University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Romantic View by moonlight, embracing a range of stupendous and picturesque Rocks, enclosing an extensive Lake—moon beams playing on its surface—on the right hand near the front wing, a small neat Cottage—in the centre a rugged fragment of Rock, rudely formed in the shape of St.

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188

Andrew's Cross, inscribed: “Sacred to the Memory of Murdered Athlin.”—A fanciful Fairy Grot on the left.
A Fairy enters, and beckons on others.
AIR—FAIRY.

The Fairies vanish—enter several Rustics, Male and Female.
DIALOGUE TRIO.
Janet, and Male and Female Rustic.
Janet.
My Ee'en I closed right early,
To pluck sa blyth and bonny;
A plant of Kail, for thereby
Hangs tocher gued and money.
The stems as spells I'll sure place,
And soon will they discover;
As chance bids Lads our door pass,
The name of my True-Lover!

Rustic.
Here awa—there awa—it matters mickle,
Here awa—there awa—tricks have been play'd!
Love's stalks are scanted,
The top Grain is wanted.
And Mause gangs to Kirk any thing but a Maid.

Female Rustic.
Alone to the Kiln from my Daddies haim,
My Daddies haim—my Daddies haim;
I hasted away, and half daft wi' shame,
Hoot!—o'er the Banks hurl'd the clue.
There wound ane anew as I was bade,
Wha holds? cry'd I as I pull'd the thread;
'Twas Jemmy M'Gregor, and he is the Lad
That willingly Annie may wooe!

QUARTETTO RUSTICS—ECHOED BY FAIRIES.
Rustics.
Sprites, now through air advancing,
Gayly smile,
Bewitch—beguile.

Echo.
—Bewitch—beguile.

Rustics.
To Echo! hark! they're dancing.

Other Rustics.
Echo! no—'twas thee!

Echo.
—No—'twas thee!

Rustics.
Nay, prithee only hear them!
'Tis some spell,
Adieu—farewell—

Eccho.
—Adieu—farewell—

Rustics.
Gued troth, and much I fear them!
Listen!—'tis not me!

Echo.
—Listen!—'tis not me!

Exeunt.
Enter Osbert, faint and weary, having lost his way; reclines against the St. Andrew's Cross—a groan is heard—he starts, and tremblingly peruses the inscription.
PATHETIC AIR—FAIRY without.
On yon Lake the Moon-beams playing,
Thy Sire 'ere he his prime had seen;
Near this spot benighted straying,
Lost his life on Halloween.
Malcolm armed, and vengeance swearing,
Lead to Murther Ruffians dire;
Who Assassin-like appearing,
Bathed in blood, thy Saint-like Sire!

Listening agitated, at the close of the strain, he draws his sword, and vows revenge—then bursts into tears.—Alleyn, habited as a Scotch Peasant, enters, bearing a bundle across his shoulder; in passing on to the Cottage perceives Osbert, and, leaving his bundle at the door, approaches him.
RECITATIVE—ALLEYN.
Weeps't thou brave Athlin's death? the story drear
Of his foul murder, which I oft have heard,
Adown my cheek, like thine, has forced a tear;
Demanding vengeance on our Tyrant Lord!
But see he comes! yon Cot will shelter yield,
Retire awhile, thy efforts now were vain;
Surrounding Vassals are the Monster's shield,
Horror and Cruelty support his Train!

Exeunt with Osbert into the Cottage.
Enter Malcolm slowly, his eyes fixed on the earth, followed by Edric somewhat terrified, and armed Vassals.
RECITATIVE—MALCOLM.
Dire load of Guilt! how thou weighs't down my heart!
To Dunbayne's Castle find some other track!
(Perceives the Cross.)
Accursed memento! leave me—hence—depart—
(To Vassals)
This rude memorial's my eternal rack!
(Strikes the Rock, from which blood issues, and crimsons his sword—Edric appears terrified—Malcolm continues.)
Well—Athlin—thee I murder'd! and dare brave
These throes of Conscience! I thy Pride abhorr'd!
And could thy form, in arms, stalk from its grave,
Again I'd meet thee with my blood stain'd sword.

Stalks past the Rock—thunder—the sky is darkened —the Rock opens, and a figure in complete armour appears, pointing to his blood-stained wounds —Malcolm starts, terror struck!
VOICES
HEARD IN THE AIR.
Foul Murderer! beware—beware!
Blood will have blood—thy Lot's despair!

The armour drops from the figure, and a skeleton appears—Malcolm shudders, reclines on Edric; who, from alarm, seems scarcely able to support himself —the skeleton sinks—Malcolm recovers himself, and, striking his breast with ferocious dignity, exclaims!—
RECITATIVE.
Birth to new Vengeance does this warning give,
Reminding me still bless'd thine offspring live!
My slighted love—again with ardour warms—
And pictures unenjoy'd fair Mary's charms.
They must be mine—she caus'd this deadly strife,
Her proud refusal cost her Sire his life!
Why dost thou tremble? (to Edric)
bear thy Lord's command
To Athlin's Castle—go—claim Mary's hand:—
Which if again refused—Destruction's breath
Dooms Athlin's Clan to Dungeons and to Death.

Exeunt.
Enter Old Alleyn, Osbert, Alleyn, and Janet (his Sister) from the Cottage, gazing after Malcolm with astonishment.
RECITATIVE.
Old Alleyn.
I'm glad they're gone!—three times myself I cross'd!
More scared by half than if I'd met a Ghost!
Well, Heaven eyes all, and will sure vengeance take,
Murder will out, when even stones thus speak!

Alleyn.
(kneel.)
Baron of Athlin—poor and lowly born,
Let not a Peasant's offering meet thy scorn?
Whose bosom pants for fame—who covets scars,
Impell'd by Justice in the Injured's cause.
Accept my aid? Father, new scenes in view,
For a short time we part—Sister adieu.

Osbert raises and embraces him, accepting, with thanks, his services, and after receiving his Father's blessing, and affectionately embracing his Sister, they exeunt. Old Alleyn and Janet returning into the Cottage.