University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A View in Louvain.
The residence of D'Arcourt—Vineyards at a distance —Villagers discovered decorating a tree with garlands, on which they have placed this inscription:
Enter other Villagers dancing.
CHORUS.
Sol's chearing ray
Bespangles day,
Mild breathes the wooing air;
The purple grape
In clusters heap,
To the Vintage girls repair.
And as you lightly trip to labour.
Measure each step to the tap of the tabor.

They go off to replenish their baskets with fruit as presents to the bride.—Clifford enters, with D'Arcourt, highly delighted at their attention—is informed by a Servant that Julia is not prepared for his reception —retires for music to serenade her.—Louis enters followed by Villagers.
SONG—LOUIS.

After song Villagers retire, and D'Arcourt re-enters, to whom Louis intimates that his master, St. Pierre, demands her hand—Barges cross the water with music, in which are supposed to be St. Pierre and his attendants singing the following
CHORUS.
Wafted by the wooing breeze,
Swift we cut the silver seas:
Keeping time as gay we row,
To the merry, merry Bargeman's yeo, yeo, yeo!

They land in procession—his attendants are commanded to withdraw—St. Pierre expresses his wishes —D'Arcourt intimates she is betrothed to Clifford, which enrages him, and he threatens to deprive him of his possessions and the place he holds if he refuses consent—dreading his power, he reluctantly complies, and receives him into his mansion—Clifford enters with a Guittar, on which he plays a short air—Julia appears at the balcony, and requests him to be gone, his stay being pregnant with danger, and closing her window retires.—He raps at the door, from which a Servant enters, who expresses the same alarm—grown desperate, he draws his sword, and rushes past him into the house, the Servant following.