The False Friend ; or, Assassin of the Rocks A New Melo Dramatic Ballet of Action |
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| 3. | SCENE III. |
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 | The False Friend ; or, Assassin of the Rocks |  |
SCENE III.
An Oratory appertaining to the Baron's private Chapel.Procession to the altar, Girls strewing flowers, &c.
EPITHALAMIUM.
What is love? a tender tie,
That binds two hearts in sympathy:
What are wedlock's mystic rites?
A pledge which closer still unites.
And happy must that union prove,
Where Hymen's rites are crown'd by Love!
May o'er your days Love long preside!
Hail happy Bridegroom! happy Bride!
After the Epithalamium, Julia decorates Horatio with a rich emblematical sash—the ceremony is on the point of taking place, all the characters having properly arranged themselves, when Mandeville, driven to madness, attempts, unperceived, to assassinate Horatio—a trumpet is heard without, he starts, and, conceiving himself observed, conceals the dagger in his bosom—Surge enters—
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Bad news, brave Captain, the insatiate Foe,
One more approach our Island to attack;
Your prowess must atchieve their overthrow,
And with our gallant Townsmen drive them back!
Mandeville is rejoiced at this intelligence, but assumes an appearance of the most fervent affection to the nearly new married pair—drum beats to arms, and a messenger enters, demanding, in stronger terms, the personal attendance of Horatio—Mandeville urges him to depart, swearing that he will protect his affianced Bride and Parent during his absence—the alarm bell is sounded—“Our Leader, our Leader!” resounds from all quarters—warmed up to the extacy of military enthusiam, Horatio fondly embraces Julia, then draws his sword—
RECITATIVE—SURGE.
Alice, farewell! dry up your tears, my beauty,
You all expect—and we will do our duty!
Lord love ye! conquest ca'n't lag long astern,
We'll die, or crown'd with Victory return!
Exeunt, Horatio leading the way.
The remaining characters group, Julia, &c. offering up prayers to Heaven for their success—the scene closes—Alice comes forward.
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Here now's a change!—all going on so right!
Old nick for sartin sure, owes us a spite;
The hours I've waited, and the miles I've walk'd,
So near a wedding too! and to be baulk'd!
Perhaps to Church he ne'er again may hand me,
After I took such pains to make him understand me.
SONG.
[1.]
With downcast eyes to speak his mind,When simple Cymon trembling ventures;
For Love, tho' he is reckon'd blind,
Oft through the eye the bosom enters.
Blushing deep red with fervent glow,
Or if his orbits raised are, blinking;
Pray ca'n't you tell, says he, heigho!
Pray ca'n't you tell of what I'm thinking?
No! no! no! no! says Bell, no! no! how can I tell of what you are thinking.
2.
But simple Cymon bolder grown,For Love, if smiled on, grows more pressing;
Compell'd the lass at length to own
His thoughts were worthy the expressing.
He a ring display'd, with fervent glow,
Her hand then kiss'd and slily winking:
Pray cant you tell, says he, heigho!
Pray ca'n't you tell of what I'm thinking?
Yes! yes! yes! yes! says she, yes! yes!
I now can tell of what you're thinking.
Exit.
| The False Friend ; or, Assassin of the Rocks | |