better of it

elegy upon it. It began thus:

"Baked be the pies to coals,

Burn, roast meat, burn

Boil o'er, ye pots, ye spits, forget to turn,
Cindrelia's death"-

Enter EARL PERCY, over the bridge.
Allan. Here comes the Earl.

Mot. In truth, my lord, you venture too near the castle should you fall into Osmond's power a second time, your next jump may be into a better world.

Per Oh! there's no danger, Gilbert; my followers are not far off, and will join me at a moment's warning; then fear not for me.

Mot. With all my heart; but permit me to fear for myself. We are now within bow-shot of the castle; the archers may think proper to amuse us with a proof of their skill; and were I to feel an arrow quivering in my gizzard, probably I should be much more surprised than pleased. Good, my lord, let us back to the fisherman's hat.

Per. Your advice may be wise, Gilbert, but I cannot follow it. See you nothing near yonder tower? Mot. Yes, certainly. Two persons advance towards us; yet they cannot be our friends, for I see neither the lady's petticoat nor the monk's paunch. Per. Still they approach, though slowly: one leans on his companion, and seems to move with pain. Let us retire and observe them. Mot. Away, sir; I'm at your heels. (They retire.) Enter SAIB conducting KENRIC.

Saib. Nay, yet hold up a while. Now we are near the fisher s cottage.

Ken. Good Saib, I needs must stop. Enfeebled by Osmond's tortures, my limbs refuse to bear me further. Here lay me down: then fly to Perey, guide him to the dungeon; and, ere 'tis too late, bid him save the father of Angela.

Per (To Motley) Hark! did you hear?
Saib. Yet to leave you thus alone!

Ken. Oh! heed not me. Think that on these few moments depends our safety, Angela's freedom, Reginald's life. You have the master-key. Fly, then; oh! fly to Percy! (Percy, and Motley come orward to Kenric and Saib.).

Per. Said he not Reginald? Speak again, stranger. What of Reginald?

Saib. Ha! look up, Kenric. "Tis Percy's self! Per. & Mot. How, Kenric!. Ken. (Sinking at Percy's feet.) Yes, the guilty, penitent Kenric! Oh! surely 'twas heaven sent you hither. Know, Earl Percy, that Reginald lives, that Angela is his daughter!

Per. Amazement! and is this known to Osmond? Ken. Two hours have scarcely passed since he surprised the secret. Tortures compelled me to avow where Reginald was hidden, and he now is in his brother's power. Fly, then, to his aid. Alas! perhaps at this moment his destruction is completed. Perhaps, even now, Osmond's dagger

Per. Within there! Allan! Harold! Quick, Gilbert, sound your horn. (Motley sounds it; it is echord.)

Enter ALLAN, EDRIC, HAROLD, and Soldiers.
Per. Friends, may I depend on your support?
Har."While we breathe, all will stand by you.
Soldiers All, all!

Per. Follow me then Away!

Ken. Yet stay one moment. Percy, to this grateful friend have I confided a master-key, which will

Oh!

F. Pil. Well, well! be calm, daughter. these women! these women! they mind no one's comfort but their own. Now, where is the door?

Ang. How tedious seems every moment which I pass within these hated walls! Ha! yönder comes a light!

F. Phil. So, so, I've found it at last. (Touching a spring, a secret door flies open.)

Ang. It moves this way! By all my fears, 'tis Osmond! In, father, in! Away for heaven's sake! [Exeunt, closing the door after them.

Enter OSMOND and HASSAN, with a torch. Osm. (After a pause of gloomy meditation.) Is all still within the castle?

Has. As the silence of the grave.

Osm. Where are your fellows?

Has. Saib guards the traitor Kenric: Muley and Alaric are buried in sleep.

Osm. Their hands have been stained with blood, and yet can they sleep? Call your companions hither. (Hassan offers to leave the torch.) Away with the light, its beams are hatefel. [Exit Hassan.] Yes; this is the place. If Kenric said true, for sixteen years have the vaults beneath me rung with my brother's groans. I dread to unclose the door.. How shall I sustain the beams of his eye, when they rest on Evelina's murderer? Ha! at that name my expiring hate revives! Reginald, Reginald! for thee was I sacrificed. Oh! when it strikes a second blow, my poniard shall strike surer!

Enter HASSAN, MULEY, and ALARIC, with
torches.

The Africans (together.) My lord, my lord!
Osm. Now, why this haste?

Has. I tremble to inform you, that Saib has filed the castle. A master-key, which he found upon Kenric, and of which he kept possession, has enabled him to escape.

Osm. Saib too, gone? All are false! All forsako me!

Has. Yet more, my lord; he has made his pri soner the companion of his flight.

Osm. (Starting.) How! Kenric escaped?

Ala. 'Tis but too certain! doubtless, he has fled to Percy.

Osm. To Percy! Ha! then I must be speedy: my fate hangs on a thread. Friends, I have ever found ye faithful; mark me now. (Opening the private door.) Of these two passages, the left conducts to a long chain of dungeons: in one of these my brother still languishes. Once already have you seen him bleeding beneath my sword; but he yet exists. My fortune, my love, nay, my life, are at stake. Need I say more? (Each half unsheathes his sword.) That gesture speaks me understood. On, then, before; I follow you. (The Africans pass through the private door; Osmond is advancing towards it, when he suddenly starts back.) Ha! Why roll these seas of blood before me? Whose mangled corse do they bear to my feet? Fratricide! Oh! 'tis a dreadful name! Yet how preserve myself and Reginald? It cannot be. We must not breathe the same atmosphere. Fate, thy hand urges me. Fate, thy voice prompts me. Thou hast spoken; I obey. (He follows the Africans; the door is closed after him.)

SCENE III.-A gloomy subterraneous Dungeon, wide and lofty: the upper part of it has, in several places, fallen in, and left large chasms. On one side, are various passages leading to other caverns; on the other, is an iron door with steps leading to it, and a wicket in the middle. REGINALD, pale and emaciated, in coa se garments, his hair hanging wildly about his face, and a chain bound round his body, lies sleeping upon a bed of straw. A lamp, a small basket, and a pitcher, are placed near him. After a few moments he awakes, and extends his arms.

Reg. My child! My Evelina! Oh! fly me not, lovely forms! They are gone, and once more I live to misery. Thou wert kind to me, Sleep! Even now, methought, I sat in my castle-hall: a maid, lovely as the queen of fairies, hung on my knee, and hailed me by that sweet name, "Father!" Yes, I was happy. Yet frown not on me therefore, Darkness; I am thine again, my gloomy bride. Be not incensed, Despair, that I left thee for a moment. I have passed with thee sixteen years. Ah! how many have I still to pass? Yet fly not my bosom quite, sweet Hope! Still speak to me of liberty, of light! Whisper, that once more I shall see the morn break; that again shall my fevered lips drink the pure gale of evening. God! thou knowest that I have borne my sufferings meekly: I have wept for myself, but never cursed my foes; I have sorrowed for thy anger, but never murmured at thy will. Patient have I been; oh! then reward me; let me once again press my daughter in my arms; let me, for one instant, feel again that I clasp to my heart a being who loves me. Speed thou to heaven, prayer of a captive! (He sinks upon a stone, with his hands clasped, and his eyes bent stedfastly upon the flame of the lamp.)

ANGELA and FATHER PHILIP are seen through the chasms above, passing slowly. Ang. Be cautious, father. Feel you not how the ground trembles beneath us?

F. Phil. Perfectly well; and would give my best breviary to find myself once more on terra-firma. But the outlet cannot be far off: let us proceed. Ang. Look down upon us, blessed angels! Aid us; protect us!

F. Phil. Amen, fair daughter! (They disappear.) Reg. (After a pause.) How wastes my lamp! The hour of Kenric's visit must long be past, and still!

he comes not. How, if death's hand hath struck him suddenly! My existence unknown. Away from my fancy, dreadful idea! (Rising, and taking the lamp.) The breaking of my chain permits me to wander at large through the wide precincts of my prison. Haply the late storm, whose pealing thunders were heard even in this abyss, may have rent some friendly chasm: haply some nook yet unexplored. Ah! no, no! my hopes are vain, my search will be fruitless. Despair in these dungeons reigns despotic; she mocks my complaints, rejects my prayers; and, when I sue for freedom, bids me seek it in the grave! Death! oh, death! how welcome wilt thou be to me! [Exit. (The noise is heard of a heavy bar falling; the door opens.)

Enter FATHER PHILIP and ANGELA.

F. Phil. How's this? a door!
Ang. It was barred on the outside.

F. Phil. That we'll forgive, as it wasn't bolted on the in. But I don't recollect-surely I've notAng. What's the matter?

F. Phil. By my faith, daughter, I suspect that I've missed my way.

Ang. Heaven forbid!

F. Phil. Nay, if 'tis so, I sha'n't be the first man who, of two ways, has preferred the wrong. Ang. Provoking! And did I not tell you to choose the right-hand passage?

F. Phil. Truly, did you; and that was the very thing which made me choose the left. Whenever I am in doubt myself, I generally ask a woman's advice. When she's of one way of thinking, I've always found that reason's on the other. In this instance, perhaps, I have been mistaken: but wait here for a moment, and the fact shall be ascertained. [Exit.

Ang. How thick and infectious is the air of this cavern; yet, perhaps, for sixteen years has my poor father breathed none purer. Hark! steps are quick advancing. The friar comes, but why in such confusion?

Re-enter FATHER PHILIP, running.

F. Phil. Help, help! It follows me!

Ang. (Detaining him.) What alarms you? Speak! F. Phil. His ghost, his ghost! Let me go, let me go, let me go! (Struggling to escape from Angela, he falls and extinguishes the torch; then hastily rises, and rushes up the staircase, closing the door after him.) He's gone. I cannot find the door. Ang. Father, father! Stay, for heaven's sake! the clank of chains. Hark! 'twas

A light too! It comes yet. nearer! Save me, ye powers! What dreadful form! 'Tis here! I faint with terror. (Sinks almost lifeless against the dungeon's side.)

Re-enter REGINALD with a lamp.

Why did Kenric enter my prison? Haply, when he Reg. (Placing his lamp upon a pile of stones.) heard not my groans at the dungeon door, he thought that my woes were relieved by death. Oh! when will that thought be verified? Thou art dead, and at rest, my wife! Safe in yon skies, no thought of me molests thy quiet. Yet sure I wrong thee. At the hour of death, thy spirit shall stand beside me, shall close mine eyes gently, and murmur, Reginald, and be at peace!"

"Die

Ang. Hark! heard I not-pardon, good strangerRg. (Starting wildly from his seat.) 'Tis she She comes for me! Is the hour at hand, fair vision

Spirit of Evelina! lead on, I follow thee. (He extends his arms towards her, staggers a few paces forwards, then sinks exhausted on the ground.)

Ang. He faints! perhaps expires! Still, still! See, he revives!

Reg. 'Tis gone! Once more the sport of my bewildered brain. (Starting up.) Powers of bliss! Look, where it moves again! Oh! say, what art thou? If Evelina, speak, oh, speak!

Ang. Ha! named he not Evelina? That look! This dungeon too! the emotions which his voiceIt is, it must be! Father! Oh! Father, father! (Falling upon his bosom.)

Reg. Said you? Meant you? My daughter, my infant, whom I left? Oh yes, it must be true! My heart, which springs towards you, acknowledges my child. (Embracing her.) But say, how gained you entrance? Has Osmond

Ang. Oh! that name recalls my terrors. Alas! you see in me a fugitive from his violence. Guided by a friendly monk, wkom your approach has frightened from me, I was endeavouring to escape; we missed our way, and chance guided us to this dungeon. But this is not a time for explanation. Answer me. Know you the subterraneous passages belonging to this castle?

Reg. Whose entrance is without the walls. I do. Ang. Then we may yet be saved. Father, we must fly this moment. Percy, the pride of our English youth, waits for me at the Conway's side. Come then, oh! come. Stay not one moment longer. (As she approaches the door, lights appear above.)

Reg. Look, look, my child! The beams of distant torches flash through the gloom.

Osm. (Above.) Hassan, guard you the door. Follow me, my friends. (The lights disappear.)

Ang. Osmond's voice! Undone, undone¦ Oh! my father, he comes to seek you; perhaps, to

Reg. Hark! they come. The gloom of yonder cavern may awhile conceal you; fly to it; hide yourself: stir not, I charge you.

Ang. What leave you? Oh, no, no!

mentioned, even now, your daughter: know, she is in my power; know, also, that I love her. Reg. How!

Osm. She rejects my offers. Your authority can oblige her to accept them. Swear to use it, and this instant will I lead you to her arms. Say will you give the demanded oath?

Reg. I cannot dissemble: Osmond, I never will. Osm. How! Reflect that your life

Reg. Would be valueless, if purchased by my daughter's tears; would be loathsome if embittered by my daughter's misery. Osmond, I will not take the oath.

Osm. (Almost choked with passion.) 'Tis enough! (To the Africans.) You know your duty. Drag him to yonder cavern. Let me not see him die.

Reg. (Holding by a fragment of the wall, from which the Africans strive to force him.) Brother, for pity's sake; for your soul's happiness!

Csm. Obey me, slaves. Away!

ANGELA rushes in wildly, from the cavern.

Ang. Hold off! Hurt him not! He is my father! Osm. Angela here!

Reg. Daughter, what means

will sacrifice all to preserve you. Osmond, release Ang. (Embracing him.) You shall live, father. I my father, and solemnly I swear

Reg. Hold, girl; and first hear me. (Kneeling) God of nature to thee I call! If e'er on Osmond's bosom a child of mine rest; if e'er she call him husband, who pierced her mother's hapless heart, that moment shall a wound, by my own hand inflictedAng. Hold! Oh, hold! End not your oath. Csm I burn with rage!

14 * wear!

Reg. De repaid by this embrace.

Osm. Be it your last. Tear them asunder. Ha! what noise?

Enter HASSAN, hastily.

not for me.

Enter OSMOND, followed by MULEY and ALARIO, with torches.

Osm. The door unbarred! Softly; my fears were false. Lo! where stretched on the ground, a stone his pillow, he tastes that repose which flies from my bed of down. Wake, Reginald, and arise!

Reg. You here, Osmond? What brings you to this scene of sorrow? Alas! Hope flies while I gaze upon your frowning eye. Have I read its language aright, Osmond?

Osm. Aright, if you have read my hatred. Reg. Have I deserved that hate? See, my brother, the once proud Reginald lies at your feet; for his pride has been humbled by suffering. Hear him adjure you by her ashes, within whose bosom we both have lain, not to stain your hands with the blood of your brother. Kenric has told me that my daughter lives. Restore me to her arms; permit us in obscurity to pass our days together. Then shall my last sigh implore upon your head heaven's forgiveness and Evelina's.

Osm. He melts me in my own despite. It shall be so. (Aside.) Rise, Reginald, and hear me. You

Osm. Confusion! Then I must be sudden. Aid me, Hassan. (Hassan and Osmond force Angela from her father, who, suddenly disengages himself from Muley and Alaric.)

buy my life dearly. (Suddenly seizing Hasan's Reg. Friends so near? Villains! at least you shall

sword.)

Osm. (Employed with Hassan in retaining Angela. while Reginald defends himself against Muley and Wrest the sword from Alaric.) Down with him! him! (Alaric is wounded and falls; Muley gives back; at the same time, Osmond's pa ty appears above, pursued by Percy's.) Hark! they come! Dastardly villains! Nay, then, my own hand must-Drawing his sword, he rushes upon Reginald, who is disarmed, and beaten upon his knees; when, at the moment that Osmond lifts his arm to stab him, Evelina's ghost throws herself between them; Osmond starts back, and drops his sword. Angela disengaging herself fron Hassan, springs suddenly forwards, and plunges her dagger in Osmond's bosom, who falls with a loud groan, and faints. The ghost vanishes: Angela and Reginald rush into each other's arms.

Ang. Father, thou art mine again!

Enter PERCY, SAIB, HAROLD, &c. pursuing Omond's party. They all stop, on seeing him bleeding upon the ground.

Per. Hold, my brave friends! See where lies the object of our search.

Ang. Percy! dear Percy!

Per. (Flying to her.) Dearest Angela! Ang. My friend, my guardian angel! Come, Percy, come; embrace my father. Father, embrace the protector of your child.

Per. Do I then behold Earl Reginald? Reg. (Embracing him.) The same, brave Percy! Welcome to my heart! Live ever next to it.

Ang. Oh! moment that o'erpays my sufferings. And yet, Percy, that wretched man-he perished by my hand! (Osmond is conveyed away: servants enter with torches.)

Per. But say, fair Angela, what have I to hope? Is my love approved by your noble father? Will he

Reg. Percy, this is no time to talk of love. Let me hasten to my expiring brother, and soften with forgiveness the pangs of death.

Per. Can you forget your sufferings?

Reg. Ah! youth; has he had none? Oh! in his stately chambers, far greater must have been his pangs than mine in this gloomy dungeon; for what gave me comfort was his terror, what gave me hope was his despair.

And, oh, thou wretch whom hopeless woes oppress,

Whose days no joys, whose nights no slumbers bless,

When pale Despair alarms thy phrensied eye, Screams in thine ear, and bids thee heaven deny,

Court thou Religion! strive thy faith to save;
Bend thy flx'd glance on bliss beyond the grave;
Hush guilty murmurs! banish dark mistrust!
Think, there's a Power above, nor doubt that Power
is just!