Introduction

The scene is set in a valley at the foot of a range of mountains, from one of which a road leads down to the plain. To one side are rocks suggesting the entrance to a mine with the house of Tarabotto, leader of the miners, to one side. Opposite is a great tree, with a bench in from of it. Tarabotto appears from one of the mines, with a group of miners, who have apparently told him that the Duke is coming. He sends the men back to work and leaves as Isabella enters, holding, a bejewelled portrait of her husband who has banished her from his presence and to whom she would show her fidelity. Tarabotto returns, observing her, always sad, and seeing that the portrait she holds is of the Duke, as a younger man. Isabella, still unaware of Tarabotto's presence, declares herself to be the Duke's wife and hides the portrait when she sees Tarabotto and also hides a paper she has been holding. Tarabotto asks her what she is hiding, but he has seen the portrait and the paper.

Tarabotto questions Isabella further as to why she has a portrait of the Duke. He recalls how ten years ago he had found her, half dead by the sea and taken her back to his house, and now accuses her of ingratitude. She hands him the paper and sits down, disconsolate, on the bench. Tarabotto reads the paper that declares that Isabella, believed dead, still lives, his Duchess, betrayed by Ormondo and his follower Batone, by whom she had been placed in a boat and entrusted to the waves. The letter goes on to urge the Duke to come to the iron mines, where he will see honour and innocence triumph. Tarabotto questions Isabella further as to why Batone set her out to sea? Isabella tells him that she was told that it was on the orders of her husband. Tarabotto seems to have a plan, and they both withdraw into his house.

Soldiers appear, followed by Duke Bertrando, who remembers fondly his wife, whom he now believes dead, the one whom he ought to hate, but still loves. The Duke is joined by Ormondo and Batone and discusses the plans of a neighbouring ruler. Batone tells them they should question Tarabotto, and they call out for him. He appears and tells them that he lives there with his niece, Nisa, As the Duke and his soldiers enter the mine, Tarabotto realises the identity of the Duke's two followers. Batone is left feeling thirsty, and calls out for Nisa, the name by which Isabella has been known. She comes out, but hides her face, when she recognises Batone, who tries to flirt with her but is nonplussed when he sees Isabella's face, wondering whether it is her or not. She offers to fetch Batone water, but he claims he is no longer thirsty. Batone wonders whether this can be the one that he had left a prey to the sea. In doubt, he begs her pardon.

Isabella realises that Batone is undecided. She is joined by Tarabotto, who has a plan: the Duke has need of the mine-workings for a military operation and she, as his niece, should present the plan to the Duke. She must come when he calls her, and then they will see what happens from the meeting. When the Duke returns, Tarabotto asks leave for his supposed niece to present his plan and calls for her. She approaches the Duke with her eyes cast down, but he is first struck by her voice.

In surprise the Duke allows the plan that Isabella offers him to fall to the ground, to be picked up by Tarabotto. The Duke is amazed at the resemblance of the woman to his Duchess, hardly believing Tarabotto's assertion that she is his niece, each of them with their own reactions to the encounter. The Duke asks Tarabotto if she is really his niece, and Tarabotto assures him that she is his brother's daughter. She makes to leave, but the Duke tries to hold her back. She goes info the house, while Tarabotto, apart, observes the scene. Tarabotto realises that the necessary impression has been made, while the Duke reasons that Isabella is dead and this woman is Nisa, Tarabotto's niece. Ormondo enters and the Duke asks him whether Isabella is really dead. He reassures the Duke who resolves, for the moment, to keep his thoughts to himself. He goes out, and Ormondo is joined by Batone, both observed still by Tarabotto. Ormondo asks whether Batone had seen Isabella perish, and is reassured by the latter. Ormondo seeks the reason for the Duke's questions, and Batone tells him that Tarabotto's niece is the spitting image of Isabella. Tarabotto strains in vain to hear Ormondo's command to Batone to abduct Isabella and bring her to him at night. Ormondo must be obeyed, on pain of death. He goes out.

Part 2

Batone is unhappy at the threat, which he has heard before. Tarabotto realises that something is plotted for that night and resolves to worm it out of Batone. The latter seeks to ingratiate himself with Tarabotto, who now appears claiming extraordinary sympathy for him, while each tries to outwit the other. Speaking in friendly confidence, Batone tells Tarabotto that there is a rumour that Tarabotto has no niece and each tries to discover what the other knows about the identity of Nisa and what is afoot, Tarabotto emerging with more success than Batone.

Tarabotto alone for a moment, realises that there is a plot. He is joined by Isabella and tells her he has understood everything. They bow as the Duke, Ormondo and their followers appear. The Duke has matters to discuss with Ormondo while Isabella is in trepidation. The Duke addresses Isabella, asking why she is afraid, and she tells him she fears men. Tarabotto starts to explain, but then tells Isabella to continue. She tells him how she was betrayed. Isabella goes on to tell of her love and how it was returned, before it was stolen from her by a wicked man. She enters the house.

The Duke remains absorbed in thought, while Ormondo realises he must act, as he goes. Night approaches, and the Duke is still absorbed in thought, while Tarabotto has prepared everything so that the Duke can discover matters for himself. He kneels before the Duke and reminds him that he has promised to defend his niece, Nisa. He tells him of the plot and of the need to trick the offender and promises to reveal the villain.

It is night and Batone, with his armed followers, is ready to carry out his plot. Tarabotto and Isabella come out of the house and hide behind the tree. Isabella is dressed in noble but modest attire. She asks Tarabotto the reason, hut he tells her not to fear. They hide. The Duke appears, with his followers, and conceals himself in the entrance to the mine. Ormondo enters, with a single follower, at whose appearance the Duke and Tarabotto exclaim. He approaches the house, from which Batone appears and asks him if the girl has been abducted. Batone tells him that she has disappeared, but Ormondo does not believe it and goes into the house himself. At this point the Duke steps forward and challenges Batone who is terrified hut promises to obey the Duke, who returns to his hiding-place to watch what happens. Ormondo comes out, declaring that the woman not there, and Batone asks why she is to he abducted. Ormondo tells him that she is Isabella, who had once rejected his advances and who must die before she reveals to the Duke his treachery. At this point the Duke comes forward, accusing the traitor and, in desolation, asking where his wife is. Isabella emerges, before he can harm himself, and draws from her bosom the portrait of the Duke, who now recognises her. Tarabotto explains how he had found her on the shore, half dead, and how he had kept her clothes and now unmasked the villain. Isabella pardons her husband and they embrace, to Tarabotto's approval. Batone explains how he had been coerced, on pain of death, and kneels to seek pardon, which is granted him by Isabella, and all ends in happiness; the guilty punished and the innocent triumphant.