On the banks of the Rhine, at the sun-setting hour, Oh! meet me, and greet me, my true love, I pray! Or feasting, or sleeping, in hall, or in bower, To the Rhine-bank, oh! true love, rise up and away! On that bank, an old willow dejectedly grieves And drops from each leaf, for love's falsehoods, a tear; Go! rivals, and gather the willow's pale leaves, For falsehood ne'er cross'd between me and my dear. [_Exit._ SCENE IV.--_The Castle Gardens decorated for a Fete, and crowded with Dancers and Musicians: a lofty Terrace crosses the extremity of the Stage, from which Village-Girls advance, scattering flowers before Geraldine, who is led by Florian to an open Temple between the Side-scenes, containing three Seats._ _Ger._ (_Pointing to the centre seat_) There is our hero's seat of triumph: nay, my commands are absolute, and you have no appeal, I reserve this for my uncle, he will join us presently. (They seat themselves--a ballet immediately commences--boys, habited as warriors, pay homage before _Florian_, and hang military trophies round his seat. Girls enter, as wood-nymphs, &c. who surprise and disarm the warriors, then remove the trophies, and replace them with garlands. The warriors and nymphs join in a general dance--Suddenly a piercing shriek is heard: the action of the scene abruptly stops, and _Eugenia_, entering from the top of the stage, rushes distractedly between the groups of dancers, and casts herself at the feet of _Geraldine_.) _Eug._ Save me! save me! _Ger._ Ah! what wretched supplicant is this? _Flor._ By heavens! the very woman who yesternight preserved my life. _Longueville_ enters in pursuit. _Long._ (_Advancing rapidly, with instant self-command_) Dear friends! Heaven has this hour appointed me the agent of its grace. I have discovered in this wretched woman, the long-lost wife of an ancient friend, at Baden; lend your assistance to secure her person 'till I can apprise the husband of this unexpected meeting. _Eug._ No, no, I have no husband--they have murdered him; he would betray--destroy me. (_catching Geraldine's robe_) Oh! you, whose looks are heavenly-soft, to _you_ I plead: protect me from this fiend. _Ger._ How earnestly she grasps my hand, indeed--indeed her agony seems genuine. _Long._ You are deceived, she utters nought but madness, her mind has been for years incurably diseased; come, away! away! (He seizes violently upon _Eugenia_ to force her with him, she clings to _Geraldine_ in anguish.) _Eug._ Forsake me not! I have no protector to invoke but you. _Ger._ Forbear, my lord, I cannot find that wildness you proclaim; forbear, and recollect the rights of hospitality never yet were violated at my uncle's gate. Lady, dismiss your fears, here sorrow ever meets a ready shelter, for here resides the Count De Valmont. _Eug._ Who? _Ger._ The excellent, the suffering Count De Valmont.