Now, friend, what news have you"? 2d Villa. They have begun to issue from the wood. —
{Enter Sir Reginald.)
Sir R. What is this I hear? the savages approaching- ! Now plague upon this gout ! — But I 've
an arm left That yet can wield a sword. Walf. Your nephew, Sir,
May need your care. You 're strange to our wild warfare. Sir R. True ; I 'd forgot poor George. They '11 cut thro' me Before they get a hair of him. {Retires.)
{Re-enter 1st Vill*ager.)
Walf. How now?
1st Villa. We 've rallied at the church ; but want a leader.
Walf. You shall not want one longer.
Alice. 0, my father!
Walf. Heav'n bless you, my dear daugh- ter. Follow me. {Exit Walford, followed hij Vil- lagers. Distant yell. The alarm hell rings, a feiv distant and strag- gling shots heard. Houses at a dis- tance beginning to blaze; — a pause of the hell.)
Ray. Now, where 's your son ?
Isa. Gone, Sir, to save your daughter.
Ray. My daughter ! I 'd forgot. — Is she not here. {Runs wildly around. Bell rings. The shots are nearer and more fre- quent. The blaze increases.)
Ray. My daughter! where, where 's my daughter !
{Enter Charles, hearing Mary.)
Charles. There, Sir.
(Rayensworth receives her, and for a moment yields to his paternal feel- ing. But instantly withdraws from Charles with a scowl. Charles, after affectionately recognizing his mother, rushes out. Alice joins Mary; who is prevented from ad- dressing Isabella, by her father's frown. Isabella maintains her dig- nity and composure. Alarm con- tinues, shouts, yells, etc.)
{The Villagers enter in disorder, followed by Charles and Walford.)
Charles. One effort more.
Walf. It is impossible,
Panic has seiz'd them all and we must perish. {The bell has ceased. A dreadful yell. The Villagers turn and are about to fly in despair, when
Enter the Unknown.)
Unk. Turn back for shame — as ye are men, turn back!
As ye are husbands, fathers, turn, and save
From death and violation those ye love. —
If this not move you, as ye are Chris- tian men
And do believe in God, tempt not his wrath
By doubting thus his providence. Be- hold
I am sent to save you. Omnes. Save us, save us.
Walf. Say,
What shall we do ; we 're ready to obey thee. Unk. Front then and bear yourselves like men — 'T is well.
The savage sees us rally; and the pause
His caution grants, secures us the advan- tage. {He passes rapidly along the line, di- viding them into three bodies. Then addresses Walford and Charles.)
This band be yours — this yours — Quick, lead them forth.
And each by a rapid circuit, turn the foe
By either flank. This will I lead myself
Against his front — holding him thus in check
Until I hear the horn sound your ar- rival —
Then while perplex'd he hesitates be- tween us.
Rush to the onset all — close on the heathen.
And shower destruction on him — haste away. {Exeunt Unkxov^n, Walford and Charles, leading their bands.) Isa. How awful is this pause, that but precedes
The shock that may o'erwhelm us. God, to thee.
The mother turns. Not for myself,
Not for my sinful self — ^but for my son —
My innocent son I plead. Cut him not off
In the blossom of his days. ,
Ray. Mark, if the hag
