I must confess. Blin. Psha! why, then, am I thus teased.

(Dashes down one of the chairs in a passion.)

Gov. And is there any other part of the king's furniture you would like to destroy? Pray, make. as free as with your own.

Blin. I beg pardon; you've been very kind to me, Governor; you've been very kind.

Gov. Och! my dear boy, not a word more, I would attend you to the scaffold with the greatest pleasure imaginable; only don't break the furni

Mrs. B. Acquaint your master, Count Murville, and from me, that the sooner he attends to his affairs elsewhere, the better. It must be equally unpleasant to us both while he remains.

Ger. Dear, dear! was there ever such an unlucky son of Adam? (Aside.)-Most honoured madam, my master would break my head if I were so impertinent; and you yourself-Lovers' quarrels are, you know, madam-(goes to the bed-room, and tries the door.)-Lord! it's no use; I could as soon get ateven the prisoner in the south tower.

Mrs. B. Well, when the Governor comes, we shall see.

Ger. (Alarmed.) The-the-the what, ma'am? Mrs. B. Certainly. What can that be to you? Ger. Oh! nothing, ma'am! nothing to me.(Aside.) Here's a cursed scrape-But I have such a kind of a sort of a dread of a prison ever since an old hag of a gipsy told me I should live to be hanged.-(Aside.) And, if I could make him hear

And, madam, the very name (loud) of a Governor makes my teeth chatter, madam.

Mrs. B. Well, well, you may retire. Desire my people to take care of you; and, when your master chooses to appear, you shall be called.

Ger. Truly, most benevolent lady, I most punetually obey your orders. What, hoa! Gaspard, Diego, Janfron! here, you must take care of me. (Gets near the bed-room door, and calls loudly.) The Governor's coming. Somo more champagne.

(As he goes out he mee's Blinval and the Governor of Sorrento entering; Blinval in his hussar jacket. Germain start back, and Blinval catches his arm, and threatens him.)

Blin, (Speaking as he enters.) Ah! my head's giddy with confinement. I feel oppressed with the pure

air.

Ros. It is the prisoner.

Mrs. B. The resemblance is striking.

Ger. (Aside.) The resemblance! then all is safe,

Gov. 'Sblood! my fair violet, what makes you say "heigho!" Oh! if I could but knock off thirty of these hard years, 'faith, I'd soon change your note.

Mrs. B. (Smiling.) You'd have no chance.

Gov. No chance! 'Slife! but an honest Irish heart is worth the conquest. (Rosina shakes her head, and sighs.) Again! Widow, the little blind urchin has been at work. Come, child, confess what happy name would have been wafted on that deep-drawn sigh: make me your confidant, and you'll find me a good ally.

Mrs. B. Rosina, child, the Governor is an old friend; your confidence will be well placed. (During the end of this dialogue, the bed-room door opens, and Blinval with the great coat on, disguised as Murville, peeps through, stealing in quietly, and unperceived by any of the party.)

Gov. And has this lover of yours my little dear, no name?

Blin Oh! yes, yes, yes; he has a name, and I know it. (They all turn round towards Blinval.)

Gov. Och! are you there at last, Mr. Murville? | Come, if you please; you shall just step with me to the castle, where you shall shake hands with my prisoner; and let me see you both in the same person, and together, and then I will believe you are not him. (Blinval creeps back to the bed-chamber. and nearly gains the door, when the Governor, perceiving his intention, catches his arm, and brings him back.) No, honey, no! no, not quite so young. You must come fairly, or I shall call the guard.

Blin. (Struggling.) Sir, do you know,

am

I

Gov. (Holding him.) Och! now be easy, friend, it is to know whether you are my prisoner or yourself; and to make you both come together, while you are separate, that I oblige you with my company to the south tower. So, now be easy, or I must call the guard. Come, come-och! to be sure. now, and you're not friends.

Blin. Well, sir-(Aside.) Zounds! what shall I hit on, now?-Well, sir, I'll attend y2; I'll follow -follow you presently.

Gov. Follow! 'faith, in my country, friends always link themselves so doatingly-so, if you please, I must desire your arm, (Keeps hold of Blinval, and drags him off.)

Mrs. B. (Having been previously talking apart with Rosina.) Rosina, I must now have some serious talk with you. Follow me to my dressing-room, and look for the indulgence of a fond mother, if I experience the candour and truth of a dutiful child. [Exit. Ros. Ah! my heart beats so quick! If I could steel for an instant to my balcony, and catch one good, fair view. But my mamma needn't mind poor Blinval, he will soon be removed. These despatches make me tremble. Oh! if I could but steal him fairly from that ugly tower, they should never see him again.

SONG.-ROSINA.

Together, then, we'd fondly stray,

O'er meadows green, thro' woodlands deep, Rejoicing view the lambkins play,

And in the gurgling streamlet peep:
No cankering cares our sleep molest,
No frowning gaoler part;
Above the world, supremely blest,

His throne Rosina's heart.

From haunts of surly men we'd fly.
My pris'ner safe I'd guard;
Secure from envy's prying eye,
And love our bright reward.
For him I'd cull Pomona's store,
Nor from his side depart,

Thus bless'd, could Blinval ask for more?
His throne Rosina's heart.

[Exit.

SCENE II.-Blinval's Apartment in the prison. The stone is so removed as just to admit of the possibility of his passing. A lamp burning on the table. The camp bed, near the secret avenue. Curtains drawn close and opposite to the common entrance.

Gov. (Without.) Well, well! I shall be satisfied in a moment. Sentry, your prisoner's safe? Sentry. (Without.) All's well!

Gov. Safe, you say; all's well? Corporal, post your guard on the stairs, and let nobody pass. (The keys are heard turning, the bars removing, and the chains falling.)

Enter the GOVERNOR OF SORRENTO holding BLINVAL, who is wrapped in his surtout.

Gov. Come, come-'faith! and you've been more tractable than I had hoped-But what makes you tremble? (Blinval appears smothering a laugh.) Oh! he's a mighty, pretty, well-behaved, civil spoken fellow, and will make you any apology you please. - (Looking round.) Hallo! Why, 'sblood and ouns! where has he hidden himself? Zounds! is it possible? Oh! no, no, no; he must be gone to bed. Stand here a moment, Count, while I wake him. (Goes towards the bed. Blinval watches his opportunity; and, at the instant the Governor has reached the bed, whips off the great coat, throws it into the opening behind the stone, which he moves back to its right place, concealing the trap-door, and slips behind the bed, and into it.)-Ay, ay, poor devil! he has just laid down to take a comfortable bit of a nap. Blinval, Blinval! 'Faith, he sleeps like a top! Who'd think a man could sleep so sound in misfortune? Blinval! (Throwing open the curtains.)

Blin. (Putting his head from the bed.) What do you

want?

Gov. Och! and you're there! Well, and why did you not spake out, when you first saw my voice in your sleep?

Blin. (Coming forward.) What can this mean? Governor, let me tell you, your behaviour, to a man in distress, is inexcusable. Why am I thus tormented, sir? Leave me this instant, I insist!

Gov. Leave you! Faith and be easy, boy? Haven't I brought Murville? You shall be friends

(Turning to the spot where he had left Blinral.) Why, zounds! how! that other fellow is off!There, I see him! Hallo! Sentry, sergeant, corporal! bring him back here.