Volume 1 / Act 3 — SCENE I.—View of corbey abbey, open country and chateau.
Reading edition
Enter countess Roland and attendants.
Count. How fortunate! how very fortunate! Whilst I was in pursuit of that low wretch, call'd Christopher, I call'd in at the marquis Alberti's, and heard the welcome news, that my nephew, count Roland, and his falconers were almost instantly expected! Charming! delightful! tho' I didn't see him when he visited Roland castle—though this will be our first, I trust it won't be our last meeting; for, in my mind, his real motive is not to see the good old marquis, but a young fair one, called Ulrica. Oh! if it prove as I suspect, I'll match these hesitating Ravensburgs!
[Going into the chateau.
Oliver enters from it.
Ol. Oh, madam, I'm so glad you're come, for what with the prince, and the baron being absent, and my poor Agnes not yet return'd and the poor lock'd up lady Ulrica yonder (pointing to a window in the chateau) sighing for her cousin Christopher! I was just saying, anybody's company would be better than nobody's.
Count. Cousin Christopher, the unknown impostor I'm in search of. And after I have so convinced the baron!—
Ol. I know—I know you have convinced the baron, that you've no poor Franconia relations; but I do say, as the lady Ulrica has no objection, I wish this Christopher were her husband, (countess frowns.) I do; for in that case, she not being able to marry my young master, and my young master being able to marry Agnes, I should see what I hav'n't seen since I lost my sweet Seraphina! a real happy handsome couple.
Count. Show me in, Sir; and instead of chattering about my pretended nephew Christopher, talk of my real nephew, count Roland! who, though to me a stranger, is none to the lady Ulrica, as you call her. (Horns without.) Hark! he comes! count Roland comes! and, as I thought—see! towards Ulrica's residence! to sigh and moan under his true-love's window!—Now for it. I'll just step in, and give further orders for pursuing this sham nephew, Christopher; and then, if I don't match old baron Ravensburg, and his capricious son, say I'm no match-maker.
Exit into the chateau, preceded by Oliver.
Enter count Roland and 1st Falconer.
Count. Behold the beauties of this far-fam'd spot, and foremost to delight the traveller's eye, yon venerable Abbey! founded by him whose laurels shall for ever bloom.
1st. Falc. And see, my lord, yonder is the marquis Alberti's chateau.
Count. Happy Alberti! who having brav'd the perils of the ocean, now finds a haven in his faithful Ella's love. Oh! I shall ne'er forget the day they parted, nor that tempestuous night, when many a shipwreck'd mariner was lost.
SONG—Count.
I. Says Ella to her love, "remember Though doom'd to part, you constant view That moon, which rises in such splendour, I too, will look, and think of you. Anxious Ella shall not sleep Whilst her sailor braves the deep." II. But tempestuous is the weather, And lovely Ella's wish is crost, Vain her watching nights together, Successive moons in clouds are lost. Stormy winds the forests sweep, Whilst her sailor braves the deep. III. Swift to the shore she flies, complaining; The tempest to her pray'r is deaf; When lo! that orb she's so arraigning, Shines forth, and shows her lover safe. Now no more shall Ella weep, For her sailor's brav'd the deep.
Enter all the Falconers.
Count. Now for my friend Alberti's, and there learn more of this same countess Roland.
Enter Christopher.
Chris. My lord, I have announced your coming, and the marquis is all impatience. But what do you think? When I sent up your lordship's message, who should be of the party but my aunt, the countess? And one of the marquis's retinue wanted me to take courage, and go up to her—"for," says he, "if she has'n't seen you since you were a boy, and she took up your cousin, Ulrica, on account of her uncommon beauty, who knows, if she once saw you——" You understand, my lord—I'm certainly improved.
(Pulling up his collar.)
Count. Improv'd! So much, that at first sight, my life on't, you'll charm the countess.
Chris. His words! his very words! and I certainly charmed Ulrica! But then—psha! ridiculous!—you all flatter!—and aunt's there!—(pointing to the chateau)—and Ulrica's there!—and tonight makes her wife to that old pedigreed—(here the countess appears at the door of the chateau unobserved, looks out, and listens.) So go all of ye—go to the marquis Alberti's, and leave me to sob and sigh—Oh, sweet Ulrica!—Oh! h! ha!
Count. Well, as it suits—and so good night, most noble love-sick swain.
Falc. Good night, most noble nephew of the countess Roland.
[Bowing as before, and with count exeunt falconers. Christopher with his back to the countess, bows in return—She advances from chateau all joy and triumph, and exultingly goes towards him—countess advancing from the house.
Count. (aside and unseen by Christopher.) So, most noble nephew of the countess Roland.
Chris. Oh, sweet Ulrica! Oh, most savage—(turns, and comes against countess.) Mercy! do I see right?
Count. You see your aunt, the countess Roland, who regrets extremely she didn't see you on your last visit—but you saw Ulrica; and if, as I presume, you come once more to see her—(Christopher more and more frightened.) You do; your looks, your fears, your agitation proves it; and to end at once yours, hers, and my anxiety—Ulrica!
Chris. Don't—don't alarm the family! Upon my honour. (appealing.)
Count. When I selected the son of baron Ravensburg, I hadn't the honor of knowing my charming nephew. (curtsying very low, Christopher staring, and beginning to brighten up.) But now I do know him! lest the baron should return and spoil the present glorious opportunity—Ulrica! (Ulrica appears at the window.) Look, who's here—and at first sight, he has so won my favour; and so excells these paltry Ravensburgs, that, if you choose to be released, and instantly receive my dear lov'd nephew's suit——
Ul. I'll try, aunt.
Count. And you! (to Christopher.)
Chris. I'll try, aunt.
Count. (hastily going to the door of the chateau.) Oliver! the priest has long been waiting. (to Christopher.)
Chris. (going to the door and calling loudly.) Oliver!
Enter Oliver
Show in the nephew of the countess Roland. (Oliver shows astonishment, and looks at the countess, who nods assent.) You see! Conduct me to my lov'd betrothed Ulrica. (countess nods assent, and gives Christopher the key of Ulrica's apartment.) You see! Lead on, my little twaddling old butler. Lol de rol, lel lol! (exit, kissing his hand to countess and Ulrica, and making Oliver go in before him.)
Count. There! There's match-making, and here——
Enter baron Ravensburg and attendants.
So, sir—have you found your runaway son?
Bar. I have, countess—I've trac'd him to Corbey abbey, and he's so closely pursued, that I shall soon employ the priest now, and make amends for my low suspicions about that rascally impostor! that fellow, with his Franconian express! I know, except your niece——
Count. (haughtily.) I have a nephew, Sir, a nephew now in the chateau, whose name you may have heard. Count Roland, sir.
Bar. In my—in my chateau? I've seen—I know count Roland—and such a guest I so rejoice to welcome. (going hastily towards the door; Oliver re-enters meeting him.)
Ol. And I rejoice! and my lady, my young master, and Agnes may rejoice! for the priest, quite worn out with waiting for one couple, is now marrying another—is marrying the lady Ulrica to your nephew! He! he! he!
Bar. (to countess.) Marrying Ulrica to your nephew.
Count. To my nephew, sir—to a man as far above the Ravensburgs in rank, as in accomplishments!
Ul. (throwing open the window) aunt! we're married aunt!
Count. Transporting sight! There! (to the baron.) Married to her cousin, great count Roland!
Chris. (putting his head out of the window.) No, to me! to cousin Christopher! who said, all along, that aunt would be as kind to poor, as rich relations! and who on the baron's giving him his choice, this morning walked out of the chateau; but, now, having sent the promised express, and expecting all his Franconia cousins, says, "in," till the honey-moon's over!
[Shutting the window immediately, and he and Ulrica disappear.
Bar. There he is again! there's the nephew of the countess Roland!
Count. 'Tis false! and I'll be instantly reveng'd!
Bar. And so will I?
[As they are going into the chateau.
QUINTETTO.
Bar. Rage inspires me. Count. Madness fires me. Both. I'll the slave to pieces tear! Enter Oliver from the house. Ol. Sorrow banish, Anger vanish, Come and bless the wedded pair! Count. Plague, Bar. Confound, Both. The wedded pair! Enter Ulrica from the house. Ul. As late I travers'd yonder plain, I heard a pilgrim worn with pain, A trav'ller thus addressing: "What can't be cur'd Must be endur'd, But pray, kind friend, your blessing." Chris. at } "What can't be cur'd the window. } Must be endur'd, } But pray, kind friend, your blessing." Ul. You hear (to baron)—and you (to countess.) Bar. } We do! we do! Count.} Ul. And you agree! (coaxing them.) I see—I see! We've liberty! All. Love, true love is crown'd with glory! Viva—viva con amore!
[Exeunt.