SCENE I.
A Romantic View—a rustic practicable bridge
—on one side steps lead to a lower bridge, after
having passed which, appears the opening to a
Cavern.
Enter Bravaldo (with the infant) on the look
out, and listening; he proceeds over the bridge—as
he approaches the Cavern-mouth, a whistle alarms
him; he starts back, encourages the Child, draws
his pistol, and approaching the Cavern, returns the
whistle.—One of his crew rushes out armed, but
perceiving his commander, bows, invites him in,
and they enter.
Gabriello rushes on wounded, and almost distracted
at having lost the infant—hears footsteps
without, and with trepidation enters the Cavern
for safety—Ricardo, Paladore, and Soldiers cross
the bridge, and partly descend the steps—Ricardo
pointing to the Cavern as a place of shelter, they
approach it—distant trumpet without calls to arms
—Ricardo hastily marches a part of his Soldiers off,
leaving the remainder with Paladore—a pistol is
fired in the Cavern—Gabriello rushes out—Paladore,
&c. stand on the defensive, starting at perceiving
each other—Paladore asks for his Child—Gabriello
with the utmost terror informs him he is
imprisoned in that Cavern, and apparently surrounded
by cut throats—Paladore, &c. attempt to rush into
the Cavern—Bravaldo and his banditti darting out,
meet him, and a short skitmish takes place, in which
Paladore and his party are on the point of being
vanquished, when Ricardo and his Troops rush over
the bridge and rescue them—Bravaldo, on perceiving
his father, drops his sabre, and embraces him;
the latter introduces him to Paladore as his Son—
during this Gabriello, having darted into the Cavern,
returns with, and presents to Paladore his
Child, who is beheld by all with rapturous delight
—and Ricardo, Bravaldo, &c. summoning their
Troops round them, erect their standard:
“Sacred to Humanity.”
Which, when raised, they all kneel to, &c. constituting
Paladore their commander—during this interesting
group, Bertram enters with the following
scroll:
“The Princess is imprisoned.”
Paladore attempts to rush singly to her rescue, but
Ricardo prevents him; and after a moment's reflection
requests him and Gabriello, in disguise, to reconnoitre
her prison, Bertram escorting them—the
Child is entrusted to Ricardo's care, who presents a
horn to Paladore; on hearing the sound of which,
they all promise to fly to his assistance—Paladore,
&c. ascend the bridge, and the Outlaws re-enter
their Cavern.
Exeunt.
