for the whole matter, and this was the castle;-fire by friction, she would be a volcano. I heard of his sale at the Antipodes. He had Maj. Every one to his taste; but if the a wing of the original Phoenix-Pope Joan's daughter be like the mamma, I would as soon marriage articles-Queen Elizabeth's wedding marry a mermaid.-Where can Lorenzo be?— ring-a wig of Dido of Carthage-and a pair I will go for him-They'll be off. of pantaloons made for Don Bellianis of Greece. Col. Gathering nerve on the terrace [They laugh] But the ladiessooth-they'll escape-stay, Cornet. Cor. Stay in this den and be devoured 1)?— 'Pon honour-No. [They go out. Coun. The coxcombs! - Open the door, I [Calling. Ven. Aye, where are the ladies? always late, always lingering. Coun. I have left them in another apartment till the arrival of the priest. There must be no hurry, no precipitation. Marriage is a serious thing. say. Tor. They are unlocking. [Listening] Three locks! That's the twist of a turnkey, I'll be sworn to it, in any jail in the world. [Aside. [Ventoso enters, handing in Leonora. Ven. Your Highness - my daughter. Any news of the priest? Ven. Yes, your Highness; it is as little of a joke as any thing in the world. But let us begin. One is not the more reconciled to the dose, by looking at it. [Aside] I will run after the ladies. [He hurries out. Tor. And a very gallant run for your age.— But now, my charming Countess, for on my honour, with that bloom on your cheek, and I that brilliancy in your eyes, I can't bring my- and Countess, excuse me a moment. self to call you-Mother-in-law. NowLeon. And is this a time to ask? I am Leon. Torrento! Is it possible? [In surprise. Tor. Leonora, by what wonder has this happened? I am delighted beyond expression. have a thousand questions to ask. Count [Voices of the Hussars without. overwhelmed with surprise, with sorrow, with Hussars. Ha, ha, ha!-By the glory of the shame. I thought that you had fled from Twentieth-excellent, down with bar, bolt, and Palermo. I lived only in the hope of your chain--Muffs and meerschaums-Allspice and return. But to find you here, my sister's sugar canes- [The Hussars burst in. bridegroom—you the Prince!—Traitor, I will Maj. Bravo! just in time; the turtle's under unmask you. the net. Colonel, let's have a laugh at the Tor. Hush! one word. I will satisfy all Cornet, [Aside] - Cornet, may I have the your doubts; I expected to meet you; I have honour of introducing you to-the Bride. been as much deceived as yourself. I'll marry Coun. The whole barrack broke loose, as none but you. I swear, by the brightness of I'm an honest woman!-[To Torrenta]-your eyes, by every starBride! what do the monsters mean? Lean. Ah! yours, I fear, are wandering Tor. The Hussars! found out and followed. stars. [He leads her up the Stage. -Bride-the old Countess-Ha, ha! [Aside]-| Coun. A mighty handsome reception, inDon't mind their insolence. Those gentlemen deed! The Prince's affability is charming. are court jesters, paid for making themselves Tis all the way in high life. Friendships are ridiculous; and by all that's absurd, they earn as quickly made there astheir money. Away, Lady. [They approach the Door. Cor. [Surveying her with his Glass]The Bride! a very antique susceptibility-a grand climacteric, touched by the heavenly passion, Col. It must have been something heavenly; for nothing earthly could have done it. Maj. Yes; like an old tree, set on fire by lightning. Ven. They are unmade. He's prodigiously affable. Why, it's absolute love-making. [Calls] Your Highness, the bride is coming. By St. Agnes, he forgets her, as much as if they had been married a month. VICTORIA, attended by Bridemaids, enters. [She is overwhelmed, [To the Count] There's a dimness on my eyes! Save me, my father. I would rather look Upon the pale and hollow front of death, Than meet that glance. Cor. [Still approaching] — Victim of Cupid-Maiden innocence-Virgin virago! [Aside, to the Hussars. Coun. [Bursting away from Torrento, and following the Cornet]-Why, you red mountebank!-you impudent man-milliner!you thing of mummery and moustaches-you King's bad bargain—you apology for a man- There lies the door. Begone! you trooper All. "Trooper!" Lor. [Advancing] Victoria! if your heartCoun. Stand back, plebeian! Marry with your like. Ven. [Calling to Torrento]-Prince! take your bride. [Aside. Those wives and daughters! Maj. It's the old lady herself! Countess Cor. The venerable charmer that insulted the whole regiment. The old horse - marine! Bless me, how she prances! Why don't you stop her-Colonel-Major Maj. I would as soon stop a chain-shot, Can birth bequeath Mind to the mindless; spirit to the vile; In far and feeble starlight! This be all, must fly the country. Our pride has had a fall. Ven. Aye: now boast-now triumph. A Death-fall-and so hard a one, that may I be in the Gazette 1), if I ever try a fall again. Here, Victoria; Leonora, help to bear up your mother's griefs. Hers is a heavy case, a very weighty concern, indeed. She see through a rogue! She might as well see to the end of a suit in Chancery. Pride-ruin-madness! [Exeunt. SCENE III. - An Apartment in VENTOSO'S House. VICTORIA and LEONORA come in. Vic. At home again! Stay with me, Leonora-My brain is wild. I can scarcely think that we have escaped from that hideous prison. Did not Lorenzo upbraid me, cast me off?I will take the veil. Early or late, Lorenzo's epitaph: TORRENTO and LEONORA re-appear. Leon. Take the veil! take nothing but Tor. Who dares insult her? That rioter courage. Your beauty might kill a whole regicome again! Sir, the man who offends this ment of officers, instead of pining for one. lady must not live. [Lorenzo turns. I would not give a sigh to save the whole Lor. I had forgot!-Vagabond,--Ho-Jai-army-list-Yet, I feel some strange, delightful lor! Fling this impostor into the dungeon hope, that all will yet be well-Your Prince, from which I took him. you see, was one of my adorers-In coming [Ventoso and the Females in surprise. to marry you, he thought he was come to Tor. Draw, and defend yourself! [The marry me. Monstrous impudence in either Jailor, Lazaro, and Assistants, rush in case.—I shall have him yet for all that, if I'm behind Torrento, and pinion him. The woman. [Aside. Hussars return] Stiletto! 'Tis the jail-completely tricked, trapped, trepanned. What's Pisan. Ladies, your immediate attendance all this for? [To the Jailor]-Handcuffs at the palace is commanded by order of the 'tis against prison rules I have not broke Viceroy, the Prince de Pindemonté. bounds-I'll give bail to any amount—a thou- Vic. The Impostor!-Viceroy! impossible! sand sequins ten-twenty thousand. The Leon. Torrento, Viceroy! incredible! Got Count will go security, [Aside] Count, I say- out of prison-got into the palace-He is the [Calling. great sublime of impudence. I adore him Ven, I am deaf. Security! Swindler! How for his ingenuity.-Can the news be true? Pisan. Nothing more certain; the nobility Enter PISANIO. shall we escape? Leon. Undone undone. Save him, dear are going in crowds to the palace-the Count father, save him. and Countess have been summoned, and are Jail, Restive! Ho! on with the handcuffs, already gone. The guards are on paradeLazaro. The bosom friends! and one of the officers is now waiting below, Lor. Off with that culprit to his dungeon. to have the honour of escorting you, when Tor. Count and Countess, this is a con- the carriage returns. spiracy. I will have justice!-vengeance!- Leon. Runs to the Mirror]- Heavens, scoundrels! high treason!-injur'd prince! what a head! the damp of that odious prison Pindemonté![He is carried off. has made me the very emblem of a weeping Ven. Let us escape. Security indeed! Here willow. - Come, sister, dear Victoria, rise! is security with a vengeance-locks and bars-Will you wear plumes or roses? But smile, to find myself in a jail! Open the door! and you will conquer. You can then return, [They knock. and-take the veil, if you choose. [She attempts to arrange her Dress, Victoria repels her, Col. A Bugle sounds] Officers! the call to parade. Troopers! Pride! Ha, ha, ha! Troopers! Birth-Pride! ha, ha! [He urges the Major and Cornet out, laughing. Trio,—(Italian.) Lor. Count and Ladies, farewell. We have Spirit of Love! the heart still deceiving; met for the last time. You, Victoria, have Still, on the dim eye delicious dreams weaving; suffered for the crime of inconstancy; you, Still, with sad pleasure the torn bosom heaving Count, for the folly of being a slave to the Go! I'm thy slave and thy victim no more! will of women; you, Countess, for the violence LEONORA. of your temper; and all for your common Spirit of Hope! from thy light pinions shedding crime, Pride! Farewell for ever. [Exil. Flowers where the steps of young Passion are Vic. If sorrow shame-penitence! -Oh, Lorenzo!-He's gone. treading, PISANIO. Sunny hues over life's sullen clouds spreading, Leon. If I can climb the walls, or under- Here, live or die, at thy shrine I adore! mine the dungeon, or dry up the moat, or bribe the guards, my true Torrento-my un- Spirit of Joy! on those hosoms descending, fortunate Torrento-shall not linger another Come, like the day-star, the weary night ending day in prison. [Aside. Come, like the bow with the summer storm blending, Coun. Undone-insulted-laughed at-I shall never be able to hold up my head again. Wel 1) Bankrupts are inserted in the Gazette. Bid all the anguish of true love be o'er. Love!-from my bosom-the traitor disdaining! If I am scorned, I shall die uncomplaining. PISANIO. be paining. you would be worthy of the throne yourself. Spy! This to a man of honour! Ven. Friend Stefano, a man of honour may be like a debt of honour-a very roguish affair. Coun. I insist on seeing his Highness! Keep your distance, Sir! Ste. Yes, Madam, if I would preserve my No bitter tear must those rich cheeks be staining; ears.- I never ran foul of such a fire-ship No thought of woe must those young hearts before. [Aside]-Your Prince you shall see. You would make the best match since the fall of Babel. [He goes out. The COLONEL, MAJOR, and CORNET, enter at the opposite Door. Maj. Ha, ba-A mighty fine discovery for Lorenzo-one of his fathers Spirit of love, etc. etc. SCENE IV. - And Last. A Saloon in the Palace. Attendants in waiting. STEFANO, with papers. Ste. Those documents-the similitude of his features form evidence irresistible. Now, to add conviction to conviction. Ho, Sir, has the Signior Torrento been brought from the jail? Have the Count Ventoso and his family been summoned to the palace? Cor. Charming-Nature to the last, Majorexquisitely Hibernian! Maj. Perhaps no such mighty blunder, after all-make it your own case, Cornet. What, angry? Poh, shake hands. Cor. 'Pon honour, no-but by sentence of Officer. [Outside] "Room for the Count a Court-Martial, and Countess Ventoso." Col. Well, Lorenzo deserves it all; as capi Ste. Come already! I shrink instinctively tal a fellow as ever wore spur. tongue. the distance. Coun. [Sees them]-The Hussars! Ven. Are you sure we're not in jail again? [To Countess. Col. Ho! the Count and Countess. Come, don't turn away; let us be friends. Cor. Her Ladyship! Excuse me, Colonel Coun. Now, husband, what have you to say the Hussars never notice the Heavys 1). for your wisdom? Solomon! -The Prince's Maj. Poh, nonsense, man! Your Ladyship, seizure was clearly a conspiracy. Here we be aspires to the honour of a salute. are, by the express command of his Highness the Prince de Pindemonté, my son-in-law! Cor. Me! Diavolo! I'll never come in contact with that harpy again, but in a cuirass— Muffs and meerschaums! Ven. It's all a riddle-all moonshine to me. In jail and out of jail at once! He must be a Col. Well, then, let me introduce the Maconjuror an eater of fire and a swallower of jor-He comes from the land of gallantry; small swords. But, why was I sent for here?- the country where they raise men for exI see it-to squeeze money out of me-a for-portation. ced loan. Ven. But what-what were you saying of Lorenzo? Maj. Aye, to improve the modesty of manCoun. Wise head! the Prince has sent for kind, your Ladyship. my daughters. Depend upon it, there will be a wedding to-night, and this is a very pretty apartment for the ceremony. On my virtue, I should like a suite here, with a handsome pension. Maj. He is this moment closeted with the Ven. I don't doubt you, my love; a taste estate! In his infancy he had been sent from for the public money is not uncommon in either sex. Italy with a large sum in jewels to his family Coun. Our kinsman! [Aside. Coun. But, bless me! there's your Signior Stefano. I before suspected him of being a Jew, but now I am sure of it. Nothing else Col. Yes; an old villain, who embezzled the could have such access to people of quality. money, and ran away with the boy to this Ste. Count, those papers-these- [Aside. island; where he brought up Lorenzo as a Coun. This is no time to talk of your af- peasant's son. The rogue died only some fairs Retire! I cannot give you my counte- months ago. nance here. Ven. St. Anthony!-had he no son? Ste. Retire! Countenance! Upon my honour, Col. What, am I to trace a scoundrel's Madam, your ladyship's countenance is one whole genealogy! of the last presents that could excite my gra- Cor. But did you hear the name of the titude. present heir? Ven. He can't bear for five minutes what Col. No, not I. Some old accomplice; he I have been bearing these forty years. [Aside. will be stripped of course. Coun. He's a spy of Lorenzo's: but, rather Maj. Oh, what's the use of his name-some than give my daughter to that huff-belt, I'd old trafficker-he will be sent to the galleys, marry her to the Khan of Tartary! to a certainty. Ven. Now she's in for it. [Aside] - Man, Cor. Yes; if he have any hemp or ratsmake your escape. [To Stefano. bane in his establishment, he may take the Ste. Intolerable! - [Aside]-Khan of Tar- benefit of his own stock in trade. tary! Madam, if the tongue made the Tartar, 1) Heavy horse-Dragoons. Coun. Undone ! Col. You the heir! Cor. Muffs and meerschaums! Maj. Law-ruin-aye, they generally go together, my old friend. Cor. An alliance perfectly matrimonial, Count. [Voices within] "Room for his Highness the Prince!-room!" Enter ATTENDANTS, announcing the VICEROY Flourish of Music. Enter STEFANO, splendidly dressed, and attended by the Hus SARS. Coun. [Advances] Your most gracious Highness. [She recognises him] Stefano the Viceroy! what have I said to him-I could bite off my tongue! [Aside to Ventoso. Ven. Well resolved, Countess; do so, and we shall both be quiet for life. Stefano the [Laughter. viceroy!-We shall both be sent to the galleys.) Lor. Nothing, my Lord, [Leading Victoria] but to express my delight, my happiness, at this day's discovery; my reverence, my love. [They kneel, Tor. [Within] Asses and idiots! out of my Aside. way, you pampered buffoons! Must I never Ste. Count, I have heard something about a stir without a rabble of you grinning at my love affair in your family. I have certainly heels? [He enters] The Count and Count- no right to insist upon the Captain's being ess! Confusion! what brought them here? your son-in-law-Lorenzo, what have you to [The Hussars stand aside, laughing. say for yourself? Coun. Your Highness's commands— Ven. Your Highness's orders-yourTor. I am overwhelmed! I can submit to the indignity of disguise no longer.-[Aside] Count and Countess-I am no prince-noTORRENTO and LEONORA return. body-nothing-but one of the thousand luckless children of chance, who fight their ob- Ven. Aye, flattery does every thing here. scure way through the world.[Victoria and Ste. Well, Madam, as he cannot have the Leonora enter. He approaches Leonora]-honour of being your son-in-law, I am afraid We must part, my love. I am unworthy of he must be content with Rise, Sir! stand you; and from this hour I care not on what forth the son of the Viceroy of Sicily, of sea or shore fortune may fling me! Stefano, Prince de Pindemonte. Come to your father's arms, my long-lost, late-found son, my gallant son! Leon. No, Torrento! we part no more. I have been unwise, and you unfortunate. But here I swear to follow you with constancy as strong as life or death. We are one. [They go up the Stage. Coun. Impudence unparalleled! No Prince! Ven. I appeal to the Viceroy. Impostor! Col. The business is tolerably complete, Major. Their pride's down upon the knees 1), like a cast charger-it will carry the mark beyond all cure. Maj. Aye, like a scar on a fine woman's reputation-it will go on widening for lifeCor. They will be in no want of our trumpeters now they will be blown every step they go. Enter LORENZO, unperceived but by Lor. My father! my generous, noble father! Ste. There, Sir, go mollify the Countess. The HUSSARS approach. Officers. We congratulate you, Prince. Lady, we wish you all happiness. [To Victoria. Ste. How I obtained the knowledge of my son, how I preserved my incognito as Viceroy till the search was complete-you shall bear at the banquet,-to which I now invite you all. LORENZO, and all, advance. Lor. My love, all must be forgiven and for- Lor. Fair ladies, nobles, gallant cavaliers! gotten. I have the most delightful intelligence-This day shall be a bright one in the web the happiest discovery. I have just been with the- VICTORIA. [The Countess sees him.] Wherein our lives are pictur'd-Thro' all years This shall be holiday-The prison gates Shall know no envious bars; rich pageantries Coun. The Captain! another impostor-Shall paint our love-tale; children's merry another stolen match He a man of family? the Hussar? tongues Shall lisp our names; and old men, o'er their fires, [To Victoria. Lor. Countess, if honour and attachment, long tried, can entitle me to this lady's hand-Flourish their cups above their hoary heads, Vic. My father! if duty, if love, if feelings And drink our memory! Come in, sweet love! pained to agony can move you- [Kneeling. Ven. Another daughter gone! By all means, Col. There's a fine girl on her own hands, Madam. What next? Is there any thing else Cornet;-[Pointing to Leonora]- No husyou would have, Captain? We're in the jail band for the lady. again! Gang of thieves!-[To Countess Cor. Excuse me, Colonel, we, the Twen Sir, is there any thing about me that strikes tieth, are not connubial. But if the girl want your taste?[Going up to the Hussars]-a husband, I'll state the circumstance on paOr your's, Sir? My watch and scals my rade.-Muffs and meerschaums! purse. Does any gentleman take a fancy to the Countess? No! that stock lies on hand. 1) A horse which has fallen has generally a mark on its knee, thus losing two-thirds of its value, Tor. Your Highness! since you have the art of finding out sons, perhaps you can find out fathers too. Pray, whose son am I? somebody's, I suppose? Ste. In tracing the Captain, I accidentally before them! What army shall I raise? What fell in with your career. I mistook you for cabinet shall I pension? What kingdom shall each other. I found your errors more of the I purchase? What emperor shall I annihilate? head than the heart. You have your liberty. I'll have Mexico for a plate-chest, and the Count, you must resign your title. Ven. With all my heart. Mediterranean for a fish-pond. I'll have a loan as long as from China to Chili. I'll have a mortgage on the moon! Give me the purse, let who will carry the sceptre. Ste. And, with them, Anselmo's estate. Ven. Not the money-not the money-I have an old prejudice in favour of the money. Count and Countess, you shall keep your titles, and be as happy as mirth, money, and macaroni can make you. Coun. I'm thunderstruck. Ste. Torrento, stand forth; you are Anselmo's heir! you are the banker's son! [To Leonora and the rest.] Maj. Then, upon my conscience, there'll be Now! to the banquet. Having fix'd our fates a mighty great run on the bank. With freedom, title, fortune, loving mates! Tor. [In Exultation] - A banker's son, If I have erred, 'twas youth, love, folly;—here, magnificent! a golden shower!-Leonora, my With generous hearts around, I scorn to fearlove, we'll have a wedding worthy of bankers. Where heroes judge, and beauty pleads the What trinkets will you have? the Pitt dia cause, mond, or the Great Mogul? A banker, my Who talks of censure? Give me your applause. angel! 'Tis your bankers that sweep the world| THIS lady, whose maiden name was Moore, was the daughter of a clergyman, and the wife of the Rev. John Brooke, rector of Colney, in Norfolk, of St. Augustine, in the city of Norwich, and chaplain to the garrison of Quebec. Her husband died Jan. 21, 1789; and she herself on the 26th of the same month, at Sleaford, at the house of her son, who had a preferment in that part of the country. Mrs. Brooke was a lady of first-rate abilities, and as remarkable for gentleness and suavity of manners, as for her literary talents. She wrote and published some admirable novels (among which were, Lady Julia Mandeville, Emily Montague, Marquis of St. Forlaix, and The Excursion); a periodical paper, called The Old Maid, and a translation of Millot's Elements of the History of England. ROSINA, Comic Opera, by Mrs. Brooke. Acted at Covent Garden 1783. The story of this piece is founded on that of Palemon and Lavinia (in Thomson's Seasons), or Boaz and Ruth, in the Scripture, and was performed with great applause. It has, however, the disadvantage of wanting the grace of novelty, and the pleasure of surprise; as must always be the case with scriptural stories, or others of notoriety. The music, by Shield, is charming, and can never fail of attracting attention. Of all the petite pieces that are exhibited on the British stage, Rosina is perhaps the least offensive to the severe moralist; as it corrects the mind, while it pleases the senses, SCENE opens and discovers a rural prospect: on the left side a little hill with trees at the top; a spring of water rushes from the side, and falls into a natural bason below: on the right side a cottage, at the door of which is a bench of stone. At a distance a chain of mountains. The manor-house in view. A field of corn fills up the scene. In the first act the sky clears by degrees, the morning vapour disperses, the sun rises, and at the end of the act is above the horizon: at the beginning of the second he is past the height, and declines till the end of the day. This progressive motion should be made imperceptibly, but its effect should be visible through the two acts. |