University of Virginia Library

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:

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:

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.