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Rinaldo Rinaldini ; or, The Secret Avengers

A Grand Ballet of Action, in two parts
Cross, J. C.
  
RINALDO RINALDINI;
  
[note]
  
CHARACTERS.

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PART I.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
 9. 
SCENE IX.
expand section2. 
PART II.

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SCENE IV.

Gypsies Hut.
Several Gypsies enter, bearing provisions, &c.
GYPSIES
GLEE.
By the moon's silver beams,
Elves and Fairies delight;
Anear chrystal sheams,
To revel the night:
While around the crackling firewood we jolly Gypsies lay.
There each toasts his black ey'd lass,
Bold swells the sportive glee;
And gingling glass for glass,
Carouses merrily, merrily.
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'Till the bright Sun announces the dawning of day,
Then rising from his mossy bed, pursues his wandering way.
Singing—ti ri la, ti ri la,
ti ri la, lal ley.

Re-enter Rosalia, a guitar slung across her shoulder, Gypsies sternly demand the donations she has received, chide her for their being small, and hurry her, the Females, and Children into their hut while they unpack their hamper, in doing which, among the provision they find a proclamation similar to that in the first Scene, and conclude, could they seize Rinaldo it would make their fortune—while debating, Paolo enters, faint with loss of blood—they start, drop the scroll, and learning he had been wounded by Rinaldo, relinquish the idea of attempting his seizure—Florella enters, and on being made acquainted with the event, urges him on to vengeance, and insuring them success, they all bind themselves to the undertaking, and, perceiving their victim drawing near, conceal themselves in the Hut.

Enter Rinaldo—Paolo and Florella diffidently approach him, each apparently regretting the having offended, and soliciting his pardon—during which, with uplifted poignards on each side, the Gypsies steal behind to assail him—Rosalia, peeping from the Hut, perceives them, and screams—Rinaldo grasping

128

his pistols, presents one at the head of each— Paolo and Florella, abashed at the frustration of their design, sneak off, the Gypsies (grouping) solicit mercy—Rinaldo drives them off—Rosalia throws herself at his feet—he raises her.


BALLAD—ROSALIA.

[1.]

A poor orphan Gypsie I haunt grove and dale,
And tell to the list'ning winds my sad tale;
Your pity bespeak as I wander along,
And charity's boon is the theme of my long.
Bestore your charity—give a poor little Orphan,
A Criutzer for charity—(Rinaldo throws her a purse, which she catches curtseying)

Benevolence gives Fortune-telling it's spell,
And thus my hand cross'd, I your fortune will tell.
You're a Lover I know,
'Tis declar'd by your eyes;
Your cheeks burning glow,
And those half stiffled sighs.
And kind is the nymph you adore,
Excelling the fairest, of those who excel;
Well I say nothing more,
But I know a little Maid who co'd love you as well—

2.

By cruelty goaded, but sorry's my cheer,
My hard crust is moisten'd full oft with a tear;
The tale of my woes wo'd your heart rend in twain,
Then let not this hand be extended in vain.
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Bestow your charity—give a poor little Orphan,
A service for charity— (she kneels, he raises her)
;
Good humour to diffidence serves as a spell,
And thus my accomplishments boldly I'll tell.
I can cook, make a bed,
As your Valet engage;
Your Nurse sho'd you need,
Or compleat little page.
To carry a message to her you adore,
Excelling in Love those who others excel;
Well, I say nothing more,
But you view a little Maid, who can love you as well.

Exeunt.
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