University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Exterior of the Baron's Castle, situated on a Lake, from the mountainous side of which a draw-bridge leads, and communicates with the entrance to a projecting Tower or Prison, with grated windows, and iron-plated door, and surrounded with spiked palisadoes—opposite the Tower, on the nearer side the lake to the audience, Ruins of an Abbey; in the centre of the lake, a large ancient decayed Willow; the lower gates, leading to the Court Yard of the Castle, occupy the right wing nearly fronting the Abbey Ruins.

Enter Rinaldo, followed by Rosalia, he bearing a small bundle, which, exchanging with her for her guitar, he tells her to retire with amid the ruins, and equip herself in male attire—touching the strings playfully, his attention is arrested by a trumpet, which he perceives appertains to the Baron, and retires.—Enter the Prince and Baron, leading on Aurelia, followed by Vassals, preceded by Mulo, who assumes much consequence.—Trumpets again sound, and the Castle gates are thrown open by Antonio and Domestics, who obsequiously welcome home their Lord.—The Prince Roscella now surrenders his daughter, with his blessing, to the Baron, and affectionately takes leave—she bursts into tears, at which the Baron appears enraged, and, clapping his hand to his sword, dispatches Antonio for a Priest. Rinaldo at that moment appearing, she screams, and faints into his arms—enraged, the Baron commands his absence—he refuses—they draw—Aurelia (reviving) endeavours to separate them—the Baron is disarmed, as is Rinaldo, by the aid of Mulo and Domestics, who seize him, while Aurelia is hurried through the Castle gates—Rinaldo, dashing from his assailants, throws down his gauntlet, and challanges the Baron, who, entering the Castle, closes the gates on him with contempt—Rinaldo, snatching up the glove, vows “in that Castle he will compell him to render satisfaction”—while musing, Rosalia enters,

habited as a Page, and is suddenly surrounded by Altaverde and Robbers—Rinaldo starts, recognizes and introduces her to his party; but, perceiving Mulo approaching towards the Tower above, bids them silently disperse, till Rosalia's guittar, which he presents her, shall recall them.

Aurelia is hurried on (above) by Mulo, imprisoned in the Tower, and left there till the arrival of the Priest. Rinaldo, perceiving this, swears to release her, places Rosalia on the watch—muses on the means—ascends the Abbey Ruins, from a jutment of which, leaping, he gains the withered Willow in the lake, and, with much labour, bending the boughs with his weight, so as to nearly reach the palisadoes, springs over them, and gaining the door of the Tower, with his dagger, bursts it open; but, as he is cautiously leading the timid Aurelia towards the draw-bridge, a trumpet sounds from the mountains, Rosalia gives a signal of approach, and perceiving Antonio, the Priest, and an escort near, he hurries Aurelia again into her Prison.—Mulo appears, lowers the draw-bridge, which the Priest, &c. cross, and opening the door of the Tower, Aurelia, in tears, is lead off into the Castle, the bridge being first drawn up.—Mulo finds a difficulty in locking the door, and continues behind; during his endeavours Rinaldo darts from the Tower, fixes him in his situation,

and locks the door on him, exultingly displaying his keys as the means of admittance into the Castle—at this moment Rosalia again appears on the opposite side—he motions her to strike her guitar, while he gently lowers the draw-bridge.

SOLO AND GLEE.
Rosalia, Altaverde, and Banditti.
Ros.
Yes, yes, yes:
I'll gently touch the blythe Guitar,
Ting a ting a ting, right warily!
Our gallant Band anear and far,
Will hail their Minstrel chearily!
Ting a ting tang, ting a ting tang!
For Beauty's rescue none will aid deny,
And hark! softly, row de dow, dow,
Their ready drums reply!
Ting a ting tang! none will aid deny.

All.
Row de dow dow—our ready drums reply.

(Their Drums without softly answer the Guitar, and the Banditti gradually appear.)
Cho.
Row de dow, &c.

(Rinaldo motions silence.)
Solo. Ros.
Hush—silence has our Chief decreed!
Cease, cease to beat the ready, ready drum,
To the dying Breeze with noiseless tread,
Whisper the watchword, mum—mum—mum!

They gently cross the draw-bridge, and enter the Castle.