PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD AFTER THE BATTLE OF CULLODEN.
|
Our bugles sung truce, for the night cloud had lower'd, And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky, And thousands had sunk on the ground overpower'd, The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die. Thomas Campbell. |
One Female and Six Male Figures.
This tableau contains seven figures, and represents Prince Charles Edward asleep in one of his hiding-places after the battle of Culloden, protected by Flora Macdonald and Highland outlaws, who are alarmed on their watch. Here rests, in fitful and affrighted slumbers, the recent victor, Prince Charles Edward, a broken and despairing fugitive, his gallant spirit dissipated, and his well-knit limbs stained, and bruised, and soiled by urgent journeys and perilous encounters. Beside him sits a sleepless guardian, the brave, the beautiful, the heroic Flora Macdonald. A deer-hound, who had crouched at her feet, has given an alarm of coming danger. The peril is imminent, but the foe is invisible. What shall be done? Shall the sleeper be awakened? His devoted protector, prompt as the occasion, and wise beyond the emergency, counsels on the instant, silence, caution, self-possession. Thereupon the Highlanders draw together, and, restraining the frenzy of their first emotions, wait, with desperate resolution, the first manifestation of coming danger.
The scenery accompanying this piece represents a cave in the rocks; in the centre of the back wall is an opening, through which the Highland outlaws are looking. The rocks can be imitated by covering wooden frames with coarse brown paper, fastened on in a rumpled manner, and shaded with light and dark brown paint, sprinkled over with small particles of isinglass. These frames should reach to the ceiling of the stage, and be constructed in sections four feet wide; they must be arranged in the background in the form of a half circle, the floor and sides of the stage covered with the same kind of scenery; a box six feet long and two feet wide, covered with a robe, should be placed in the centre of the cave, for the prince to recline upon. Spears, shields and battle axes may be strewn about, and a small fire made to smoulder in the foreground. This can be built in an iron furnace, surrounded by rocks. The prince is costumed in a rich Highland suit. The coat, which reaches to the knee, is made of Scotch plaid, trimmed at the bottom of the skirt, sleeves, and on the front with black velvet ornamented with gold; plaid breeches and hose, worn so as to leave a naked space of five inches between the top of the hose and bottom of the breeches; short-legged boots, with red tops, spurs; a heavy plaid scarf, decorated with gold, worn across the shoulders; and a flat Highland cap, with plume in front, which lies on the couch at his side. The prince is lying on his side, lengthwise of the cave, in position so that his face can be seen, his head resting on his left arm, while his right hangs down to the floor of the cave, touching his sword and pistols. Flora Macdonald is seated near the head of Prince Charles. Her costume consists of a Highland frock reaching below the knees, hose of scarlet plaid, a scarf about the breast made of black cloth, and fringed on the side with buff, and across the shoulders is worn a blue cape trimmed with velvet and gold; her hair hangs loosely on the shoulders; the left hand gathers the cloak about the breast, while the right is raised in front of the face, the fingers extended, the head turned around to the group of Highlanders at the back of the cave, to whom she is in the act of speaking. Fear and caution are expressed on her countenance. The group of Highlanders are at the right of the cave, in the extreme background, near the opening. Their costume is similar to that of the prince, but of cheaper material, and without decorations. Each has a sword and musket. The first outlaw is looking out of the opening; he holds his musket in front of him; at his side stoops another, with musket trailing. Behind these two stands a third, with a long spear. Back of him is one with a sword in his hand. He is in the act of speaking to Flora Macdonald; his countenance denotes affright; his left hand points to the opening in the cave; his body inclined backward slightly. The fifth figure is kneeling in the foreground, holding a hound by the collar. The countenances of the first three outlaws should express caution. The faces of the gentlemen can be disguised by false beards. The scene must be illuminated by a small quantity of red fire burned at the front part of the ante-room, opposite the group of outlaws. Thunder and the falling of rain imitated in the ante-rooms will add to the effect. No music will be required.