Enter ROBERT, HAMISH, and a Party of Highlanders, with ALLASTER the Minstrel. -Robert, Hamish, where's the M'Gregor? where's your father? (The young men intimate his Captivity). Ah! Prisoner! taken prisoner! then M'Gregor dies!-Cowards, did I nurse you for this, that you should spare your blood on your father's enemies that you should see him prisoner, and come back to tell it!-(Suddenly to Frank) Your name is Osbaldistone? Frank. It is. Helen. Rashleigh? Helen That word has saved you. Frank. Francis is my cousin; but, for what cause I am unable to divine, he is my bitterest: enemy. Helen. I'll tell you the cause. You have unconsciously thwarted him in love, and in ambition. He robbed your father's house of Government papers, to aid a cause which he has this day deserted, and by his treachery has my husband fallen. Dare you carry a message to these bloodhounds, from the wife of your friend? Frank. I am ready to set out immediately. Helen No, you must remain, I have further occasion for you.-Bring forth the Saxon Captain! Frank. You will be pleased to understand, that I came into this country on your husband's invitation, and his assurance of aid in the reco very of those papers you have just now mention'd; and my companion, Mr. Jarvie, accompanied me on the same errand. Bailie. And I wish Mr. Jarvie's boots had been full of boiling-water, when he drew them on for such a damnable purpose. Helen. Sons, you may read your father in what this young man tells us,-wise only when the bonnet's on his head, and the sword is in his hand. He never exchanges the Tartan for the broad cloth, but he runs himself into the miserable intrigues of the Lowlanders, and becomes again their agent, their tool, their slave! (Captain Thornton is led on). -But enough of this. Now mark well my message-If they injure a hair of the McGregor's head-if they do not set him at liberty within the space of twelve hours, I will send them back their Saxon Captain, and this Glasgow Bailie, each bundled in a plaid, and chopped into as many pieces, as there are checks in the Tartan. Bailie. Nay, nay, I beseech you, send no such message. Capt. T. Tell the Commanding Officer to do his duty, Sir! If I have been deceived by these artful savages, I know how to die for my error, without disgracing the King I serve, or the country that gave me birth. Bid him not waste a thought on me. I am only sorry for the poor fellows who have fallen into such butcherly hands. Bailie. Whist! are you weary o' your life? O, Mr. Osbaldistone! you'll give my service, Bailie Nicol Jarvie's service, a Merchant and a Magistrate o' Glasgow, and tell them there are some honest men here in great trouble, and like to come to more; and the very best thing they can do for the good of all parties, is just to let Rob loose again, and make no more stir about it. Helen. Remember my injunctions; for, as sure as that sun shall sink beneath the mountain, my words shall be fulfilled. If I wail, others shall wail with me; - there's not a Lady in the Lennox, but shall cry the Coronach for them she will be loth to lose; - there's not a Farmer but shall sing, Weel awa' over a burnt barn-yard and an empt" byre;-there's not a Laird shall lay his head on the pillow at night, with the assurance of being a live man in the morning.-Conduct him on his way. (She signs to one of her People-The Bailie takes leave of Frank, and he departs). -Now, Allaster, the Lament! the Lament! LAMENT. O hone a rie! O hone a rie! Before the sun has sunk to rest, The pride of all our line deplore, (She sinks in grief upon the Rock in frontThe Highlanders droop their heads, and lean on their arms, while the Lament is sung-at the close) Rob. (Heard without). Gregarach! DOUGAL rushes in. Doug. Rob! Rob Roy! ROB ROY follows, and is received in the arms of HELEN, with a wild and exulting shout from the Highland Party-The Bailie exhilarated to the highest pitch of joy from the deepest despondency. Helen. M'Gregor !-husband! - life! Bailie. But how! how did you slip their clutches, Rob? Rob. Passing the ford of Avondow, Ewan of Briglands cut the belt that bound us, and I duck'd, and dived down the river, where not one trooper in a thousand would have dared follow me. Helen. And how fell you within their within their grasp? Rob. By him, who has placed a brand where he swore to plant the olive-Rashleigh Osbaldistone. But were he the last and best of his name, may the fiend keep me, when next we meet, if this good blade and his heart's blood are not well acquainted. Bailie. Well, there are as many slips between the throat and the gallows, as there are between the cup and the lip-I'm like a dead man restored to life! Rob. Drink, lads, drink, and be blythe! (Dougal passes about Horn Cups and Cans The Music strikes-The Bailie shakes hands with Rob, who pledges him with cordiality -The Group form themselves, and dance the Highland Fling during the ChorusThe Bailie, enraptured at his escape from danger, joins the Dancers). CHORUS AND DANCE. Roy's Wife of Aldivalloch, Roy's Wife of Aldivalloch, We can be, As blythe as she, Dancing now the Highland walloch; K Drink and dance, and sing wi' glee, Rob is frae the sodger free, And Helen she has fand her dearie! SCENE II. Wild Scenery in the Neighbourhood of Aberfoil. Enter FRANK OSBALDISTONE. Frank. I fear I have dismiss'd my guide too early. Every step I have taken since his departure, renders my way to Aberfoil more intricate. The twilight darkens rapidly, and each succeeding moment the surrounding objects wear a different feature, changeful as my fortunes. SONG-FRANK. O! life is like a summer flower, O joy is but a passing ray, A gleam that cheers a winter's day, But tho' in hopeless dark despair, The thread of life may sever, |