ceeding happy to have this joyful opportunitya hem!-this joyful occasion of wishing my kinsman Robin's wife-a-a (She looks at him with great contempt). a good morning! Helen. Is it so ? Bailie. You have forgotten me, Mrs. Helen Campbell; but Helen. How! Campbell! my foot's upon my native heath, and my name is M'Gregor. Bailie. Mrs. M'Gregor, I beg pardon - I would crave the liberty of a kinsman, to salute you. Helen. What fellow art thou, that dare claim kindred with our clan, yet neither wear its dress, or speak its language?-Who are you, that have the tongue and habit of the hound, yet seek to shelter with the deer? Bailie. Why, my mother, Elspeth Macfarlane, was the wife of my father, Nicol Jarvie - she was the daughter of Parline Macfarlane, and Maggy Macfarlane married Duncan M Nab, who stood in the fourth degree Helen. And doth the stream of rushing water acknowledge any relation with the portion that's withdrawn from it for the mean domestic use of those that dwell upon its banks? Bailie. Perhaps not; but when the summer's sun has dried the brook, it would fain have that portion back again. I know you hold us Glasgow people, cheap; but, lord help you, think what a figure I should cut with my poor bare thighs in a kilt, and gartered below knee-my Conscience!I have been serviceable to Rob as I am, and might be more so, if he'd leave his evil ways, and not disturb the King's peace. Helen. Yes, you, and such as you, would have us bewers 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 now we are free-free by the very act which left us neither house nor hearth, food or covering -which has bereaved us of all-all but vengeance! Bailie. Don't speak of vengeance! Helen. I will speak on't. I will perform itI will carry on this day's work by a deed that shall break all bonds between M'Gregor and the Lowlanders-Here! Allan, Dougal, bind these Sassanachs neck and heel, and throw them in the Highland Loch, to seek for their Highland kins folk! Bailie. My Conscience! Lord help us! Doug. To be sure, her pleasure should be done. Bailie. Nay, nay. Doug. But they are friends of the Chief, as I can testify, and came on his assurance of welcome and safety. Helen. Dog! do you dispute my commands! should I order you to tear out their hearts, and place them in each other's breasts, to see which there could best plot treason against M'Gregor, - would you dispute my orders? (Distant voices are heard singing the burthen of the Lament). -Hark! Hark! what means that strain ? (An emotion of alarm visible in the High land Group- Helen becomes more agitated as the sounds approach). Helen. Why is this? why a Lament in the moment of victory? Enter ROBERT, HAMISH, and a Party of Highlanders, with ALLASTER the Minstrel. -Robert, Hamish, where's the M'Gregor? where's your father? (The young men intimate his Captivity). Ah! Prisoner! taken prisoner! then M'Gregor dies!-Cowards, did I nurse you for this, that you should spare your blood on your father's enemies-that you should see him prisoner, and come back to tell it!—(Suddenly to Frank) Your name is Osbaldistone? Frank. It is. Helen. Rashleigh? Helen That word has saved you. Frank. Francis 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 in 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? Frank. I am ready to set out immediately. Helen No, you must remain, I have further occasion for you.-Bring forth the Saxon Captain! Frank. You will be pleased to understand, that I came into this country on your husband's invitation, and his assurance of aid in the reco very of those papers you have just now mention'd; and my companion, Mr. Jarvie, accompanied me on the same errand. Bailie. And I wish Mr. Jarvie's boots had been full of boiling-water, when he drew them on for such a damnable purpose. Helen. Sons, you may read your father in what this young man tells us,-wise only when the bonnet's on his head, and the sword is in his hand. He never exchanges the Tartan for the broad cloth, but he runs himself into the miserable intrigues of the Lowlanders, and becomes again their agent, their tool, their slave! (Captain Thornton is led on). But enough of this. Now mark well my message-If they injure a hair of the M'Gregor's head-if they do not set him at liberty within the space of twelve hours, I will send them back 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. Nay, nay, I beseech you, send no such message. Capt. T. Tell the Commanding Officer to do his duty, Sir! If I have been deceived by these artful savages, I know how to die for my error, without disgracing the King I serve, or the country that gave me birth. Bid him not waste a thought on me. I am only sorry for the poor fellows who have fallen into such butcherly hands. Bailie. Whist are you weary o' your life? O, Mr. Osbaldistone! you'll give my service, Bailie Nicol Jarvie's service, a Merchant and a Magistrate o' Glasgow, and tell them there are some honest men here in great trouble, and like to come to more; and the very best thing they can do for the good of all parties, is just to let Rob loose again, and make no more stir about it. Helen. Remember my injunctions; for, as sure as that sun shall sink beneath the mountain, my words shall be fulfilled. If I wail, others shall wail with me; - there's not a Lady in the Lennox, but shall cry the Coronach for them she will be loth to lose; - there's not a Farmer but shall sing, 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 the assurance of being a live man in the morning.-Conduct him on his way. (She signs to one of her People-The Bailie takes leave of Frank, and he departs). Now, Allaster, the Lament! the Lament ! LAMENT.. O hone a rie! O hone a rie ! Before the sun has sunk to rest, The pride of all our line deplore, (She sinks in grief upon the Rock in frontThe Highlanders droop their heads, and tean on their arms, while the Lament is sung-at the close) Rob. (Heard without). Gregarach! DOUGAL rushes in. Doug. Rob! Rob Roy! |