_All._ Alas! there’s not one maiden breast Which seems to feel the moral beauty Of making worldly interest Subordinate to sense of duty. _Fred._ Oh, is there not one maiden here, Whose homely face and bad complexion Have caused all hopes to disappear Of ever winning man’s affection? To such a one, if such there be, I swear by heaven’s arch above you, If you will cast your eyes on me-- However plain you be--I’ll love you! _All._ Alas! there’s not one maiden here, Whose homely face and bad complexion Have caused all hope to disappear Of ever winning man’s affection. _Fred._ (_in despair_). Not one! _All._ No, no--not one! _Fred._ Not one? _All._ No, no! _MABEL enters through arch._ _Mab._ Yes, one! _All._ ’Tis Mabel! _Mab._ Yes, ’tis Mabel! RECITATIVE.--MABEL. Oh, sisters, deaf to pity’s name, For shame! It’s true that he has gone astray, But pray, Is that a reason good and true Why you Should all be deaf to pity’s name? For shame! _All_ (_aside_). The question is, had he not been a thing of beauty, Would she be swayed by quite as keen a sense of duty? SONG.--MABEL. Poor wandering one, Though thou hast surely strayed, Take heart of grace, Thy steps retrace, Be not afraid. Poor wandering one, If such poor love as mine Can help thee find True peace of mind-- Why, take it, it is thine! Take heart, fair days will shine. Take any heart--take mine. _All._ Take heart; no danger lowers. Take any heart--but ours. [_MABEL and FREDERIC exit into cave and converse. KATE beckons her sisters, who form in a semicircle around her._ EDITH. What ought we to do, Gentle sisters, pray? Propriety, we know, Says we ought to stay; While sympathy exclaims, “Free them from your tether-- Play at other games-- Leave them here together.” KATE. Her case may, any day, Be yours, my dear, or mine. Let her make her hay While the sun doth shine. Let us compromise (Our hearts are not of leather); Let us shut our eyes, And talk about the weather. _Ladies._ Yes, yes; let’s talk about the weather.