_Cas._ Soon after that period I went upon a visit to a lady in Wetteravia--my Matilda was under her protection--alighting at a peasant's cabin, I saw her on a charitable visit, spreading bread-and-butter for the children, in a light-blue riding habit. The simplicity of her appearance--the fineness of the weather--all conspired to interest me--my heart moved to hers--as if by a magnetic sympathy--we wept, embraced, and went home together--she became the mother of my Pantalowsky. But five years of enjoyment have not stifled the reproaches of my conscience--her Rogero is languishing in captivity--if I could restore her to _him!_ _Beef._ Let us rescue him. _Cas._ Will without power[212] is like children playing at soldiers. _Beef._ Courage without power[213] is like a consumptive running footman. _Cas._ Courage without power is a contradiction.[214] Ten brave men might set all Quedlinburgh at defiance. _Beef._ Ten brave men--but where are they to be found? _Cas._ I will tell you--marked you the waiter? _Beef._ The waiter? [_Doubtingly._ _Cas._ [_in a confidential tone_.] No waiter, but a Knight Templar. Returning from the crusade, he found his Order dissolved, and his person proscribed. He dissembled his rank, and embraced the profession of a waiter. I have made sure of him already. There are, besides, an Austrian and a Prussian grenadier. I have made them abjure their national enmity, and they have sworn to fight henceforth in the cause of freedom. These, with Young Pottingen, the waiter, and ourselves, make seven--the troubadour, with his two attendant minstrels, will complete the ten. _Beef._ Now then for the execution. [_With enthusiasm._ _Pudd._ Yes, my boys--for the execution. [_Clapping them on the back._ _Waiter._ But hist! we are observed. _Trou._ Let us by a song conceal our purposes. RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.[215] _Cas._ Hist! hist! nor let the airs that blow From Night's cold lungs, our purpose know! _Pudd._ Let Silence, mother of the dumb, _Beef._ Press on each lip her palsied thumb! _Wait._ Let privacy, allied to sin, That loves to haunt the tranquil inn-- _Gren._ } And Conscience start, when she shall view, _Trou._ } The mighty deed we mean to do! GENERAL CHORUS--_Con spirito._ Then friendship swear, ye faithful bands, Swear to save a shackled hero! See where yon Abbey frowning stands! Rescue, rescue, brave Rogero! _Cas._ Thrall'd in a Monkish tyrant's fetters, Shall great Rogero hopeless lie? _Y. Pot._ In my pocket I have letters, Saying, "help me, or I die!" _Allegro Allegretto._ _Cas. Beef. Pudd. Gren. Trou._ } Let us fly, let us fly, _Waiter, and Pot. with enthusiasm_ } Let us help, ere he die! [_Exeunt omnes, waving their hats._