Jaq, Follow, follow, comrades. He cannot escape." Follow, follow!" (Voices without). Guil. (rushes in) We are close upon him-I saw him distinctly-Altieri! Altieri! 'tis Guillaume calls. Alt. My friend (advancing)-my only friend. Guil. You have no time for thanks plunge into the deepest shade, and lie conceal'd till the pursuit is past. Jaq. Follow he entered this part of the forest." Guil. Away!-to the left, to the left. (ALTIERI retires as JAQUES enters). Jaq. Have you found him Guil. No, he's too nimble for us. Jaq. Too nimble! why I thought I heard voices. I'm sure Guil. Yes, so did he-your confounded howling gave him due notice of your approach. Jaq. Humph! you may thank yourself for it -he was safe in your custody once-you should have kept him so but you are so plaguy compassionate. Guil. How!-dare you suspect me! Jaq. I know you you are too full of this humanity;-witness the English captives, the basket of provision last night-I observed it-'tis contrary to order-so look to yourself, or keep a civil tongue. Guil. Do you threaten, scoundrel! hear me→ those English, when in their power, have ever treated us with kindness and compassion-so they treated me; and if ever I forget it, may I become a wretch, mean and contemptible as thou art. Jaq. Ah! that's all very fine-but while you preach, this fellow escapes. Guil, Well, forward then this way he went but remember, that mercy to a brave Enemy is the brightest laurel on the Conqueror's brow. [Exeunt-GUILLAME looking back anxiously. SCENE III. The Quay at Dieppe-An Hotel on the right of the Stage Merchandize of various sorts lying at the back-Shipping in the Harbour beyond. Our ship in port, our anchor cast, The tempest hush'd, and calm the main, Nor those that we may meet again; II. Tho' hard our toil, our peril great, We never murmur at our fate,› But each fond moment past renew, And while the cheerful ean, &c. [Exeunt Sailors. Manet BLOCK. Enter Toм TOUGH. Tom. Yeo-ho, brother Block!-what all our stowage heav'd ashore? Block. All right, messmate. In consequence of the length of the piece, this Glee was omitted after the first night. Tom. Ecod there's a rare cargo-I reckon after the custom-house ha' rummaged them a bit-I shall swing my hammock at old Madam Arundel'sand all the French landlord's congees, and my Lor Anglais, won't better him a pinch of oakum Block. Ah, I never thought to see a thoroughbred seaman, like Tom Tough, sail in the wake of such a cock-boat as Sir Francis Faddle. Tom. Why look ye, Block-I've seen some service in my time, but I'm now little better than a sheer hulk; and when the old Admiral, Sir Frank's father, broke from the moorings of lifeBlock. What, not alive! Tom. No more life in him, than one o'the dead eyes o'the Dreadnought-stiff as the mainmast-death has brought him to, and he's safe moor'd at last in smooth water, and a blessed harbour. He was a kind heart, and as brave too, as ever laid an enemy alongside, or cut a passage thro' a boarding netting. Block. Ah, you've weather'd some squalls together. Tom. We have that ;-and when the Admiral struck his colours-as we all must-some time or other (with reverence)I promised to stick by his son as I had by him-but I don't much understand the trim of this gingerbread son of his he whiffles and skims about like a dog-vane on the weather-quarter in a cat's paw-while his father was as steady as his flag at the fore in a sevenknot breeze-firm as the mast, and immoveable as the colours it supported, But come, bear a hand, or Sir Frank will heave in sight a'fore we're clear'd for action. [Exi BLOCK-TOM turns up the Stage, and at goods. Enter ALTIERi, Alt. So far I have eluded all enquiry-once on board, and I am saved-should I never return, farewell my dearest Eliza, perhaps for ever. SONG.-ALTIERI. 1. Dear maid, should I never return, II. Dear maid, though thy loss I deplore, I ne'er may be torn from you more, Tom. What cheer, brother! Alt. A stranger, I would learn when the next packet sails for England. Tom. When the wind chops about. Alt. Weather-bound too! Stranger, I am faint with hunger and with thirst. Tom. What, banyan-day, may-bap ?-you shall mess with me,-see, here's the victuallingsoffice-I'll line your planks with some English beef and a can of grog:-that will fetch up your lee-way with a wet sail, I warrant; so heave a-head, my hearty. Alt. We-we shall not be interrupted? Tom. Interrupted! by whom? Alt. I had forgotten this transport! Tom. Transport! why, Lord help the man! there's not one in the harbour. Mounseer a little crazy, I take it. Come, it seems to ha' been hard a-weather with you for some time Helms a-lee about you are-(ALTTERI enters the Hotel).Damme, he looks as if he'd been on short allowance all his voyage-poor devil! [Exit. Enter Captain LAUREL. Lau. At length hostilities ave ceased, and I am again at liberty-yet, ere embark, I must inquire if my sister be now at Dieppe-'twould be unkind to leave France without seeing her. Perhaps together we may hail the white cliffs of Albion; that happy land! the guard of the weak, the support of the stranger. SONG*-LAUREL. 1. Undaunted in peril, and foremost in danger; Since Anarchy first her red banner unfurl'd, Still firm as a rock in her own native ocean, Stood England, the Anchor and Hope of the World. II. Sweetest spot on the earth! where true honour combining .. With justice and truth, gives a strength to the whole; Where the rose-bud of beauty with valour entwining, Exalteth the heart, and enlargeth the soul. *This Song was written by W. J. Lake, Esq. D |