SONG.-ROSINA.

Together, then, we'd fondly stray,

It's a bad business, I'm afraid. Drawn on his Colonel! breach of subordination. Charge upon charge! These young fellows are so hot-brained, they think a dash of bravery comprises all military I duties; it's the least part. Who obeys best, best commands, too; that is the soldier's creed. But this Murville-I'm resolved to keep up the blockade: here I'm posted.

Ros. Heigho!

Gov. 'Sblood! my fair violet, what makes you say "heigho!" Oh! if I could but knock off thirty of these hard years, 'faith, I'd soon change your note.

Mrs. B. (Smiling.) You'd have no chance.

Gov. No chance!

'Slife! but an honest Irish heart is worth the conquest. (Rosina shakes her head, and sighs.) Again! Widow, the little blind urchin has been at work. Come, child, confess what happy name would have been wafted on that deep-drawn sigh: make me your confidant, and you'll find me a good ally.

Mrs. B. Rosina, child, the Governor is an old friend; your confidence will be well placed. (During the end of this dialogue, the bed-room door opens, and Blinval with the great coat on, disguised as Murville, peeps through, stealing in quietly, and unperceived by any of the party.)

O'er meadows green, thro' woodlands deep, Rejoicing view the lambkins play,

And in the gurgling streamlet peep:
No cankering cares our sleep molest,
No frowning gaoler part;
Above the world, supremely blest,

His throne Rosina's heart.
From haunts of surly men we'd fly.
My pris'ner safe I'd guard;
Secure from envy's prying eye,
And love our bright reward.
For him I'd cull Pomona's store,

Nor from his side depart,

Thus bless'd, could Blinval ask for more?
His throne Rosina's heart.

no name?

Blin Oh! yes, yes, yes; he has a name, and I know it. (They all turn round towards Blinval.)

Gov. Och! are you there at last, Mr. Murville? Come, if you please; you shall just step with me to the castle, where you shall shake hands with my prisoner; and let me see you both in the same person, and together, and then I will believe you are not him. (Blinval creeps back to the bed-chamber. and nearly gains the door, when the Governor, perceiving his intention, catches his arm, and brings him back.) No, honey, no! no, not quite so young. You .must come fairly, or I shall call the guard.

Blin. (Struggling.) Sir, do you know, I

am

Gov. (Holding him.) Och! now be easy, friend, it is to know whether you are my prisoner or yourself; and to make you both come together, while you are separate, that I oblige you with my company to the south tower. So, now be easy, or I must call the guard. Come, come-och! to be sure. now, and you're not friends.

Blin. Well, sir-(Aside.) Zounds! what shall I hit on, now?-Well, sir, I'll attend yea; I'll follow -follow you presently.

Gov. Follow! 'faith, in my country, friends always link themselves so doatingly-so, if you please, I must desire your arm, (Keeps hold of Blinval, and drags him off.)

Mrs. B. (Having been previously talking apart with Rosina.) Rosina, I must now have some serious talk with you. Follow me to my dressing-room, and look for the indulgence of a fond mother, if I experience the candour and truth of a dutiful child. [Exit. Ros. Ah! my heart beats so quick! If I could steel for an instant to my balcony, and catch one good, fair view. But my mamma needn't mind poor Blinval, he will soon be removed. These despatches make me tremble. Oh! if I could but steal him fairly from that ugly tower, they should never see him again,

Sentry. (Without.) All's well!

Gov. Safe, you say; all's well? Corporal, post your guard on the stairs, and let nobody pass. (The keys are heard turning, the bars removing, and the chains falling.)

Enter the GOVERNOR OF SORRENTO holding BLINVAL, who is wrapped in his surtout.

Gov. Come, come-'faith! and you've been more tractable than I had hoped-But what makes you tremble? (Blinval appears smothering a laugh.) Oh! he's a mighty, pretty, well-behaved, civil spoken fellow, and will make you any apology you please,

(Looking round.) Hallo! Why, 'sblood and ouns! where has he hidden himself? Zounds! is it pos sible? Oh! no, no, no; he must be gone to bed. Stand here a moment, Count, while I wake him. (Goes towards the bed. Blinval watches his opportunity; and, at the instant the Governor has reached the bed, whips off the great coat, throws it into the opening behind the stone, which he moves back to its right place, concealing the trap-door, and slips behind the bed, and into it.)-Ay, ay, poor devil! he has just laid down to take a comfortable bit of a nap. Blinval, Blinval! 'Faith, he sleeps like a top! Who'd think a man could sleep so sound in misfortune? Blinval! (Throwing open the curtains.)

Blin. (Putting his head from the bed.) What do you

want?

Gov. Och! and you're there! Well, and why did you not spake out, when you first saw my voice in your sleep?

Blin. (Coming forward.) What can this mean? Governor, let me tell you, your behaviour, to a man in distress, is inexcusable. Why am I thus tormented, sir? Leave me this instant, I insist!

Gov. Leave you! Faith and be easy, boy? Haven't I brought Murville? You shall be friends -(Turning to the spot where he had left Blin"al.) Why, zounds! how! that other fellow is off!There, I see him! Hallo! Sentry sergeant, corporal! bring him back here.

Enter Corporal. Why did you let that fellow pass, and not shoot him for forcing you? You a soldier! I'll have you all at the halberts, or I am not Governor, by St. Patrick!

Corporal. Governor, no one passed us.

Gov. (Raising his canc.) Ah! and get out with your d-d lies! Didn't I see him here, through my own eyes? And didn't I see the tail of his brown coat, as he skipped through the door? Make yourself scarce, or I shall break my cane over your d-d thick head. (Advances on the Corporal, who runs off.) Well, well, you shall meet yet; I'll not be treated so by any Count in the kingdom! I'll after him this instant; ay, and he shall give me the satisfaction of a gentleman, when he has made friends with you, which shall be here, here, and before you're shot. [Exit. Blin. Governor! Governor! (Following him.) Huzza! I'm safe again. Love is like hunger, and will break through stone walls.

[Watches the Governor fairly out. When the prison door closes, listens a moment, then runs to the movable stone, pulls it away, and exit through the trap-door.

SCENE III.-A Grove leading to the castle. Enter GERMAIN, stealing along in silence, and alarm.

Ger. Oh, dear! oh, dear! All must out now, and the reward of my labour will be bestowed with interest. Germain, thou art a fool; and a court-martial would decide it, and I'll prove it. "Gentlemen, the prisoner was a free man; and, for fifty Louis, he abetted, assisted, connived at, and advised Lieutenant Blinval, of the death's-head hussars, then and there prisoner in the castle-(Starting, and looking round.)-to represent the Count Murville" -Oh, lord! oh, lord! Talk of the devil, and he's at your elbow. [Exit.

SCENE IV.-The outside of the Castle; an antique building, with four towers, enclosed by a wet ditch. ̃A draw-bridge up; cannon mounted, &c. A view across the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius in the distance. The scene is by moonlight, and the reflection throus upon the water. A Sentinel placed upon the ramparts.

Enter COUNT MURVILLE in the same uniform as Blinval's, the dress jacket of an hussar officer, and the cloak on the shoulder. He views the castle with attention, and then comes fo ward.

I

Mur. Here, then, I am at last: and with the pardon I have despaired of obtaining. His warm temper hurried Blinval into an act, which, though excusable, in a young man, is death to a soldier. can, in my turn, now give life. Yes, to the generous feelings of a monarch I am indebted for success, when interest and court favour failed. Blinval, how rich the gift! First, I'll embrace my friend; see him at liberty; then fly to my cousin, and seek that settled happiness her character bids me expect.

Enter GERMAIN.

Ger (Aside, stealing forward.) Not quite so fast, or I'm ruined.-(To Murville.) Sir, you're welcome. I have obeyed all your orders; nay, sir, exceeded them, in my impatience to oblige-(aside.) myself: no lie there.

Mur. Germain, I have no doubt of your fidelity. I am expected, then?

Ger. No, sir, not yet; and if you could delay your visit for a short time, all things would be better arranged; at present, sir, the apartment, which has been occupied, is not ready; and and-in short, sir, you are not expected yet.

Mur. This appears strange. However, I have more serious business at present. Attend me here; I shall despatch you with a message in a few moments.

Ger. (Aside.) Serious business! Dear, dear! that's so lucky! If I can keep him at an inn all night, there will be time for invention.

Mur. (Pulling out his watch.) This loitering Governor! Could I impart to him my feeling and anxiety, he would be swift, indeed; but the scenes that he is accustomed to, deaden his sensibility.(The drawbridge is lowered.) Hark! the bridge lowers; then there are some hopes.

Ger. (Aside.) Hopes! Oh! that I could but creep into a snail's house to escape. He'll have discovered all, and I shall live to see the gipsy's prophecy fulfilled-I shall be hanged!

Enter the GOVERNOR OF SORRENTO from the Castle, followed by the Lieutenant and an Officer; when they are on the bridge, the Governor directs the Officer to return to the castle; the bridge is again raised, and the Governor and the Lieutenant come forward to Murville.

Mur. I presume, sir, the Governor ?

Gov. 'Faith, sir, you have guessed right. I am O'Rourke O'Flagherty of the kingdom, and, as you say, governor of the castle. You have despatches from Naples.

Mur. For the release of one of your state prisoners: I have the packet in my hand.

Gov. Welcome, sir, to Sorrento. I am seldom so pleased as when I wish my old acquaintances a good journey; though they are never grateful enough to wish to pay me a second visit.

Mur. I'm impatient to afford you that enjoyment. Here are my orders; inspect them. Here's the king's seal; they are correct. (Delivering despatches.)

Gov. (Reading.) "Blinval!"-Och! I am rejoiced-But we lose time. Lower the bridge!Come, sir; a man's liberty must not be trifled with.

Ger. (Who has been skulking about with signs of fear.-Aside.) Oh! then, all's safe-(Runs up to the bridge.) Hallo! within! Are you all deaf! Lower the bridge.

TRIO AND CHORUS.

The GOVERNOR, MURVILLE, and GERMAIN.
Lower the bridge, what hoa! attend.
Lower the bridge-

Offi. Who's there?
Gov. & Į
Ger. S A friend.

(The bridge is lowered again.)

Ger. Oh dear, good Mr. Governor, don't cram me into that abominable black castle, and I'll confess all.

Эот.

The strictest discipline, you see, Within Sorrento's castle reigns: My rule is-regularity,

And I'm rewarded for my pains.
(When the bridge is down, a guard comes
from the castle, leaving a sentinel at the
other side of the bridge, and returns again
into the castle.)

Off. Advance! The countersign!

(The Governor makes signs to Murville and
Germain to remain still.)

Goy. Rochelle! (Going to the Officer.)
Offi. Correct! Pass friends, and all is well.
Gov. Lieutenant, hasten, Blinval's free.

Mur. &

(Giving the keys to the Lieutenant.)

Gov. Fly! soothe his anxious mind to peace.

Gov. Roar like a lion—liberty!

Gov.

Mur. & Fly, quick, and hasten his release!
Mur. Tell him a friend, whose life he sav'd,
Has joyous tidings to impart.

Gov. Tell him he's been so well behav'd,

He's my permission to depart.

[Exit the Lieutenant over the bridge into the
castle, ordering the Officer from the ram-
parts to follow him.

Gov. Och honey sweet, what joys we feel-
Mur. Transporting moment! yes, I feel-
Ger. I'm glad he's free, but still I feel-
Gov. When gratitude the bosom warms.
Mur. A generous act the bosom warms.
Ger. Some symptoms strong of fierce alarms.
Gov. Its glowing ardour you reveal.
Mur. Ah! could my tongue my joys reveal-
Ger. Ah! could my tongue my fears reveal-
Gov. Humanity, how bright thy charms!
Mur. & 'Twould soon destroy those fancied
Ger. S charms.

Enter the Officer from the castle.
Cff. Escap'd, escap'd! the pris'ner's fled!
[Exit Germain, hastily.
The southern tower we've search'd in vain.
Gov. Oh, heaven! am I alive or dead?
Mur. Some mystery-
Gov. Some trick, 'tis plain!

To arms, to arms! Post sentries round!
(An alarm, flourish of drums, &c.)
Offi. Each avenue, each opening guard!
Gov. Alive or dead, I'll have him found.
His slippery tricks I'll soon reward.
Enter Soldiers from the castle.
To arms, to arms! the pris'ner's fled!
He must be found, alive or dead!

[All the Soldiers go off; but one party re-
turns, bringing in Germain.

Cho. As now we search'd the castle round,
This fellow lurking near we found:
His guilty looks declare that he
Has help'd to set our pris'ner free.
Ger. I nothing know-in truth, 'tis so!

If he got free,

What's that to me?

I'm innocent, so let me go.

Cho. March! The dungeon straight prepare: He, for life, shall languish there. Treachery was his intent;

Now he meets his punishment

Gov. Confess! Oh, oh! Then you begin to squeak, do you?

Mur. Scoundrel! And have you been accessory to his escape?

Ger. Why, lord, sir, he had escaped before I had any hand in the business. Mur. Explain.

Ger. Why, you must know, then, that there's a secret communication between his prison and the Widow Belmont's. He has been burrowing underground, and playing at bo-peep between the two buildings like a rabbit in a warren.

Gov. Has he so? 'Faith, theu, I'll have my ferrets after him, and they'll soon bring him out. Corporal, take a guard, and go to the Widow Belmont's, and recover the prisoner.-(Erit Corporal with Guards.) So, then, this singular gentleman nas been cutting himself in half, and has been a double man after all. Then it was him I saw at the Widow's, and not Count Murville.

Mur. You certainly never saw Count Murville there; for I am he, and never yet entered her doors; but his reason for personating me I am at a loss to guess.

Ger. Love was his reason, sir. Love, you know, sir, will change a man into anything; and if Miss Rosina be not as much inclined to the prisoner as the prisoner is to her, I know nothing of the tender passion.

Gov. Och! then, the little blind boy, Master Cupid, has been at work with them.

Enter MRS. BELMONT and ROSINA Mrs. B. Governor, what is all this? The confusion in my house-your guard-the

Gov. Be aisy, Widow, be aisy! Here comes one that will clear up all.

Enter BLINVAL, guarded.

So, Mr. Proteus! 'Faith, and you're trapped! What, then, you put the governor, and all his chains, bolts, bars, and sentries, at defiance. Eh! | here you have this pickle, your cousin; but, give me leave, I must make known the real Murville. (Presents him to Ms. Belmont.) And that whipstart is my recluse of the south tower. Pretty sweet innocent! see how demure he seems.

Ros. (Advancing.) Blinval! Oh! I'm so glad! Mur. My dear Blinval! give me your hand, and let me give you joy of the pardon which I have obtained for you, and just delivered to the Gover

nor.

Blin. My pardon! Huzza! My dear friend! I will, then, confess that

Mur. You may spare yourself that trouble, for Germain has told us all. Cousin, my friend Blinval has had the ingenuity to find a secret communication from his prison to that apartment; and, I believe your fair daughter made him explore it. The state is benefited by the discovery; but he deserves to be made prisoner for life. Will you consent? Rosina has forged them, and he is, I dare be sworn, ready to hug his chains.

Mrs. B. I have had proofs of my daughter's attachment, and if she'll venture on such a prisonbreaker-She's her own mistress. (Blinval goes up to Rosina, who retires bashfully to Mrs. Belmont.) Nay, my child, you have my consent. Lock up his heart; and, like the Governor, temper your sway with gentleness.