was a younker I was reckoned the best singer and the boldest man in all the province of Normandy. You have not my courage, 'tis true, but you have my voice exactly-ah, 'tis a sweet pipe!

Lis. My husband Guillaume shall not find mine a sweet pipe when he returns, I can tell him-a cold-hearted good-for-nothing creature.

Jer. Nay, nay, he may have found some difficulty in giving the basket of provisions we sent to the poor English prisoners here, and

Come,

Lis. Humph! No doubt his attention to them will be the excuse for his neglect of me. Michael, sing.

SONG-MICHAEL.

I.

Loud and chill was the blast,

And the bright snow fell fast,

On a maiden's fair bosom who travers'd the plain,
And oft a sad tear

On her cheek pale with fear,

Fell in sorrow for him who in battle was slain.

་་

II.

"Down she sunk in despair,

"While her dark flowing hair

Wildly waved in the blast that swept over the wold.;
"And more white than the snow

"Was her bosom of woe,

"And the heart in her bosom, alas! was as cold."

III.

Still with conquest and love had he thought on her charms : Amid the wild storm

He beheld her fair form,

And he kiss'd her, and warm'd her to life in his arms.

Jer. Well done, child, well done; ah, you have my voice exactly, so soft and so sweet (attempts to sing, but is seized with a fit of coughing a knock at the door). Oh, there he is at last-open the door, boy.

Lis. (aside). I won't speak to him first, if it kills me.

Enter GUILLAUME.

Guil. Ah, my old Dad! not at rest yet... Jer. No, nor your wife either; she's not at rest-I never saw her in such a pucker before,

Guil. Anxious for my return, I warrant, Oh! if every man knew the pleasure of returning after a hard day's duty, to such a wife as mine, old maids and musty batchelors would soon be extinct; and we should have nothing but merry marriages, births, kissing and christening, from morning till night,

Jer. Ha, ha! thou art a merry rogne, ha, ha, Lisette !-what ails the child!

faith

Lis. I can't hold much longer-(aside), Guil. Talk of a single life-Pho!-give me a double one, for it makes a man twice as happy. Lis. O my dear Guillaume !

(Turns suddenly and embraces him.) Jer. Ha! there, there!-that's exactly the way my old wife worried me.

Lis. Well, did you give the basket of provisions to the poor captives?

Guil. I did; and received ten times its value, in the thanks of the unfortunate. I was once a prisoner myself, you know, on the English coast, heart-broke, unknown, and deserted by all-but thee, Lisette:

Jer. Ah, I remember she followed you thro

every danger, and left me at home-heigho!with nobody but my old dame.

-Guil. Some English ladies witnessed my captivity-one amongst them, struck with the appearance of my poor Lisette, who at the prisongate day after day awaited my release, heard her sad story, and, like a pitying angel, flew to our

assistance.

Jer. Bless her kind heart!-I know, 'twas Miss Eliza Arundel.

Guil. The same, I was lingering in confinement hopeless-helpless-she recalled me from sickness and despair, and gave at once new life, liberty, and love!-Never shall I forget while kneeling at her feet in gratitude, how sweetly she exclaimed." Ah, Guillaume, should you in your native land, meet a countryman of mine, like thee bereft of freedom, do not forget the English prison, nor Eliza Arundel." :

Lis. But her kindness ended not here: whenever she resides in France, on the estate her father left her, she is still our protection and support.

Jer. Heaven bless her, say I, with a good husband and a large family.

Guil. Her countrymen I can only relieve-but her lover

Jer. Her lover! what! the young Altieri ?

Guil. When, in a moment of intemperance, he rais'd his arm against his detested rival, the Baron Holstein, who, mark me, was his senior officer, Enrico Altieri was, by a prejudiced courtmartial, sentenced to punishment, and committed to my custody. The happiness of Eliza Arundel depended on his safety, and I released him.

Lis. You, Guillaume! Was it by your means. he gain'd his freedom?

Guil. It was; and I gloried in the opportunity of proving to our benefactress, that Guillaume had not forgotten the English prison. As yet, all attempts to discover his retreat have fail'd, although the Commandant, who is the late Holstein's bosom friend, has been active in pursuing hiin. But come-talking makes a man hungry——— Jer. And listening to long stories makes me thirsty, so get a pitcher of wine, boy-you'll fare the worse at home, Guillaume, for your charity abroad tho'.

Guil. The better, Dad, the better-tho' my stomach will be empty, my heart will be full; and if I haven't so much food, I shall have inore happiness, depend on't.

Lis. Indeed, you'll have but a scanty meal, love. I could only get some bread and cheese, and some butter and some eggs to be sure, there is some wine-but that's all, except a plate of fruit, and a nice salad that I gather'd from our little garden.

Guil. And that will be a banquet, at least I shall think it so-prepared by Lisette's hands, and sweeten'd by Lisette's smiles. I'll just put off this harness, and be with you again in au instant-oh, bless you! [Kisses her, and exit.

Jer. Pho! Nonsense, nonsense! Dear me, what a troublesome thing is an affectionate wife.

Lis. Good-natur'd, warm-hearted fellow! I wonder what made him stay so late, tho'-he didn't mention-no matter, a curtain-lecture for that.

Jer. Come, boy, fill some wine. (He sits.)

Lis. Hadn't you better fasten the door, father? Jer. Let Michael do it-I'm so exhausted, that I'd not move from my seat if Saint Dennis himself was to knock at the door.

(At this instant a loud knock-JEROME starts forward in terror).

Mercy on us! what's that-look through the window, Michael.

Mich. Somebody in black, father.

Jer. In black !-oh, bless us! who can it be? Lis. Ha, ha!--you were the boldest man in the province-well said, father-tis only a mes-› senger from the Cominandant-(knock)—open the door.

[MICHAEL opens the door, and ALTIERI enters a large black cloak wrapped about him, with steel clasps—a belt round it—a broad hat and feather).

Alt. Friends, your pardon-attracted by the light from your window, a poor but honest man entreats protection.

Jer. (uneasy). An-an honest man!

Alt. I must soon depart-give me but rest and shelter you shall not go unrewarded.

Lis. We seek no recompense for hospitality, Sir, and should my husband

Alt. Your husband!-who is

your

husband?

Jer. Ay, he attends the prison.

Alt. Confusion !I have no time to lose(aside) My intrusion troubles you-I'll seek an asylum elsewhere.

4- (Wraps his cloak about him hastily, and crossing to the door, is suddenly met by: GUILLAUME, whom MICHAEL went to fetch at the entrance of ALTIERI).

Guil. 'Tis the very man! (Aside).

Lis. What man?

Guil. Hush!--Stranger, you seek repose-you shall have it if you require food, you shall have that too, and a soldier's welcome. Come,: