954 * p/r THE P I R A. T E. A ftEEEiO DRAMATIC KANCE, THREE ACTS. TAKEN FROM THE NOVEL OF THAT NAME, N PERFORMED WITH UNIVERSAL APPLAUSE AT m Surrey BV THOMAS DIBDIN, Author of several Dramatic Pieces, AND THS METRICAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND* 1822, Punted and published by Vy. B.IRNKS, near St. George's Ciiureh* Southwark. AND T9 BK HAD OF ALL OOOK8ELLERS Price 1$, 6J< HI CHARACTERS. Mertoun, .......................................... ..,.., ..... Mr, BENGOUGH Mordaunt, his Son, .......... ^ ........................ Mr. CHAPMAN Magnus Troil, .................................. , ......... Mr. CLIFFORD Cleveland, the Pirate, ................................ Mr. FINN Captain Goffe, ............ f ........................ } Mr. DOYLE Lieut. Bonce, ............ V. . 4 f Mr.GOMERY Lieut, Fletcher, ... ...... < his Associates A Mr> RIDGW/VY Hawkins, Boatswain, ..( ........................ ) Mr, BRUNTON Captain Weatherport, Commander of the ) , f nrf ^,r> rr Halcyon Frigate, .................................. \ Ml BELGRA\ Claud Haioro, a Zetland Poet, ...... . ............. Mr,SALTER Triptolemus Yellowley, a SchoIasticFaimer, Mr. HERRING Bricc Snailsfoot, a Jagger or Pedlar, ........ Mr. WYATT Eric Scjmbister, a Retainer of Magnut, .... Mr. BR1NDLE Provqst of Kirk wall, ............... * ................. .. Mr, J ACKSON Officers, Islanders, Pirates, &c, Norna, a supposed Prophetess, ...... . ............. Mrs. GLOVER Minna, . ...^ ^ ,. f ., MissR,ADCOCK ' s of M*S* Troil, Brenda, ..... . Miss Barbara Ycllowlsy, ............................ Mrs. BROOKS Lady Gloweroruro, ....................................... Mrs. SALTER Clara, ...\ . .............................. Miss S. JON AS Aladdie, ), hpr ISieCeS ............... . .............. Miss PITT Swertha, Domestic of Mertoun, ................ Miss BENCE Tronda, Domestic of Magnus,*. ........ , ......... Miss HUDSON SCENE - Zetland Two First Acts. Kirkwall, Orkney, last, THE PIRATE! ACT I. SCENE I. Picturesque Entrance to the Castellated House of tht Udaller Magnus Trod the Sea at a Distance. Enter MORDAUNT MERTOUN, MTNNA, MAGNUS TROIL, and BREisDA/rom the House. W Magnus. HY Mordaunt, you are as obstinate as your father, not stay on such a night as this ! Minna. When the clouds too are rising- in all di- rections. Brenda. And there will be no shelter for many a weary mile, let the storm be 'ever so frightful. Mordaunt. "Tis therefore I must go : my father will be alone I have already trespassed on the time I promised, Magnus. Cannot your father throw himself in a toat, or betake him to a pony, and come hither to see his son, and twenty folk besides, who would be happy to find he had not lost his tongue in his long solitude, though, when he lived among us, he could ^ot well have made less use of it. Mordaunt. You might as well expect Sumburgh Cape yonder on a visit to Buigh. Westra. Magnus. Marry, that would be a cumbrous guest. But stay and dine, Mordaunt, we slnl! iiave as many of the merry families iu the island, as chamber, bower, C tHE PI R ATI. barn> and boathouse can furnish with beds or barley- straw ; and would you leave all this behind you 1 Brenda. And the blythe reel at night and the young- men who are to clance the sword dance from jPaba. If you go, who shall we have to mateh then> for the honor of the main ? Mordaunt. Where good dancers are found, you, Brenda, will never want a partner : for me, I must trip it to night o'er the wastes of Dunrossness. Minna. Do not say so, Mordaunt ; go not to day to the wastes of Dunrossness the morning mist lie's heavy on yon chain of isles, and the fowl wing* theit way to the shore for shelter. Magnus. Aye, the very shear-waters and bonxies make the cliff, and 'tis foul weather when they cut and run. Minna. Stay then with us, Mordaunt ; the storm* these signs announce will be a dreadful one, Mordaunt. I must begone the sooner should it overtake me, I can abide at Stourbourg. Magnus. What, leave us r to stay with Mr. Triptole- JQQUS Yellowley, the new Scotch Tacksman, with, his latin and his agriculture, who is to teach us Zetland savages new ways; take your own gait,, my lad, if that's the song- you sing-. Mordaunt. Nav then, Fll pass the house, but go I must. Adieu, Minna, Fll send the eagle's feather* if eagle can be found and, fare thee well my pretty Brenda, and keep a thought for me let_the Paba meft dance ever so lightly. Brenda. You are an obstinate goose, for going, but take care of yourself Minna. For both our sakes. Magnus. Acd dont let my nonsense about Mr. Triptolemus prevent your mating any port in a storm, 'should it catch you near his dwelling, though ten to one but you find it locked ; there are bolts and bar* in Scotland, though, thanks to St. Ronald, they are/ THE PIRATE. unknown Tire. Farewell, if you were a year or t\v9 older you should take a stirrup cup, but boys must not drink, so I'll take one for you. [Music. Magnus pours out and drinks a bumper of brandy from a flask, while M or daunt takes leave of the girls, then shakes hands with Magnus, and exit* Magnus and daughters go into the house.] SCENE II, Interior of the House of Magnus Troil, prepared for a rustic entertainment. Enter MINNA and BRKNDA. Brenda. I'm sorry he's gone, sister. Minna. And so am I, dear Brenda ; and yet I think he was unkind to leave us but we have spoiled him, so he does just what he pleases. Brenda* And pleases in every thing he" does ; you'll allow that, Minna ? Minna. I dont know 'tis whispered he makes a boast that he may marry either of us ; if father heard him say so, he'd be so angry. Brenda. Not so angry as you seem, sister ; but come, if you are jealous I'll give up my pretensions instantly we have loved Mordaunt from childhood as a playfellow, a friend, a brother, but beyond that, however provoking you may feel it, I dont believe he thinks of either of us. * Minna. I think it provoking sister ! Brenda. Hush ! here's father. Some one has spoken falsely of the young man depend on't he never made such boast as you imagine ; I know I feel I'm sure he could not, Minna not that I care about it. Minna. I see that by your warmth, dear sister, THE PIRATE. Enter MAGNUS. Magnus. Come girls, dont gossip there, but net- come our gay guests for one visitor we've lost we shall have twenty; here are the Munesses, the Quen- dales, the Thurleveroes, and Lady Glowerorum and her nieces and the Paba men and all the girls and gallants of Zetland. Bustle, bustle girls, and let our merriment be a match for the coming storm. Brenda. Poor dear Mordaunt ! Min?ia. Aye, sister, I see where ' Magnus. Fiddle of Mordaunt; he chose his path, and if he preferred tripping through the hail storm to capering 1 under a warm $oof, let him abida the chance on't. [Music. A numerous party of Zetlanders of both sexes enter and salute their hosts-^-some sit while liquor is handed round. LADY GLOWERORUM and her NIECES enter the lady with much formality her Nieces, MADDIE and CLARA run gaily up to Minna and Brenda, who come forward while the other company are conversing with their host at the back.] Minna. You are welcome , very welcome, cousin Clara. Brenda. And you too, cousin Maddie ; but who is it your eyes are so in search of? Maddie. One who perhaps is scarce worth looking after eant you guess t Clara. Fie sister her ladyship, our aunt, bade us not tell. Brenda. Of whom, dear Clara, whom? Minna. If she was not to tell, is it fair to ask ? Brenda. Sister, you are ill-natured* and if Clara means Mordaunt Mertoun I^ady Glower, [coming forward uif-h MAGNUS.] If ye speak o' Mordaunt Mertoun, I can tell ye he speaks na well o'ye, and disna repay the hospitality o'yer feyther as a man should do. Magnus. What Mordaunt, Fve heard something of this, but can't beiie"ve it. Wasn't his gulky sullen father my guest for months, and ant he now my THE PIRATE. U tenant ? Didn't wo bear with his gloomy fits speak- ing" to no one, laughing* wi' no one, drinking wi 1 no one, and scowling-, and mumping-, and groaning-, as if he had committed murder and was too proud to own it ? And haven't we fostered his son like our own ? made him king* of our sports, life and soul of the place, and dear as our own daughters ; and shall he now dare to go and be the rogue that would, donther and blixcn, as the Dutch skippers say, - what is it he has done 1 Brenda. Nay, dear father, that's what Fd know, and what even Minna is as unwilling as I am to believe. Minna. You do me right, Brenda, it took us Ipng to form a friendship for jVfordaunt, and \ve will nevej be so unjust as to let a moment throw dawn the struc- ture of an honest affection which years were employed in building. Magnus [getting tipsey] No-nobody shall throw down what my girls know to be proper to to be kept up. Lady G. Hoot mon what not when the chield caws ye a stupid and drunken callant, and yer girls twa silly gowks that he mud had choice of aud lang syne, forbye he coudna tell which olhem wa worth the taking. [Thunder. Magnus. Call me a drunken callant ! and my girls t his pleasure fire and [it showers. Lady G. Preserve us but the storm's rising. Brenda. Not so bad as the storm you've raised my Lidy, and one that will hurt poor Mordaunt more thai* the pelting of yon pitiless hurricane. Magnus. T o call me drunken Minna. Nay, Brenda, take it not so to heart. Maddie to Lady G.] Aunt you have said too much. Clara. Yes, and if Brenda should lose her lover Lady G. Why then one qf ye may get him, ye daft things ye. Brenda. Dear father, this may be false. Lady G. I'll bring ye proofs mon, [Thunder. 10 THE PIRATE. Minna. False or true, if he is in this storm, he U to be pitied. Magnus. Who talks of storms ? shut up the windows, light up the branches, fill the bottles, canns and cups, and let Eric Scambister, the punch-maker of Burgh \Vestra, shew us the best sample of his skill. Come neighbours, come, take each his partner to our feasting room, and there we'll drink the joys of the present moment and forgetfulness of all false friendship. [Music. All dance off but Minna and Brenda] Minna. Come Brenda, come, you want a maiden's pride. [A tremendous clap of thunder, Brenda. Let pride hear that ; and when a fellow creature's in the storm and we in revelry, better want maiden pride than woman's pity. [Exeunt. SCENE in. A dreary and barren waste the sea at a distance, [Music. A terrific storm.] Enter Mono AUNT. Mordaunt. If ever a young 1 man wanted an excuse for shelter, I think he'd find it in this weather ; unless he were more fastidious than I am : however, Til e'en go on, the girls shall never hear of me at Burgh Westra as they did of old Ringan Ewenson's boat, that foun- der'd between Roadstead and Key ; for I am more of a cragsman, than to mind fire or water, wave by sea, or quagmire by land: and after all, what is this storm when over? 'Nothing! While the tempests of calumny ad misfortune which, as my father tells me, o'cr- whelm the dwellers in the busy world, and to which I am now subject, leave fatal stings behind them. [Rain heard] So! the storm increases. Yonder is THE PIRATE. fhe housa of the Taeksman ; I must e'en seek shelter ; his door will of course be on the latch, and here's to fry their hospitaiky. [Storm repealed] Exit. Enter BRICE SNAILS FOOT with a Pack. Brice* Godswarbit! but hefe's bonny wark in the aliments, and there's nae hoose by but that of the Tack&man, Triptolemus, who talks outlandish latin, and his sister Bab,- who is aye flighting and scolding. The man wou'd Joe weel enew, but his sister s the Tara de'el, an if I get gude welcome, a wee bit fire to dry my duds, and bit and sup to boot, it will be aw reecht, for the novelty o'the thing. [Thunder.] His presence be aboot us, and above aw here comes that tcarfu' woman, Norna, of the fitfii' head, and gin she elap her evil e'e on me or ere I'm safe frae the woa-* Iher, I may ne'er find shelter mair. Exit. Music and Storm resumed as the seen* changes, SCENE IV. Interior of Sfourb&urgh Farm-house. discovered in an attitude of listening to a tremendous knocking at the outer door. Trip. Now Good be gracious to us ! what horrida Mia in the winds and clouds! what a neet and what a knocking ! Babby ! Sister Bubby ! Miss BARBARA peeping in. And what's yer foolish will ] What for are ye cry- ing] on me, and me in the raidst of my housewife skep \ Yer scholarship might teach ye better. Trip. Mulier indoctissrma ! There are mair than I that ca\ Bab. Whispt ! ha'd yer clavering tongue, for as f live on breed, I hear a tapping at the outer yet. Trip. A tapping ! and gin it forebode the tapping o r ony barrel i'this hoose, it will chance to be nae bad signal 5 so porta patens esto, gang and open it Babby, ** THE PI KATE. Bdb. Gae and open it, *aid he ! to lend robbers d chance to take aw the gear i'the hoose. Trip. Robbers! there are nae mair robbers i'this land than lambs at Christmas. Bob. But there's the outlandish siller, ye ken, that's hid aneath the hearth stane there, and F\e seen sax or seven as ill-lookM chiels pass yesterday as e'er came from Clochnabecri ill-fa r'd weapons had they, they ca'd them whaling knives, but they look'd as like whingers as ae bit airn can look like nnither, I repeat tacT ye, if they've heard o'the siller we ha' in the hoose, we're aw but ganc folk. Trip. Dinna ye be jabbering o'the siller for folk to hear ye; but peep through the shot window, while I load the old Spanish-barrcli'd Dutch gun, ai d go as ye were stepping- upo' new-laid eggs. [Knocking. Barbara peeps through a loop-hole, and speaks. Trip, begins to tvad an oldc Trip. Weel, what see ye ? Bab. Ane young- chield, clattering and roaring- as he were daft. How raony are oot o'sight I canna say. Trip. Oct o'sig-ht ! nonsense ! [Throws down the gun.\ One poor lad! Pane nee invideo. Some traveller wants shelter arid refreshment. Open the door it were a Christian deed. Bab. And is it a Christian deed o "him to come in at the window '? [Music. The window is burst open, and MORDAUNT jumps into the room. Tripfolemas snatches up his gun ' and presents it ; while Barbara stands in an attitude of terror. Mor. Hold ! hold! what the devil do you mean by keeping- vour doors bolted in weather like this, and levelling- your g-un at folks heads, as yo* wou'd at Trip. And who are you. friend ? and what do you wan! ? Speak ! or ye'lf get the contents o'tbis before ye can ask, unde derivator. THE PIfcATE. 13 Bab. Wha are ye, and what d'ye want ? Mor, Want! why every-thing. I want meat, drink, and fire; a bed for the night; and a sheltie in the morning to carry me to JarlshoflT. Bab. Heard ye ever a breekless loon frae Lochabar tell his mind more deftly ? Come, come, friend, put up yer pipes and gang yer gait ; this is nae place for resett o'thiggers and sorners Mor. Put up my pipes and gang my gait ! what ! leave built walls in such a tempest ? Do you take me for a gannet or a scarf, that your clapping your hands and skirling like a mad woman should drive me back from shelter to the storm ? Trip. And so you propose, young man, to stay in my house, volens nolens, that is, whether we will or no ? Mor. Will ! what right have you to will anything* about it? [Thunder,] Don't you hear the thunder? [Rain,] Don't you hear the rain ? [Lightning] Don't you see the lightning? And don't you know there isn't another house for miles 1 You've let the fire out too, and my teeth are dancing a jig with cold ; but I'll soon put that to rights. [Puts wood on fire it blazes.] Bab. Mr. Triptolemus Yellowley, will ye let him gang on his gait o'that manner ? My troth, lad, an yer burning the best o'wood too ! None o'yer sharney peats, but good oak timber, Mor. You come lightly by it, dame, you got it from some unlucky wreck on the sea-shore, and you shoudn't grudge the fire what the water gives you for nothing. Bab. What ! the wrecks on the coast ! Mor. Aye ! these good ribs of oak did their last duty upon earth and ocean when they cou'd no longer hold together under the brave hearts that manned th bark. Bab. Weel aweel ! it mun be awsome weather at sea, sae sit down and warm ye ; syne the sticks are in a low. 14 THE PIRATE. Trip. Sister lias had some sudden thought, or she wond nae be so charitable her kindness is quite tmrabile dictu, as a body may say. Aye, aye, it's a pleasure to see sic a bonny blaze j I have na seen the like, ont since I left cauld acres. Bab. And ye'll gi the young man food and dry claiths, and not sit there bleezing a\va \vi yer latin and yer king- tales, as if the weather were na windy enough vvi out your help. Trip, [aside] She has na long to live I think; I never keun'dher take sic a generous lit afore ; and see, gin she has na put the best saut goose i' the mickle pottie. [Bab, during the above, takes down a dried goose and puts it in the pot Changing above the fire] What ails ye, sister ? [apart to her.]- Bab. Whisht! I ha fun him oot ; he*s the son o'the silent man o'Sumburgh he ha' gotten a fairy charm round his neck thev say his daddy's a magician, and we munna offend his* bairn. . [Music. A knocking at the door Mordaunt draws a large bolt) and BRICE SNAILSFOOT enters.] Bab. And wha opened ye the door 1 Mor. I did. You woudn't have another poor devil stand at it in weather like this as long as I did. Bab. [to Brice] And wha be you an please you ? Brice. A poor pedlar. Heaven be praised for fire and house-room. \Sits in chimney earner] Bab. A pedlar ! and wha next will come I wonder. [Music. Enter TRONDA. Tronda. O master ! O mistress ! get ready the best in the house ; the best in the house set aw on thev board, and aw will be little enough, for here comes Norna o'the fitfu' head, the most fearful woman in a\y the isles. Mor Norna ! Where can she be wandering ? But the worse the weather the more likely she to be fc traveller. THE PIRATE. Bab. I'll settle her wandering, if my brother has but the soul of a man, or if there be a pair o'stocks i'the parish. Tronda. The iron ne'er was forced which yet could hold her. She comes, she comes. Nay. speak her fair and canny, or yer like to iiae a ravell'd hasp on the yarn windlos. [Music. The door opens and NORNA walks majesti- cally info the room.] Norna. The blessing- of Heaven and St. Ronald on the open door ; and their malison and mine on aw close-handed churls. Bab. And wha are ye sae bauld, wi yer blessing* and banning- i'other folks hooses ? What\ind o'place is this that w.e canna sit quiet without gangrel men and women coming thigging and sorning one after another like a string o'wild geese 1 Mov. They are strangers, Norna, and know neither you nor this country's customs, therefore you must hold them excused from any lack of hospitality. Trip. I lack no hospitality, young man ; and I I earn' d at St. Andrews, Miseris succurrere disco the goose that should have roosted in the chimney till Michaelmas is boiling now for you ; and had we twenty g*eese, we're like to have mouths to eat them every feather- this must be amended. Norna. What must be amended, sordid slave ! bring hither thy new fangled coulters, spades, and harrows, and alter, if thou wilt, the implements of our fathers from the ploughshare to the mousetrap ; but leave us their hospitality at least, to shew that we come of what was once noble and generous. Trip. Well, but Norna. I say to you Beware ! While Norna looks forward at the measureless waters, from the crest of fitful head, something is yet left that resembles power of defence ; and if our /nen have ceased to be cham- pions, the women have not forgotten those arts that lifted them of yore, into queens and prophetesses. Bab. Lord guide us ! What kind of a country of 1(5 THE PIRATE. guisards and guicarlines is this ? And you, brother, ye fule carle, to quit yer am land to come here, where there is naething but sturdy beggars and "-aberlunzie^ within the hoose, and heaven's anger o'the ootside on't. Trip. All shall be reformed in a Jubss rewovare I tell ye, sister, except the seaulding humours o'an ill-natured jaud, that can add bitterness to the very *torm. Brice. [Apart to Norna.] But 'tis well known, ye ha' power to abate the slorm. Norna. And if I had I wou'd net. What if this house were strew'd in rrjins before morning ! Where wou'd be the world's want in the crazed projector, and the niggardly pinch-commons by which it is inhabited ? They wou'd needs reform Zetland customs ; let them try how they l&e a Zetland storm. Ye who wou'd not perish, quit this house! [Music. The Pedlar buckles on his pack, and the servant, Tro,ida, hastens on her cloak. 1 ] Trip, (to Mor.) Do you think there is any that is so very much danger ? A/or. I cannot say. Xorna can tell best when the storm is like to abate": no one in these isles can judge the weather like her. Norna. And thifikest thou Norna can do no more ? Her powers are not so bounded. Hear me, Mordaunt ! Youth of a foreign land, but friendly heart; dost thou not mean to quit this mansion? A/or, I do not will not. I kno\r not your mot* es. for these dark threats; but, I will not, for fear of them, leave a house in which I have been so kindly received in such a tempest; and if the owners are not accus- tomed to our unlimited hospitality, I am the more obliged that they have relax'd their usages for me and open'd their doors in my behalf. Bab. He is a brave lad, and worth ten g-eese to boil or roast for him. Norna. Again I say depart this house. Fate has high views for you. Remain not in this hovel, to be THE PIRATE. IT i erush'd with those who are as little worth as the vege- tation of the house-leek which grows upon their thatch. Trip, (alarmed) I I I will go forth. / pros scequor. Bab. For what ? The prince of air has not such power over those who are made in heaven's image, that a g^ood house shall fall o'er their heads, because a randy queen shou'd boast us wi' her glamour, as though we were as many dogs to crouch at her bidding. Trip. J only vvish'd to see the cattle safe, and if tins honest woman wou'd bide Bab. Honest woman ! foul warlock thief! aroint ve limmer out o'a guid mory's noose, or shame fa* me but I'll take the bittle to you. Tronda. Mistress, mistress, she can ride upon a cloud as easy as a man can ride a sheltie. Bab. [ shall live to see her ride upo' the reek o' a tar barrel. Trip, What's she at now ? . Brice. Hand yer peace at the request o'the young gentleman, and for yere|sakes she ha relented o' her anger, and wi' her magic incantations she is aboot to allay the storm. Mor. (aside) Which she will pretend to do, because she has foreseen it is about to allay itself. [Musie. Norna throws open the window, and placing herself opposite thus addresses the storm. Norna. Enough of woe hast thou wrought on the ocean The widows wring their hands on the beach: Enough of woe hast thou wrought on the land, The husbandman folds his arms in despair. Cease then the wavipg of thy pinions ; Let the ocean repose in her dark strength - Cease thou the flashing of thine eye ; Let the thunder-bolt sleep : Be thou still, at my bidding- Sleep thou at the voice of Norna. [Music diminuendo. Storm abates. 18 THE PIRATE. Trip, (apart to Bab.) By St. Ronald the storna gives way to her ; we must speak her fair Bah. That wad be a pretty verse to keep the corn frae shaking- in harvest, and she may part wi 1 the secret foj one hun- dred pound Scots. Bab- For one hundred fool's heads, brother -rbid her five marks; I never knew* a witch but vyas as poor as Job. Norna. (who has eaten a sort of biscuit and poured out milk) I give ye no thanks for my refreshment, for ye bade me not welcome ; but (taking out"- a-, purse) I pay you, with what you value more than gratitude there ; (throws a piece of gold) say not that Norna eat of your bread and drank your pup, and left you sor- rowing- for the charge. Bab. Eh, sirs heard ye any of our house that gave meat for siller? Trip. Or for love either, (aside) Bab. What are ye wliilty-whattieng aboot? Gi' the lady back her bynnie die, or it will chaoge tul a slate or something 1 worse. Trip, (looking at the coin) Tis like the very coin Norna. Yes, you have seen the like before be- ware how ye use it : it thrives not with the sordid. it was won with honorable danger, and must be expended with honorable liberality. The treasure that lies under a cold hearth, w r ill one day, like the hidden talent, bear witness against its avaricious possessors. Trip. She's the devil. Butyoi>'ll stay and eat ? Norna. I eat not here I sleep not here. Mor- daum, your father needs you. Pedlar, the wreck awaits thee on the shore and the skipper that sleeps in .the 4 ee P> cares no longer for the baie or chest that are dashing" against the shore. Brice. Nae, nae, I desire nae man's life for my private advantage ; but if "these storms destroy sae much on land, 'tis hut fair they should send us some- thing by sea. Norna. Aye, where the slaughter is, the eagles will be gather'd ; and when the wreck is on the shore THE pife ATE; 19 the honest trader is as busy to purchase, or to plunder, as the more honest shark to gorge upon the dead. \Exit. Brice. I'll just follow the lady's example, and take some o'yer good cheer ere I depart. Mor. Nor will I slight your hospitality. tlab. The goose will soon be dish'd, poor thing ; and for the witch, say your best cottag^e grace, Trip- tolemus, and we'll eat our dinner and defy her. Trip. She kens more than I wish she ken'd it was awfu' to* hear the wind fa' at her bidding. And then about the hearth-stone, (aside to Bab) Mor. She means us no harm friends, and if she did, I fear not to say, I don't believe her power ; so, learned host, lead to your dining chamber ; and worthy hostess follow with your goose ; and rest your belief in this, that the threshold, where the wet and weary traveller is welcom'd, mav bid better defiance to ali evil and witchcraft, than if' it was fortified with fifty horse-shoes. [Exeunt. SCENE V. A wild and cheerless landscape. The house of Mertoun in the distance. Enter SWERTHA. Swer. Wellady ! dear me ! bless my heart ! What trouble I have with rny master, Mr. Mertoun as he's called, and his son, Mr. Mordaunt Mertoun ; great trouble, great plague. One never speaks t'other' s never at home ; and if I only slip down to the shore to get my share of a piece of wreck, they say it is un- feeling, bad, immoral and had rather see gold, silver, silks and satins, svvallav/ed up by the hungry ocean than let them do twopermywortb of good to a poor servant wench, only because they might get he* * husband. (without) Why Swertha.! Swertha I say. 20 THE PIRATE. Swer. Jf there a'nt my old master, and I out with- out leave ; he musn't see me, or he'll turn me out of doors before I get home, as he did when the fisherman and I were trying- for an honest market penny. It's wrong tho', 1 confess, to go out without leave ; bufc I'm not so far gone in folly as to let him catch me ; so I'll e'en take another road, [Exit. Enter MERTOUN. Mer. The storm, which had abated, seems again to moan in the distance, as if once more rising. Where stays my son now ? With the two daughters of my landlord may be ; or haply seeking his fortune of Norna, a pretended sorceress; who sells wealth, wives, and winds and where's the harm ; every tiring in the universe is bought and sold, and why not wind, if the merchant can find purchasers : the earth is rented from its surface down to its central mines the fire and means of feeding it are purchased the wretches that sweep the boisterous ocean with their nets, pay for the privilege of being drown'd in it: what title then has air to be exempt ' All above the earth, under the earth, and around the earth, has price, sellers, and purchasers : in many countries the monks will sell you heaven ; and in all countries, men are willing to buy, in exchange for health, wealth, and conscience, a full portion of hell why then should not Norna pursue her traffic? Enter MOBLDAUNT. Moirdaunt, you were absent yesterday ; (he lows) and at Burgh Westra I Mor. Yes, sir. Mer. The daughters of Magnus Troil are thought hand seme, Mor. Generally, sir. Mer. And which think you the handsomest ? Mor. I sir I think sir both that is I have not formM a judgment but Minna is the gravest. Mer. Um! you have been gravely brought up, and Minna pleases you most. THE PIRATE. 21 Mor. No, sir her sister Brenda, who is gay as a lamb- in a spring 1 morning ; she Mer. Weil, sir. Mor. She dances best. Mer. And is therefore best qualified to aniuse the young- man who has a dull home and a moody father. Mor. Sir, Mer. But when you know what I do of the sex, who, in the day of pleasure and prosperity, can smile. but when misfortune [thunder] liKe yon. dreadful crash, comes suddenly upon you Mor. Father, look out ; a gallant ship on shore now stru*>4es with the-breakers : [guns heard] now makes sad signals ; let us hasten. Mer. Whither 1 how can we help them? if we could, the.se feeble limbs should join thy active efforts ; but 'tis impossible. Mor. [looking out] No signal now appears all must have perished. Let me make nearer inquest. [Exit. Mer. [solemnly] And one day, sooner or later, all must still have perished: what signifies whether the fowler death, whom nothing 'scapes, caught them at one fell swoop^ from yonder deck, or whether he clutch' d them singly, as chance might give them ? The deck, the battle-field, are scarce more fatal to us than tho table or the bed ; and we are saved from one, to drag- a wearisome existence till we perish at the other. Mor. [within] Father! a man yet lives, and haply we may save him. Mer. I come my son. Oh, when my peace was wreck'd, had I but been the sufferer alone, Fd not have thank" d the g-enerous hand like thine, my gallant *on. which hastes to save the helpless. " [Ey-tt. THE PIRATE. SCENE VJ. A rocky shore, with breakers in motion, and a ship struggling with the surf, upon its beam ends. In the foreground, a eliff, upon ivhich MORDAUNT is seen agi- tated and observing the wreck, while a mariner is combating the waves, and thrown back as he approaches the shores. MOT. [throwing off his coat] Father I Father! I will die but I will save that man. Mer. [speaking as he enters on the cliff] Stop ! I command you ! 1 he attempt is death. Mor. Then shall I die with a sure pass toHeaveit. [Music. He leaps off the cliff. Mer. My son ! my son ! [falls on the cliff] [Music. Mordaunt disappears rises and is seen assisting the mariner both rise sink rise again ; Mordaunt brings the mariner to shore faints at length from fatigue, over his body recovers and sees th$ mariner give signs of life kneels over him in ihankfut- ness. The act drop falls. ,] OF ACT f. PIRATE, ACT II, SttENE I. Another View on the Shore, with a small House. 1 Music. MorJaunt with difficulty support* Cleveland, tie Mariner to the centre of the stage, and places him on a piece of wreck, which* with a chest lying at some distance, appears fo have been thrown ashore by the storm.'] I/or. So ! ''tis well we are near a house ; my stzengthjhad nearly fail'd me. [Music. He knocks, opens door, goes in, and returns.] No one within ! Oh, yonder is assistance. Hollo ! Brice. Hollo ! Entez BRICE, carrying immense bundles of wrecked goods, letting them fall and picking them up at every .step.] Here, quick, assist me to remove the dying man to shelter Brice. Are ye mad ; ye that ha liv'd sae lang in Zetland, to risk the saving- of a drowning- man ? Wot ye not, if you bring- him to life again, he'll be sure to clo ye some capital injury? Mpr. What say you ? Brice. I'm saying- ye'd better help me to get one or two o' these kists aw'a', before any body else comes ; and we'll share, like good Christians, what heaven sends us, and be thankful, (begins to force the lid of a chest.) Mor. (seizing a piece of wreck) Cold-blooded in>- human rascal ! Instantly assist to recover this man, and bear him out of danger ; or, by heaven ! I will not only beat you to mummy on the spot, but inform those of your knavery w r ho shall have your villainy flogg'd out of the island. Brice, (standing on his defence.) Dinna swear, sir. Dinna sw^ar; and if you lay a finger on me, who am 24 THE PIRATE. taking- lawful spoil of the Iv-'vyilians, I'll gi' ye a les- son ye'il remember from this day tul Christmas. NORNA (suddenly entering between them.) Ncriia. Forbear! and Brice, .do thou render Mor- daunt the assistance he requites: it sh?J: avail thee more ihan all you'd gain lo day. Brice (examining goods in chest,) It's the > ara best seentcer- hundred linen, and a? r.rong- as ic were dowlas ; nevertheless, Norn ay 'your awlu" bidding is to b, o.rnc. Thi? : s tie r .nest branc;y (taking out a flask) aiid if ;hi?. r*oesn> care him. I lien nought that ivili; but you ensure rne ag-ainsi him. [Music. IVoRNA snatches ihe flask, and chafes Cleve- land's temples, assisted by Mordauiit.] Brice. 'Tis a world's pitv to see how these rings are pinching the puir lad's fingers. If I couM get them off, they seem of valu^. ' ; Nor/?a. As you love your life, forbeat ! or Til lay cramps on you shall spoil your further journey through the isle. Brice. Bless me, I did feel a sair touch o'Rheu- matize yestereen, and I'd be loth to be unable to make an honest penny of what providence sends on the coast. \Music. Cleveland recovers looks uildly round thanks his preservers sees the chest, points to it, and iries to go te it, but wants strength.] Norna. Enough: thy property shall be secured, Brice, when thou hast help d the stranger to the house, get aid, and soe that the chest safely follow him he were better in his grave that so much as looks at the contents. Mordannt. when thou hast done thy duty here, return instantly: to thy father he needs thee. Mor. (as they move Cleveland) I recollect surely I saw him fall upon the cliff. Noma. Haste then. [Music: Brice and Mordannt lend Cleveland to- wards the house, amL as Norna follows, the scene closes, " THE PIRATE. 25 SCENE II. r , Landscape. Enter SWERTHA, with her apron full of parcels from the wreck. Sv\<>. Hey, sirs, I ha' pick'd up some p ^tty par- cels here, the worse jr hern as lost 'em ; Lnit, here's my you'n g maister, he's ever i the way wiien he should he oui on't. Enter MORDAUNT. " Mor.. How now, Swertha, what makes you so far from home 1 Swe. Just e'en daikering out, to look after my old master and your honor Mor. Have you seen my father ? Sive* Aye. and was seeking- ye, that ye may gang after him tui the hail house, for to my thought he is far frae weel, far frae weel---and him to think oncoming out too. Mor. Follow me home, and quickly then, *ood Swertha, Til go the nearest way; so throw that trash away, that you may come the faster. [Exif. Swe. By my troth but I shan't : its seldom such rich Grod-sends come on our coasts sae I'll gang, and .see g'in the young 1 men will be neighbourly, and give to weak and helpless women a duo share o'the plunder, which will bring a blessing o'the shore, and send us plenty o' wrecks ere winter. [Exit. SCENE III. An apartment in Mertouris house at Jarlshoff. Eider MERTOUN. Mer. Whore is this Quixote boy ? I sa.v, on my recovery, that he was safe, and probably had saved his 26 THE PIRATE. man ; but the sudden alarm shook this already totr tering fabric, till I was fain to hie me homeward Enter MORD^UNT. Now sir, where is the man, whom you so wisely ventured your safety to relieve? Mor. Norna, sir, has him in charge. Mer. She's quack as well as- witch. Mor. He's in a huf, where he is ill accommodated. Mer. So His most likely. Mor. He seems too of good rank ; and I promis'd Mer. You p r omi'd ; and you think, I therefore should assist him : I do not blame you if he wants money, let him name the sum, and he shall have jt; fcut for lodging him here, or holding intercourse with a stranger, 'tis what I will not do : I have retired to this extremity of the British isles, to avoid new faces or new friencls, and none such shall intrude on me their happiness or their misery ; and when you have known the world, you may learn from your early con- nections to avoid others ; go then why do you stop ? {throwing his purse.) Mor. They told me you were ill, I shou'd other- wise have- Mer. Have returned to Burgh Westra, and on what account ? Mor. Tis a time of merry-making ; the, whole country is assembled ; and Magnus Troil Mer. Has two daughters. Silly moth, thpu hast yet escaped the taper, tut not contented with the safe obscurity of these wilds, must hasten back to the flam which must consume thee. Go, where thy destiny, or good or evil, calls thee. Mor. But, sit, when one is ask'd, entreated--: Mer. And when wast tfiou entreated I Mor. Ever, sir. Every time. Mer. But not this time. The poison of the world has, in thy short absence, spread itself around thy budding hopes, as spiders venomous film surround* THE PIRATE. 2f the fly. Thou art not ask' d this time; wilt not be welcome. But go ; prefer thy -youthful wisdom to thy father's. Go; Minna or Brenda will supply those reasons you're at fault for* JV/or. Nay sir, I'll stay ; with pleasure. Mer. And neglect your shipwrecked friend, to whom you wisely promised to return ; and let me tell you, Mordaunt, though it may be folly to raise a stranger's hopes, it would be sin were you to disap- point them. Mor. I haste and will return, sir. [Going, meets NORNA Korna (to 3/of.) Yon rescued stranger waits you. Jtfef. Hence ! Mordaunt, hence ! {Exit MORDAUNT.) Why am I sought of thee ; you might have spared this labour. Norntt. It is a thankless one. Yet shalt thou seek tne, when I shall not refuse to do thee good; and now my errand is thy welfare. Yon shipwrecked youth will trust a treasure with thee ; be careful of it; and thou wilt find in him too a fearful. secret. Mer., Hence ! I know thee not. I have no faith in thy imagined oracles. Go cheat the simple island- ers ; and practice thine arts on the unwary. Away, woman ; 1 do repeat, I know thee not. Norna. I know of thee-*-thou hadst a wife. Aye, Jordly man, I have the key .to a dread train of mystery, and ere thou nnd'st it, thou shalt beg of her, the poor weak woman, whom thou BOW dost scorn, shalt beg of her at midnight, o'er a grave, to illume thy manly knowledge with her most unenlighten'd ignorance. You laugh at female curiosity, while your's is now upon the rack. Dare not to follow. One word more till my pleasure wills it, and I am dumb for ever. [Exit. Mer. Sorceress ! torturer ! nay I will know, even should thy power be real, and engulph me in living- everlasting agonies. {Exih SCENE IV. A Poor Apartment. CLEVELAND and MORDAUNT discovered seated Ckre. Yes, my noble fearless friend, to whom I owe ray life, I am now recovered from fatigue, ex- haustion, and a desperate ducking, wh and better to bear than the curiosity of my h^s : '. *s, who has persecutor) me the wiiole day for ih.3 name- of my ship, .when r.n sure she might have !;OCTI contort with the rhare slie hi;d uf it. Are there no magistrates here to help one vxhen among the breakers. Mor. There are- but, I wish / could redress you. Cieie, Ch ! you Lave done enough ; but if I had five out of my forty brave fellows who are fishes food by this time," the devils man would I ask to do me the light I cou'd.do myself. JV/or. Your ship then was well-mann'd ? Clere. No ! a late e/uize had th'mn'd Us the dogs were knock* d i^p with hard we rk, took to their boats, find left me with my vessel to sink or swim:, but they had pay for their cowardice, and I can afford to par- don them ; the boats were sxvamp'd, all were lost, the Good Hope, of .Bristol, is gone to Old Davy, and here am I. Clement Cleveland, captain and owner, with only this wreck of my rich cargo left. Mor. And if Mordaunt Mertoun can farther, servo you, cr if you will permit my father to intrude this or* your care till better times, (offering a purse) we shall both feel gratified. Clere. Of your kindness, my gallant lad, believe me I think as much us if I thant'd you more; accept this fowling piece, it will put one hundred swan shot through a Dutchman's cap at eighty paces. " For your father, I -sha 11 requite one favor by asking another; you see !>y these doubloons, I, though a ruin'd mp.n, 'don't want cash, and if b3 will permit this chest to be secured in his house, till you hear from me, you shall one day command me in return. Mor. Do you quit the island then ? THE PIRATE. 23 Clere. No ! On the report of my escape, I am invited to the house of your friend, or Udaller, or lieadman, who I hear has pretty daughters ; and but you look graveyou islanders are jealous : will you accompany me? Mor. No ! but I have a guide at hand, and I may probably soon see you at your new abodes-till when, farewel. Cleve. And the chest. Mor. Shall be sent for, when you have better fastened the contents ; so step to the door, I'll show you your destination at a distance, and advise you to take care of your heart, captain, or it may strike to the brace of beauties you have heard of. Cleve. Never fear, they may run me on a lee shore, fill my hold with water, or blow up my powder room, but Clement Cleveland never saw man or woman yet to make him strike his flag-. [Exeunt* SCENE v. Interior of the house of Triptolemu$, as before. Enter TRIPTOLEMUS, BARBARA, and BRICE. Brice. Nay, ye mun come awa, for its an especial invitation,'! carry aw' round the country, frae Magnus Troil and his bonny lasses ; and t'other neets 1 revels were but a rehearsal o'what's like to take place. Trip. An there be dancing-, t'wad be as weel to brush up my large red cloak, and get my jack boots supplied a wee wi' some train oil they dinna weigh above thirteen pund, and yer thin shoes get me tired too quickly. Bab. And Fll be brushing my holiday kirtle, and mv genteel Joseph, which is as good as new, seeing I ha na had it on these fifteen years. Brice. Ye'll ha' little time, and should be off directly ; and I have here, in my pack, as beautiful a 30 THE PIRATE. ready-made sack and trimming's, which ye shall be getting- at a wee mair than prime cost. Trip. Faith, ye're as cunning' as the wise Ulysses himsen, when he* tempted Achilles vri 1 a suit o'armour ; ye've g'etten o'the woman's weak side, but ye dinna touch my pocket wi' yer prime cost, when I ken the silken bait is some o\er Zetland thievery from the wreck, the prime cost, a rogues trick, and the pfofitf ought to be a halter. Bab. Hear tul him hear tul him, wi 1 his whigamore nonsense ; had it been a new-fashioned plough, or a prize ox, it wad ha 1 been an idol to him, even a* the calf o' Bethel ; but gin a gentlewoman wish a reason- able expenee just try it on man for the hornmr o' her father's hoose, he ca's her aw the painted Jezebels and scarlet abominations he can lay his tongue to. Brice. [having put the dress over the other] Faith, but the sack fits her Trip. Like a sack there's enough for money, be the price what it may. Bab. And, gin ye wull, ye may pay for it brother ; Mr. Briee Snailsfoot's n'ae the man to overcharge ye; and when I get my finery on, and before the congre- gation o' gay company we're like to meet, ye'll e'en; see what the eallants will be saying to the musical measure and maccaroni movements of Miss Barbara Yellowley, who might ha' married half the men i' the parish twenty years ago ; and to say good truths, I've liv'd to be sorry I refused 'em. MEDLEY AIR, Barbara. At home, at fair, at wake so gray* From first of J une to last of May, I danc'd all night and sung all day, Bedeck'd so spruce and nice ; Then scarce a saucy lad came by But ask'd a kiss, no, sir, says I, You shant, I will, I must Oh fie ! When second thoughts came I'd fain comply* But nobody ask'd me twice. THE PIRATE. 31 Then lasses, ere lovers all go by, Pray take a fool's advice, And chuse a partner Highland tight, In Hymen's ball to trip away, And with the fiddle., Down the middle, Caper frolic blythe arid gay ; Leave in the lurch Your cares at church, And join the jovial revelry; In gay -carouse, While every spouse Is blest with partner fr.ank and free. Tol k>l Id. ( 'dances J The men *tis right perhaps to shim, Yet after all that's said and d one, There's no great harm in trying one, If in the world he thrives ; Then takeyeur lot where'er 'tis cast, For years and wisdom come so fast, That age is apt to &ay at last, Time is, Time was, and Time ia past ; And then we begin to cry, How silly are we alone to sigh, When others are made good wives. So take a partner Right and tight, &c. &c. TollolloL (dances off} End of the Song, TRIPTOLEMUS and B&ICE, who have gradually walked off while bargaining, return to the front of the stage. Brice. Aweel, aweel ye descendants o' Yorkshire gentlemen are so very hard to deal wi', that wo, who are further north, mun hide our diminished heads. Trip. Nay, 'tis ye Zetland pedlars, heus inepte ! that want our English polish : 1m sure I've ruin'd myself \\\ shewing you the most profitable way of farming but ye're a' sae idle, that set ane o'yer noses within the smell o' a kail pot, and yer legs within t' sound o 1 a fiddle, the deel hirasal wadna find a re*- ocare gradu? to whistle 'em back again. 32 THE PIRATE. % Brice. It may be that yer reet, Master Ynptolernus, and gin ye were not, it wad gae against my conscience to contradict a customer, especially when I dinna un- derstand the half he says ; sae as ye'll hae na mair o' my ware, and I see ani-ther chapman anenstjyer hoose, 111 avva 1 wi' a g*uid wish, that yer latin may aye keep evil frae yer door, and that yer improvements may never make a beggar o* ye. Exit. Trip, [calling after him] Thou'rt a donnat, and a kestril, and a waefanng windy wallop, to presume to measure judgei&ent and weigh reasons wi' me, who am factor to the earl himsel, and represent the full dignity o' the chammerlain o 1 the isles o' Orkney and Zetinrid, To think now, that these folk should be so fond o' their o.vn ways and their own country ways, when there's not such a bonny place as canny York- shire under a' the sun; but ypu'd as soon teach a sheltie to dive like a seal, as the tyke's, o* this, isle even to understand a tenth part o' the keen cleverness o' my father's town-folk he was main proud o'his York-* shire origin, and this is the song he made on't. SONG, Triptokmus.* By the side o' a brig that stands over abroo^, I were sent betimes to school, I went wi' the stream, as I studied my book, And were thought to be no small foul. I ne'er yet bought a pig in a poke, To gi' Old Nick is due, Yet I ha' dealt wi' Yorkshire folk, 13ut 1 were Yorkshire too. I were pratty well lik'd by each village maid, At races, wake, or fair, For my father had addled a vast in trade, And I were his son to a hair. And seeing I did not want for brass, Gay maidens came to woo, But tho' 1 lik'd a Yorkshire lass. Yet I were Yorkshire too. Then to Lunnun by father I were sent, (jentecler manners to see, But fashion's so dear i came back as I went, And so they made nothing o' me. * This Song is from the Author's Opera of * FAMILY QUARWSLS." THE PIRATE. 33 JHy kind relations wouM soon ha' found oat \\hat were best wi' my money to do. But, says I, my dear cousins, 1 thank ye for nought, 1's not to be cou^in'd by you. for I'm Yorsbire, &c. [Exit. SCENE VI. Landscape, Enter MQRDAUNT with his Fowling-piece. Mor. What my father hinted to me, the pedlar has confirmed. I am the only one of name in the island he has not been commissioned to invite. The girls too rightly did the poet exclaim, " P'railty, thy name is woman." \\ ell ? 1 have sent them a new leader of their sports, and siivpe they have so soon forgotten me, they will as easjly welcome the first stranger that chance throws upon their coast. Should the super- stition of these islanders be true, that the man you preserve from drowning will destfoy you. Yet, how weak, how jealous, childish, and unjust ! This is his present; and I ought a,s soon to turn it against the ^ivor, as to suppose, the man whoso life 1 saved at hazard of my own, could ever be my enemy. [Going meets NORNA.] Norna ! Norna. Nay, start not, I bring* you no evil, Mor- daunt Mertoun. Evil from me you never felt, nor ever will. Mor. Nor fear I any. Norna. Thou art not of oflr regiqn ; yet, to none of Zetland blood am I more a well wisher, than tq thee, thou kind, brave hearted boy. When young, \ gave thee that gifted chain, vi ought by no earthly artist, which has caused thee to be looked on as a son or brother, by every one within the precinct of its virtue. Mor. It may have given me favor, but has not en- abled me to keep it. My father too says, I must soon leave the island ; resume your fairy gift then ; and may 34, THE PIRATE. it bring more lasting luck to others than it has done to me. Norna. Doubt ye my power then ? Mor. Power ! Norna. You saw its force you heard my words at Harfra-^-you saw the rag-ing tempest sink before them. Speak! bear me witness. JV/or. I heard you speak, and saw the storm abate. Norna. Abate ! it sunk at once" in shorter space than is the infant silenced by the nurse. Enough ! vou know my power ; but you know not, mortal man knows not, nor ever shall know, the price with which I bought it, Never, for all the round world contains, do thou barter thy peace of mind, for greatness such as Nqrna's. Mor. Should this be as she says? she chills and thrills me with a feeling" no other mortal ever yet in-? spired, (^Solemnly) Yes, Norna, I have heard, no Christian congTeg*ation, met to hear their pastor, ever beheld thine eye upraised with theirs. Norna. Me in a Christian congregation! would you have the sacred roof fail on the pious, and mingle blood with worship ! Would you have the fiend claim his prey openly, 'fore heaven and man ! Mor. Wretched woman, if indeed leagued with evil powers, hence! seek repentance. Take again your gift; no good can come of it, if indeed evil nave not come of it already. (Going.) Norna. Nay? leave me not shun me not; or I \v\\[ plunge into that lake, and rid myself at once of power and wretchedness. It was for thee, not of my- self, I came to speak. Then mark me. There is an e them and boldly rise above my gloomy feelings. Hypocrite! making a merit with thyself, of following thy heart's best, THE PIRATE. dearest \\ishj to sec, and save, the woman of thy love. [Kxit* SCENE VII. The great room, at Magntis Troll's, prepared for a fete. Enter CLEVELAND, drest> with MINNA and BRENDA. Clere. Now, by the honor of a seaman, when that younker sav'd my life, I knew not half the extent of my obligation to* him ; and since I have been blessed with your father's hospitality, and the I believe I mav say the approbation of his daughters, I really dont kno\v how my preserver is to be repaid. Brenda. He will be repaid by his own heart; and tho' Minna. I thought we had been forbidden to speak of him, Brenda ? Brenda. True; therefore I'll retire, and Minna. Illnatur'd girl and leave me with Brenda. O, but you are hot forc'd to stay. Cleve. YeSp her goodnature, the kindness which animates her beauty, like that which beams in your eye too, young lady, would hardly suffer her to leave a poor cast-away shipwreck' d youth, on a strange shore, to his own meiancholy reflections ; riot that I can guess, why I should so little deserve your sisrer's good opinion as that she should fear to be alone with me. Miuna. Did you always so yalue the opinion of yor.f female friends, captain ? Cleve. Who I *? Till I saw you, I never once thought twice upon the subject ; rior, till now, did I ever see a woman worth thinking of a second time, after the anchor was apeak. On shore, I could laugh, dance, drink, and love with twenty girls, were they as beauteous as those before me ; but it will be odds now, whether one I have so lately seen, will not have shut up the hatches of my heart to all the sex beside. THE PIRATE. 37 Minna. Hush! here's company, [goes up with him} frenda. [aside] And will not Mordaunt come ? Enter MAGNUS. Mag. And if he should, remember who you are ; ; dare not to say one word beyond a common wel- come, or, qace mote J say, remember., you're the daughter of Magnus Troil, Udaller, Fowd, and Chief of all the island ; nor let me see a sad look or a tear, as you prize Magnus' love. [She goes up weeping.} The devil's in these girls ; the more kind 1 am to 'em the more it goes against the grain [Enter Triptole- mus, in a large scarlet cloak and jack boots, and Miss Barbara, in her new sack, *c.] Hal Mr. Triptolejnus, welcome, you are welcome Mr. Yellowley to Westra : the wind has blow.n you on a savage coast, but you'll improve on it, and we poor natives must be as kind to you as we can. Miss Barbara Yellowley, permit me the honor of a neighbourly salute [kisses her.] Bab. Eh, sirs! I dinna see how my brother can im- prove you i' these matters, [goes up,, and is introduced in dumb shew, by the girls, to Cleveland.] Trip. No sir, nor can we improve on your hos- pitality yer chirnnies reek till one would think the whole town was on tire ! the hal hill-side smells o' yer cookery ; and a hungry heart wad scarce seek better kitchen to a barley scone, than just to waft it in the reek that's rising out 'o yer lu;ns. Magnus. By v\ hich you meaii' to say Trip. O Meliboeus, Deus nobis htecfestia fecit. Enter MORDAUNT. Magnus, [to Trip, as he goes] You're welcome any how. And you too are welcome, Master Mordaunt. Mor. Did I not think so, I had not been here ; nor is it yet too late to turn back. Magnus. Young* man, you knovy better than most, that from these doors none can turn back without offence to the owner when Magnus Troil says wel- F 33 THE PIRATE. come, all are welcome who are within hearing* of his. voice, and it is an indifferent loud one. Walk on, iny worthy guests, and let us 'see what cheer my lasses can mo.K.e you withindoors, [goes up] Mar. This coldness shall not daunt rne from my duty. Enter HALCRO. i I'll hide, I wllf suppress ray rising spleen. Ah! my good Claud Kalcr", Poet of the Isles, how passes time with you her <,; at Burgh Westra ? Hal. How should it pas?, my prince of cliff and scaur, but with all the wings beauty and joy can add to help its flight Mor. And wit and song-, where you come, my old friend. Hal. Nay, jeer me not, young 1 man: when your foot is slow as mine, your wit frozen, and your song out of tune- Mor. Nay, say not so ; time lays his hand lightly- on the bard,*and surely the great Dry den, your friend you used to tell us of, was older than yourself when he led all the wits of London. Hal. Alas, alas, silver is silver and waxes not dim, by use ; but pewter is pewter, and age w ; ll make it duller : true it is, 1 have seen John Dryuen~-giorious John, and had a pinch out of his very box ; I believe, I have told you how it happened, but here is Captain Cleveland never heard it. I lodged you must know;- Cleve. [coming forward] My worthy preserver, you seem to stand aloof from those charming girls ; I'm sure they are dying to welcome you, as I am to repeat my thanks ten thousand times : in fact your gallantry will form a story Hal. [who has been anxiously trying to put* in a word] I know its a story I have often told, but not ten thousand times: so as I was saying, when. I first saw glorious John, I lived in Russell Street, Great Russell Street, which, though you have not heard of the captain here may know- . THE PIRATE, . Cleve. I should know its latitude pretty well ; but the ladies have some music in hand, which ..//a/. Which 'cant be executed without our good Mordaunt here ; I never will touch a string for you, unless Mordaunt help us put.;, what say you, fairest night and davrfl of "day 1 [to Minna and tirejida, who ' come forward] Minna. Mr. Mordaunt has come too late to be of our band ^n this occasion ; it is our misfortune and cannot be help'd. : Hal {to Brenda} My lovely day thinks otherwise I'll swear Brenda. You are mistaken, father Halcro, Hal. Eh, what have we heret a cloudy night and a red morning. What means all this young woman., whore lies the offence ? in me, I fear; for the blame is always laid upon the oldest when young folks go by the ears. Minna. The blame is not with you, father. Mor. I should fear then, the last comer has brought the offence with him. > Minna. When no offence is taken, it matters not by whom it might be offered. Mor. Is it you, Minna, who speak thus to *me$ end can you too, Brenda, judge thus hastily, without one moment of honest and frank explanation ? Brenda. Those vvljo know best have told us theit pleasure, and it must be done. Mr. Mertoun Will ex- cuse us. (Goes up with her sister.} tial Now, day and night, but this is wondVous strange. Can you gues*s, Captain, what has happened to put these two juvenile graces out of tune ? Clere. He will lose his reckoning, who spends his time in enquiring why the wind shifts a point, or why a woman changes her mind. ' Were I Mr. Mordaunt", I would not ask the proud wenches another question on such a subject. Mor. Tis a friendly advice, captain, and I will not hoM it the less so, because it lias been given unask'd. Cleve. They are my sentiments, sir, and you ai* as welcome to them, as if you had ask'd them fifty time:.. 40 THE PIRATE. Mor. Captain Cleveland's sentiments may be suited to such as have the art to beeome favorites where chance may throw them, and who could not lose in one place more than their merit might gain them ia another. C!eve> You are angry with me, my good friend, but cannot make me angry with you. "The fair hands of all the pretty women in Europe would not have fish'd me up from the roost of Sumburgh, so pray don't quar- rel with me; for here is Mr. -Halcro to witness, I have struck both jack and top-sail, and should you fire a broadside into me, cannot return a single shot. Hal, Aye, aye, as glorious John says, never quarrel with your friend, because a woman is whimsical, Why, man, if they kept one humour, how should we write so many song's on them as we do ? Even Dry dorr- himself, glorious John, could have said little of a girl that was always in one mind. Come and go, ebb and flow; by the .Lord, I fall into rhymes, whether I will or no. (Goes up.) Mor. (who had been talking aside with Cleveland.) Sir, sir, you gave me a weapon which Cle-ve. And you saved my life. Mor. For which I have your rifte gun. Cleve. I have its fellow, sir, and had you not saved my life, I would say,, it is a custom, when we sailors of fortune follow the same cha-ee, and take the wind outv, each other's sails, to think sixty yards of sea* beach and a brace of rifles no bad way of making bur odds even. (Goes up.) Mor. If it were not for Brenda, I could wish I had been wreck'd instead of him, for no one seems to care whether I live or die. Two rifles a ! id sixty yards of sea beach ! Well, well, the time IK ay come. I'il not quit my post. (Going up, is met by Brenda coming hastily forward.) Brenda. (apart to Mor.) If ere the dance -is done you'll spare an instant 1 may be vvrong'i but if you seek explanation Mor. No soul can bring it me so welcome as my as you, Brenda* TUB PIRATE. 41 Brenda. Hush ! take no note. (Retires on one side, he on the other, as Magnus tomes down the centre '.) Mag. Now, friends, the dance, the sword dance too and Seambister ! the punch. Where's gay Triptolemus ? If we could but improve his head as he'd improve our lands, there'd be some sense. We'll make him reel yet. Come, the punch, the dance, the song-, the laugh,-- but above all the punch. [Music. A characteristic dance. Sword Dance. A general dance. And the scene closes J] CENE VIH. A Moonlight Scene. Supposed to be at the back of Magnus TroiVs House', with a rude balcony. The seaat a distance, rippling, and reflecting the moon. Enter MORDAUNT and BRENDA. Mor. We here are unobserved, now Brenda, say Brenda [with hesitation] You you must be sur- prised, Mr. Mertoun, that I should have taken this un- common freedom. Mor. It was not till to day that any mark of friend- ship from you, or your sister, could have astonished rne. Brenda. What has happened has been my father's pleasure I cannot explain the cause ; Norna has spoken to him of it warmly, and they parted iri displeasure, and you know no light mBtter could have caused that; but there are more than one who have impressed my father with an opinion, that you have not only spoken unkindly of us, but Mor. Unkindly, of those I most respected under heaven : I will back to the apartment this instant, and your father shall do me right before the world. Brenda. Do not go do not for the love of heaven', 42 THE PIRATE. do hot, as you would hot render me the most unhappy creature in the world. Mor. Is Cleveland one of my calulnniators ? Brenda. No, no ! You say you are my friend I arri willing* to be your's but yet this captain this Cleveland Mor. By heaven, I knew it! Brenda. If you cannot be silent, I am gone. He, in this short space, has so won on Minna, that How you can aid us, I know not, bat it was by the advice, I may say, by the commands of Norna that I have ventur a this communication ; I wonder I have had the courage : but you may save my sister look after this Cleveland, but beware how you quarrel with him, since you must surely come by the worst with an experienced warrior, Mor. I don't know how that may so surely be; but with the good limbs and heart that God hath given, I little fear what quarrel Cleveland may provoke. Brenda. Then, if not for youf own sake, for Minna's" sake, for my father's, and for mine, avoid all strife with him watch him, discover his intentions: and iiow; though I must again wear a face of cold friend- chip to the umvelcomfe visitor at heart we arc still [(jiving her hand] Brenda and Mordaunt : nay, dc not detain me. Adieu ! adieu ! [Exit. Mor. Adieu---and heaven bless thee ! [a guitar heard] Hark ! those* chords Were more refined than I have heard from any of our friends ; 'twere best observe, [he retires.] [The window at the balcony opensMinna appears at it , then enter Cleveland with a guitar, and sings the following SERENADE. love wakes and weeps While Beauty sleeps ; ! for innsic's softest numbers, To prompt a (heme For Beauty's dream, Soft as the pillow of her slumbers. THE PIRATE. ! vrake and live, No dream can give A shadow'd bli^s, the real excelling ; No longer sleep, From lattice peep, And list the tale that love is telling. Minna (above) Who's there ? Mor. Tis I. Beware! [she goes from the window. Clevp. Whoe'er you be quit this,, and instantly-- or Mor. When men attempt our silver, or our gold, by night, we spare them not; but when our dearer treasures are assail'd Clere. Fool, whom I know not, let the darkness of the night hide thee. Beware my poinard. Mor. Nay theq. \Music. A struggle. Mordaunt falls, Narnq, sud* denly appears^ Cleve. Qh ! heavens ! and have I slain him Norna. Yps ! double miscreant ! thpu hast slain-r (hy brother ! [Music. A picture formed. Act dropfalfa] OF ACT II. THE PIRATE, ACT III. SCENE I. A beautiful Ray at sun-rise, in which a handsome Privateer, the Favorite, is seen riding at anchor, Nearer in shore is a sort of pleasure vessel, at anchor also. prOFFE, BCNCE, FLETCHER, HAWKINS, and SAILORS, land from a boat, to the symphony of the following SONG and CHORUS. Thus said the rover To his gallant crew, Up with the black flag, Down with- the blue ; Fire on the main top, Fire on the bow, Fire on the gun-deck, Fire down below. With a al lal la, Sec. Chorus f Thus aaid the rover/ Sec. It was a ship and a ship of fame, Launch'd off the stocks, bound to the main, ^Vith a hundred and fifty brisk young men. All pick'd and chosen, every one, "When Chorus. * Thus said the captain/ &c. Captain Goffe was our captain's nam.e, \Vhoni the Spaniards fear'd where'er he came, As bold a tar as ere went to sea, And our fortunes we made in High Barbary. For Chorus. - c Thus said the captain/ &c. THE PIRATE. 45 Goffe. Gentlemen ! All. Silence for the captain. Goffe,. I suppose you all know that when I am Bunce. Sober. Goffe. Mutiny ! AIL .[rus/ung forward with raised cutlases] How ! Goffe. Who said sober ? Bunce. Nobody in your company, I'm sure, Captain. Goffe, Well then I suppose you all know that Captain Cleveland aad his vessel, our worthy consort arid or commodore, were both wrecked on this paltry island ? All. We do. Goffe. That's enough his ship's gone, his cargo's plundered, and he is now lying at the mercy (that is, if they find him out,) of the Custom-house officers, the udaller or great man of the island, and his two pretty daughters, Fletch. Then great luck send him good deliverance. Haw. And, if nothing* else will do it, I'm for set- ting fire to the town. Goffe. Bance ! what say you 1 you've been an actor, and can speechify Bance. Most potent, grave, and reverend bucca- niers ! My very worthy and most drunken comrades ! Go to your ship leave me to find our captain ; and, if I find him not, I'll seek the Provost, to whom I'll Enter Brice. Ye'd better hie aboardI'll make a signal when ye may return : mean time I'll honestly dispose of aw the stolen (pirates murmur) pardon me, the smuggled nay, I mean the fairly conquered goods ye trust me to get ricj. of; and 1 11 make the signal from the shore we have agreed on, whea ye may come again. Bunce. Yet will I stay, and seek the captain. o 46 THE PIRATE. Goffe. Silently on board. Fletch. Nay, we must sing our oars will flag 1 else, Haw. Sing- then in a whisper. CHORUS. [Very piano as they get into the loaf,, and diminuendo as it rows- to the ship.] Thus said the rover To his gallant crew, '., Up with the black flag-, Down \*ith the blue ; Fire on the main top, Fire on the bow. Fire on the gun deck, Fire down below. [Bunce and Brice go off towards the end of it, and tht. Scene closes. A loud and heavy rain heard..] SCENE II. [Rain continued] A Chamber. [Music.] BRENDA enters, meeting MINNA, who can scarcely support herself^ and whose shawl or scarf, which falls as she enters > is stained with Hood. Brenda (terrified) Minna ! dear Minna ! Minna. Do not ask me. I have been, I know not where and I have seen - Brenda. Nay, nay, you're subject to these visions., Fam glad you have returned ; 'tis early sun-rise yet; and ere I missVl you from our bed, / too dream" d I lay on one of those monuments Halcro described to us. wher'e the effigy of the inhabitant beneath lies carved upon the sepulchre. Mcthoiight, such marble form lay by my side, and folded me close to its cold damp bosom ; arid it is you that are indeed so chill. Til call assistance. THE PIRATE. 47 Minna. No, no ; call no one hither. Nothing aiU 'me now, that any one can remedy. Heaven's above all, dear Brenda, and we'll pray that it may turn, as heaven only can, our evil, into g'ood. Brenda. Minna ! gracious powers ! behold this scarf. Tis blood. Minna. I let it fall under the window here. Look out. Brenda. The rain in torrents falling, has, if blood were there^ wash'd every vestige of it clean away ; and rolling sand and water now supply the place of last night's verdure. Minna. Withiu I'll tell thee, Brenda, all I fear, yet hope it may not be so fatal as I fear. A quarrel, loud, beneath my window ; and a inan, bearing another, helpless, drooping, dying, from the spot ; the spot where that scarf fell; and when I reach'd it, the awfiil form of Norna, ghastly, tall and dark, against the ^noon-beam, threatened me My father's voice too. I had oniv time to snatch my gar- ment from the earth, and fly to where I fainted, and have lain, luckily unseen, for T w r ould not have my father know my absence. Sister, thou too art pale. Brenda. Beneath your window, said you ! a wound- ed man^ supported by another ! Minna! Minna! we both shall rue this night, Both yes, I hope, both innocently rue it* Minna. Sister, you have a .right to insult me., because you are in possession of rny secret. Brenda. Cruel, cruel girl ! we may be unhappy, but let us not make each other more so, by unkind- ness. You have my secret too, and know my love for Murdaunt ; if I have your's in exchange, how wretched must we be, till we can ascertain the event of what you tell. Minna. What if we sought Norna ? She knows, or does pretend to know, whatever happens. Brenda. At least, she knows what happened in. her presence. Yes, hide this crimson witness of GUI fears, and let us hasten. 48 THE PIRATE Enter MAGNUS. Magnus* How now girls ; up so early ? 'Tis well timed ; I Was about to call ye. After a terrible tem- pestuous dawn, the sun has risen cneerly, and I'Ve ordered my little brig", the Mergoose, for a sail. 'Tw ill do us good from last night's revelling, and you shall go on board, Brenda. Sail, father ! Whither? Magnus. Why, first though I am half asnamed to say it, we'll put on shore in that lone creek where Norna dwells ; I've something on my mind to ask of her. Minna (apart to Beendd) Sister, how fortunafe. Magnus. And then, we'll call at Kirkwall shores a vessel Fies off, that may have merchandize. But where's your gallant captain ? Brenda. We have miss'd him, sir. And did young Magnus. Who, girl ? Minna. My sister would ask, whether young Mor- daunt stayed to say good night 1 Magnus. I know not he and the captain are most like together ; nor do I think much good will come of either. What ails ye, giris ? come, come, take each an arm, the sea air will refresh ye come I say. ^Exeunt. SCENE III. An arched rock -the sea seen through it. Enter CLEVELAND and NORNA to hurried music. Norna. Pursue me not; I will not more discover, till Mordaunt is in safety : we have placed him where my attention and my skill will yield all that he needs. I leave thee here to wander till thou seest a white flag on yon rocky pinnacle ; thou haply then may'st know what thou art happier in ignorance of follow me not ! I know thee and thy deed. [Exit THE PIRATE, 49 fiteve. This woftian holds me as with some strange spell. No, no, the spell is here 'tis guilt ; and tor a toy, perhaps, I've skin the man who gave me life. My brother ! did she say? Yet it was unwitting* and unwillingly: should.it be so. This is a dreary spot and the cold wind that sighs, \vith mournful whistle, chills me, as 'twere a brother's groan ! By heaven, it makes me coward! Hark! Who's there '\ ; Enter BUNCTE; Bunco. Angels and ministers of grace defend us! What, captain ! noble captain! are you found solilo- quizing to, to rocks and waves! Why, here are a few of us have kept your old messmate, Captain Geffe, in these seas on the look out for you, when the greater part of the ship's company would fain have been out at the old trade. Clove. Then I wish von had, and left me to my fate. Bunce. Which would be, to be hanged the first time any of the Dutch or English rascals you have lightefi'd of their cargoes chanced to set eyes on you. Cleve. I thank you ; but, I've lost my ship, and having once been a captain, had rather run the risk you speak of, than serve under Goffe or anv other man. Bunce. Nor shall you; he shall give up tlieie'a Fletcher, Barlow, and I ; when did we ever desert you in council or in fight? you shall command, Prince Hal, you, who first dipped my hands in dirty water, and promoted me from a strolling 1 actor on land to a rover a-nd hero at sea. Cleve. You owe me little thanks for sucli promo- tion ; and yet thou takest so kindly to it, that all the world may see, no honest man was spoil'd when you Were made a pirate: but I'll go no further in the devil's road while we thrive we can bribe ; and when our pockets are worth nothing, our honest friends, rather than want, will make money on our heads ; then come a high gallows and a short halter and so dies the gentleman rover. I tell thee, I am tired of this trade* 50 7 HE PIRATfe. Bunce. And where will your new honesty get ano- ther ? You have broken the laws of every nation under heaven; and .the hand of the law will detect and crush you everywhere, Clew. I may avail myself of the proclamation as others have. I have borne a rough outside as tLou knowest, but the lives I have been the means of saving Bunce. Will prc ve thee as gentle a thief as Robin Hood: but what class in society will receive you ? With whom will you associate ? Old Drake plundered Peru and Mexico, and was knighted for it; bnt things are altered now once a pirate and always a pirate. And if a stranger asks, who is that melancholy down looking man? the answer is, the pardoned buccanier. Pso honest man will speak to him no woman of re- pute will give him her hand. Cleve. True- true ! And yet . I hope there L> r woman Bunce. Who, if in love with one of our trade, must be little better than a lunatic; so bring her aboard; it would be pity to baulk her fancy. Clere. Bring an angel of beauty to such a hell as yonder ship of ours. Were all my former sins doubled in weight and dye, that vyowld outweigh them all. Bunce. For all this, jou musn't leave us ; and I'll be true to you as blade to hilt ; seeing*, for a pirate 1 , thou'rt as just a man as ere my conversation met withal. [Shouts heard. Cleve. What noise 1 (Shouts) Some of your crew in quarrel with the natives. Bunce. And boiten too. I must among 'em, cap- tain. My fate cork's out, and makes each petty artery in this body as hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve ; but you resign the trade ? Cleve. When my companions are in danger, never. Follow me ; quick. All scruples vanish now. [Draws, and exit. Bunce* Aye, aye Ring the alarum bell, blow wind, coma rack, At least we'll cue with harness on our back. [Exit. THE PIRATE. 51 [Music. Shouts and clashing of weapons. Pirates and Islanders fyht across the stage. After a gallant resist- ance, Cleveland is taken, and dragged off. Bunce, after trying in vain to rescue him. is, with his wen, beaten off opposite. SCENE IV. ... - Norna? s Dwelling* MORDAUNT discovered on a couch. NORNA standing by him. Norna. How impatient to be gone! Ungrateful boy, whom I have rescued from the gates of death. Already so .desirous to spend the first intelligent days of life I restored thee, far, far away from Norna. Mor. No, kind preserver ! but I have duties which recai me ;. the duty of a son. Norna, That duty calls you here. Nay, start not, boy. What has your father done, that may deserve your preference of him to me? Has he not left you for years among strangers'? Supplying you as scantily as men throw alms from a distance, to relieve the tainted leper 1 ? And when he made you the companion of his misery, were you not his slave? Was not he your plague, your tyrant, yeur tormentor ? But never, Mordaunt, never your kind father. Mor. Men have not their affections in their power ; and it is a child's duty to be grateful for the benefits he receives, even when conferred with coldness/ My father has- instructed, and I am convinced he loves rne ; and if he loved me not, I never should forget, he is unfortunate. Norna. And he does not love you, Mordaunt ; nor ever loved aught except himself. His misfortunes are merited. He loves you not, because you are your mother's child. Yes, you have one parent, and one parent only, who prizes you, boy, as vital drops of her heart's best blood. , Mor. I know I have but one parent, but your THE PIRATE. .words contradict each other, foa my mother has bee* long- since dead. Norna. They do not, boy, my mords do not contra- dict each other, and thy mother is not dead. I wou'd to heaven she were: but thy mother is the only parent thattrulylovesth.ee, Mordatint, and I I (fallitiy on his neck) 1 am that unhappy mother. Mor. (receding with somethiiig like distaste) You ! Norna, the mother of Mordaunt Mertoun ! Norna. Ungrateful boy' who but a mother eould have watched qver thee/ as I have watched ? How often have vou Wondered to see me, when least ex- pected, in your places of pastime and resort ? Did I not hang* around thy neck that chain of g'old,^ which an elfin kiug gave to the founder of our race ? I have conjured the mermaid at midnight, that thy bark might be prosperous on the surge. 1 have hushM the winds, and navies have flap'd their empty" sails '- against the rnast in inactivity, that you migiit safely indulge your sport upon the crags. 1 have set danger at defiance for thee ; have lo&t my reason : gx>ne mad as the war- ring elements, for thee and for thy father ; but hi* ingratitude will soon fee forgotten ; the insensibility of my son will be effaced from this aching heart; I snaL! fall like the last leaves in autumn; and my poor broken heart will find shelter jn a grave upon the sea- beat shore, where the ri^ipg pf tne breeze upon the, rippling wave, and the howling of. the northern blast through the avc'rns pf the rock, will be all the mourn- ing heard for poor dead Xorna. ]\Ior. And is it, is jt then my mother, whose reason wanders thus ? And have I dared to mock those sorrows, by ridiculing pretensions to supernatural power, which were the effect of broken-hearted insa- nity 7 ? Oh; pardon, pardon, whoe'er, whatever thou art, thou hast given me life, pardon thy thoughtless, '.yes thy cruel son. N&ma. This this kindness cuts me deeper to the heart, than did that strange antipathy it st;enrd this favage form inspired- Thy father knows me not. I have haunted him in my wild moods, and he has eliunned me not always so. The beautiful, the proud one once was I, when Mertoun- THE PIRATE. 5 1 Mor. Married, I hope say married. Norna. And darest thou doubt it ? Barest thou suppose the daughter of misfortune, must be, of course, the child of guilt ? If those be guilty whom thy cruel sex enslave and then desert. But, hear me. 'Tis thy father's punishmentj that he knows not his lawful wife ; knows, not that thou, his la \vful son, hast ye, a brother, a guilty brother even, he whose dag- ger reach'd tho ; he is thy brother> and in bondage, \vhere my art shall find, and bring him to thee ; toge- ther shall ye hear the mournful story, with which your father must become acquainted, and then let him repent, or look to't, vengeance or mercy wait his instant choice. Mor. Away, dear mother, let this brother come, that he may find your Mordaunt can forgive ; and you *hall OWE, my father* spite of his seeming hatred of your Bex, could teach his boy, that to protect and lov them, is man's first duty, nature's clearest law." Norna. And should^ in evil hour, thy youthful ardour, ere lead to female ruin, recede in time, and think on that last day, when thou may'st point to myriads of former earthly sufferers, and say, no angel there owed to my perfidy a single pang, or shed for m3 one tear, except the pearly drop of gratitude. [Exeunt. SCENE V. A chamber at Mertourfs, at Jarlshoff. A small dinner table. SWERTHA Discovered laying two covers. MERTOUN enters and observes her. Mcr. Two seats ! two covers ! Has Mordaunt then returned ? Swe. !S T a, na, na sic divot ha' dunted at our door. It wad be blythe news indeed, to ken that young Master Mordaunt, poor dear bairn, were safe at hame. Mcr. And if he be not at hom, why Jay a cover for him, doating fool? H 54 THE PIRATE. Swe. Its rhy thinking-, somebody shou'd taker thought for him. Aw I can do, is to have seat and plate ready for him when he comes ; but the dear bairn has been ower lang awa ; and, gin I maun speak oot, I ha' my ain fears when and whether he may ere return. Mer. Your fears ! d've speak of your idle whims to me, who know your sex ; what are your fears to me, you sillv fool 1 * v Swe. I ken I'm a fool but your honor ha' made unco- wark when a wheen bits o' ktsts and duds, that naebody had use for, had been gathered on the beach by poor bodies of the township ; and here's the brawest lad in the country lost and ke.st awa, as it were before yer een, and no. ane asking- what's come OB him. Mer. And what should come of him but good ? [sifs down} Su-e. Nay, {look nae cross at me: when Mor- daunt's i' danger, I'm nae fearing ye, were ye bigger than Goliah. What should come on him ; what ails him, but he may ha' been settled doon in a boat that were lost r' the*^ roost, or drown'd in a lock walking hame, or kilfd bv miss of footing on a crag ; aiv folks ken horr venturesome he is ancl then who would be aw'd fool ? Heaven protect the poor mother- less baiml for if he had had a mither, there would ha' been search made after him before noo. Mer. [rising, much agitated} A mother ! go !^ go fetch me yon bottle quick. Swe. [as she goes.] Oho ! I think I've touch'd him , *in he must needs ha' a eup o' comfort to qualify wi* on fitting occasion*. [Exit, Mer. A mother, said she ! Agony and torment ! would / had never had a mother. Re-enter SWERTHA, with a bottle, which she yours a little out of and tastes. Swe. It's exactly reet. Mer. (madly) Fill! fill! higher, (drinks) Swe. The "saints ha' a care on us; he'll be drunk as weel as mad ; and wha's to guide him then, I won* 4r. I tremble to hear him speak. THE PIRATE. 55 fin a softened voice) Swertha, you were right in this, and I was wrong 1 . Go down to the Ranzelman directly; tell him to come to me without an instant*! ts a white flag, and a boat is seen with Magnus and Captain Weatherport making the shore. The girls fall into each others arms, and t/ie scene closes. SCENE THE LAST. The dwelling of Norna, Enter MERTOUN. Mer. At length I've found the sorceress' abode, if sorceress she be : by heaven, 'tis like the place where once but of those formerdays I tremble e en to think. This woman surely possesses some strange power, which birds men to believe her oracles ; if she res-' tore me Mordaunt I'll a lore her. . [Music. Enter NORNA. Norna. You have despised the sorceress; now you seek her. Say. Mertoun, had you not a wife whotn ou believed unfaithful ? Oh, miKe her not but say, where is my son ? Norna. He, you believed your own ? he was so Mordaunt lives, aad you shall soon behold him : but, you had another son. 3/er. Not mine. Norna. He was > so help me heaven ! Hear me, Mertoun I who am now so altered, twenty years by hardest fare and bitterest weather marked, so that my dearest friends have ceased to know me; I, in this place, then famed ibr wealth and ease, against my father's will, received the hand of - Mer. Great heaven ! THE PIRAm 63| Qf one, who knew not at uhat dreadful price of murder and of parieide he bought me. Mer.gpt murder ! parieide ! Norna. The fatal night, when I for love left duty--- to bar all quick pursuit, yon fatal door I fastened : in that chamber lay my father- a sulphrous stove with poison'd fume need I say more? He fell a victim to Oh heavens to his daughter's crime. Mer. To thine ! Me under the same roof ! Norna. Yet hear and tremble. I fled was mar- ried : two boys blest my union ; Mordaunt was one, the other you supposed the son of- - Mer. Mighty powers of daring" gniilt ! Darest tjWf " proceed. Did I not find thee in the villain's arms 1 Did not my sword Norna. It did: it pierc'd a breast of one most virtuous, who did not then, but after, with his dying breath, forgave thee : he was, my brother. Mer. Thy brother ! Norna. He brought the tidings cf my father's faf e, so long unknown in that far distant clirne. You fled, My life was long despaired of; and I received my brother's pardon, on condition I left him not. Alas! 'twas needless, you had changed your name, and search iyas useless. At my brother's death, my boy, your boy, Mertoun, took to the sea; and as I thought, was lost. I sought my native land, and oft in tempo- rary madness roamed these shores, till 1 was deemed, and in delirium thought myself, more than human, A youth was wreck'd his chest, mny in your care contained strong* proof, the Pirate is our son. Mer. Woman ! if thou sayst true ! Norna. I ask not your belief, till full conviction flash upon your soul. At present use thy best and dearest influence to save the guilty bov. Guiltv through thee, who should have been a faiher to the youth, who nearly had become his brother s murderer. Mer. And where whore is he where is Mordaunt? Norna. Behold them both. [Door opens, and discovers the Brothers, who come HRATE. boys,.n-; ; can ye both be mine f We've heard our mother's story. Olere. And if a. Pirate, who v -.th'er's council, left a g^cd mother for a roving )j fa Afer. And to his father owed al-. uilt; if he :ot find pardon here, "bis father -it with fO the grave. Bat to thy mother here; to fhee,' hcen, what pray, [Shoufs, I've need of more than thou. CH EXPORT; - \\Vvo traced iliG pii. > I . "ortoun hide ? Good /. Jy. Captain I .-t," those of your t, are now i,: Did you in, i ou< LOBOUr ol .:sh ladies, when captured Ly your crew? I di jd by my te there. (Pointing to Bunce) r. Yoi- avedthc For "u-h thanks. e sound. Hear. 1 Pro. YvT re', renders ordaunt,. where"; ''.is daagfUers..] There, ..;ina 'Mi-i this hour devote? could he ai can so con- e a Briton's .10, PARF UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY BERKELEY Return to desk from which borrowed. This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 9Nov'53Vl MOV 3 m SENT ON ILL! NOV 2 6 201 U. C. BERKELEY SENT ON ILL MAR 1 1 200! U. C. BERKELE1 LD 21-100m-7,'52(A2528sl6)476 YB 74621 M143163 M* I THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY