SCENE I.
Inside View of the Temple, dedicated to
Bel the God of Fire, with the flactaga, or sacred
fire burning.
HERE all the Irish Priests and Druids meet on
the last day of October, on the evening of which
day it is enacted that no other fire shall be used
throughout the kingdom, in order that all the fires
may be derived from this, which being lighted up as
a fire of sacrifice, would render the rest propitious
and holy.
Priests, Druids, and Priestesses—Enter, bowing
to the flactaga.
CHORUS.
Now the wintry Moons appear,
Chilly storms deform the year;
Mighty Bel, to thee we bow,
Kindly genial heat bestow,
In lucid flame thy chearing rays
Thro' Cottage, Palace, Camp shall blaze;
A glowing heat (no hostile brand)
To purify and bless the land.
Trumpets sounded without, Cobthach, the usurping
monarch of Munster and murderer of his brother
Laughaire, enters, preceded by troops, &c. who
bow to the altar.—Sound of warlike instruments—
enter, Sitric, a Danish chief, followed by Danes,
he kneels respectfully to Cobthach, who raises him
affectionately, pointing to a Banner, on which is
written “Sitric (the Dane) for his services, declared
heir to Cobthach;”—Sitric bows gratefully
for the favour bestowed—enter hastily, a Chief, he
presents a pacquet to Cobthach, who, much agitated,
gives it Sitric to open, ordering the soldiers to withdraw,
who exeunt, each having lit his torch, following
in procession the Druids, &c.
Sitric draws Cobthach towards him, and shews
him the contents of the pacquet, “the murdered
Laughaire's offspring live.” The former, much
agitated, asks Sitric's advice, who draws out of his
bosom a miniature of Maon, demanding if he is
the person to be dreaded? which Cobthach answers
in the affirmative, presenting a dagger to Sitric, who,
receiving it with savage motion, intimates the pleasure
with which he undertakes his death. Cobthach
thanks him for his promptitude, and eagerly produces
another miniature, that of Moriat, Maon's wife.
Sitric seems struck with her beauty!—Druids cross
the stage, and Cobthach and Sitric follow to consult
them relative to the truth of the intelligence they
have received.
