University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

Practicable Mountains, from which a stupendous Waterfall precipitates itself, which, increasing, becomes a River, over which is a picturesque, arched, practicable Bridge—on one side of the stage is Rinaldo's Tent, his dog on guard, under his banner “Hands and Hearts united:” on the other, straggling Tents and Baggage Waggons.

The Robbers discovered, some asleep, others keeping watch, &c.—a whistle is heard, which is returned by Altaverde, and a Gondola rowed

through the arch, in which is Rinaldo, Cinthio, and Rosalia—they land—a beacon is fired on the mountains, and a distant cannon heard—Rinaldo starts—muses—orders two boxes, one marked “Specie,” the other “Jewels” to be brought from his Tent, places them on board the Gondola, and commissioning Rosalia to bury them in a place of safety, it is again rowed off through the arch—he then, patting his Dog, seats himself in his Tent to carouze, snapping his fingers at the second report of a cannon —a distant trumpet heard, and Robber Centinel rushing over the bridge, informs them they are surrounded —the Band fly to arms, which they scarce accomplish, when the Bridge is covered with the Baron's Soldiers, headed by him, Paolo, &c. the mountains apparently covered with armed Men, and every pass obstructed—Baron's Troops halt, and display the following proclamation:

Rinaldo, after saluting the Baron with his sword, reads it, and asks if they will surrender him, they answer “No:”—he snatches down the proclamation, tears it, and making wadding with it for his carbine, with that answers them—a general fight commences

—several are killed on each side, and, at length, part of the balustrades of the Bridge giving way, Rinaldo is precipitated from thence by the Baron, &c. into the River—his Dog leaping in prevents him from sinking, till Rosalia comes to his assistance in the Gondola, which he is received on board, and escapes, unperceived, through the arch—Mulo, whose terror gives occasional humour to the Scene, comes forward, as the Baron, &c. descend the Bridge, with Rinaldo's hat and sword, with the latter vowing he has dispatched him.

CHORUS OF VICTORY.
Be the name of Rovezzo extol'd o'er and o'er,
The terror of Nations, Rinaldo's no more;
Of his Band the remains, gnash their teeth, clank their chains,
And the loss of Rinaldo in Death shall deplore:
The wreath of Victory prepare—no more we live in awe,
Let acclamations rend the air—huzza!—huzza!—huzza!

At the close of the chorus, Rinaldo and Rosalia, on the summit of the Bridge, wave the Robbers' banner, and join in the huzza!—their antagonists groupe in great consternation, and the curtain drops.