ADELE.

Thy lips are tuned to sweetest music.

How I should love a lock of that bright hair!

Oh, grant me one, but one,-and, though a maid,
I'll wear it, like a gallant, near my heart,

It is my privilege, oh, thou most beautiful!
IOLA (cutting a lock of her hair).

Kneel, gentle girl.
(Adele kneels.)
Oh, come to-morrow night; come every eve:
I could die with thee; without thee, cannot live!

ADELE.

By all my fond heart's brightest hopes, I vow!

IOLA.

Take this, then, to thy heart, and guard it well,
My own, young, pretty knight!

ADELE.

(Kisses her forehead.)

Oh, bright creation, innocence most pure!
Oh, matchless excellence! I'll cherish this,
Dear as the form which lies upon my heart
Like sunlight on the sea!

Farewell, until the morrow!

(Music.)

"I love thee as my life;

My life is all for thee!

Thee, whose bright eyes do light

My heart to misery!"

(Adele retires as she repeats the verses—Iola starts, and runs to Margaret, and both regard Adele until she is gone. Music the whole time.)

ACT III.

SCENE I.-Sea-shore. Morning.

wwwww

Enter LESTER and PERCY, R. H.

LESTER.

I'm glad thou art returned; these London trips
Agree with you far better than with me.

PERCY.

Eight days, only eight days, my lovesick youth!
But truly hope I am returned to find
Success has followed you.

Then wish me joy!

LESTER.

Fortune has thrown a garland at my feet,
Composed of all the loveliest flowers that e'er
Spread to the sun their many-tinted blooms,
Or drowned the air with perfume!

So beautiful!

PERCY.

LESTER.

Perfection's found a home in those bright eyes,
Where light's imparadised! Oh, I felt sure
I could not be deceived!

Hast spoken to her?

PERCY.

LESTER.

I've held her small white hand within my own, And on my forehead, there, have pressed her lips!

PERCY.

But how was 't done, and what says Master Grimes?

Listen, Percy!

LESTER.

I dressed myself in borrowed plumes, and as a maid,
With small, light step, and soft and gentle voice,
A basket on my arm with fancy ware,
Knocked at the door, and gained admittance.
Oh, then the idol of my heart I saw !

Found her more lovely far than e'en the dream
Of my warm fancy had depicted her!

I told my tale of love, my sorrowing heart,
By showing future times upon her hand.
And when she bade me kneel, and, giving this,

(Showing hair.)

Pressed on my burning brow her young red lip, Methought, meek Innocence, clad in robes of snow, Waved her white wings, and owned her for her child!

For every day, at half-past six o'clock,

I bend my eager steps unto her house,

And for one hour amuse the tedious time

With tales, and songs, and airs, whose burden is "Love,-love,-for ever love!"

PERCY.

And dost thou masquerade to-night?

LESTER.

I would not miss so doing for the world!

PERCY.

But then her fair, unspotted fame?

LESTER.

O! she will never suffer hurt by me!

I would not have a wish within my heart
Which, were it spoken, on her cheek could call
The crimson of reproof! No-not for worlds!

PERCY.

Forgive my friendly warmth !—

LESTER.

There is nothing to forgive-except my rashness.

Then undeceive her, Lester; Oh, do not
Riot o'er her young, and trusting heart!
Believe me, she will never love you less.

(Enter by L. flat Sir William Stanton.)

To-morrow night I will!

LESTER.

PERCY. (Sir William advances.) This night-I pray you, Lester, let it be This night!

LESTER.

And perhaps for ever break the magic spell!
Losing the daylight of my heart-my Iola!—

SIR WILLIAM (addressing Lester very abruptly).
That name! How sayest thou, Sir?

Sir

PERCY (interposing).

Didst speak to me, Sir?

LESTER.

SIR WILLIAM (to Lester).

Of Lady Iola! What of her, young cavalier?

LESTER.

(Disparagingly.)

Are you, Sir, my confessor?

SIR WILLIAM (hand on hilt).

This sword may be! Sir-youth!

LESTER.

"T were safer in its scabbard than your hand,

Sir priest !

Aye, young Sir! Dost know me now?

Thy high-flushed cheek, and fiery eye, proclaim

Some knowledge.

(Lester retires L. H.)

PERCY (advances).

Let me advise you, Sir, to pass your way:

The law of courtesy is already broken.

I

pray you, Sir, retire.

SIR WILLIAM.

He spoke of Iola-the Lady Iola !

That lady, Sir, is my affianced bride.

Nor shall her beauteous name be lightly touched
By any common tongue! Here do I stand
And swear-no man shall trifle, or with it

Or me!

PERCY.

The tongue which spoke of Iola, but now,
Is far less common, Stanton, than thine own!
And Lester Burton, Sir, shall prove its truth,
Unless you on the instant take your leave.