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(In an agitated voice, and stretching out his arms as if dreaming.)

Oh, heavens!

What soft enchanting nameless pleasures seem

my bosom to invade! or do I dream?

Or see I yet the lovely form, more gay

than dancing sunbeams! Fly me not ~ oh, stay!

No, no ~ 'twas no deceptive spell,

her breath, like the rose-scented breeze, gently fell,

her kiss, which might bosoms of marble inspire,

still thrills through my frame ~ all my soul is on fire.

(Still asleep)

Dang it. A bit of a kiss is no such great affair after all.

(Starting.)

Ah! I had forgotten him. Could he have seen her too!

(Calls.)

Christie! Christie!

(Still half asleep.)

Hola, there! Eh!

(Yawning.)

(Impatiently.)

Did you see her? speak!

See her! don't I see her every night?

(Aside.)

He too!

And then she's such a loving body; 'tis a mortal pity she's not the same when a man's awake.

I too might make the same complaint.

(Yawning.)

Dang it! Why did you waken me Donald? She did smile so sweetly upon me, and my heart went thump-thump, for all the world like Sandy's flail in my godmother's barn.

(In a note of vexation.)

Can it be possible, Christie, that you speak the truth?

Ah! you're jealous, mayhap ~ Ah, ah!

(Laughing.)

and what think ye, man, she stooped down as I thought to kiss me.

Pshaw!

(In a doleful tone.)

I held up my cheek and she gave me ~

Well?

Such a ratling slap o'the face, that I was glad when I woke to find my teeth in such a tingle!

Fool! is it of Jessie you're speaking?

(Aside.)

He knows nothing.

Nae, but she's the fool though, dear pretty Jessie to think of marrying you, when I love her little finger better than you do her whole body.

(Half crying.)

'Tis a sin and a shame! me her sixteenth cousin too - and her mother my godmother - and this very day too! Oh, oh!

(Cries.)

Today! 'tis so indeed ~

(Looks towards the spot where the Sylph had disappeared.)

~ And shall I never see thee again? No, no, I must not even wish it; thou art but a blissful vision ~ a beauteous chimera; and I, Jessie, must think of love and thee.

(Looking towards the Door.)

Oh dear! oh, dear! here she comes! blushing like a rose, and her eyes so mild ~ and 'tis all for him. Oh, I could ~ I could ~

Dearest Jessie, I can think of nothing but our approaching happiness.

Why should you doubt me? what other woman can I ever love but you?

(to Dame)

How pleased she looks; he's making her some fine flummery speech now. Lord help her, that's not the way he'd go to court her if he were a real lover.

Do as I do, stare at her for hours together, with his eyes and mouth wide open, and when he would say a sweet word or two, feel as if he had got a blue bottle there.

And more shame for you, godmother, I'm sure if I'd thought you would have been so unnatural to me, I'd never have been your godson.

(Snatching her hand and devouring it with kisses.)

Oh, if you were always like this I'd forgive you all.

Nay, Jessie.

The savage! can't you let her even comfort me?

(Aside.)

I could cry for spite to hear their talk, and I know he don't love her ~ no that he don't.

(Aside.)

Vain are all my efforts; the form of that beauteous being is ever before my eyes.

(Looking towards the glass doors.)

Could I but see her once more before ~

(Goes to chimney - perceives Hela in the corner.)

~ Heavens! you here?

(Drags him out.)

(Angrily.)

What brings you here?

Be gone! mysterious fiend, your presence is always attended with some calamity!

Your diabolical arts and practices are well known. Begone ~ detested wretch! or ---

Come, my lads! you'll let the poor body stay, won't you?

Dare not to say so, cursed elf.

Stand off, fear nothing; I myself

will take your part, for spite of you

the wizard o'the glen speaks true.

The wretch! the maniac! Jessie dear,

believe not, trust not, what you hear.

Well, time will show,

but if you'd know,

Jessie's true love, ye see him here.

Yes, time will show,

but well I know,

my vows to Jessie are sincere.

Hence, hence ~ begone!

Or dread my anger! ~

Fly, cursed one!

Rest here no longer.

No, don't begone!

Fear not his anger,

his secret's known,

he'll sham no longer.

Miserable imposter!

Yes, but I do, though; and it's shame for you, Jessie, to marry a man that you're told does not love you.

Christie, beware you do not provoke me too far.

But you must heed it, godmother. I tell you all will be on your head, if you let her marry him. Oh Jessie ~ if you want a real husband ~ a faithful husband ~ a loving husband ~ do as Hela bid you; take me.

(Kneeling to her.)

She said “Poor Christie!” Oh, how my heart does go thumping.

(He is about to seize her hand - Donald takes the place of Jessie, and Christie, still on his knees, seizes his hand in mistake, which he kisses.)

I swear by this lily hand ~

(Pushing him off.)

There, you stupid blockhead!

(Getting up, confounded.)

Donald!

Me draw! I'm sure I shall turn the ale sour if I look in the jug!

Poor Jessie! yes, she loves me! I'll requite

her fond affection; ~ yet the strange delight

that magic kiss inspired still haunts me! When,

enchanting fair, shall I behold again

that form bewitching, which must ever reign,

fix'd firm, in Donald's all bewilder'd brain?

Art thou a form of mortal birth

with charms so wond'rous fair?

Or cradled far beyond this earth,

some spirit of the air?

Thy witching pow'r ~ whence does it flow?

Ought I thy spells to fear?

Oh! if thy love can bliss bestow,

appear! appear! appear!

Powers of enchantment ! tell ~ oh, tell me, say ~

thou form angelic, far more bright

than diamonds dipp'd in dazzling light ~

Com'st thou to beckon me away

to dark perdition or to bliss?

Speak! I adjure thee by that kiss,

which still I ~ ~ ~

What voice divine!

Oh, speak again, say, art thou mine?

Thou brightest queen of Donald's heart,

say, who and what, and whence art thou?

You weep! oh, what sorrows can reach so angelic a being?

You love me, then! dare I believe it?

Her voice thrills to my soul! I have not power to resist the dangerous fascination.

(Aside.)

She loves me!

(Aloud.)

Fairest creature! where didst thou first behold me?

(Snatching her hand.)

Love you! Oh, heavens! But ~

(Dropping her hand.)

No, no ~ I dare not ~ honour forbids me.

Too fatal beauty,

what faith or duty

can e'en oppose their pow'r;

thou has betray'd me,

dear Jessie aid me,

in this enchanted hour.

Who could behold those speaking eyes,

that form, that mien; those charms despise

were more, more or less than man.

No, no ~ for who could, unmoved, behold those eyes, that form, that mien ~ those charms despise ~

Ho, ho, there! here's fine doings! Jessie, Jessie! ~ godmother, I say!

(Running up the staircase.)

I'm lost ~ they come!

I tell you I saw it with my own eyes ~ a woman, hugging and kissing a woman!

(Who has passed to the other side of the chair.)

Not true indeed! Look here; I'll shew you the impudent hussey. ~

(Tears off the cloak, the Sylph has disappeared - General surprise.)

Eh! how this?

(Stupefied.)

And you too! But I tell you my eyes and myself both saw it ~ we can't be both mistaken.

(Shaking the cloak, and searching round the chair.)

Why, hang it! where could he have hid her? Oh, if I can but catch the minx!

You deserve it, Jessie. I told you if you wanted a loving, fond, ardent ~ but 'tis no matter now!

Curse it, for a villainous ring!

I ought to be your worship, but ~

(Starting and advancing.)

The ~ the ring ~ here it is! ~

(Aside.)

~ I tremble, I know not why, 'tis a weakness I cannot overcome.

(As he holds out the ring the Sylph seizes it, and disappears up the chimney.)

~ Merciful powers! what has she done?

The grief I feel is past the telling!

Oh, direful hour for slighted lover!

With rage I think my heart will burst.

By fits I shiver, and I burn.

(To Jessie.)

Jessie, you love me, do not fear ~

(Apart.)

What a wretched fate I mine.

(To Jessie.)

Still to be thine ~ now hear me swear!

(Apart.)

This torture shall be borne.

Blessed omen! good portending!

sure the fates for me declare;

or Cupid's self his succour lending,

came to save me from despair.

He's gone, 'tis too late,

Ay with a bonnie lass.

In sooth you're to blame

for now the steed's stole, you're for closing the gate.

Glad my heart is, that was breaking,

when I thought all hope was o'er;

I almost fear I am not waking,

heav'n grant we'll see him here no more!

Glad my heart is that was breaking

when I thought all hope was o'er;

I almost fear I am not waking,

heav'n grant we see him here no more.

And where else, think ye, are we to look for Donald? When a woman runs away with a young man, it isn't likely she'd go hide him in the high road?

A siffle ~ why can't you remember the name?

A siffle is ~ is a kind of fairy with wings, that hides in the hollow of a tree like a woodpecker, or in the clefts of a rock like a young eagle.

Well, well ~ don't let us lose our time. Godmother has promised me Jessie, if I find the runaway Donald.

(Aside.)

That's my opinion too; and for that reason I'm leading them as far astray as I can.

(To Villagers.)

He knows everything.

Hear that, lads. I told you the wizard body ~ the ~ the kind Hela was my friend.

How shall I know that!

Thank you, kind Hela.

(Aloud to Villagers.)

Away, then, to the left, and if you don't find him, it is not your fault.

(Aside.)

Now I'll find Mr. Donald out at his tricks.

Whither, oh, whither would'st thou lead?

Oh, no; then wherefore fly me yet?

You speak not of me,

who faithful and true,

loves no one but you.

(Alone.)

She leaves me! mocks at my ardent passion! am I then but the sport of an inexplicable being? yet a being so enchanting, that I feel she is become dearer to me than existence.

Can'st thou love ~ yet coldly fly me?

Beauteous riddle that thou art!

Softly smile, and then deny me,

when I'd press thee to my heart.

Like a lovely sportive child,

trifling with thy lover's pain;

whilst a glance so sweetly wild,

tells me, I'm beloved again.

Oh, th'extremes of bliss and anguish,

mingle in my fever'd breast;

now in hopeless woe I languish,

then in fancy am most blest.

Yet my fate I'll not upbraid,

for I wish not to be free;

since an age of pain is paid,

by one tender smile from thee!

Heavens! Christie here! I am then discovered.

(Coming forward.)

So 'tis here I find you at last!

And here I will remain for ever, good, kind, Christie, you will not betray my retreat?

I betray you? That's what I won't, I promise you. Do you think I wish you to come back? Not I, faith; stay and welcome, since you are happy here.

But Jessy ~ poor Jessy! Tell me, does she not execrate me?

Why, at first to be sure, she was a little glummish, but afterwards ~

(significantly)

~ the women ~ you know there was the dame, she was in a fine fury. “What an abomination” cried she, “a vile perjured wretch!” But Godmother, says I, for my part I don't blame Donald.

And yet I have been very guilty.

Oh, don't make yourself uneasy, 'tis a thing happens every day: a man jilts one woman for another because she's richer or handsomer; and your new one, to say the truth, has a sort of beauty that ~ that ~

You have seen her, then?

Yes, through the trees. She's a fine figure of a woman ~ that she is; but ~ but, there's one thing that's queerish, in my mind, she has got wings, eh?

She has.

And don't you find them awkward at times? mayhap you like her the better for the novelty?

Oh, no, those wings drive me to despair. When I would like to retain her near me, they bear her, like lightening, beyond my reach; and yet it is that very grace, that aerial lightness that fascinates my soul.

(Aside.)

Oh, that's the way to fascinate; when I see Jessie I'll fascinate her so! Ah, ah, who know if I were to try but Jessie might ~ yes, I'll try.

When I attempt to seize her hand, and speak to her of my transports, with childish playfulness she vanishes from my sight.

Ah, I see!

You'd squeeze her hand ~ and crack ~ she gone! How a man does feel then, sure enough! You say, stay ~ stay! and off she flies; and the more she wouldn't, the more you would, eh? Well, all I can say, Donald, is ~

(Turning round.)

~ Eh, Donald ~ Donald, I say! is he flown away too? ~

(Looking about.)

~ and I wanted him to teach me how the siffle ~ hang it! If here ben't Jessie herself; now for a little aerial grace, and ~

(Retires R. H.)

Oh, say that again ~ it makes my heart jump into my mouth!

Yes, yes, you did, though ~ you said ~

(Interrupting her.)

No, no! though to please you, Jessie, I have been looking for him everywhere.

(Aside.)

She pities me! Now to try the seducing ways of the siffle.

(Looks at Jessie.)

(Snatching away hid hand abruptly - Aside.)

It takes already.

(Aside.)

Who would have thought she'd come around so soon?

(Looks at himself with affectation.)

(Seizing her hand, and throwing himself at her feet.)

Dearest Jessie! I'm so glad, my brain is turning! One kiss.

(Aside to Hela.)

It is well ~ I'm so happy! You see I've found the way at last.

Yes, come dear Jessie. Oh, happy me! Oh, lovely Jessie! Oh, fascinating Christie!

What it may be, 'tis no concern of yours.

Well, then, I am the most miserable of men. I love, I adore, an inexplicable being! I see her, I hear her, but, like an airy vision, she for ever eludes my grasp.

A talisman! is it possible? Oh, give it to me, and all I possess is yours.

Because I was a fool ~ a madman! but I truly repent my conduct.

Good, kind, Hela, how I wronged you!

Thy kindness my gratitude ever insures ~

my fate's in your hands.

'Tis for thee.

Then clip both their wings,

give them me in exchange;

for thy sake I'll love them. Oh, trust to my care,

Let them go! but from me thou like them ne'er shall fly.

She sinks! help! Oh, aid, or my fair one will die!

(In despair.)

Wretch that I am!

(Furiously.)

Accursed sorcerer! Thou hast deceived me! But death shall release me also!

(Rising.)

Who art thou? Ah! why bring back the memory of one I've lost for ever!

What power may release her?

Be death, or worse than death between us, my love will leap the gulf.

Ah! where is the heart that loves Donald?

Ah! I own ~ the simple Christie. And will he befriend a rival?

And the promised power?

And whither?

Haunts of the hated Hela ~ yes, too well I know then.

Hope once more dawns, and see the partner of a fearful task.

And I'm sure I'm bewitched by Jessie, so I've fellow feeling. How be you , Donald? how be you lad?

(Crosses to Christie, then puts Jessie's lover to R. H.)

All will be well with your assistance, Christie. Dear Jessie take this honest hand from me; pardon, oh, pardon my defection, Jessie, and thank me one day for a better heart than Donald has to offer.

(Apart.)

Eh, but there be a bit of heart in that though.

And aught that Christie can do for Jessie, or for Donald, you'll command.

Dare you go with me to the sulphur well?

Aye, were it to the ~ ~ ~

'Tis to conquer evil.

“Dear Christie” that's twice she has called me so. On with you my lad.

Away! for love and fortune!

Does your heart fail you, or will you still go on?

Dang it, it is an ugsome place, sure enough. I've a bit of an old horse-shoe granny gave me, against warlocks and witches, and you've got the relic. Eh, bless me! what's that?

Nothing.

That's the very thing ye bid me to be afraid of. There again! What's that?

I heard nothing ~ saw nothing ~

Curse nothing! It's the second time nothing has frightened me.

Think of your marriage with Jessie ~ and then ~

I will do my best. But what place is this?

These are the fearful regions of the salamanders.

Sally who?

The fiends of flame.

Then we shall burn our fingers. But where's the lady?

She comes! Hush! let's observe her.

(Involuntarily.)

The ill-looking scoundrels!

Saved from destruction, though small the recompense for all the woes my love has wrought her. Still it is some, and gives an earnest yet of greater. Should I at last ~

Eh, lad! let's help her, then to do the work ~ she can't see us.

What devils are these in the form of Maggie MacGrubbins, Tibbey Fowler, Cumner Malkin, and Granny Burns!

Peace, on your life!

All devils, by my conscience!

I'll give that Tibbie Fowler a rap o'the head!

Hush!

They cannot see us!

Some magic her sense steals away,

her slumber is fearful and deep;

but beside thee thy Donald will stay

and guard his Eolia in sleep.

The demon is foil'd, virtue's pow'rs yet prevail,

and the spells of the fiend shall no longer assail.

She's saved! and Donald on his knee,

in rapture hails the happy day.

When blest, Eolia dear, with thee,

he'll love and laugh thy cares away.