The Fire King ; or, Albert and Rosalie :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Fire King ; or, Albert and Rosalie

A Grand Magic Ballet of Action, in two Parts

Cross, J. C.

THE FIRE KING;

SCENE IV.

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SCENE IV.

—King Baldwin's Tent, Centinels, &c. discovered—Baldwin and Officers come forward.
Enter Ærial Spirit, introducing Rosalie and attendants, whom King Baldwin welcomes to his Camp —while learning their errand, a trumpet is sounded, and Killarney, Count Albert's 'Squire, is brought on wounded, salutes his Monarch, and thus addresses him:
RECITATIVE—KILLARNEY.
Oh! St. Patrick defend us, my own master's ta'en,
Myself too lay kilt all alive with the slain;
'Till the knights of the Sepulchre rais'd me from death,
And breathless I'll thank them as long as I've breath!

(Bowing to his Companions.)

164

SONG—KILLARNEY.

1.

My heart is as sound as the heart of shi-la-lah,
Old Honesty keeps it as warm as a toast,
With kisses and blows, och! its glowing so gayly,
And sure fair Fidelity isn't my boast.
When the Piper strikes up, why I jig it away,
Look loving, dear joy, when I've nothing to say,
And when battle rages, I battle away.
With my foo rol lol lol, ral tal la ral loo!
And a Whack for the honour of Ireland.

2.

Since my head was so small as an apple potatoe,
I followed the sound of the drum and the fife;
And Love, Wine and War, with the joys of good nature,
Smooth'd sweetly the wrinkles and furrows of life.
When the Piper, &c.

3.

A friend never ax't, when distress play'd the divil.
A lift from myself but I halv'd him my all;
And in fight, och! the conquer'd found Larry so civil,
He lifted them up when he tipp'd them a fall.
When the Piper, &c.

Exit.
Baldwin and suite retire, Rosalie urges the Ærial Spirit to prepare for their undertaking, bending to Heaven in supplication to crown them with success.

165

Osric enters, throws himself at Rosalie's feet, and kisses her hand—she shudders, extricates herself, and flies him—enraged, he seizes her—she screams— the Ærial Spirit, King Baldwin, &c. enter.
RECITATIVE—SPIRIT.
Base Wretch, desist!—thy life to come improve,
And henceforth cherish this thy injured Love!

Waves her wand three times, and Urilda with Carloman, followed by Nero, enter—Spirit informs Baldwin of Osric's cruelty, who commands him to make instant expiation—become desperate, he attempts to stab Urilda, but is prevented by Nero, and seized by Killarney and Soldiers—Baldwin, &c. with disgust, retiring.
RECITATIVE—KILLARNEY.
Fie, fie! och! why would you your Knighthood thus neglect?
Heav'n's loveliest work! sweet woman! 'tis our duty to protect.

Osric breaks from their hold, and Mauleon, rushing on with Soldiers to his assistance, drives off Killarney and his Troops.

166

AIR—OSRIC.
For the love of fair Rosalie I left my native land;
For the love of fair Rosalie, I lead this gallant band;
But scorn'd by fair Rosalie, my love is turn'd to hate,
Death be her portion, though Hell be my fate!

Exeunt.