THE BANDIT;

An Opera.

ACT I.

SCENE I. Before the cottage of Ambrose.

Enter ETHELWOLFE and ISABEL, disguised as his
Page.

ISA. Indeed, Sir, all the band have observed your late dejection, and in vain attempt to discover the cause, they sometimes fear that you suspect their fidelity.

Ethel. No, Lewis, far different are my fears: I do not doubt my band, I am even now going to employ them on a service that will, I trust, restore my peace. Again the

slave of a tyrant passion

Isa. Of Love? heaven forbid !

Ethel. And why not, Lewis? surely I am not doomed

ever to love under adverse circumstances, though the execrable Isabel trampled on my first hopes; yet she whom I have now chosen, Angelina, the unsophisticated Angelina, may not-and yet I have a rival, even with her-I fear, a dangerous one. Fool that I was to suffer Theodore to see the lovely cottager, to suffer her to meet that accomplished nobleman, but that's past; go, Lewis, send Hubert and Lascar hither to me immediately. (Exit Isabel) My determination is fixed at last-Angelina must be removed out of Theodore's reach; he is gay, accomplished and handsome, but Angelina has a soul superior to external show! Often, under the disguise of a friar, I have conversed with her; I have forgot her exquisite form, in my admiration of the beauties of her mind. She was not designed by nature for a cottage: a court is the proper sphere of Angelina.

Song.

In yonder cottage dwells a maid,
Bewitching, young, and gay;

Her blooming beauties, like the morn,
Expanding into day.

This lovely nymph,
In form a Sylph,

Such matchless beauties own;

My wealth and fame,
I'd here disclaim,

To live for her alone.

To guard the footsteps of my fair,
As through the meads she rove;
To twine a garland for her hair,
And tell her how I love.

This lovely nymph, &c. Enter ISABEL, HUBERT, and LASCAR. Ethel. My brave fellows, I depend on you. fidelity for the performance of a trifling service; I have tried you often, and still found you worthy to be trusted; be faithful and I will reward you well.

Las. Where you lead, captain, your band will never

halt.

Ethel. (aside) Angelina's cries would unman me, I dare not stay.

Hub. You muse, captain, do not think we'll shrink from danger?

Ethel. No, no, Hubert, there's little danger in this enterprise; you know old Ambrose ?

Hub. O yes, this is his cottage.

Ethel. He has a daughter.

Hub. Oh, ho! I understand you, and if she were in your possession-is it not so, captain ?

Ethel. You have found my meaning, Hubert.

Las. Oh, if that's all, captain, leave it to Hubert and and if the wench is not your's this very night, never trust the word of a bandit again.

me;

Ethel. The evening is fast closing, conceal yourselves near this place, and watch your opportunity to seize Angelina, but use her gently, treat her as the wife of your chief, do you mark me? and bring her to the ruins.

[Exit Ethelwolfe and Isabel. Hub. Come then, Lascar, to our post-'tis almost dark. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Enter THEODORE and ANGELINA.

Theo. To morrow then, dearest Angelina, I set out for

S

Vienna, to obtain my father's consent to our union.

Ang. Yet do not be too precipitate, Theodore, nor rashly, for my sake, risque his displeasure.

Theo. I do not despair of obtaining his consent, his affection for an only son is very great; besides, he knows how to value such merit as your's.

Ang. I fear, my Lord, you are too partial to your poor cottage-maid.

Sings.

Say, when to gilded courts returning,

Some brighter beauty meets your view,

Will you remember Angelina,

And will you to your vows be true?

Theodore.

Believe me, love, no gay illusion

Can chase your image from my heart;
And fear no rival 'mongst those beauties,
Who ape what thou by nature art.

Ang. I wish this journey could have been avoided, 'tis a long way from hence to Vienna.

Theo. Your wishes are my laws, sweet maid, bid me stay and I will obey you.

Ang. Oh no, my Lord; for, though but the daughter of a peasant, I have been taught to respect my parents, and should I presume to derogate from what you owe to yours, I should blush for my folly. And yet I feel a secret presentiment of evil from this approaching separation, a chill at my heart which seems to say, we part for ever. Theo. Nay, prithee Angelina, 'tis surely for me to dread a rival.

Sings.

Behold, sweet maid, yon blushing rose,
An emblem fair of thee;

Its varied beauties are like your's,
From affectation free.