References to Acts and Scenes were added by the transcriber. Page and
line numbers have been retained for completeness, but all links lead
directly to the cited text. Annotated passages are identified in the
body text with two kinds of link: dotted underlining for “Notes on the
Plays”; solid underlining for “Notes: Critical and Explanatory”.
Passages that have both kinds of note are linked to the critical note.
1
THE ROVER; OR,
THE BANISH’D CAVALIERS.
PART I.
Scenes described in (parentheses) are unnumbered.
Argument.
Source.
Theatrical History.
Dramatis Personæ.
Prologue
Act I.
Scene I. _A Chamber._
Scene II. _A Long Street._
Act II.
Scene I. _The Long Street._
Scene II. _A Fine Chamber._
Act III.
Scene I. _A Street._
Scene II. _Lucetta’s House._
(_Lucetta’s Chamber_)
(_a common Shore_)
Scene III. _The Garden, in the Night._
Scene IV. _The Street._
Act IV.
Scene I. _A fine Room._
Scene II. _The Molo._
Scene III. _A Street._
(_another Street_)
(_Blunt’s Chamber_)
Act V.
Scene I. _Blunt’s Chamber._
Epilogue.
Postscript.
Notes to _The Rover_
3
ARGUMENT.
During the exile of Charles II a band of cavaliers, prominent amongst
whom are Willmore (the Rover), Belvile, Frederick, and Ned Blunt, find
themselves at Naples in carnival time. Belvile, who at a siege at
Pampluna has rescued a certain Florinda and her brother Don Pedro, now
loves the lady, and the tender feeling is reciprocated. Florinda’s
father, however, designs her for the elderly Vincentio, whilst her
brother would have her marry his friend Antonio, son to the Viceroy.
Florinda, her sister Hellena (who is intended for the veil), their
cousin Valeria, and duenna Callis surreptitiously visit the carnival,
all in masquerade, and there encounter the cavaliers. Florinda arranges
to meet Belvile that night at her garden-gate. Meanwhile a picture of
Angelica Bianca, a famous courtezan, is publicly exposed, guarded by
bravos. Antonio and Pedro dispute who shall give the 1000 crowns she
demands, and come to blows. After a short fray Willmore, who has boldly
pulled down the picture, is admitted to the house, and declares his
love, together with his complete inability to pay the price she
requires. Angelica, none the less, overcome with passion, yields to
him. Shortly after, meeting Hellena in the street, he commences an
ardent courtship, which is detected by the jealous Angelica, who has
followed him vizarded. Florinda that night at the garden-gate
encounters Willmore, who, having been toping in the town, is far from
sober, and her cries at his advances attract her brother and servants,
whom she eludes by escaping back to the house. After a brawl, Willmore
has to endure the reproaches of Belvile, who has appeared on the scene.
During their discussion Antonio makes as about to enter Angelica’s
house before which they are, and Willmore, justling him to one side,
wounds him. He falls, and the officers who run up at the clash of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account