University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

—A Dungeon in Dunbayne Castle —a pendant Lamp burning, and a bed of straw— an Iron grated door to the Dungeon.
Alleyn
discovered leaning against the wall mournfully.
RECITATIVE.
Strange! strange vicissitude! with Hell in league,
Malcolm bids Innocence, and Virtue weep!
My Spirits sink—faint with the days fatigue—
I seek refreshing aid from balmy sleep!

(Throws himself on the straw, and gradually reclines to rest.)
The grated door is opened cautiously, and Edric enters, full of terror at the murder he had undertaken, in one hand bearing a dagger, in the other an hour glass.—He approaches Alleyn, perceives he sleeps— prepares to strike—Alleyn heaves a deep sigh, and his resolution fails—Malcolm appears, upbraids his tardiness, and, pointing to the hour glass, tells him with its departing sand must flow the life-blood of his Prisoner, and, commanding immediate dispatch, departs, closing the grating after him.—Edric again approaches Alleyn (who continues still in a sweet slumber) again uplifts his dagger, and again remains irresolute—the bell tolls one, his signal to be brief— he appears determined, more resolutely prepares to strike, but melting into tears, dashes the dagger from him—Alleyn, arouzed by the noise, starts up, places himself in an attitude of defence—Edric draws —Alleyn seizes his sword hand, overpowers him, obtains it, and dashes him to the earth—he solicits mercy.
RECITATIVE—ALLEYN.
An unarmed Victim, base 'tis to assail,
But take my life—'tis now of poor avail.

Returns Edric the sword, who, overcome by this act of heroism, falls at his feet, and bathes them with tears—Alleyn raises him—he, wildly, snatching up the hour glass, recollects their dangerous situation, and attempts to burst the grated door—Malcolm exclaims without:—“The Hour is past!” Edric attempts in anguish, with his sword, to force the flinty walls.—Ærial music, and a vocal strain to the following effect assails their ears:

Pursue thy efforts 'till some secret spring
A prospect of sweet liberty shall bring.

Alleyn snatches up the dagger, and striking the centre of the Dungeon, the solid Rock disappears, and discovers the Fairy, seated on a Cloud, who points to a subterraneous pass, at the back of the scene.
AIR—FAIRY.
The hollow dell, the circling lawn,
Shall glad thine eyes ere blush of dawn:
Fair Freedom's path pursue;
The humble shall exalted be,
“Virtue is true Nobility!”
Adieu, brave Youth, adieu!

Fairy still pointing to the pass—they proceed, on her waving her wand a blue flame lighting them through it!—when they go off, the scene resumes its original appearance—the door of the Dungeon is heard unbarring, and Malcolm rushes on with his sword drawn, starts agast, and enraged.
RECITATIVE—MALCOLM.
Escaped!—for this was my revenge delay'd!
Ring the alarm bell!—treason!—we're betray'd.

Exit.