Act I.

SCENE III.

THE CHOICE OF A CHIEF.

Same. The following morning. ANGUS, MENTEITH.

[Enter Donald.

Donald. The te'il's i' the folk, the haill Hie'lands are asteer, I think. Sir Duncan Campbell has come, my lord, and Vich Alister More will be here anon, with Lord kens how many gillies.

[Enter Sir Duncan Campbell and Jean Campbell, preceded by piper playing "Campbells are coming." Sir Duncan. Agreeable to our compact, I am here, Angus, and have brought my fair niece Jean, as my Castle of Arden vohr lies too near the borders for safety. I dare not leave there its heiress, last representative of our house.

Angus. Hail, Duncan, right welcome. You have met our cousin Menteith? (Duncan and Menteith greet each other and move back.) And Jean, welcome to the house of the M'Aulays; there could not be a safer place in Scotland for you; a foeman would have to cross the dead bodies of my whole clan, ere he could reach the person of their chief's best beloved.

Jean. And no braver defenders could I ask. But are the clans in truth gathering?

Angus. Aye, the war-cloud is darkening. I will tell [Piper is heard outside. Enter Donald.

you.

3

Donald. The Vich Alister More has come, your lordship.

[Annot enters to greet Jean; they courtesy to the lairds and retire. Enter Vich Alister More with piper as before.

Angus. A friend in need.

Vich Alister. Menteith, Sir Duncan, Angus, gie me a grip o' your hand.

Angus. What news bring you from the borders? Vich Alister. This morning a messenger came wi' a' speed with the word that the King is preparing to move, we must choose a leader forthwith.

Donald.

[Enter Eracht in haste. He speaks to Donald. Hout, man, is that so?

Angus. What news?

SONG BY ERACHT, WITH CHORUS:

Wha'll be King but Charlie.

The news frae Moidart cam yestre'en,

Will soon gar mony ferlie:

For mony a clan has ta'en the brand

To fight for Royal Charlie.

Come thro' the heather, around him gather,

You 're a' the welcomer early.

Around him cling wi' a' your kin,

For wha 'll be King but Charlie ?

CHOR. Come thro' the heather, around him gather, Come Ronald, come Donald, come a' thegither, And crown him rightfu', lawfu' King,

For wha'll be King but Charlie ?