University of Virginia Library

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.