friend may come back, and knock my brains out very coolly, only to show what mischief he can do, without being in a passion,-so I'm off. [Exeunt Yuseph and Peter, R. Ghi. Poor Lilla! I hope Leopold will carry her off. I'm sure they love each other-the whole village will rejoice at their wedding. AIR.-GHITA. All will hail the joyous day, When love his triumph shall display. The sprightly bells, with welcome sound, And, as we trip with merry glee, [Exit, L. SCENE III-A Grove, with a Cottage, L., a gardenfence round it, with a gate in c.- -Leopold discovered at the window, which is left open.-A veil is hanging out of it. Leo. [At the window.] Lilla! my dear Lilla! where are you?-She's gone! ay! and, by her veil hanging here, she must have jump'd out of the window. [Snatches the veil.] This is proof positive.-I'll follow her. [Jumps out of the window with the veil, and comes out at the garden-gate.] Oh, that cruel villain, Peter! I'll be re.. venged! this dear relic of my beloved Lilla shall serve to keep my resentment alive. Oh! that I could but find that fellow, Peter, how I would maul him!—Oh, Lilla! Oh, Lilla! [Exit through the garden-gate. Pet. Ha! the window open! Then I guess how the matter is; madame is off-but where the devil is that mad-brained Leopold? Enter LEOPOLD, at the Garden-gate, L.-Seizes Peter by the collar. Leo. Oh, oh! rogue! have I caught you? What have you to say for yourself? Pet. (R.) Nothing, to be sure, if you stop my breath. Leo. Speak, sirrah! speak! Pet. So I would, but you are in such a passion. Leo. I in a passion? why, you scurvy knave, if you say I'm in a passion, I'll break every bone in your skin. Pet. Nay! I'll be judged by Yuseph. Enter YUSEPH, two Officers, and twelve Soldiers, L. Yus. Seize that fellow! seize him, I say. Yus. & Chorus. [Two Officers seize Leopold, R. TRIO and CHORUS. Seize him! seize him! I say. Hear me. No-hear me ! We are none of us safe While that fellow is free! [Leopold breaks from the Officers, and runs to seize Yuseph, who retreats, L.-Two Soldiers_catch Leopold up in their arms, and carry him off, R.— -Exeunt Yuseph and Peter, and Soldiers after them, R. SCENE IV.-A Room in Anselm's Cottage. Enter ANSELM, R. Ans. (c.) The hour is come; I wonder Colonel Cohenberg is not yet arrived-he may be the chosen instrument of heaven to destroy the Turkish tyranny, which, like a baneful weed, chokes up our every seed of freedom. AIR.-ANSElm. The sapling oak, lost in the dell, Where tangled brakes its beauties spoil, Droops, hopeless, o'er the exhausted soil. At length, the woodman clears around, Coh. Anselm ! Enter COHENBErg, r. Ans. Colonel Cohenberg! what can have tempted you to trust yourself in the enemy's camp? Coh. Two powerful reasons, my faithful friend: love and glory! Our general means to attack their post tonight, and I am honoured with the command of the detachment. Will the villagers assist us? Ans. Assist you? Ay, to the last drop of our blood, every man of us. We have groaned under the Turkish oppression too long. But you mentioned the word love, colonel.-May I venture to inquire after the fair Catharine, whom I saw at Vienna last year? Coh. Adorable girl! Just as she had consented to be mine, I was suddenly ordered to the siege of Belgrade. Ans. That was hard, indeed.-How did she receive the news? Coh. Like a heroine! When I attempted to utter a faltering adieu, "What," said she, "will you refuse the hand you have so long solicited? Should the bitter hour overtake you, my Cohenberg, you will need the consolation of a friend-and have you a dearer friend than your Catharine? Let marriage sanctify the union of our hearts. I will go with you, and find my happiness in fulfilling the duties of a wife." Ans. (R. C.) You married her? Coh. (c.) Ay, but was instantly obliged to leave her. How shall I speak the rest of my unfortunate story? She attempted to follow me, and was taken prisoner by a straggling party of the Turkish army, just arrived to the relief of Belgrade. Ans. Then I fear she is carried to the Seraskier's seraglio. is his seraglio? In what part of the camp Ans. You must have observed a convent, almost in ruins, about a mile from this spot. That convent the Seraskier has converted to his seraglio. Coh. I am not personally known to the Seraskier. By pretending myself a messenger from Colonel Cohenberg, I shall be admitted to his presence, and, perhaps, gain certain intelligence of my dear Catharine. Ans. And, if you find her there, what then? Coh. What then! Then I'll storm the post, and rescue her this night,-I have prepared two letters,-one to the Seraskier in my own name, and the other to my dear Catharine, apprizing her of my design. Ans. This is a hazardous enterprise. Coh. Hazardous, my Anselm! I scorn the thought.I have picked the gallant fellows whom I am to command-my brave Hussars, the flowers of the Austrian army-we have fought and we have bled-we have conquered together.-Love calls to the attack-and that leader hazards little, who has thought it is his first duty to treat his soldiers as his friends. [Crosses to L. Ans. But, colonel! friends, in all situations, will sometimes desert. Coh. Psha, man! I am not talking of weathercock friendships, that only show which way the wind of caprice blows: we have tried each other in prosperity and adversity, and have cemented our friendship with our blood, upon the field of battle.-But come, lead me to the Seraskier's tent. Be ready, confident, and secret. Then trust our fate to Providence above, The never-failing hope of faithful love. [Exeunt, L. SCENE V.-The Seraskier's Tent, open, with curtains at the back-a carpet, and four cushions—a table, L.LILLA discovered seated on a cushion. AIR.-LILLA. Blithe as the hours of May Were those I now deplore, When first I owned love's gentle sway They will return no more. Every fond hope is lost, No comfort can they bring, Destroyed the infant spring. Blithe as the, &c. Enter GHITA, L. Ghi. Ah, my dear Lilla, I am so glad I have found you. The surly guard at first denied me admittance; but how did you get here? Tell me all about it. Lil. I am prevented-here comes his highness. Don't leave me alone with him. Enter SERASKIEr, r. Ser. A companion with her; that obstacle must be removed. Well, Lilla, you shall find me a man of my word. I promised you redress, and you shall have it; but I must first talk to Yuseph on the business. [Crosses to Ghita, L.] This pretty lass shall be my messenger, to say that I command his presence here instantly. Ghi. Yes, your highness; that I will, with great pleasure.-Come, Lilla. [Lilla going. Ser. Lilla! you may remain here. Ghi. [Aside.] Oh, oh! She is likely to remain here, indeed, while his highness is so violently in love with justice. Yes, yes, I see how it is. [Exit, L. Ser. (c.) Lilla, do not be alarmed-why do you shun It is in your power to make me happy. Lil. (L. c.) Are you then unhappy, sir? me? [Sighs. Ser. I fear I am.—Are you sensible of love, Lilla? Lil. I should be very sorry for that. Lil. Because I could not love you again, my lord.Pray don't be angry. Ser. I am not angry but tell me, do you not feel a desire for grandeur ? Lil. Why, would grandeur make me happy? Ser. Certainly. Lil. Then how can your highness be unhappy? Ser. Why, that is that is.-But I cannot explain it to your comprehension. Lilla, I must inspire you with ambition. When you behold, from your cottage window, |