SCENE IX.
Practicable Mountains, from which a stupendous
Waterfall precipitates itself, which, increasing,
becomes a River, over which is a picturesque, arched,
practicable Bridge—on one side of the stage is
Rinaldo's Tent, his dog on guard, under his banner
“Hands and Hearts united:” on the other, straggling
Tents and Baggage Waggons.
The Robbers discovered, some asleep, others keeping
watch, &c.—a whistle is heard, which is
returned by Altaverde, and a Gondola rowed
through the arch, in which is Rinaldo, Cinthio, and
Rosalia—they land—a beacon is fired on the
mountains, and a distant cannon heard—Rinaldo
starts—muses—orders two boxes, one marked “Specie,”
the other “Jewels” to be brought from his
Tent, places them on board the Gondola, and commissioning
Rosalia to bury them in a place of safety,
it is again rowed off through the arch—he then, patting
his Dog, seats himself in his Tent to carouze,
snapping his fingers at the second report of a cannon
—a distant trumpet heard, and Robber Centinel rushing
over the bridge, informs them they are surrounded
—the Band fly to arms, which they scarce accomplish,
when the Bridge is covered with the Baron's
Soldiers, headed by him, Paolo, &c. the mountains
apparently covered with armed Men, and every pass
obstructed—Baron's Troops halt, and display the
following proclamation:
“Pardon and Rewards are offered the Band, if they will surrender their Chief.”
Rinaldo, after saluting the Baron with his sword,
reads it, and asks if they will surrender him, they answer
“No:”—he snatches down the proclamation,
tears it, and making wadding with it for his carbine,
with that answers them—a general fight commences
—several are killed on each side, and, at length, part
of the balustrades of the Bridge giving way, Rinaldo
is precipitated from thence by the Baron, &c. into
the River—his Dog leaping in prevents him from
sinking, till Rosalia comes to his assistance in the
Gondola, which he is received on board, and escapes,
unperceived, through the arch—Mulo, whose terror
gives occasional humour to the Scene, comes forward,
as the Baron, &c. descend the Bridge, with Rinaldo's
hat and sword, with the latter vowing he has dispatched
him.
CHORUS OF VICTORY.
Be the name of Rovezzo extol'd o'er and o'er,
The terror of Nations, Rinaldo's no more;
Of his Band the remains, gnash their teeth, clank their chains,
And the loss of Rinaldo in Death shall deplore:
The wreath of Victory prepare—no more we live in awe,
Let acclamations rend the air—huzza!—huzza!—huzza!
At the close of the chorus, Rinaldo and Rosalia,
on the summit of the Bridge, wave the Robbers'
banner, and join in the huzza!—their antagonists
groupe in great consternation, and the curtain drops.