University of Virginia Library

2. PART II.

SCENE I.

King Baldwin's Grand Encampment—the Christian Cross fixed conspicuously on one side of the Royal Tent, which occupies the centre of the Stage, the figure of the Virgin on the other; Battering Rams, and other implements of antient Warfare mingled amidst the Tents.
King Baldwin and his army discovered drawn up ready to repel the Enemy's attack—Rosalie bending in adoration to the Cross—the trumpets of the Saracens heard without, accompanied by loud shouts, which are answered by the trumpets and huzzas of the Christians—Count Albert in a splendid Persian dress, preceded by his magic banner, and followed by Saracens, rushes on, assails, and disarms Baldwin, to whose assistance a Christian officer hastes, and receives, on his shield, the blow destined to dispatch his Monarch, who is led off.—Albert quickly vanquishes the Officer, and meeting Rosalie, a combat between them ensues; her Helmet is struck off and his Turban, both wounded, recognize each other, and, bending to the cross, he faints—Rosalie, agitated, and almost breathless, supports him—he revives—she points to her wounds—he views her with anguish, and kneels to her for pardon—she raises, and leads him to the figure of the Virgin, to which he repentant kneels —thunder, &c.—King Baldwin returns re-armed to the fight; attacks Albert, who attempts to repel him, his sword flies from his grasp; the magic banner disappears, and he again falls breathless at the foot of the Cross.—(During this action on the front of the Stage, a general battle takes place in the rear;) After a short pause, Osric, with a party, rush on and bear off Rosalie, while the Soldan takes Count Albert captive; the remnant of the Saracens yield to King Baldwin and his forces.

SCENE II.

—A Forest.
Enter Urilda and Carloman, followed by Nero, guarding them—a distant trumpet sounds, and he departs on the look out—Urilda, with tears, embraces her Boy.
AIR—URILDA.

Exeunt.

SCENE III.

—A Romantic display of wild and picturesque Scenery, consisting of stupendous Mountains, grand Waterfalls, and overhanging Rocks—an opening to a subterraneous pass on the right hand side of the Stage—part of the Mountains practicable—Night—the Stage dark.
Enter Osric and Mauleon, bearing on Rosalie, Mauleon with a torch—thunder—lightning—a storm commences—perceiving the entrance to a subterraneous pass, Osric places Rosalie there for shelter— Mauleon's torch is blown out, and he wanders off to relume it, leaving Osric at the mouth of the Cave, with his sword drawn on the watch—Urilda and Child, way-worn and fatigued, enter—the storm radually abates—occasional blasts of wind, &c. &c
QUARTETTO—URILDA, CHILD, OSRIC, AND ÆRIAL SPIRIT.
Urilda.
Weak, weary, and way-worn, long hours have we passed!
Dark night glooms around us, and chill roars the blast!

Child.
Oh! mother I faint, let me lean on thine arm,
And close in thy mantle pray wrap me up warm.

Urilda.
Close, close in my mantle I'll wrap thee up warm.

(She wraps him up in her mantle, and they approach the Mountains—Osric starts at perceiving them, indicating murderous intentions, but first secures Rosalie, by rolling the fragment of a Rock, so as to block up the mouth of the Cavern, occasionally concealing himself.)
Urilda.
Why trembles my darling, why shakes he with fear?

Child.
Look, Mother! fierce Osric, my Father, is near!
Earl Osric, the Lion, with his sword keen and bright,

Urilda.
My child, thou'rt deceived by the vapours of night.

Child.
Ah! no, not deceived by the vapours of night.

(The Child approaches nearer to where Osric is; they meet, and Osric, wrapping himself up in his cloak, with great tenderness, in a feigned voice, addresses him.)
Osric.
If thou wilt, dear baby, with me hie away,
I'll give thee fine garments, we'll play a fine play,
Fine flowers are growing, white, scarlet, and blue,
On the banks of yon River, and all are for you.

Child.
Oh, Mother! 'tis Osric! fierce Osric, we view!

(Carloman having approached within his grasp, Osric, discovering himself, indignantly seizes him—Urilda screams!)
Urilda.
Fierce Osric! oh, hear me!

Osric.
—Vain, vain is thy prayer.

Urilda.
Cruel monster! ah, twist not thine hand in his hair,
Nor aim at his bosom thy knife—

Osric.
—Death is nigh!

Urilda.
One pray'r; oh! one pray'r, let us breathe e're we die.

Osric.
Commend thee, commend thee, to Heav'n and die!

Urilda.
And must my sweet babe by his Father be slain!

Child.
Oh! save me!

Urilda.
Oh! save him!

Osric.
—Thy prayers are in vain!
Relentless, no plea can induce me to spare.

Spirit.
Meet thy fate, then unpitied; howl, fiend, and dispair!

Osric.
Curse, curse on thine arm!

Spirit.
—Howl, fiend, and despair.

During this Nero appears on the Mountains, and perceiving his Mistress and Carloman in danger, is hurrying to their assistance, when he is met and attacked by Mauleon, whom he vanquishes; then precipitates himself from an immense high promontory, and assails Osric, who disarms, and is on the point of dispatching him, when the Ærial Spirit rushes on, snatches up Nero's sword, stabs him, and he expires —then, waving her wand over the Cave, it opens, and Rosalie enters—all bend in thanks, and exeunt.

SCENE IV.

—A Dungeon—a grating in the Centre, leading to a lower Cell, in which Count Albert is imprisoned.
Mufti enter, followed by Zulema and the Soldan —Mufti open the grating, Albert, in chains, is drawn from his cell—starts, horror struck, at the sight of Zulema—she attempts to sooth him—he avoids her with disdain—the Soldan threatening, half draws his sabre—the voice of the Ærial Spirit is heard singing the following
STRAIN—ÆRIAL SPIRIT.
In the time of thy need breathe to Heav'n a pray'r,
Should Heaven deign hear such a recreant as thee;
Disentangle thyself from proud Zulema's snare,
And rather meet death than wrong fair Rosalie.

The Soldan and Zulema once more endeavour, by promises and caresses, to allure him—he dashes them from him—the Father draws his sabre, and Zulema her poignard; he drops on one knee, bending in supplication to Heaven, forming the cross—the Ærial Spirit appears in an illumined Cloud, and, waving her wand, Skeletons bear the Soldan and Zulema through the Stage, surrounded by flame, and Count Albert throws himself, overpowered with gratitude and contrition, at her feet—thunder—a terrific chasm, backed by sulphureous flames opens, and the Fire King, in terror, again appears, bearing in his hand the enchanted sword, crimsoned with blood.—Saracen executioners rush on, and a block rises through the Stage.
DUET—FIRE KING AND ÆRIAL SPIRIT.
Fire King.
Count Albert, once more view this magical brand,
The heart's-blood of Christians have dy'd it with red;
Though lately it flam'd in thy renegade hand,
Kneel instant! 'tis destin'd to strike off thine head!

Spirit.
Hold! hold, King of terrors, Count Albert's my care,
'Ere his head at the throne of the Fire King he lay,
The two first commands, which I give, thou shalt swear,
(Though hard should the task be enjoin'd) to obey.

Fire King.
Peace, Sorceress! though proudly thou oft rid'st in air,
Mine eyes furnish light'ning, my hand guides the storm,
And the two first commands which you give me I swear,
(Though hard should the task be enjoin'd) to perform.

Spirit.
Now aid me, ye guardians of Virtue's bright charms,
The truest of maidens, Fire King, bid appear!

Rosalie, in splendid feminine attire, arises, and embraces Albert, who, throwing off his Caftan, appears with the cross at his breast as a Christian knight.
Fire King.
The truest of maidens he clasps in his arms:
Now give me thy second command and dispair.

Spirit.
Ah! be not, proud King, of success too secure;
Than the truest, a truer before me now bring.

Fire King.
Vile hag! than the truest, fate yields not a truer!
And, enrag'd, quits his prey, the defeated Fire King.

SPIRIT AND CHORUS.
Virtue conquers, and proudly her triumph I sing,
For enrag'd quits his prey the defeated Fire King.

The Chasm closes on the Fire King, and the Scene changes to

SCENE THE LAST.

A Superb View of King Baldwin's Palace.
The repentant Albert is again received as a Christian Knight, and united, by the King, to the constant and virtuous Rosalie.
FINALE—SORCERESS.

CHORUS.
And, as, &c.