master's state, I cannot tarry for nirth's sake--therefore we leave you to your rural guests, and may gay content be with you. Sir O. I cannot blame your haste, though I lament it---yet one night methinks---you will see gay pastimes and simple jollity, but such as will divert you, believe me; and see here is my little prattler Julie will join in my request. Enter JULIE. [She is going to speak, but seeing the strangers, she runs to Sir OWEN and whispers him.] Sir O. Surely, my child---She tells me she's to dance to-night if I approve it. Julie. O, Sir---but it was to be a secret---you were not to have said a word about it yet. Sir O. No!---well, they will not betray you--they are going to leave us, Julie---can't you persuade them to stay? Julie. They look so grave I am afraid of them. Sir O. Oh! go---try. Julie. [Goes to Blondel, and takes his hand.] Pray, sir, don't leave us; how can you think of going away when we are all going to be so merry? Blond. We are very sorry, my pretty hostess, that it must be so. Julie. But indeed you shall not go for if you go away, my father will have no one to talk to while we are all dancing and running about. Sir O. You little rogue, how do you know but I intend to dance myself? Julie. Lord, sir, that would be pleasant--ha! ha! I should like to see you dance! Sir O. Well, you are very good, however, Julie, to wish me to be some way amused---it is very considerate in you. Julie. Yes, sir, because then you would have something else to do than to mind us Sir O. So!---very well, innocent! Julie. Then pray, gentleman, don't go---let me intreat you to stay for our festival. JULIE sings. Let me, gentle pilgrim, entreat you comply, I'm sure by your looks you cannot long deny; Kind sir, we beg you'll deign to stay, To hail with glee our wedding day, All on the green, with garlands fresh and fair, Oh! what delight, wou'd you our pastime share. With dance and song We'll join the throng And banish every care; Though young I seem, Yet sing I may one tender lay. E O Love! O gentlest pow'r, Enter SERVANT. Serv. Sir, the Seneschal is come, leaving his troops above the wood; with a few followers, he waits impatiently to speak to you Sir O. I come. [Exit Servant.] My friends, it shall not be farewell yet; I will return. [Exit, leaving Julie, who looks back, and makes signs to Blondel not to leave them. Friend. You still avoid being known to the Seneschal. Blond. Perhaps I may safely disclose myself; but wherefore, if Richard Enter SERVANT. Serv. There is a youth without, who says he must be admitted to you. Blond. To me? Serv. He that you heard play and sing yesterday. Blond. Pray let him come.- [Exit Servant. And after we will pursue our journey. Enter MATILDA. Mat. How, sir? Did you doubt to see me?— I have spent the day requesting it. You should not have paused upon it, but hear me and alone. [Exit Pilgrim. Blond. I knew not your desire sooner---but how is this, good youth--you were blind yesterday? Mat True; and ought I not to bless heaven that the first object which presents itself to my restor'd sight is Blondel! Blond. Ha!---you know me then? Mat. Yes;---and can it be that you prepare to fly from hence? Oh! has no powerful impulse work'd upon your heart? Has no instinctive warning check'd the ill-guided purpose, stirrd in your alarm 'd bosom, and chid the rash desertion of your valour's duty? Then perish, royal Richard! waste on, proud soul, in base captivity---thy careless friends pass by thy prison gates, and inan and heaven desert thee! Blond. What can this mean? my royal mas ter Mat. Blondel----your king----your leader--your friend---pass but these gates and you behold his prison---but hold Enter Sir OWEN speaking to the SENESCHAL and Two KNIGHTS. Sir O. Nay, but the youth you speak of isSenesc. Matildamy noble mistress! A [Kneels.] thus let me excuse the abrupt intrusion of my duty Blond. Matilda! Mat. Rise, Seneschal !---Yes, Matilda--a fugitive from all she owed her station and a father's love---but tell them peerless Richard was the cause---and tell them too, that heaven at length has sanction'd what resistless love resolved---Seneschal, I know your zeal, and firm attachment to your master's friend---Sir Owen, your monarch is in chains---and you are a Bri ton Sir O. We will deliver him, or die! [While the symphony plays, some of the Seneschal's party go out and return with more of their friends, to whom they seem to relate what has passed as they range themselves behind Matilda. DIALOGUE and CHORUS. Mat. Ye cavaliers, yon castle drear, Strange the tidings that you bring, Mat. Ye cavaliers, yon castle drear, |
