SCENE II.
Interior of the Cottage of the Vines, the furniture
completely rustic, but neat; a few shelves
with books; a guittar hanging up; near which,
likewise, hangs a horn book; a window in the scene,
the outside of which is rendered picturesque by
being decorated with twining vines, intermingled
with honey-suckles.
Enter Paladore leading on the Princess and Infant,
he endeavours to quiet her alarm, and the endearments
of their child decreases it—Alinda timidly
enters with the wreath—both start—Paladore is on
the point of commanding her to withdraw, but prevented
by the Princess; who, beckoning Alinda to
her, asks whom the wreath is meant for? she intimates
the child, and, taking down the horn-book, says it is
because he has learned his letters—the Princess
appears to school him, and seems delighted with his
aptness—Alinda takes down the guittar—the boy
requests she would play, and, making his bow,
dances a lively Pas Seul, accompanied on the
guittar; Alinda, at the close, placing the wreath
on his head—Princess decorates him with a
white sash—while all the characters appear thus
happy,
the march again assails their ears, and
the
Princess and
Paladore start up alarmed, the
Boy, frightened, clinging to his mother—
Gabriello
enters, and drops a scroll on which is inscribed:
Bireno, with the King's consent, approaches the Capitol to wed the Princess.
The Princess with the utmost agitation reads this,
and at the close screams, and faints in the arms of
Paladore; her consternation having precluded caution,
her veil falls off, and disguise flies open, discovering
a dress correspondent with her title—his cloak
(in endeavouring to prevent her fall) likewise flies
off, and a splendid dress is visible underneath, on which
appears a rich order of knighthood—Alinda and
Gabriello fall planet struck on their knees; three
taps are heard at the Cottage door—the agitation
of all the characters encreases—the Princess conceals
the child in her garment—all eyes are fixed to the
spot from which the noise came—the three distinct
taps are repeated—Paladore orders Gabriello to
learn what occasions it; he fearfully obeys; anxiety
fixing the remaining characters as statues.—Gabriello
returns, introducing Maria Theresa, who throws
herself at the feet of the Princess, confirms his
tale, and, producing a rich casket, urges their immediate
flight with the infant, which the
Princess, with
dignity, refuses: but a thought seeming to have
struck her, she opens the casket, displays several
rich jewels, and appears to dictate to
Paladore the
following scroll:
Louisa is secretly United to Paladore.
Swearing them to secrecy, she informs them who
they are; and that, united by marriage, that infant
is their offspring, and inclosing the scroll, with
the jewels, Paladore commands them to convey the
child, with the casket, according to his directions, and
their reward shall be proportionate to their zeal; but
death the consequence if they betray them;—Gabriello
and Alinda swear to be faithful; intimating
their oaths of fidelity are registered above, and they
will die rather than part with their precious charge
—martial music again assails them, and urges their
speedy departure; a tender separation ensues, and
Paladore, &c. EXEUNT.