THE BANDITTI.
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But wilder sounds were there; th' imploring cry That woke the forest's echo in reply, But not the heart's! Unmoved, the wizard train Stood round their human victim, and in vain His prayer for mercy rose; in vain his glance Look'd up, appealing to the blue expanse, Where, in their calm, immortal beauty, shone Heaven's cloudless orbs. With faint and fainter moan, Bound on the shrine of sacrifice he lay, Till, drop by drop, life's current ebb'd away; Till rock and turf grew deeply, darkly red, And the pale moon gleam'd paler on the dead. |
Two Female and Eight Male Figures.
This tableau represents a travelling party attacked on the mountains of Italy by a company of outlaws. It is one which can be easily formed, and contains ten figures, five of which are men dressed to represent banditti; the other personations are an old gentleman, his daughter, a young officer and wife, and coachman. The floor of the stage should rise gradually from the fore to the background. This can be accomplished with boxes and boards covered with green bocking. The bandit's costume consists of a dark coat, open in front, showing a colored shirt, breeches of bright-colored cloth, white hose, knee and shoe buckles, low shoes, red scarf about the waist, in which are pistols and short sword, black felt hat, slouched, with a red band and colored plume; heavy beard, face and neck slightly stained light-brown; the coats can be trimmed with gaudy binding, if desirable. The old gentleman's costume consists of black coat, light pants and vest, light cravat, white wig, light hat, face painted to imitate age. The officer's dress can be quite showy or very plain. If a full military costume cannot be procured, the following will answer: Dark frock coat, buttoned to the neck, and ornamented with large gilt buttons and shoulder straps, black pants with buff stripe, flat cap with gilt band, side arms and sash. The officer's wife is dressed in a showy silk robe; hair arranged to suit the performer's taste. The old man's daughter is costumed in a white dress, pink silk apron, small straw hat trimmed with green ribbon. Coachman's costume is, a long, dark coat, buttoned to the chin, light pants, long boots, black silk hat, with a leather strap and a number in gold in front, black belt around the waist, the right hand grasping a long whip. A representation of the side of a coach, covered with cloth painted in proper style, and placed in the background, will add much to the effect. In the centre of the stage place a large trunk filled with clothing, the cover thrown back so as to display the contents. Watches, jewelry, and other articles of value should be strown promiscuously about, while one of the bandits is seen kneeling over it with a heavy watch and chain in his hand. Back of the trunk stand the officer and a brigand. The officer has a large wound across the temple, and attempts to rescue his wife, who is being dragged away by one of the brigands in the background; he stretches out his arms towards, and looks upon her, but is kept from her by the strong arm of the ruffian at his side, who grasps him by the collar, and holds a bloody sword above his head; the brigand partially faces the audience; the officer stands in a side position; the wife is seen kneeling in the background, with hands clasped and eyes raised to a brigand, who grasps her by the hair of the head with the left hand, and presents a pistol at her with the right. At the left of the trunk is seen the old gentleman. One of the ruffians grasps him by the throat, as if in the act of strangling him. The old man holds a watch in the left hand; the right is thrown upward. His position is, facing the audience; countenance expressing terror and excitement. At the right of the trunk kneels the coachman, with hands tied behind his back, which is turned to the audience, head thrown backward so that a partial side view is had of the features. A few paces in front of him, and facing the audience, is seated a brigand, on the top of a portmanteau; he is smoking a short pipe, and with the right hand points a pistol to the face of the figure kneeling in front of him. Between him and the wife lies the young girl, who has fainted from affright. She lies with her head to the back of the stage, arms stretched out on the grass, and eyes closed. The stage should be illuminated by brilliant lights placed at the left side of the stage. The sound of rain and thunder may be produced in the ante-rooms with good effect.