ACT I.

SCENE I.-On the right hard, one of the towers of the Castle of Sorrento; a ditch and parapet-wall dividing it from a large house placed on the left, with a latticed window over the door opening to a balcony. In the tower, a grated window about the height of the balcony. A picturesque view of the country in the distance, mountainous, and with vineyards.

ROSINA appears at the latticed window.

SONG.-ROSINA.

Evening's shadows now appear,
All is hush'd and calm around-
Hark! his well-known voice I hear;
Let me fly to catch the sound.

FOOTMAN.
MRS. BELMONT.
ROSINA.

No; 'tis past, and silence reigns;
Pensive, still, I mourn his fate:
In his tower he still remains;
Here, alas! in vain I wait.
Evening's shadows now appear,
All is hush'd and calm around-
Hark! again his voice I hear;

Yes, I've caught the well-known sound. BLINVAL, in a red hussar jacket, his hair dishevelled, and his whole appearance neglected, appears at the grated window of the prison.

DUET.-BLINVAL and ROSINA.
Blin. Hark! again that heavenly voice.
Ros. Yes, 'tis he; why throbs my heart?
By turns I sigh, by turns rejoice;
I'm fix'd, though reason says depart.

Ger. Are you all dead? Rub down my hack, and let me have a spanking supper, for I'm confoundedly sharp set.

Ros. Pray, where do you suppose yourself, that you're so much at home? This is no inn.

Ger. (Looking up, and taking off his hat.) Bumpers and Burgundy! there's a rogue's eye! (Aside.) Inn! Oh, no; Lord love your pretty face! the Widow Belmont would be quite shocked if I went to an Inn.

Ros. Indeed! And who are you?

Ger. One of king Cupid's corps diplomatique; ambassador of love; courier of Hymen; the faithful follower, though I precede my master, of Count Murville, captain in the death's head hussars, et cetera-Germain, at your service. (Bowing.) Ros. Oh! from our cousin Murville. Well, I'll inform mamma. Provoking puppy!-at this moment-he has chosen this time. [Aside, and exit.

SCENE IL-A Drawing-room at the Widow Belmont's.

Enter the Footman and GERMAIN.

Foot. My mistress is at the Governor's, and you must wait. She will speak with you here. (Going.) Ger. But, sir, respected sir, (bowing) if you are pleased to take your own sweet company away, can't you send me an omelet and a salad, with a few of your half-emptied flasks? You understand? and I don't think, without offence, I should lament your absence.

Foo. Oh, sir, your most obedient But I am never purveyor, except where I'm a guest: you understand?? [Exit.

Ger. Well, now, as I'm a Christian sinner, that fellow deserves the galleys. I wish my master would appear. Somehow, I'm never respected but I have it: the imprisonment of his young friend for his sake. What can detain him at Naples? Oh, Blinval; that fire-eating, mad rattlecap, who had nearly sabred his own colonel. What a cursed scrape! Death by the articles of war. But he performed such prodigies in the last battle, and saved Count Murville's life, so he'll move heaven, earth, and the minister for his release. Oh! now I recollect, he is in this district, close prisoner in the old castle of Sorrento: if I could speak to him-No, no, poor devil, he is trapped like a rat, and can only be peeped at through his gratings.

Enter BLINVAL, in the red hussar's jacket, without a sword.

strangle me, man. I'm here, you see, in spite of our old fusty colonel, safe, sound, and hearty, boy. Ger. But by what miracle? I thought you snug in one of the four towers of that d-d castle.

Blin So thinks the governor, heaven help him, at this hour. But tell me, whose is this house? Ger. The Widow Belmont's. Blm. Has she a daughter?

Ger. Rosina; a great beauty; fresh, blooming, and sixteen.

Blin Huzza! Then I shall bless the day I heard the rusty hinges of Sorrento creak.

Ger. And were I in your place, I should curse it most furiously. But what with hunger, thirst, and curiosity, I'm in a desperate case; pity me, sir, I have a craving appetite for your adventures.

Blin. Shut up in the south tower, I one day saw the daughter of this house at a latticed balcony; woodbines and jessamines were round the wall, but they weren't half so fresh as the sweet little creature who eclipsed them.

Ger. Oh, Lord! oh, Lord! I'm likely to be famished still, if we're to creep through the woodbines.

Blin. To the point, then: she kept her eyes long fixed on me; I tried to move her by croaking in my d-d hoarse voice, some melancholy ditties about captivity and so on. Every day, fresh attentions, fresh songs. This very evening my gaoler called me from a charming interview. I thrust him out, and, in a moment of passion, dashed an old wardrobe in a dark corner of my room to atoms. A folded paper caught my eye, I seized it eagerly; it was directed

Ger. How?

Blin. To the unfortunate who succeeds me."
Ger. And the contents?

Blin. A legacy from a poor devil of a predecessor: he had been shut up in the same part of the tower for ten years; but love had softened the hardships of his captivity. In short, the paper marked a secret avenue leading to the next house. I descended, crept through a subterraneous passage, climbed a cork-screw staircase, reached a small door, and, upon pressing back a spring, jumped into that bedroom.

Ger. And the entrance

But

Blin. Is concealed by that looking-glass. tell me now, what brings your rogue's face to Sorrento?

whistle his soft notes in a foul air and a close cage.

Blin. They visit me but twice a day; and till tomorrow's noon I'm safe.

Ger. Granted; but will that negligée suit the lover?

Blin. Oh! let me see. (Pauses.) I have been stopped by a banditti.

Ger. Ha, ha, ha! You're never at a loss; always a tale at your tongue's end. But my scruplesBlin. Have, like all other things, their price. (Shaking a purse.) Fifty louis for their repose. Ger. They're hushed. (Taking the purse.) Blin. But if I appear in this identical dress, I shall be known instantly by Rosina, and it would not be prudent to discover myself, even to her, too

Blin. As you perceive, and in no better plight. (Looking at his dress.)

Mrs. B. What has happened?

Blin. Friendship, love, and anxiety, all urged me to hasten here; unfortunately, a bandittiMrs. B. Robbers?

Blin. Stopped me some leagues from this. Ger. Five minutes later, and I had shared his fate. Oh, terrible!

Mrs. B. Robbers!

Blin. Excellent! When will they solemnize? Ger. The day's not fixed, for they have never

met.

MONT.

Blin. Affection induced me all dangers to brave,
I mounted my horse in the dead of the night.
This love had nigh shown him the way to his
grave;

Ger.

Blin. Not seen each other! Then I'm established in the house.

Ger. Eh! how do you make that out?

Blin. Dolt, dunderhead! I shall pass for Murville; the Widow Belmont will receive, caress, feed, lodge, and

Mrs. B.

Ger.

Blin.

Ger. Marry you?

Blin.

tower, find the bird flown, and send him back to

When you hear h's escape, you'll be seiz'd with

creas'd.

Ger. Blin.

found?

Such a risk, such a state!
'Faith! his perils were great.

The blood of six others soon redden'd my sword

What a bounce, uhat a lie!

Not a creature came by

(Aside.)

Mrs. B. But I expected, I confess, a man of middle age, and you appear quite young.

Blin. True; I have ever been thought young, and surely, cousin, that's no misfortune.

Mrs. B. No; but as reason and friendship form the basis of our union, though tempted to regard it as a defect, I am willing to hope we shall be both happy. I shall now leave you to give directions for your comfort and accommodation.

Enter GERMAIN.

Blin.

Ger. Blin.

power'd.

With ten wounds gaping wide,

And six thrusts in the side,

I fought till my blood in a torrent was pour'd.

He fought till his blood in a torrent was pour'd.

Then faintly I sank, by such odds overpower'd.

Mrs. B. Alas! what a state by such odds overpower'd!

Blin. Stretched on the ground for dead, the cowards rifled me, but fled on the approach of travellers, who, coming up, gave me every assistance in their power.

Mrs. B. Good heavens! I fear you must have suffered much from the wounds you received. Have you kept your chamber long?

Blin. Hum! I have been a good while confined; haven't I, Germain ?

Ger. That you have; I can prove it. Blin. But, excepting a weakness, no inconvenience follows.

Mrs. B. He is younger than I conceived, well

made, and elegant. (Aside.) My last letter must have convinced you I was desirous to have all points explained.

Blin. Oh! we'll explain ourselves off hand. Germain, endeavour to get me some decent clothes; I ashamed to see myself; I have the appear

Mrs. B. You consent, then, to keep the farm? Blin. The farm! Oh! decided. Yes, yes, we'll keep the farm.

Mrs. B. But we must recollect my daughter: she has just claims.

Blin. The greatest possible. She is so beautiful! such a soft, tender air! so interesting, so charming!

Mrs. B. Really! How can you tell all this? Have you seen her?

Blin. Seen her! Yes, I-Oh! no; but I speak from report which is loud in her praise; so, oblige me, and drop the suit.

Mrs. B. Why, you forget-you drop the suit.

Ger. But my master in the meantime appears; off goes my livery, and I'm cooped up in your agreeable south tower, for having touched upon the secret spring.

Blin. I shall rejoice in such good company. But see, the sun peeps forth; fogs, mists, and vapours fly; here comes Rosina.

Ger. Then you'll dispense with me; so I'll escape to the more foggy regions, where savoury fumes exhale from the stew-pans, and the jolly butler distributes his rich gifts from the Widow's cellar.

Enter ROSINA.

[Exit.

Ros. (Aside.) This, then, is my step-father; and I must be respectful, and so forth: so says mamma. Heigho!

Blin. (Aside.) She'll be astonished when she perceives the prisoner.

(Going towards her.)

Ros. (Starting.) Oh, heavens! Can I believe my eyes? His very features!

Blin. What startles you, my little cousin? have I already the misfortune to displease?

Ros. No, sir; no, certainly not that; but I was struck with the resemblance to a friend; yes, sir, an absent friend, too little known, and alas! too unfortunate. Pardon me, sir, but my tongue falters, my heart throbs, and my face burns. must beg to retire.

(Going.)

(Taking her hand.) | You would not be so because I ought to

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

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

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!

Blin. You tremble. Happy Blinval!

(Aside.)

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 he 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?

Mrs. 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. He wishes to be introduced to a soldier of your merit, 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 Blincal, does not a'tend.) Why ain't you gone?

Ros. Oh! the resemblance is astonishing.

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 who has had some hard knocks to secure him a will rejoice to be made known to an old veteran 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. traordinary fellow! how long will he keep in the Gov. Eh? what? By Saint Patrick, the most ex

air?

Hallo! Count Murville, here's ould O'Rourke (Whistling.) 'Sblood! he's as deaf as my invalid O'Donnel, Governor of Sorrento, and-whew! sergeant of artillery. Och! and you'll have a nice

husband.

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

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

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

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

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

Gov. That Count Murville! Hubaboo! Bother

ation! 'Faith! it's a young wild devil of the death's heads, I have now snug enough there, betwe n four walls, not a stone's throw from us. (S rutting up to him.) Sir, let me tell you, sir, that while O'l ourke O'Donnel governs the castle, he will govern and keep his prisoners safe, though they do break

out.

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 télé-à-tête.

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 em at his liberty, in a nice room, five yards by ten, in the south tower.