University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

—The Ruins of an old Abbey, by Moonlight, R. U. E.—a gate and windows, through which a light is seen—a guitar hanging near the ruins.
Enter Rosa, with a basket of flowers, L.
Rosa.
My basket is replenish'd with choice flowers,
So I'll away to see the masquerade.
[As she is crossing to R., females are heard laughing loudly in the ruins.
Bless me! what sounds of revelry were those
In yonder abbey? Ha! I see a light!
The nunnery has not been inhabited
For many years. [Laughing repeated.]
Goodness! what can this mean?
[She looks through the keyhole of the door.
Oh, Gemini! what mischief's now afloat?
Ha! Georgina and her young companions
Dressing themselves a such a strange attire,
That—But I'll hide, for here the lady comes.

[She conceals herself behind the ruins, R. U. E.
Enter Georgina from the ruins, R., in the costume of the brigand Massaroni.
Geo.
[Drawing a pistol, as if stopping a traveller.]
—Stand and deliver, traveller, or you die!
What! you've no money? Swear it by the saints!
Poor fellow! take this purse; for Massaroni
Robs but those who rob their fellow-creatures;
Glutting themselves upon the widow's substance,
The orphan's birthright. Such it is his glory
To fleece, as they fleece others. Now, farewell;
And if the privileged robbers of this world
Should ask thee where the brigand Massaroni
Can be found, reply, that in the mountains
He dwells with honour and humanity!
[Aside.]
Come, that, I think, is not so much amiss!

Rosa.
[Aside, peeping from the ruins.]
No, for a miss, it certainly is not!

Geo.
There's something quite inspiring in this dress;
I feel myself courageous as a lion!

SONG.—Georgina.

Rosa.
[Coming forward, mimicking Georgina.]
“March, march away, I won't!”

Geo.
[Aside.]
Here comes a country girl, the pretty Rosa.
I'll frighten her, and then make love to her.
[Aloud, in a gruff voice.
How dare you, girl, at this untimely hour,
Cross Massaroni's path?

Rosa.
Because I know
He is too generous to harm a poor
And unoffending little flower girl.

Geo.
Be not too sure of that. But tell me, damsel,
Didst ever see the brigand Massaroni?

Rosa.
Never; but I have often heard of him.

Geo.
[In a menacing attitude.]
He stands before thee now!

Rosa.
[Coolly.]
You don't say so?

Geo.
[Aside.]
The saucy minx! she surely cannot know me?
[Aloud.]
Thou dost not tremble, then.

Rosa.
Tremble!—Oh, no!
I don't know why I should, I'm sure.

Geo.
Thou'rt right,
Fair maid! I love the gentle sex.

Rosa.
[Aside.]
No doubt: self-love's the first of nature's laws!

Geo.
Tell me, what think you of Massaroni?

Rosa.
[Roguishly regarding Georgina.]
Oh, he's well enough, if he had a beard.

Geo.
Psha! simpleton!—He is as yet quite young.

Rosa.
I see he is;—so young, that were he dressed
In petticoats, he'd look just like myself.

Geo.
[Aside.]
What a sharp eye the little vixen has!
[Aloud.]
No matter how he looks; he is resolved
To have a kiss of you, at all events.

Rosa.
With all my heart, miss; twenty, if you please.

Geo.
Miss!—Thou saucy little rogue! what mean ye?

Rosa.
I crave your pardon, Signor Massaroni;
But having two such pretty pouting lips,
A face so smooth, so sweet, so languishing,
I took you for a gentle love-lorn lady.

Geo.
Thou art mistaken, silly girl! 'Tis I,—
I who make the proudest princes tremble!
Massaroni is in war a lion,
Dealing destruction on his enemies;
In peace a lamb, courting the gentle arts
Of poetry and music. [Fetching the guitar.]
Come, listen.

SONG.—Georgina. Air, “Love's Ritornella.”

Rosa.
Delightful, I declare! Really, signor,
Methinks that singing better far becomes
You than blustering and fighting.

Geo.
[Angrily.]
Beware
Of Massaroni's frown; for, with the speed
Of lightning, whene'er he gives the signal,
His daring band of brigands all rush forth,
Ready to execute their chief's command.
[Whistling.
Behold, and tremble!

Enter Babbla and Female Brigands from the ruins.
Bab.
[To Georgina.]
Captain, your pleasure?

Rosa.
[Laughing.]
Captain!—Ha! ha! ha!

Geo.
[Sternly.]
Girl! thy impudence deserves correction!

[They all flourish their stilettos.
Rosa.
I pray you, ladies, do not look so fierce:
Such Massaroni's will not frighten me!

Geo.
[Aside.]
Confusion! then our secret is discovered!

Rosa.
In passing yonder ruins, a glimmering
Light I saw; a merry peal of laughter
Struck mine ear; and, peeping slyly through
That crazy lock, I found—hey presto! found
The key to all your hidden mysteries!

Geo.
'Twas true love's last resource; and as you hope
One day to get a husband, I charge you,
Be secret!

[She whispers to Rosa.
Rosa.
Rely on my discretion.

SOLO, DUETTO, and CHORUS.
Air, “How happy could I be with either.”
SOLO.—Georgina. [To Rosa.]
'Tis true, for a time we are rovers;
Yet I trust it will never be said,
That a female play'd false with true lovers;
If you do, may you die an old maid!

SOLO.—Rosa. [To the fair Brigands.]
Fear not, my dear, sweet little rovers;
Of me it shall never be said,
That I ever play'd false with true lovers;
If I do, may I die an old maid!

DUETTO AND CHORUS.
Geo. and Rosa.
'Tis true, for a time we are rovers,
Fear not, my dear, sweet little rovers,

Geo., Rosa.
Yet I trust it will/never be said,
Of me it shall/never be said,

Geo., Rosa.
That a female/play'd false with true lovers;
That I ever/play'd false with true lovers;

Geo., Rosa.
If you/do, may you/die an old maid!
If I/do, may I/die an old maid!

Chorus.
'Tis true, for a time we are rovers,
Yet we trust it will never be said,
That a female play'd false with true lovers;
If she does, may she die an old maid!

[Exit Rosa, R.
Geo.
This accident must not discourage us.
Had not that littie vixen played the spy,
I would defy her e'en to have surmised
We are not what we seem. These dresses well
Become us;—you know they all were made
To grace this night our merry masquerade.
But now for exercise. Are you armed
At all points with pistols and stilettos?

Bab.
We are, my lady— [Checking herself.]
Captain, I should say!

Geo.
It is well known that Massaroni's warfare
Is, like himself, wild and irregular;
Still something like true tactics now and then
He doth observe, and so must we. Attention!
[As Georgina commands, the fair brigands obey.
Prepare your stilettos! now to the charge!
[They rush forward in line.
Halt! to the right about! retreat in order!
March! halt, front!—Now draw your pistols, brigands!
Make ready—present—fire!
[Georgina fires—the rest hesitate.
[Angrily.]
Ha! confusion!
You dare to disobey your captain's orders?

Bab.
We beg your pardon, and have no objection
To fight with steel; but really we're afraid
To meddle with gunpowder.

Geo.
[With authority.]
At your peril,
Dare hesitate!

Bab.
Well, if we must, we must.

Geo.
You know the pistols have by my direction
Been charged with powder only; since our object
Is not to kill, but terrify a coward.
Attention, brigands! Make ready! present! fire!
[They fire a volley.
That was well done! Now, comrades, stand at ease;
And, to beguile the hour until 'tis time
To march to the attack, we'll have a dance
In the true brigand style.

Omnes.
Agreed! agreed!

A NEAPOLITAN BOLERO, WITH CASTANETS.
SOLO.—Georgina, à la Bolero.
When the merry bells are ringing,
And the little lambs are springing;
When the birds are blithly singing,
Sweetly sipping from life's flowing measure;
When the village lads are straying,
And the shepherd's pipe is playing,
Then's the time for harmony and pleasure!

Chorus of the fair Brigands, while dancing with castanets.
Fal, lal, lal, lal, la, &c.

Georgina.
When the village dames are talking,
When old fathers go a walking,
And there is no fear of baulking,
Then begins the frolicing and sporting;
When in silent bower reclining,
And the silver moon is shining,
Then's the witching hour for love and courting!

Chorus
(with dance)
When the merry bells are ringing, &c.

[At the end of the Bolero, the bell of a distant convent strikes nine.
Geo.
Attention, comrades!—Hark! the convent bell
Hath struck the hour of nine. On to glory!

CHORUS.—Air, “Blue Bonnets over the Border.”
March! march!—'tis at young Cupid's call;
Glory to her who her life for him loses!
March! march! pretty maids one and all;
No gallant youth will love her who refuses!

[Georgina places herself at the head of the fair Brigands, and they exeunt, R., marching in military order.