ACT III.

Miss Violet takes from the Countess her tone; She agrees to meet Norman "by moonlight alone," And slip off to his bark, "The night being dark," Though "the moon," the Sea-Captain says, rises in Heaven "One hour before midnight," _i.e._ at eleven. From which speech I infer,-- Though perhaps I may err-- That, though weatherwise, doubtless, 'midst surges and surf, he When "capering on shore" was by no means a Murphy.

He starts off, however, at sunset, to reach An old chapel in ruins, that stands on the beach, Where the Priest is to bring, as he's promised by letter, a Paper to prove his name, "birthright," &c. Being rather too late, Gaussen, lying in wait, Gives poor Father Onslow a knock on the pate, But bolts, seeing Norman, before he has wrested From the hand of the Priest, as Sir Maurice requested, The marriage certificate duly attested.-- Norman kneels by the clergyman fainting and gory, And begs he won't die till he's told him his story; The Father complies, Re-opens his eyes, And tells him all how and about it--and dies!