Enter TROPIC, L.

Oh! sir, you surely bring us good news.
Tro. I wish it were so.

Dom. Why, then, for bad news.

I can bear it.

Let us hear it, sir.

Tro. I had explained to the governor the injustice which he had been betrayed into by the artifice of Don Antonio

Dom. And the governer ordered Paul to be released. Tro. Yes; and, indignant at Don Antonio's conduct, he directed the ship to be detained, and Virginia to be brought before him.

Dom. Then Virginia is on shore?

Tro. No: before the governor's order could reach the port, the ship was under sail, and Virginia a prisoner on board.

Mary. Then Virginia is lost to us for ever. [Weeping. Dom. Be silent, be silent: tears do no good.

[Turns aside and weeps. Tro. Already had we made signals from the lighthouse for the vessel to put back

Dom. Ay, and

Tro. And the signals were obeyed. With joy I saw the ship returning toward the harbour, when

Dom. What, sir?-what? Speak out-never mind, sir-we'll bear misfortune; 'tis our duty.

Tro. The elements fight against us. Suddenly there arose one of those hurricanes which are the scourge of our climate. [Storm.] Hark! how the tempest howls! Dom. But the ship has gained the harbour?

Tro. Alas! no. I fear she is in a perilous situation. I immediately despatched Alambra to the shore: he knows the coast perfectly. His long stay forebodes no good news.

Dom. Here is Alambra.

Enter ALAMBRA, L.

What news of the ship?

Ala. In the greatest danger: firing guns and making signals of distress, which are answered from the shore, but, I fear, to little purpose. [Signal-guns heard, 1..

Tro. Has she weathered the reef of rocks!

Ala. No; there will be her ruin.

Mary. Can no assistance be rendered to them? Ala. The swell of the sea is tremendous. No boat can venture to leave the shore.

Tro. Indeed! We'll have one trial, however. I think I know two or three good fellows who will take their chance to sink or swim in the cause of humanity; and, to the extent of my purse, they shall claim their reward. [Exit, L. Ala. Come, Dominique, let us endeavour to render assistance, although I have but little hope.

Dom. Don't despair; the weather is improving.
Ala. Improving! Why, the wind is louder.

Dom. Ay, just at this moment; but it will be lower presently; and see, the sky is lighter.

Ala. Yes, because the flashes of lightning are inces

sant.

Dom. Well, but I hear no thunder.

Ala. That is because the wind is so high.

Dom. Not merely so. I am confident the weather is growing better. I have not heard the thunder these five minutes. [Thunder. Exeunt, L.

SCENE V.-A rocky coast-the sea violently agitated→ thunder and lightning at intervals—stage dark.

Enter MARY, R., a number of Soldiers, Sailors, and Negroes, some of whom hold lights from the ends of long poles, while others seem preparing a boat to be put to

sea.

Cho. Hour of terror! scene of woe!
Lost Virginia! hapless maid!
Fate, avert th' impending blow;

Powers of mercy, lend your aid!

[The ship comes in sight, and runs on a rock, stern foremost.

Enter TROPIC, L., hastily with four Slaves, who rush across, and ascend the rock, R., with torches.

Tro.

From yonder cliff let signal fires ascend;
Once more, my gallant hearts, your efforts lend.
[Some Sailors get into the boat and shove her off.

Paul. Then is she lost? 'tis madness all!

Amid the gloom,

Virginia! on thee I call:

Thee I come to save, or share thy doom.

[Paul breaks from the Women, who endeavour to detain him, runs up the cliff, and jumps into the sea, R. V. E.

Ala.

Enter ALAMBRA, L., hastily.

Of winds and waves I'll brave the strife:"
'Tis honour calls, fearless I go.
What, though I risk my ransom'd life,
The debt I to Virginia owe.

Cho. Haste, generous youth, Virginia save.

[Alambra jumps into the sea.

Tro. Unhappy lovers! all is vain:

See, breathless, he is cast on shore.

[The boat returns to shore with Paul apparently breathless.

Enter DOMINIQUE, L. U. E.

Dom. Yet shall a spark of hope remain,
Virginia may be ours once more.
While sinking in the foaming wave,
Alambra, generous as brave,
Rescu'd the fav'rite of the skies.

To shore he brings his lovely prize.

Alambra brings Virginia on shore. Paul recovers by degrees, and, after embracing each other, they fall on their knees, and stretch their arms to heaven in token of grg-, titude.

Cho. From the cruel waves,

Fate the fair Virginia saves.

[Paul and Virginia come forward and receive the congratulations of all present.

Ala.

FINALE.

PAUL, VIRGINIA, MARY, JACINTHA, &c.

Strains of joy
We'll now employ,

And dance a mirthful measure;

From above,

Fate smiles on love,

Of life, the choicest treasure.
Fal, lal, la.

Let's dance a mirthful measure.

Sing away,

In strains so gay,

The praise of love and beauty;
Like Dominique,

No praise I seek,

I only did my duty.

MARY. TROPIC. PAUL VIRGINIA. ALAMBRA. JACINTHA.

R.]

THE END.

[L,