SCENE I.--

_A long Perspective of the Suburbs of Orleans, terminating with the ancient City Gates--On one Side a Convent, the Windows of which are illuminated from within--The Stage is at first dark, which gives Effect to the Transparency of the Windows--As the Curtain rises slowly, the following choral Chaunt, accompanied by the Organ, is heard from the Interior of the Monastery._

Hear, while our choral numbers flow, Hear! and avert the awful doom, Which human frailty fears below, When summon'd to the insatiate tomb.

_The Monastery Gates open, and the Friars and Nuns enter in Procession, singing the following_

_CHORUS._

Now bolder raise the hallow'd strain, While living worth we haste to meet, Our King, victorious comes again, Again our foes sustain defeat.

_They cross to the opposite Side, and exeunt while singing.----As they go off, the Stage becomes lighter (descriptive Music) The Dawn reddens, and the Sun rises over the City; the Gates of which are thrown open, HUGO, with a Mob of Citizens, Soldiers, and Peasantry, come shouting down to the Front of the Stage, the Music ceases and HUGO speaks_.

HUGO.

Stop! stop! stop! now don't be in such a plaguy hurry. The holy brethren and sisters are just before us, and you, with your noise, would interrupt their merry solemnity.

First CITIZEN.

Merry solemnity, do you call it?

HUGO.

Ay, truly--they have just chaunted a solemn requiem in annual memory of the king's departed sister--and now, a merry occasion calls them forth to meet our good old king himself, who has been fighting for his people, conquered his foes, and deserves the thanks of all his friends.

Second CITIZEN.

Then why stand we here?

HUGO.

Why not? The king will pass through that gate, for the opening of which we have so long waited--and instead of going to the _show_, if we tarry a few moments, the _show_ will come to us.

Third CITIZEN.

They say the king's favourite, young Valentine, hath gained great honour in these wars.

HUGO.

That he hath:--and humble though I seem, I have helped him to no small part of it.

All.

You!

HUGO.

To be sure--I made the very sword with which he slew the Saracens; and I defy any man to be killed with a better tempered weapon. Oh! I'll be bound he laid about him.--He had 'em here, and he had 'em there. (_Flourishing his stick to the annoyance of the mob._)

Second CITIZEN.

But, friend Hugo, why shou'd the king lavish so much favour on a foundling?

Old WOMAN.

Aye, aye, he was found in a forest--Well, well, when great men go a-hunting, and find children in the woods, it's time for the fair sex to look about 'em.

Third CITIZEN.

And mark the end of it--In that very spot where Valentine was found, there has suddenly appeared a strange wild man, some say he is fourteen feet high.

Second CITIZEN.

No, no; thirteen feet and a half.

Third CITIZEN.

Who, to feed an old weather-beaten she-bear, bears down all before him.

First CITIZEN.

Nay, but Valentine is well-beloved among us too: the old men admire him, and his courtesy has gained him the hearts of all the young women.

Old WOMAN.

He never said a civil thing to me in all his life.

HUGO.

There it is--his honesty has made him enemies. There's Henry and Haufray, the cousins of the king, have determined to destroy him, because one is said to want to be heir to the throne, by marrying the king's daughter, the Princess Eglantine; and the other conceits himself to be the only man in the kingdom, fit for the office of captain general over all our victorious armies. Stand aside!--Here come all our noble peers to meet the king.

_GRAND MARCH._

_The Peers of France advance from the Gate to meet the king, who enters with the following_

_ORDER OF PROCESSION._

An Officer.

Banner of France.

Men at Arms, two and two.

Officer.

Banner.

Soldiers with Spears and Shields.

Choristers, two and two.

Grand Cross.

Lady Abbess.

Choristers.

Grand Crozier.

Nuns and Friars, two and two.

Black Musicians.

Officer bearing the Oriflamme.

Peers of France, two and two.

The King.

Pages and Armour bearers.

Henry and Haufray.

Officer.

Red Banner.

Men at Arms.

Officer.

Banner.

Soldiers.

Page with Valentine's Standard.

Valentine.

Saracen General and Officers in Chains.

_The Chorus forms an Accompaniment to the March._

_CHORUS._

With the gladsome notes of victory, Let the merry cymbals ring, Till earth resounds a people's cry, Whose hearts proclaim--_Long live the King!_

_During the Chorus the Characters are so arranged that the King is in the centre, and when the Music stops, he speaks_:

KING.

This genuine welcome from my people is the most brilliant trophy I have gained:--but thank not _me_, my friends--to this young warrior's arm we owe success. (_pointing to Valentine_) The giant chieftain of yon pagan host measures his length on earth, subdued by valour and by Valentine.

VALENTINE.

My gracious liege; the child of chance, the creature of your bounty can never atchieve a thousandth part of what he owes to you, his sovereign, and his _father_.

KING.

Yet, in requital of that sense of honour, take from thy king the Earldom of Auvergne.

HENRY.

(_Apart to the King._) Auvergne! a royal title!--He'll next obtain the crown--Sure, my liege, a man unknown--

KING.

It is my best prerogative to rescue unknown merit from obscurity.

HAUFRAY.

(_Aside._) If this goes on, he will aspire to gain the princess. (_apart to the king_) Men of birth, great sir--

KING.

Will be most proud of him, whose zeal, at once, supports my crown, their honours, and the people's cause.

OFFICER.

Dread sir, your daughter, beauteous Eglantine, impatient waits you at the royal palace.

KING.

Tell her, we long to clasp her to a father's bosom. Captives, your lives were spared on the condition that you receive our faith (_the Saracens bow_). Be preparation made, and let Religion's triumph grace our feast. Auvergne, my daughter's lips, again, shall speak her father's thanks--Our citizens of Orleans ope' their gates with loyal welcome to receive their sovereign. Thus ever may the king and people of this happy land, endeared by firm affection to each other, own the dear ties of father and of children! and, woe to those, who, with a traitor's hand, would tear the bond asunder!--Lead on.

_Exeunt in procession. The King and Attendants go off thro' the city gates--The Captives, accompanied by the Friars and Nuns, enter the Monastery._