The action is in Scotland by Loch Katrine and the castle Stirling during the reign of James V in the 16th century.
Copyright © Christian Lanciai 2006
Act I scene 1. A very rustic home in the Highlands. The door is opened from the outside by Ellen, showing in her guest. Ellen Come in, my friend! Our house is always open to you with everything it could have to offer. James My lovely maid, you offer me your own home without even knowing who I am. Ellen It’s our custom here in the Highlands to first make the guest feel well at ease and at home before we start asking any questions. James Your hospitality is irresistible, and I almost feel forced into accepting it. (Exactly as he enters, a handsome sword falls down from a sheathe above the door where it has been hung on the trophy of a stag. The sword dances down to James’ feet. He halts himself, regards the sword, then lifts it up and tries it.) This is a warning. Someone else greets me welcome with a heavier language than you, my lovely Ellen. I don’t know anyone who can swing such an impressing sword as this except one man. Ellen I am his ward, but he is himself gone away. It’s careless of him to throw his sword up so casually that it could fall out of its sheathe and hurt the first best guest who would enter! (takes care of the sword, restores it in its sheathe and puts it out of reach.) Margaret (enters) Have you brought a guest, my Ellen? Ellen Yes, ít must be the noble stranger who Allan-Bane saw in his vision, whom we were commended to take well care of in every way. Margaret How did he get here? James Alas, let me explain myself. I and my company chased a stag, but the stag was too fast and clever for us, and both the dogs and my followers were left behind. When I stubbornly pursued my chase all alone, the brave stag succeeded in breaking my horse’s wind, so I had no choice but to abandon my valiant comrade, the faithful courser, to the crows. Ellen It was the broken horse than Allan-Bane saw. Margaret So you are a Lowlander? James I found myself tricked up here in the Highlands by myself, my eagerness for hunting and my stubbornness. And as I was not at home here I was completely lost until I heard this lovely voice from the lake, who thought my noise came from some Malcolm or her father. Margaret Your name, Sir?
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