Frank. 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 M'Gregor is a spell to raise the wild devil withal-Ah! God help me! I found desolation where I left plenty-I looked east, west, north, and south, and saw neither hold nor hope, shed nor shelter, so I e'en pulled the bonnet o'er my brow, buckled the broad sword to my side, took to the mountain and the glen-and became a broken man! -But why do I speak of this?'Tis of my children, of my poor bairns I have thought, and the thought will not leave me.

-

Frank. Might they not, with some assistance, find an honourable resource in foreign service? if such be your wish, depend on its being grati fied.

Rob. (Stretching one hand to Frank, and passing the other across his eye)-I thank, I thank you— I could not have believed that mortal man would again have seen a tear in M'Gregor's eye. We'll speak of this hereafter-we'll talk of it to Helenbut I cannot well spare my boys yet-the heather is on fire.

Frank. Heather on fire !-I do not understand.

Rob. Rashleigh has set the torch-let them that can prevent the blaze-(March heard)— Ah! they come-then all's well!

Frank. I comprehend-(Seeing the approach of the Highlanders) - The clans are assembling, and the defection of Rashleigh has but hastened this long-expected insurrection.

(The M'Gregor Highlanders enter, Hamish and Robert directing their movementsHelen confers with Rob Roy).

Rob. Have you seen Diana and Sir Frederick on their way? (Apart).

Helen. I have.-Stranger, you came to our unhappy country when our bloods were chafed, and our hands were red-excuse the rudeness that gave so rough a welcome, and lay it on the evil times, not upon us.

Rob. Helen, our friend has spoken kindly, and proffer'd nobly-our boys-our children

Helen. I understand; but, no, no; this is not the time; besides, I,-no-no-I will not— cannot part from them.

Frank. Your separation is not required-leave the country with them.

Helen. Quit the land of my Sires !-never! Wild as we live, and hopeless, the world has not a scene that could console me for these rude rocks and glens, where the remembrance of our wrongs is ever sweeten'd by the recollection of our revenge.

Frank. M'Gregor?

Rob. She says truly; 'twas a vain projectWe cannot follow them-cannot part with the last ties that render life endurable. Were I to lose sight of my native hills, my heart would sink, and my arm would shrink like fern i'the winter's frost. No, Helen, no-the heather we have trod on while living, shall bloom over us when dead!

(Helen throws herself into his arms).

Frank. I grieve that my opportunity of serving those who have so greatly befriended me, is incompatible with their prospects and desires.

Rob. Farewell! the best wish M'Gregor can give his friend is, that he may see him no more, Helen. A mother's blessing!-for the only kindness shewn for years to the blood of M'Gregorbe upon you! Now, farewell!-Forget me, and

mine forever!

Frank. Forget! Impossible!

Helen. All may be forgotten but the sense of dishonour, and the desire of vengeance. Rob. No more-strike!

(March-The Highlanders file through the mouth of the Cave-Robert and Hamish M'Gregor stretch forth their hands to Frank, as they pass in the March; Helen and Rob Roy each take leave of him with cordiality and regret, and exeunt).

Frank. What a wayward fate is mine! My father's peace of mind is happily restored, but mine, with Diana, is for ever lost!

(Rashleigh appears at the back of the Cave, and seeing Frank, conceals himself).

What noise? surely I heard-No, they have left me!

(The Boats are seen passing the Loch with the Highlanders).

-They are passing the Loch-I shall see them no more!

DIANA VERNON and Sir FREDERICK rush in,

greatly alarmed.

Diana. Gone! M'Gregor-Helen-our friends gone!

Sir Fred. Embarked already! then my course is ended!

Frank. Amazement! Diana Vernon, and

Diana. Her father! her unhappy, her wretched father! Oh Frank! we are beset by enemies on every side; the only path by which we could escape, is guarded.

Frank. No danger shall befa! you here.

Sir Fred. Do not involve yourself in my fateprotect my child, but leave me to suffer; I am familiar with danger, and prepared to meet it

RASHLEIGH advances.

Rash. Meet it then here.

All. Rashleigh!

(Diana turns from him, to her Father's arms). Rash. Ay, I come to repay the various obligations conferred on me by my friends.—(He beckons on Lancie Wingfield, Jobson, &c. &c.)-Apprehend Sir Frederick Vernon, an attainted traitor, Diana Vernon, and Francis Osbaldistone, aiders and abettors of treason.

Frank. Rashleigh, thou art too a great villain for words to speak thee.

Rash. I can forgive your spleen, my gentle cousin it is hard to lose an estate and a mistress in one night. Take charge of your prisonersif my conduct displeases you, Lady, thank your minion there.

Frank. I never gave you cause.

Rash. 'Tis false! in love, in ambition, in the paths of interest, you have crossed and blighted me at every turn. I was born to be the honour of my father's house - I have been its destruction, and disgrace-my very patrimony has become yours; but, if you ever live to possess it, the death-curse of him you have thus injured, stick to it!-Ah!

Rob. Gregarach!

(Rob darts in, and confronts Rashleigh, who instantly levels a Pistol at him-it flashes in the pan-Highlanders, led by Dougal, appear at the mouth of the Cave-Rashleigh's party shout "Rob Roy !" and defend themselves, merely to effect their retreat, Dougal attacking Lancie, &c. &c.) Rob. Now ask mercy, for your soul's sake! Rash. Never!-(Standing on his guard). Rob. Claymore! die, traitor, in your treason! (Short and rapid combat-Rashleigh falls, and is caught by Dougal, who returns at the moment, and by signal from Rob,. is borne off-Helen, with Females, enter towards the close of the tumult, and Bailie Jarvie runs on confused).

Bailie. Gude save us! what's here to do! I fear I've lost my way.

Frank. Mr. Jarvie! I thought you were on the road to Glasgow.

Bailie. So did I; but, troth, the whisky has deceived me-My Conscience !-to think of a Magistrate losing his head, and losing his horse too! A little man, called Jobson, dismounted me just now in a trice, and gallop'd off, as though my cousin Helen herself was at his―(Sees Helen) -My Conscience!

Sir Fred. Brave Highlander! you have saved more than my life-you have preserved my honour! You, young man, have proved yourself worthy of my child, and to you I give her. But whence this unexpected aid? I surely saw the boats depart.-(To Rob.)

Rob. With half my band, no more. Dougal overheard, and fortunately apprised me of Rashleigh's intentions, and I kept up the appearance which decoyed the villain to his own snare.