ryden's Woodall
_text unchanged_
the Duke's Theatre, Lincoln's Inn Field's
_all apostrophes in original_
[Footnote 21.]
... knowledge of the / theatre and technicalties theatrical
_text unchanged_

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THE ROVER; OR,

THE BANISH'D CAVALIERS.

PART I.

[Transcriber's Note:

Entrances and bracketed stage directions were printed in _italics_,
with proper names in roman type. The overall _italic_ markup has been
omitted for readability.]

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