SCENE VIII.---The Shore of Lancashire.

Enter ARGYLE, MONTGOMERY, Soldiers, and Sailors. Arg. Is she fast moored? for, mark, the heavy clouds Are mustering all around.

Sailor. Fast as the lesser bear to the pole.
Arg. Speak not so loud.

Mont. Douglas, I trust, will soon be here;

May be returning from their day's adventure.

Arg. And, hark! that distant, but tremendous peal, Careering round the pitchy vault of night.Another flash---how nigh!

And, hear; that is no distant bolt.

1 Sold. It bodes no good: I wish I were once more Upon the shore of fair Carlavrock bay.

2 Sold. 'Would I were now beneath my smoky roof. Mont. Soldiers, are all your bows securely cased? We'll have a flood ere long,---'tis pattering now. 1 Sold. I hear a foot.

Mont. Soldiers, go back a little way.---Keep close And still.---Next flash will shew who comes.

Arg. It is not Douglas.

Mont. 'Tis Hamilton, I think.--

Yes, both our friends.

Enter DOUGLAS.

Doug. I'm here among my friends, yet scarcely know them.--

I trust, you're all arrayed in Kendal green.
Arg. All.

Doug. My Lord, you're welcome to the English shore.

Arg. How does the Queen?

Mont. And her fair friend?

Doug. They're well as captives are in use to be. The Queen desponds; her friend is full of hope.--But never did I see a night more cross;

Darkness would best supply our want of numbers.
Mont. The night, indeed, is luckless and perverse;
For, as we past the postern-gate, each flash
Displayed the castle plain as at high noon;
We could have counted every vane, and spike,
And pinnacle: One lengthened gleam there was,
So bright, I thought I saw the watchman's eyes
Peer through a loop-hole of the western tower.
Arg. And yet our enterprize brooks not delay.

This night must save the Queen,

Or plunge her deeper still in ruin.

Doug. I know it must, my Lord; retreat is ruin. You've past a broad and boisterous Rubicon.

Arg. What is your plan? 'tis you must lead us on. Doug. I will explain it; but 'tis fit our men Should hear.--

Comrades, draw near, and listen to the way

By which we'll work the rescue of the Queen :-
Close to the town of Lancaster, to which

I mean to lead you now,

There is a grange, whose barn-yard still is stored
With the saved increase of the former year;
We set it in a blaze, and then retire

Into a little grove of trees hard by.

Soon we shall hear the alarm of fire resound;
The port is opened, out the townsmen run
Confused, with pails and buckets, in their haste
Half filled: The castle-guard ere long comes down;
We watch our time, and straggling, two and three,
Pass in, and meet before the castle gate.
The porter takes us for their men returned;
Besides, I've learned the watch-word for the night,
The thistle 'neath the rose; and thus we gain,
I think we cannot fail to gain, admission.
By guile or force we'll make our entrance good.
Arg. So far well planned.

Doug. Admitted, instantly we shut the gate,
Seize on the keys, secure their keeper,
Force him to bring us to the royal chamber :---
To lead the Queen, my Lord, will be your part.
(What trembling joy in Adelaide's bright eye!)
Then through the postern of the western tower
Down to the beach;

Quick we embark, unmoor, and hoist the sails;-
I hear the rapid rushing of the prow.

Arg. 'Tis well devised; it scarcely can misgive.
Mont. I'll answer on my life.

Doug, What say you, friends?

[To the Soldiers.

1 Sold. We'll follow trustfully where'er you lead:

We long to see our noble Queen once more.

She'll look on us with such a look of thanks!

To serve her we would rush on death.

Doug. Then follow; now's the time; remember Scotland:

May Bruce's spirit burn in every breast!

END OF ACT FOURTH.

[Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I. Wiersdale Forest. A Cave seen in the back ground.

(Time-Morning.)

Enter, from the Cave, Rosa and MAUDE.

Rosa. They said, they would be back or morning, and the sun is almost up---[Singing.]

Just crimsoning the mountain crest,
And tinselling the lavrock's breast,
As he meets the slanting ray,

With his merry roundelay.

Maude. I fear some mischance has o'ertaken them. Rosa. Why dost fear?

Maude. They knew the vicar had been drawing his small tithes; and your pigs, they be the most difficultest things to steal that an honest man can put his hand to: They'll raise ye a rout would split the devil's ears.---I fear there's something wrong.