R 4859 K5 B7 356 »py 1 L- 'J\ FRENCH'S NO. 23. ^ t^»^- BRIAN BOKOIHME: OR, THE MAID OF ERIN. A HISTORICAL HIBEENIAN MELO-DEAMA, IN THREE ACTS. BY JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES, ESQ., AUTHOR OF "VIR Gl NIU S," "W I L LI A M TEL L," ETC. With Cast of Characters, Stage lousiness, Costumes, Relative Positions, etc. etc. AS PERFORMED AT THE NEW YORK THEATRES. PRICE, NEW-YORK ; SAMUEL FRENCH, 121 IVASSAU-STREET. m CENTS. ^Oflograpft FRENCH'S 2C]^e ^ctms lEUition, No. XXIII. BRIAN BOROIHME: - OR, THE MAID OF ERIN. HISTORICAL HIBERNIAN MELO-DEAMA, IN THREE ACTS. BY JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES, ESQ., AUTHOR OF "VIKGINIU S," " WILLI AM TKL L," E T O. TO WHICH AKE ADDED, A Description of the Costume— Cast of the Characters— Entrances and Exits- ^ Relative Positions of the Performers on the Stage, and the whole of the ^ Stage.' S'jsines's. . , ^ AS PERFORMED AT- l^KS. NEW, YOfe^ 'fflE-ATI^ES: ' /'v';;i,f,^^- \*:,i;; r- --^ NEW-YORK : SAMUEL FRENCH, 121 NASSAU- STREET. / r \ ACT I. SCENE I. — Curtain rises slowly — Mountainous pass and fortijied-^The * towers of Ben Haider {Howth) in the distance — a view of ancient Dub- lin with, the Danish Flotilla at anchor in the Bay — a Small Boat from one of the Ships appears and rows off— First Dane reconnoiters the spot, then whistles, enter Danish Soldiers, followed by Toi'magnus, B. u. E. — Music. Enter Udislaus, with bloody dagger, L. h. 2 e. Torm. Now ! what from Datho 1 Udis. Curses on the traitor. Torm. Ah ! does he hesitate. Udis. See'st thou this blade, it drank the coward's blood ! Torin. Death to my hopes ! Udis. Under the shade of night I sought his post in secret ; near yon promontory's base, the recreat stood, I urged his promise — bought with Danish gold his oath to serve our cause. Torm. Time presses, Udislaus, what followed, quick. Udis. The driveller seemed to feel compunction's sting, and whining sought to win me from my purpose, urging gratitude he owed his mon- arch ; half-blooded slave — my rage overpowered my speech, my dagger was my tongue, and spoke to his heart. Torm. Still, then, we're safe — his secret we've gained, and proud Erina soon shall rue the hour she scorned the great Tormagnus' love. The morning guard approaches i& relieve those stationed on the moun- tain pass, we must depart — more dreadful to return. [ They Exit, l. 1 e. Enter M'Carty. Moore. Cormac and Soldiers, l. u. e. M'Car. On to your posts, my friends. \_Exeunt .soldiers, r. 1 E. Cor. How wears the morn ? M'Car. The sun is only up — 'tis the fifth hour, the moon is still most serene. The Danish fleet rides smoothly in our bay — I wonder the waters which embrace our lovely isle, should give such harbors to her rathless foes. BRIAN BOROIHME. O Cor. My lord, they only rest from last night's storm. M^Car. True, Cormac, 'twas indeed a boisterous night. Behold who comes so near our post ! The challenge, Cormac. Cor. Hoa ! who passes there ] O'Don. iWithout.l A friend ! a friend to Royal Brian. Cor. Give the word. • O^Don. Old Ireland — Victory — or Glorious Death. Enter O'Donohue, throws off disguise, R. u. e. C(yr. Lord of the lakes — O'Donohue the noble — welcome. M^Car. Most welcome, valiant chief, how sped your bold attempt 1 O^Don. My brave M'Carty Moore, it has succeeded to my utmost wish ; unknown and unsuspected I have traversed the fierce invader's camp — God of our fathers guard our native isle. This very day, the fell Tormagnus will strive to subjugate our happy land ; but the cursed aim ensures its own defeat — as she has been, so she shall be, true ! Who kept the watch upon the hill last night 1 Cor. The brave O'Dwyer. O^Don. 'Twas a stormy stand, I stood a long time looking at his fire, which seemed to burn the clouds ; it moved in many fantastic shapes, and flashed upon the visage of the deep, with a red and angry glare — but come, my friends, 'ti%time we seek the king — the treachery, of the foe can ne'er awake his fears — the monarch whom his people love is ever armed against an enemy. [Exeunt, r. h. SCENE II.— The Hall of Shillelagh Enter Emma, r. Em. Mercy on me ! what a terrible thing it is for a girl like me to live in such a hurly burly bustle — oh, I wish my kind lady, the Princess Erina, would once more return to the sweet shades of Killarney-7- heigho ! — 'twas there I first saw my dear Roderick — well, though he is but a simple squire to the lord of the Lion — I love him so — but I must not tell him how dearly — oh ! I wish he were back again. [Terrence sings without.'] Dear, how provoking ; 'tis our armorer, old tipsy Ter- rence. Enter Terrence, r. h. Ter. Oh, my dear, sweet, charming Miss Emma, I knew I should have some good luck this morning, I'm never out — one kiss of your cherry lips, my dear cfelightful Em. Oh, heavens ! keep ofif, you horrid old fright, I wonder you an't ashamed to be always guzzling — I declare you are almost tipsy already. Ter. Yes, and the reason of that is, my sweet Miss — is — because — because — I've been drinking — but no matter, 'tis all for the good of my country. Em. Ridiculous ! the good, indeed — why, how so — Ter. Why, you must know, I've been offering up my prayers and vows for the good of our troops, and I'm so hearty in the cause, that somehow or other, my throat is apt to get a little dry in the business, so 6 RRIAN BOROIHME. do you see, I always carry a flagon of comfort at my elbow, to bring my mouth through my devotions. Em. Devotions, indeed ! but tell me, Mr. Terrenes, if these terrible monsters the Danes should win the day, what will become of us 1 Ter. Faith I don't know, but if your Irish knights don't turn their Daneship's jackdts, 'tis'nt the fault of old Terrence ! Not a dirk from the helmet to the mail coat, and spur, has been left unrivetted ; let me and my Cyclops alone for good workmanship. Here stands I, old Ter- rence, for sixty years, man and boy, (aye, ever since I was the height of my own anvil) Armorer to his Royal Majesty, King Brian the victo- rious, (Heaven bless our good auld Monarch to the end of time) and never in all my life was — as I say — my sweet Miss, you don't remem- ber, perhaps — I was a lad then — the day I fitted the King with his first suit of studded steel. Em. I remember, indeed ! you old doting — stupid. Oh, mercy! whc t's that 1 I declare, I'm ready to die for fear ! Ter. O fie, don't be afraid ! Bless my poor body and bones, it's very charming, though ! Oh, I see, it's some prisoners taken by our out-posts — ah, I'm never out. Em.. iLooking out.] As I live, my dear Roderick returned — now do, Terrence — do now get away. Ter. Well, I'm going. Em. Well, do go. Ter. I'm going, going, going, — gone. [Exit, a. h. Em. I never knew such a tiresome old Rod. [Without.^ Di-spose of those prisoners in the North Tower, and guard them well 'till further orders. Em. Thank heaven, my dear Roderick is here at last. Enter Roderick, l. h. Rod. Ah, my little sprig of sweet briar, here I am, just from Killar- ney Castle, with a fresh sample of Irish valor. — One hundred chieftains of the Prince O'Donohue, my valiant master. Every lad of them with the semblance of a lion displayed on their shield, and the heart of a lion enshrined in his breast — a glorious cargo, my girl ; of the prime stock, from the best market, insured to thejr country, and consigned to their King. Em. And tell me, Roderick, was it for that our army shouted 1 Rod. It was, my girl ; they gave us what they call a soldier's salute, not very polite, indeed, but what it wanted in ceremony it made up in sincerity. Talking of ceremony, my love, I believe I forgot to salute you, so — there, my little rogue, [kissing her,} if I should forget my man- ners again — put me in mind of them. Em. Hark ! that's the breakfast bugle, I must attend the Princess. Rod. Hark you, Emma — I know a young gentleman that would be very glad" to save you that trouble. Em. Indeed ! who is he, pray 1 Rod. W^hat think you of my Lord O'Donohue 1 Em. Humph ! I thought so — ah, Roderick, if I chose, I could tell you BRIAN BOROIHME. 7 Rod. Whati ^ Em. Nay, I won't ! "^ Rod. Do, now ! Em. I can't ! Rod. Then I can. £to. What is it, then 1 Rod. That I had forgotten my manners. \_He kisses her, she breaks from him and runs off, R. H. Rod. I don't know how it is, I came here to the camp to make war, but all that I have done yet is to make love — this heart of mine must be made of very combustible matter, for let the bright eye of beauty shoot a spark at it, and 'tis all in a blaze in a moment. SONG. Oh, an Irishman's heart is as stout as a shillelagh, It beats with delight to chase sorrow and woe. When the piper lilts up, then it dances so- gaily. And thumps with a whack, for to lather the foe ; But by beauty lit up — faith in less than a jiffy, So warm is the stuff, it soon blazes and burns, ^ Then so wild is each heart, of us lads of the Liffy, It thumps, dances and beats altogether by turns ; Then away with dull care, let's be merry and frisky ; Our motto is this, let it widely extend — Give poor Pat but his freedom, his sweetheart and whiskey, And he'll die for old Ireland, his king, and his friend. Should ruffian invaders e'er menace our shore Tho' the foes of dear Erin may strut and look big ; Yet nabochUsh a chud they shall have it galore, For Patrick's the boy that can handle a twig ; — But the battle once over, no rage fills his breast — Mild mercy' still softens the heart of the brave, For of valor, of love and of frien^dship possest, The soldier of Erin but conquers to save. Then away with dull care, &c. Enter O'Donohue, M'Carty MooRt; and Cormac, l. 1 e. O'Don. Good Roderick, can we have an audience thus early of the King"? [Trumpet, r. h. Cor That is the royal trumpet, is it not 1 M'Car. Our Kfng, our venerated Father comes. Flourish — Enter Soldiers, then Brian, r 2 e. — All but Soldiers kneel. M'Car. Long live the King, our Parent, our Protector. Brian. Stand up, my friends — profane not thus your knees — [they all rise'] now, now, I recognise my faithful subjects — welcome, welcome my children ; take a parent's blessing — oh, thou eternal power, whose dread omniscience reads every secret w^ish that warms my soul, protect -^ 8 BRIAN BOROIHME. my people, guard this envied land from the invader's iron yoke, crown our resistance with decisive conquest, or grant us glory in a patriot's grave. Now ! my young warrior ! How fares it, Prince. O^Don. May every morn, for countless years to come, smile on my Sovereign like this cheering hour. Brian. We miss'd thee at our revels yester 'eve. O'Don. My liege — under the friendly shadows of the night, disguised, I learned the number of the foe, their manner of combat, and each lead- er's force. This day Tormagnus means to stake his all, and offer battle to victorious Brian, This scroll, my liege, contains a hasty sketch of .our insatiable enemy's designs. Brian. Adventurous, gallant youth, thy matchless sire, the undaunted lion of our sea-girt land, revives in thee — receive thy merited reward — [draws his sivord, and knights A-im] — arise, our valiant Knight of the battle ! Your installation. Prince, shall follow straight, and with the red branch heroes, thou shalt gain the glorious meed which noble souls • pursue — the laurel and the shamrock shall entwine to grace the patriot soldier's lofty brow. ' Cor. My liege — the Princess. Enter Erina with several ladies, r. 1 e. Bri. Oh ! my dearest daughter ! child of my hopes, come to my arms — alas this field of dangerous strife — these throngs of hardy sol- diery — this clang of trumpets but little suit thy tender soul, Erina ; dost thou not fear, my child, the coming conflict 1 Eri. Fear, my dread liege, the daughter of great Brian know the touch of fear ! O ! no, my father, could my prayers prevail, and wo- man's modesty forbade it not, I'd doff my sex's softness, spurn my dis- taff, and in the hour of battle grasp a sword, to save your sacred life or lose my own. Bri. There spoke the soul of Brian. By all the glories of my ancient race, I prize thee, my Erina, yes I prize thee beyond victory, or bright renown ! Chieftains, forgive an old fond father's prattle — I had forgot, Erina, thank this youth, the son of my dearest compeer, whose memory shall live till time's no more ; though young in arms, he has already done me a veteran's service — thank him for thy father. O'JDon. My gracious liege, your goodness overrates the trifling peril of my last night's duty. Bri. The trifling peril, says't thou, my young hero — now, by our hopes, the deed was greatly bold ; would'st think it, Erina, our short truce (confirmed by sacred and mutual oaths) this day the base invaders of our shores would foully violate ; but by thy valor he comes (we trust) to meet disgrace and ruin. Eri. I know not how to thank you, noble Prince, or to appreciate justly, your noble desert — to native loyalty this scarf I consecrate — be still, my dearest father's chosen champion, and where he hurls his ven geance on the foe, there let that scarf be seen. O'Don. Beauteous Erina, how shall I speak — so greatly overpaid, 'tis poor to say — yet I can no more ; this precious gift I prize beyond my life. BRIAN BOROIHME. J Bri. 'Tis well. Proceed we now to supplicate the god of battles, to protect our arms, then let the foe come on. Our sacred course will mock his rage, and turn his pride to shame. lExeunt Brian, followed by O'Donohue, Erina, Lords, Ladies, r. 1 e. SCENE in. — An Abbey Ruins adjacent to the tomb of St. Patrick — Dark. — The entrance from under the .ruins — violent storm — storm dies away — Moon appears clear — Stars appear. — Voltimar, Udislaus, Danish soldiers and officers discovered on ivatch. . • GLEE. Hush! Hush! Hush! Let not a sound betray The hardy warriors of the north, Hush! Hush! Hush! This spot points out the way Our guide, come forth. Albert enters from Tomb, c.,with two others, who bear torches. Udis. Well, Albert, are we safe 1 Alb. I have explored the passage — all is well, where is our chief! Vdis. He comes. Music — ToRMAGNus and Soldiers enter, l. 3 e. Tor. What says our guide 1 Alb. We may proceed, my lord. Datho, though in the end he was a" traitor, and justly died your victim, had in this revealed the truth, a long and vaulted isle winds, as he said— the torch's light, my lord, must guide your steps. Tor. Now soldiers, hear, a subterraneous passage leads from this ruin to the shrine where fair Erina, at this hour, each morn, unguarded, un- attended, offers up devotion to her saint. Thrice has your chief de- manded her of Brian for his bride, and thrice has he indignantly refused ; would you believe me, when last I urged my suit, (the lasting ground of amity and peace) the haughty Brian swore, that ere his blood should mingle with a Dane's, with his own hand (in case of defeat,) he'd slay his child. To-day we meditated a fatal blow — let me but gain the maid, it shall fall, and Erin and Erina shall be mine. l_Going, c. Vol. Royal Tormagnus ! Tor. How now, Voltimar'? Vol. Have I your leave to speak 1 Tor. What would'st thou speak 1 Vol. A soldier's thought. Tor. Nay, by that sullen look, I see thou art displeased, at what 1 Vol. At this thou art about to do. Tor. How, Voltimar "? Vol. I thought there would be danger in the service, and so I came. Tt would have pleased me well to walk unlook'd for into Brian's hall, and from among his silken courtiers bear the prize you name ; it would , have been some sport to scratch a minion in the shining face, with my 10 BRIAN BOROIHME. rude sword — but such a feat as this ! to scare a helpless woman at her prayers ! I pray you, for the honor of our name, let us put off these vests, and lay by our hack'd arms — such an exploit may suit indeed a silken reveller, but not a man in steel. Tor. Dare you dispute when I command ! Vol. I am a soldier, sir, and as a soldier use me. Tor. How again '{ be not too rash. Vol. 'Tis my failing, sir, I cannot help it — many a rude knock, and hardy scratch it gets me ; for you know J do not love to lag behind the fight. Nay, it has made a. kind of traitor of mg., for when the fight be- gins, I'm oftenpr found in the ranks of the enemy than my own Tor. I will not talk with thee; it is waste of time, which maybe better used. Vol. So you have said when parley has been sought before the fight — I heard and ask'd no other word, but bade the war-note speak, and with the sound flew against the foe. Tor. No more, I will not brook this freedom, stay or go ; suit your own humor. Go, Udislaus, upon the hill's summit ; take your stand, and give me note if you observe the foe to move. Albert, let one-half re- main, and watch the entrance to guard against surprise ; the rest attend me — come, soldiers, follow your chief [Music — Exit ToRMAGNUs and Soldiers into Vault, c. Alb. Well, Voltimar, will you remain with us 1 Vol. No, I'll e'an follow, this is a new kind of duty, which it may be well to learn, so in due time we may make war with women. [Music — Voltimar enters Tomb — the rest arrange at its entrance — Scene changes. SCENE IV. — Hall of Shillelagh — Music — Enter Bkian,Erina, M'Carty Moore, Cormac ai^d Ladies, r. 2 e. Brian. Such, Cormac, is the order of battle ; the centre to brave O'Donohue, M'Carty Moore the right, yourself the left. Hence ! to our several chiefs the order shew, bid them prepare their troops ; the hour is come when Erin's foes must fall. [Exit Cormac and M'Carty Moore, l. 1 E, How's this, my child, these looks a drooping sadness wears, do you mistrust the issue of the contest. Eri. No, father, no, such a king and such a people, with justice on their side, are but a body of giant magnitude — immortal and invincible. Bri. Heroic girl, and yet I see your spirits droop ; tell mc, Erina, I mark'd you when a noble youth received a favor from your hand to-day, well ; do not blush because your heart applauds desert, your father can award it too ; let us but drive the^se frowns of war awa}?^, and peace and love shall dwell in all their smiles. [Exit Brian, r. h. Eri. Ah ! said he love — yes. he has given a name to all those fears Vifhicti sv^'ell my breast ; how subtle, and how resistless is the force of love, which can subdue you ere you feel its pov^-er, — he comes ! Enter O'Donohue, l. h. O^Don. In beauty's presence war forgets to bend his brow, her smiles BRIAN BOROIHME. ^ 11 make his rough aspect smooth ; her voice to silence charms his clanging horn, and his harsh and strong breast to peace. Eri. This is a courtier's, not a warrior's plirase ; man is ever himself. O'lJon. So ever is the lion, yet they say that love can tame the lion's rage, and beauty is the queen of love. Eri. Then owns she but a doubtful sway, for oft her subject takes the rule himself, and makes his queen his slave. Enter M'Carty Moore, l. h. WCar. O'Donohue, the King expects you for your installation ; de- lay not, prince, great honor waits your sword, the foremost post of dan- ger, and I trust the downfall of the foe. O'Don. Lady, farewell ! M'Carty Moore, 'till now I ne'er was slow when glory called, yet should I blush, my friend, for strong must be the soul whose force can break that chain, like adamant, tliat binds him here. \_Exit O'Donohue and M'Carty Moore, l. h. Eri. The post of danger is my lover's post — my lover ; nay, why should my heart delude itself — 'tis his, it owns him for his lord. ! that I could transform myself, then would I take some warrior's shape, and to the battle go, where truer than his buckler, I would guard my lover's breast, would die to take him from the chance of "death. Enter Emma, l. h. Em. My lady — ^my lady. Eri. What means this breathless haste 1 Em. The procession is formed, and everything prepared for the in- stallation of the prince ; will you not attend 1 Eri. No, Emma, I'll alone to holy Bertha's shrine, to supplicate a blessing for my country, my father and my king — and oh, if love sends up one sigh, it will not take from them, 'tis for the champion that Erina prays. \_Exit, R. h. Em. Well, for my part, I'll tq the chapel of the Knights of Connor ; we shall have prayers enough when the troops march out to battle, such fine knights and lords are not to be sieen every day, and so my lady thinks, I'll be sworn ; for, after all, whatever they may say or do, I believe from princesses to beggars, one woman's thought is the sister of another. Roderick, who has listened, conies forward, l. h. Rod. Oho, is that your way of thinking, mistress Emma, what say you then to the lady who thinks two- husbands better than one ! Em. I know not for that — but I'm sure if she should think two lovers belter than one, I should think like her. Rod. Why so 1 Em. Because two lovers together, make each other civil, but one by himself is always sure to be saucy. Hod. Well said, hussy — I'll give you a kiss for that. Em. Nay, sir, I know the saying to be true without your giving me a proof on't. Hod. Why, your wit is tart. •y 12 , BRIAN BOROIHME. Em. Because my humor's not sweet, here do you detain me when I'm on the wing to see the finest collection of lovers that ever came to court. Hod. Why, then, I'll attend you, and to show you how purely disin- terested my love is, I'll e'en serve you as a pattern to choose by. Em. Well, come along, for a bad pattern may help to choose a good one, so I'll e'en take you along with me. liod. Vm very much obliged to you, and the more so as they who can't get a good pattern will be glad to snap at a bad one at last. lExeunt, l. n. SCENE V. — The chapel of the Knights of Connor — Grand, Procession of Knights — Soldiers — Soldiery — Harpers — Priests — hearers of the standard of the Red Gross and Hon — bearers of the Crown — Stand- ards, shields, <^c. 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