Enter Corporal. Why did you let that fellow pass, and not shoot him for forcing you? You a soldier! I'll have you all at the halberts, or I am not Governor, by St. Patrick!

Corporal. Governor, no one passed us.

Gov. (Raising his canc.) Ah! and get out with your d-d lies! Didn't I see him here, through my own eyes? And didn't I see the tail of his brown coat, as he skipped through the door? Make your self scarce, or I shall break my cane over your d-d thick head. (Advances on the Corporal, who runs off.) Well, well, you shall meet yet; I'll not be treated so by any Count in the kingdom! I'll after him this instant; ay, and he shall give me the satisfaction of a gentleman, when he has made friends with you, which shall be here, here, and before you're shot. [Exit. Blin. Governor! Governor! (Following him.) Huzza! I'm safe again. Love is like hunger, and will break through stone walls.

[Watches the Governor fairly out. When the prison door closes, listens a moment, then runs to the movable stone, pulls it away, and exit through the trap-door.

SCENE III-A Grove leading to the castle. Enter GERMAIN, stealing along in silence, and alarm.

Ger. Oh, dear! oh, dear! All must out now, and the reward of my labour will be bestowed with interest. Germain, thou art a fool; and a court-martial would decide it, and I'll prove it. "Gentlemen, the prisoner was a free man; and, for fifty Louis, he abetted, assisted, connived at, and advised Lieutenant Blinval, of the death's-head hussars, then and there prisoner in the castle-(Starting, and looking round.)-to represent the Count Murville" -Oh, lord! oh, lord! Talk of the devil, and he's at your elbow. [Exit.

SCENE IV.-The outside of the Castle; an antique building, with four towers, enclosed by a wet ditch. A draw-bridge up; cannon mounted, &c. A view across the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius in the distance. The scene is by moonlight, and the reflection throus upon the water. A Sentinel placed upon the ramparts.

Enter COUNT MURVILLE in the same uniform as Blinval's, the dress jacket of an hussar officer, and the cloak on the shoulder. He views the castle with attention, and then comes forward.

Mur. Here, then, I am at last: and with the pardon I have despaired of obtaining. His warm temper hurried Blinval into an act, which, though excusable, in a young man, is death to a soldier. I can, in my turn, now give life. Yes, to the generous feclings of a monarch I am indebted for success, when interest and court favour failed. Blinval, how rich the gift! First, I'll embrace my friend; see him at liberty; then fly to my cousin, and seek that settled happiness her character bids me expect.

Enter GERMAIN.

Ger (Aside, stealing forward.) Not quite so fast, or I'm ruined.-(To Murville.) Sir, you're welcome. I have obeyed all your orders; nay, sir, exceeded them, in my impatience to oblige (aside.) myself: no lie there.

Mur. Germain, I have no doubt of your fidelity. I am expected, then?

Ger. No, sir, not yet; and if you could delay your visit for a short time, all things would be better arranged; at present, sir, the apartmont, which has been occupied, is not ready; and and-in short, sir, you are not expected yet.

Mur. This appears strange. However, I have more serious business at present. Attend me here; I shall despatch you with a message in a few moments.

Ger. (Aside.) Serious business! Dear, dear! that's so lucky! If I can keep him at an inn a night, there will be time for invention.

Mur. (Pulling out his watch.) This loitering Governor! Could I impart to him my feeling and anxiety, he would be swift, indeed; but the scenes that he is accustomed to, deaden his sensibility.(The drawbridge is lowered.) Hark! the bridge lowers; then there are some hopes.

Ger. (Aside.) Hopes! Oh! that I could but creep into a suail's house to escape. He'll have discovered all, and I shall live to see the gipsy's prophecy fulfilled-I shall be hanged! Enter the GOVERNOR OF SORRENTO from the Castle, followed by the Lieutenant and an Officer; when they are on the bridge, the Governor directs the Officer to return to the castle; the bridge is again raised, and the Governor and the Lieutenant come forward to Murville.

Mur. I presume, sir, the Governor?

Gov. 'Faith, sir, you have guessed right. I am O'Rourke O'Flagherty of the kingdom, and, as you say, governor of the castle. You have despatches from Naples.

Mur. For the release of one of your state prisoners: I have the packet in my hand.

Gov. Welcome, sir, to Sorrento. I am seldom so pleased as when I wish my old acquaintances a good journey; though they are never grateful enough to wish to pay me a second visit.

Mur. I'm impatient to afford you that enjoyment. Here are my orders; inspect them. Here's the king's seal; they are correct. (Delivering despatches.)

Gov. (Reading.) "Blinval!"-Och! I am rejoiced-But we lose time. Lower the bridge!Come, sir; a man's liberty must not be trifled with.

Ger. (Who has been skulking about with signs of fear.-Aside.) Oh! then, all's safe-(Runs up to the bridge.) Hallo! within! Are you all deaf! Lower the bridge.

Gov.

The strictest discipline, you see,
Within Sorrento's castle reigns:
My rule is-regularity,

And I'm rewarded for my pains.
(When the bridge is down, a guard comes
from the castle, leaving a sentinel at the
other side of the bridge, and returns again
into the castle.)

Offi. Advance! The countersign!

(The Governor makes signs to Murville and
Germain to remain still.)

Gov. Rochelle! (Going to the Officer.)
Off. Correct! Pass friends, and all is well.
Gov. Lieutenant, hasten, Blinval's free.

Mur. Tell him a friend, whose life he sav'd,
Has joyous tidings to impari.

Gov. Tell him he's been so well behav'd,

He's my permission to depart.

[Exit the Lieutenant over the bridge into the
castle, ordering the Officer from the ram-
parts to follow him.

Gov. Och honey sweet, what joys we feel-
Mur. Transporting moment! yes, I feel-
Ger. I'm glad he's free, but still I feel-
Gov. When gratitude the bosom warms.
Mur. A generous act the bosom warms.
Ger. Some symptoms strong of fierce alarms.
Gov. Its glowing ardour you reveal.
Mur. Ah! could my tongue my joys reveal-
Ger. Ah! could my tongue my fears reveal-
Gov. Humanity, how bright thy charms!
Mur. & 'Twould soon destroy those fancied
Ger. S charms.

Enter the Officer from the castle.
Cffi. Escap'd, escap'd! the pris'ner's fled!

[Exit Germain, hastily.
The southern tower we've search'd in vain.
Gov. Oh, heaven! am I alive or dead?
Mur. Some mystery-
Gov. Some trick, 'tis plain!

To arms, to arms! Post sentries round!
(An alarm, flourish of drums, &c.)
Off. Each avenue, each opening guard!
Gov. Alive or dead, I'll have him found.
His slippery tricks I'll soon reward.
Enter Soldiers from the castle.
To arms, to arms! the pris'ner's fled!
He must be found, alive or dead!

Ger. Oh dear, good Mr. Governor, don't cram me into that abominable black castle, and I'll confess all.

Gov. Confess! Oh, oh! Then you begin to squeak, do you?

Mur. Scoundrel! And have you been accessory to his escape?

Ger. Why, lord, sir, he had escaped before I had any hand in the business.

Mur. Explain.

Ger. Why, you must know, then, that there's a secret communication between his prison and the Widow Belmont's. He has been burrowing underground, and playing at bo-peep between the two buildings like a rabbit in a warren.

Gov. Has he so? 'Faith, theu, I'll have my ferrets after him, and they'll soon bring him out. Corporal, take a guard, and go to the Widow Belmont's, and recover the prisoner.-(Exit Corporal with Guards.) So, then, this singular gentleman nas been cutting himself in half, and has been a double man after all. Then it was him I saw at the Widow's, and not Count Murville.

Mur. You certainly never saw Count Murville there; for I am he, and never yet entered her doors; but his reason for personating me I am at a loss to guess.

Ger. Love was his reason, sir. Love, you know, sir, will change a man into anything; and if Miss Rosina be not as much inclined to the prisoner as the prisoner is to her, I know nothing of the tender passion.

Gov. Och! then, the little blind boy, Master Cupid, has been at work with them.

Enter MRS. BELMONT and ROSINA Mrs. B. Governor, what is all this? The confusion in my house-your guard-the

Gov. Be aisy, Widow, be aisy! Here comes one that will clear up all.

Enter BLINVAL, guarded.

So, Mr. Proteus! 'Faith, and you're trapped! What, then, you put the governor, and all his chains, bolts, bars, and sentries, at deflance. Eh! here you have this pickle, your cousin; but, give me leave, I must make known the real Murville. (Presents him to Ms. Belmont.) And that whipstart is my recluse of the south tower. Pretty sweet innocent! see how demure he seems.

Ros. (Advancing.) Blinval! Oh! I'm so glad! Mur. My dear Blinval! give me your hand, and let me give you joy of the pardon which I have obtained for you, and just delivered to the Gover

nor.

turns, bringing in Germain.

Cho. As now we search'd the castle round,
This fellow lurking near we found:
His guilty looks declare that he
Has help'd to set our pris'ner free.
Ger. I nothing know-in truth, 'tis so!

If he got free,

What's that to me?

I'm innocent, so let me go.

Cho. March! The dungeon straight prepare: He, for life, shall languish there. Treachery was his intent;

Now he meets his punishment

cation from his prison to that apartment; and, I believe your fair daughter made him explore it. The state is benefited by the discovery; but he deserves to be made prisoner for life. Will you consent? Rosina has forged them, and he is, I dare be sworn, ready to hug his chains.

Mrs. B. I have had proofs of my daughter's at tachment, and if she'll venture on such a prisonbreaker-She's her own mistress. (Blinval goes up to Rosina, who retires bashfully to Mrs. Belmont.) Nay, my child, you have my consent. Lock up his heart; and, like the Governor, temper your sway with gentleness.

Though I have taken care to root her from my house,

I would transplant her into Villeroy's.
There is an evil fate that waits upon her,
To which I wish him wedded-only him:
His upstart family, with haughty brow,
(Though Villeroy and myself are seeming friends)
Looks down upon our house; his sister, too,
Whose hand I ask'd, and was with scorn re-
fus'd,

Lives in my breast, and fires me to revenge.
They bend this way.

Perhaps, at last, she seeks my father's doors!
They shall be shut, and he prepared to give
The beggar and her brat a cold reception.
That boy's an adder in my path: they come;
I'll stand apart, and watch their motions.

[Exit.

Isa. 1 must not hear you.

Vil. Thus, at this awful distance, I have served
A seven years' bondage. Do I call it bondage,
When I can never wish to be redeem'd?
No, let me rather linger out a life

Of expectation, that you may be mine,
Than be restored to the indifference

Of seeing you, without this pleasing pain:
I've lost myself, and never would be found,
But in these arms.

Isa. Oh, I have heard all this!

But must no more-the charmer is no more:
My buried husband rises in the face

Of my dear boy, and chides me for my str
Canst thou forgive me, child?

Vil. What can I say?

The arguments that make against my hopes
Frevail upon my heart, and fix me more;
When yet a virgin, free, and undisposed,
I loved, but saw you only with mine eyes;
I could not reach the beauties of your soul:

I have since lived in contemplation,
And long experience of your growing goodness:
What then was passion, is my judgment now,
Through all the several changes of your life,
Confirm'd and settled in adoring you.

Isa. Nay, then, I must begone. If you are my friend,

If you regard my little interest,

No more of this.

I'm going to my father; he needs not an ex

cuse

To use me ill: pray leave me to the trial.

Vil. I'm only born to be what you would have me,

The creature of your power, and must obey,
In every thing obey you. I am going;
But all good fortune go along with you.
Isa. I shall need all your wishes.
Lock'd! and fast!

Where is the charity that used to stand
In our forefathers' hospitable days
At great men's doors,

Like the good angel of the family,
With open arms taking the needy in,

(Knocks.)

To feed and clothe, to comfort and relieve them? Now even their gates are shut against their poor. (She knocks again.)

Enter SAMPSON.

Samp. Well, what's to do now, I trow? You knock as loud as if you were invited: and that's more than I heard of; but I can tell you, you may look twice about for a welcome in a great man's family, before you find it, unless you bring it along with you.

Isa. I hope I bring my welcome along with me: Is your lord at home?

Samp. My lord at home?

Isa. Count Baldwin lives here still? Samp. Ay, ay; Count Baldwin does live here; and I am his porter; but what's that to the purpose, good woman, of my lord's being at home?

Isa. Why, don't you know me, friend?

Samp. Not I, not I, mistress; I may have seen you before, or 80! but men of employment must forget their acquaintance; especially such as we are never to be the better for. (Going to shut the door.)

Enter Nurse.

Nurse. Handsomer words would become you, and mend your manners, Sampson: do you know who you prate to?

Isa. I am glad you know me, nurse.

Nurse. Marry, heaven forbid! madam, that I should ever forget you, or my little jewel: pray go in. (Isabella goes in with her child.) Now, my blessing go along with you, wherever you go, or whatever you are about. Fie! Sampson, how couldst thou be such a Saracen? A Turk would have been a better Christian, than to have done so barbarously by so good a lady.

Samp. Why, look you, nurse, I know you of old: by your good will, you would have a finger in everybody's pie; but mark the end on't! if I am called to account about it, I know what I have to say.

Nurse. Marry, come up here! say your pleasure, and spare not. Refuse his eldest son's widow and poor child the comfort of seeing him? She does not trouble him so often.

Samp. Not that I am against it, nurse, but we are