22
Scene. — A ruined chapel by moonlight. Aisles C., R., and L., divided by pillars and arches; ruined Gothic windows at back General Stanley discovered seated R. C. pensively, surrounded by his daughters.
Chorus.
Oh dry the glistening tear
That dews that martial cheek ;
Thy loving children hear,
In them thy comfort seek.
With sympathetic care
Their arms around thee creep,
For oh, they cannot bear
To see their father weep.
(Enter Mabel and Fred.)
Solo.—Mabel.
Dear father, why leave your bed
At this untimely hour,
When happy daylight is dead
And darksome dangers lower ?
See, Heaven has lit her lamp,
The midnight hour is past.
And the chilly night-air is damp,
The dew is falling fast.
Dear father, why leave your bed
When happy daylight is dead ?
(Fred enters R. U. E. and down C.)
Mabel. Oh, Frederic, cannot you reconcile it with your conscience to say something that will relieve my father's sorrow?
Fred. I will try, dear Mabel, but why does he sit, night after night, in this draughty old ruin ?