had left plouty-I looked cast, west, north, and south, and saw neither bold nor oeph, shed-nor shelter: so I o'en pulled the bonnet o'er my brow, buckled the broad-sword to my side, took to the mountain and the glen, and became a broken man. But why do I speak of this? Tis of my children, of my poor bairns I have thought, and the thought will not leave me. Francis. Might they not, with some assistance, find an honourable resource in foreign service? If such be your wish, depend on its being grati fled. Rob. (Stretching one hand to him and passing the other across his eyes.) I thank you, I thank you. ! could not have believed that mortal man would agalu have seen a tear in MacGregor's eye. Well speak of this hereafter - we'll talk of it to Helenbut I cannot well spare my boys yet. The heather isen fre. Francis. Heather cn fire? I do not understand you. Rob. Rashleigh has set the torch-let them that cau pervert the blaze. (bagpipes without) Ah! they come-then all's well. Francis. I comprehend. HELEN and the HIGHLANDERS enter, HAMISH and ROBERT directing their movements. Rob. Have you seen Diana and Sir Frederick on their way. Helen. I have. Stranger, you came to our unhappy country when our bloods were chafed, and our hands were red. Excuse the rudeness that gave so rough a welcome, and lay it on the evil times, not upon us. Rob. Helen, our friend has spoken kindly, and proffered nobly-our boys, our children Helen. I understand but no, no, this is not the time - besides, I no, no, I will not- cannot part from them. Francis. Your separation is not required-leave the country with them. Helen. Quit the land of my sires-never! Wild as we live, and hopeless, the world has not a scene that could console me for the loss of these rude rocks and glens, where the remembrance of our wrongs is ever sweetened by the recollection of our Rob. She says truly-'twas a vain project. We cannot follow them-we cannot part with the last ties that render life endurable. Were I to lose sight of my native hills, my heart would sink, and my ern would shrink like fern i' the winter's frost. No, Helen, no the heather we have trode on while living, shall sweetly bloom over us when dead (Helen throws herself into his arms.) Enter SIR FREDERICK and DIANA VERNON, greatly alarmed. Dina. Gone! MacGregor-Helen-our friends gone! Sir F. Embarked already! Then my course is ended. Francis. Amazement! Diana Vernon anDiana. Her father-her unhappy, her wretched father. Oh, Frank! we are beset by enemies on is guarded. every side-the only path by which we could escape Francis. No danger shall befall you here. Sir F. Do not involve yourself in my fate-proteet my child, but leave me to suffer. I am familiar with danger, and prepared to meet it. Rash. (Advances.) Meet it then, here! All. Rashleigh! (Diana turns from him to her father.) Rash. Ah, I come to repay the various obligations conferred on me by my friends. (He beckons to Soldiers, who enter.) Vernon, an attainted traitor-Diana Vernon, and Apprehend Sir Frederick Francis Osbaldistone, aiders and abettors of treason! Francis. I never gave you cause. Rash. 'Tis false: In love, in ambition, in the paths of interest, you have crossed and blighted me at every turn. I was born to be the honour of my father's house-I have been its destruction and disgrace my very patrimony has been yours-but France. I grieve that my opportunity of serving if you ever live to possess it, the death curse of him those who have so greatly befriended me is incom-you have thus injured shall stick to it. atible with their prospects and desires. Rob. Farewell- the best wish MacGregor can give his friend is, that he may see him no more. Helen. A mother's blessing, for the only kindness shown for years to the blood of MacGregor, be upon you. Now, farewell-forget me and mine for ever. Francis. Forget? Impossible! Helen. All may be forgotten, but the sense of dishonour, and the desire of vengeance. Rb. (without) Grogarach! ROB ROY darts in and confronts RASHLEIGH. (Standing on his guard.) Rob. Claymore, then! (Short and rapid combat. Rashleigh falls, and is caught by Dougal.) Die, traitor. we may not share in it. If, in such moments, you FINALE.-Air,-"Duncan Gray cam' here to Sir F. Brave Highlander! you have saved more than my life-you have preserved my honour. You, young man, (to Francis) have proved yourself worthy of my child, and to you I give her. But whence this unexpected aid? I surely saw the boats depart. (To Rob.) Rob. With half my band, no more. Dougal overheard, and fortunately apprised me of Rashleigh's intentions, and I kept up the appearance which decoyed the villain to his own snare. Helen. By Sir Frederick Vernon's means, your father's house has been preserved; that consideration must induce his honourable mind to confirm the gift you prize, and endeavour to obtain from the government a remission of the law in favour of a noble enemy. Francis. Chorus. Diana. Rob. We shall rejoice in your happiness, though Chorus. Woo. Pardon now the bold Outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor, O! Rob Roy MacGregor, O! Scots can for their country die, Ne'er from Britain's foes they flee - Rob Roy MacGregor, O! Let your hands, &c. Scotland's fear, and Sectland's pride, Rob Roy MacGre.or, O Long your favonrs hae beer mine, Rob Roy MacGregor, O! Let your hands, &c. A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS.-BY JOSEPH ADDISON. ACT I. Persons Represented. MARCUS. DECIUS. JUBA. SEMPRONIUS. SуPHAX. JUNIUS. TITUS. MARCIA. LUCIA. Ye gods, what havock does ambition make Mar. Thy steady temper, Porcius. The insulting tyrant prancing o'er the field O Porcius, is there not some chosen curse, ness! And mix'd with too much horror to be envied. How does the lustre of our father's actions, Through the dark cloud of ills that cover him, Break out, and burn with more triumphant brightness! His suff'rings shine, and spread a glory round him: Greatly unfortunate, he fights the cause Of honour, virtue, liberty, and Rome. Mar. Who knows not this? But what can Cato do Against a world, a base, degenerate world, Sem. Conspiracies no sooner should be form'd That courts the yoke, and bows the neck to Than executed. (Aside.) What means Porcius Cesar? Pent up in Utica, he vainly forms A poor epitome of Roman greatness, And cover'd with Numidian guards, directs A feeble army and an empty senate, By heavers! such virtues, joined with such suc cess, Distract my very soul: our father's fortune Would almost tempt us to renounce his precepts. Par. Remember what our father oft has told us; The ways of heaven are dark and intricate; Mar. These are suggestions of a mind at ease: Passion unpitied and successless love Plant daggers in my heart, and aggravate here? I like not that cold youth. I must dissemble, brace, Onco more embrace, whilst yet we both are free: To-morrow, should we thus express our friendship, Fach might receive a slave into his arms. This sun, perhaps, this morning's sun's the last That e'er shall rise on Roman liberty. Por. My father has this morning call'd together His little Roman senate, The leavings of Pharsalia.-to consult If yet he can oppose the mighty torrent That bears down Rome and all her gods before it; Or must, at length, give up the world to Cæsar. Sem. Not all the pomp and majesty of Rome Can raise her senate more than Cato's pre sence: His virtues render her assembly awful; Por. (Aside.) Thou seest not that thy brother is They strike with something like religious fear, thy rival: Put I must hide it; for I know thy temper.- Put forth thy utmost strength, work every nerve, And call up all thy father in thy soul: To quell the tyrant love, and guard thy heart On this weak side, where most Our nature fails, Would be a conquest worthy Cato's son. Mar. Alas! the counsel which i cannot take, Instead of healing, but upbraids my weak ness. Love is not to be reason'd down, or lost The sense of honour and desire of fame Mar. No more, no more! your words leave stings behind 'em. Whene'er did Juba, or did Porcius, shew ease Thy troubled heart, and mitigate thy pains And make even Casal tremble at the head Could I but call that wondrous man my father, To thy friend's vows, I might be bless'd indeed. Por. Alas! Sempronius, wouldst thou talk of love To Marcia, whilst her father's life's in danger? Thou might'st as well court the pale trembling vestal, When she beholds the holy flame expiring. Sem. The more I see the wonders of thy race, The more I'm charm'd. Thou must take heed, my Porcius; The world has all its eyes on Cato's son: Is call'd together? Gods, thou must be cautious: A worn-out trick: would'st thou be thought in earnest, Clothe thy feign'd zeal in rage, in fire, in fury. Syph. In troth, thou'rt able to instruct grey bairs, And teach the wily African deceit. Sem. Once more, be sure to try thy skill on Meanwhile. I'll hasten to my Roman soldiers, Elow up their discontents, till they break out, Fill'd up with horror all, and big with death; This headstrong youth, and make him spurn as Cato. The time is short; Cæsar comes rushing on us ;But hold!-young Juba sees me, and approaches. Enter JUBA. Juba. Syphax, I joy to meet thee thus alone. And turn thine eye thus coldly on thy prince? I have not yet so much the Roman in me. Against these wondrous sovereigns of the world? Dost thou not see mankind fall down before 'cm, And own the force of their superior virtue? Above your own Numidia's tawny sons? prince, In which your Zama does not stoop to Rome. Juba. These all are virtues of a rank, meaner Perfections that are placed in bones and nerves: man's warmth:- Juba. To strike thee dumb, turn up thy eyes to Cato! There may'st thou see to what a godlike height The Roman virtues lift up mortal man: Renouncing sleep, and rest, and food, and easc, He strives with thirst and hunger, toil and heat; And, when his fortune sets before him all The pomps and pleasures that our souls can wish, His rigid virtue will accept of none. Syph. Believe me, prince, there's not an African That traverses our vast Numidian deserts in quest of prey, and lives upon his bow, |