Geraldine.Now, brother page—Kate.Dear mistress, I have foundMy faithful Larry.Geraldine.Happy girl! and IHope soon to meet my heart's dear lord, my Percy.Hist! the lord governor—Kate.He little thinksWho is the page he loves so—Geraldine.Silence.Kate.Mum.EnterDelawar,Walter,Larry, &c.Delawar.Each noble act of his that you reciteChallenge all my wonder and applause.Your captain is a brave one; and I longTo press the hero's hand. But look, my friends,What female's this, who, like the swift Camilla,On airy step flies hitherward?Walter.My lord,This is the lovely princess you have heard of;Our infant colony's best patroness;Nay, sir, its foster-mother.Delawar.Mark how wild—Music. ThePrincessenters, with wild anxiety in her looks; searches eagerly around forSmithandRolfe.Delawar.Whom do you look for, lady?Princess.They are gone!Gone to be slaughter'd!Walter.If you seek our captain,He has departed for your father's banquet.Princess.Then they have met, and they will both be lost,My lover and my friend. O! faithless path,That led me from my lover! Strangers, fly!If you're the white man's friends—Delawar.Lady, we are.Princess.Then fly to save them from destruction!Delawar.How?Princess.Inquire not; speak not; treachery and deathAwait them at the banquet.Delawar.Haste, my friends,Give order for immediate departure.Princess.E'en now, perhaps, they bleed! O lover! brother!Fly, strangers, fly!Music. Drum beats; a bustle; scene closes.SceneIV.At Werocomoco; banquet.Smith,Rolfe,Percy,Nantaquas,Powhatan, &c., seated.Grimosco,Miamiand a number ofIndiansattending.Powhatan.White warriors, this is the feast of peace, and yet you wear your arms. Will not my friends lay by their warlike weapons? They fright our fearful people.Smith.Our swords are part of our apparel, king;Nor need your people fear them. They shall restPeaceful within their scabbards, if PowhatanCall them not forth, with voice of enmity.Powhatan.Oh, that can never be! feast then in peace,Children and friends—Leaves his place and comes forward toGrimosco.O priest! my soul is afraid it will be stained with dishonour.Grimosco.Away! the Great Spirit commands you. Resume your seat; hold the white men in discourse; I will but thrice wave my hand, and your foes are dead. [Kingresumes his seat.] [ToMiami.] Now, prince, has the hour of vengeance arrived.Powhatan.[With a faltering voice.] Think not, white men, that Powhatan wants the knowledge to prize your friendship. Powhatan has seen three generations pass away; and his locks of age do not float upon the temples of folly.Grimoscowaves his hand: theIndianssteal behind theEnglish,MiamibehindRolfe.Kingproceeds.If a leaf but fall in the forest, my people cry out with terror, "hark! the white warrior comes!" Chief, thou art terrible as an enemy, and Powhatan knows the value of thy friendship.Grimoscowaves his hand again; theIndiansseize their tomahawks, and prepare to strike.Kinggoes on.Think not, therefore, Powhatan can attempt to deceive thee—TheKing'svoice trembles; he stops, unable to proceed. TheIndians'eyes are fixed onGrimosco, waiting for the last signal. At this moment thePrincessrushes in.Princess.Treachery to the white men!At the same instant, drum and trumpet without. Music. TheEnglishseize the uplifted arms of theIndians, and form a tableau, as enterDelawarand his party. After the music, theSoldierstake charge of theIndians.Pocahontasflies to the arms ofRolfe.Nantaquas.O father![Powhatanis transfixed with confusion.Smith.Wretched king! what fiend could urge you?Powhatan.Shame ties the tongue of Powhatan. Ask of that fiend-like priest, how, to please the angry Spirit, I was to massacre my friends.Smith.Holy Religion! still beneath the veilOf sacred piety what crimes lie hid!Bear hence that monster. Thou ferocious prince—Miami.Miami's tortures shall not feast your eyes![Stabbing himself.Smith.Rash youth, thou mightst have liv'd—Miami.Liv'd! man, look there![Pointing toRolfeandPrincess. He is borne off.Powhatan.Oh, if the false Powhatan might—Smith.No more.Wiser than thou have been the dupes of priesthood.Your hand. The father of this gen'rous pairI cannot choose but love. My noble lord,I pray you pardon my scant courtesyAnd sluggish duty, which so tardy-pacedDo greet your new arrival—Delawar.Valiant captain!Virtue-ennobled sir, a hero's heartWill make mine proud by its most near acquaintance.[Embrace.Smith.Your coming was most opportune, my lord.One moment more—Delawar.Nay, not to us the praise.Behold the brilliant star that led us on.Smith.Oh! blest is still its kindly influence!Could a rough soldier play the courtier, lady,His practis'd tongue might grace thy various goodness,With proper phrase of thanks; but oh! reward thee!Heaven only can—Princess.And has, my brother. See!I have its richest gift.[Turning toRolfe.Rolfe.My dearest love!Smith.Her brother, sir, and worthy of that name.IntroducesNantaquastoDelawar;PercyandGeraldine, who had been conversing, advance.Percy.You tell me wonders.Geraldine.But not miracles.Being near the uncle, sir, I knew the lady.Percy.And was I then deceived?Geraldine.What, gentle Percy!Young man, 'twas not well done, in idle pique,To wound the heart that lov'd you.Percy.O sir! speak!My Geraldine, your niece, is she not married?Delawar.Nor like to be, poor wench, but to her grave,If mourning for false lovers break maids' hearts.Percy.Was she then true? O madman! idiot!To let the feeble breath of empty rumourDrive me from heavenly happiness!Delawar.Poor girl!She fain would have embark'd with me.Percy.Ah, sir!Why did she not?Delawar.Marry, sir, I forbade her:The rough voyage would have shook her slender healthTo dissolution.Geraldine.Pardon, sir; not so—Delawar.How now, pert page?Geraldine.For here she is, my lord.And the rough voyage has giv'n her a new life.Percy.My Geraldine!Delawar.My niece! O brazenface!Approach me not; fly from your uncle's anger;Fly to your husband's arms for shelter, hussy![Geraldineflies toPercy'sembrace.Percy.Oh! speechless transport! mute let me infold thee!Delawar.[ToKate.] And you, my little spark, perhaps, your cloakCovers another duteous niece—or daughter.Speak, lady: for I see that title writIn crimson characters upon your cheek.Art of my blood?Larry.No, sir, she's of my flesh;Flesh of my flesh, my lord. Now, arrah, Kate,Don't blush. This goodly company all knowsMy flesh may wear the breeches, without scandal.Walter.Listen not, Alice, to his sophistry.Sir, if our good wives learn this argument,They'll logically pluck away our—Alice.Tut:Fear ye not that; for when a woman would,She'll draw them on without a rule of reason.Delawar.Methinks 'tis pairing time among the turtles.Who have we here?RobinandNimacome forward.Robin.A pair of pigeons, sir; or rather a robin and a dove. A wild thing, sir, that I caught in the wood here. But when I have clipt her wings, and tamed her, I hope (without offence to this good company) that we shall bill without biting more than our neighbours.Smith.Joy to ye, gentle lovers; joy to all;A goodly circle, and a fair. MethinksWild Nature smooths apace her savage frown,Moulding her features to a social smile.Now flies my hope-wing'd fancy o'er the gulfThat lies between us and the aftertime,When this fine portion of the globe shall teemWith civiliz'd society; when arts,And industry, and elegance shall reign,As the shrill war-cry of the savage manYields to the jocund shepherd's roundelay.Oh, enviable country! thus disjoin'dFrom old licentious Europe! may'st thou rise,Free from those bonds which fraud and superstitionIn barbarous ages have enchain'dherwith;—Bidding the antique world with wonder viewA great, yet virtuous empire in the west!Finale.Freedom, on the western shoreFloat thy banner o'er the brave;Plenty, here thy blessings pour;Peace, thy olive sceptre wave!Percy,Walter, &c.Fire-eyed Valour, guard the land;Here uprear thy fearless crest;Princess,Kate,Alice, &c.Love, diffuse thy influence blandO'er the regions of the west.Chorus,Freedom, &c.Larry.Hither, lassie, frank and pretty,Come and live without formality.Thou, in English christen'd Pity,But call'd, in Irish, Hospitality.Chorus,Freedom, &c.The End.
Geraldine.Now, brother page—Kate.Dear mistress, I have foundMy faithful Larry.Geraldine.Happy girl! and IHope soon to meet my heart's dear lord, my Percy.Hist! the lord governor—Kate.He little thinksWho is the page he loves so—Geraldine.Silence.Kate.Mum.
Geraldine.Now, brother page—
Kate.Dear mistress, I have foundMy faithful Larry.
Geraldine.Happy girl! and IHope soon to meet my heart's dear lord, my Percy.Hist! the lord governor—
Kate.He little thinksWho is the page he loves so—
Geraldine.Silence.
Kate.Mum.
EnterDelawar,Walter,Larry, &c.
Delawar.Each noble act of his that you reciteChallenge all my wonder and applause.Your captain is a brave one; and I longTo press the hero's hand. But look, my friends,What female's this, who, like the swift Camilla,On airy step flies hitherward?Walter.My lord,This is the lovely princess you have heard of;Our infant colony's best patroness;Nay, sir, its foster-mother.Delawar.Mark how wild—
Delawar.Each noble act of his that you reciteChallenge all my wonder and applause.Your captain is a brave one; and I longTo press the hero's hand. But look, my friends,What female's this, who, like the swift Camilla,On airy step flies hitherward?
Walter.My lord,This is the lovely princess you have heard of;Our infant colony's best patroness;Nay, sir, its foster-mother.
Delawar.Mark how wild—
Music. ThePrincessenters, with wild anxiety in her looks; searches eagerly around forSmithandRolfe.
Delawar.Whom do you look for, lady?Princess.They are gone!Gone to be slaughter'd!Walter.If you seek our captain,He has departed for your father's banquet.Princess.Then they have met, and they will both be lost,My lover and my friend. O! faithless path,That led me from my lover! Strangers, fly!If you're the white man's friends—Delawar.Lady, we are.Princess.Then fly to save them from destruction!Delawar.How?Princess.Inquire not; speak not; treachery and deathAwait them at the banquet.Delawar.Haste, my friends,Give order for immediate departure.Princess.E'en now, perhaps, they bleed! O lover! brother!Fly, strangers, fly!
Delawar.Whom do you look for, lady?
Princess.They are gone!Gone to be slaughter'd!
Walter.If you seek our captain,He has departed for your father's banquet.
Princess.Then they have met, and they will both be lost,My lover and my friend. O! faithless path,That led me from my lover! Strangers, fly!If you're the white man's friends—
Delawar.Lady, we are.
Princess.Then fly to save them from destruction!
Delawar.How?
Princess.Inquire not; speak not; treachery and deathAwait them at the banquet.
Delawar.Haste, my friends,Give order for immediate departure.
Princess.E'en now, perhaps, they bleed! O lover! brother!Fly, strangers, fly!
Music. Drum beats; a bustle; scene closes.
SceneIV.At Werocomoco; banquet.Smith,Rolfe,Percy,Nantaquas,Powhatan, &c., seated.Grimosco,Miamiand a number ofIndiansattending.
Powhatan.White warriors, this is the feast of peace, and yet you wear your arms. Will not my friends lay by their warlike weapons? They fright our fearful people.
Smith.Our swords are part of our apparel, king;Nor need your people fear them. They shall restPeaceful within their scabbards, if PowhatanCall them not forth, with voice of enmity.Powhatan.Oh, that can never be! feast then in peace,Children and friends—
Smith.Our swords are part of our apparel, king;Nor need your people fear them. They shall restPeaceful within their scabbards, if PowhatanCall them not forth, with voice of enmity.
Powhatan.Oh, that can never be! feast then in peace,Children and friends—
Leaves his place and comes forward toGrimosco.
O priest! my soul is afraid it will be stained with dishonour.
Grimosco.Away! the Great Spirit commands you. Resume your seat; hold the white men in discourse; I will but thrice wave my hand, and your foes are dead. [Kingresumes his seat.] [ToMiami.] Now, prince, has the hour of vengeance arrived.
Powhatan.[With a faltering voice.] Think not, white men, that Powhatan wants the knowledge to prize your friendship. Powhatan has seen three generations pass away; and his locks of age do not float upon the temples of folly.
Grimoscowaves his hand: theIndianssteal behind theEnglish,MiamibehindRolfe.Kingproceeds.
If a leaf but fall in the forest, my people cry out with terror, "hark! the white warrior comes!" Chief, thou art terrible as an enemy, and Powhatan knows the value of thy friendship.
Grimoscowaves his hand again; theIndiansseize their tomahawks, and prepare to strike.Kinggoes on.
Think not, therefore, Powhatan can attempt to deceive thee—
TheKing'svoice trembles; he stops, unable to proceed. TheIndians'eyes are fixed onGrimosco, waiting for the last signal. At this moment thePrincessrushes in.
Princess.Treachery to the white men!
At the same instant, drum and trumpet without. Music. TheEnglishseize the uplifted arms of theIndians, and form a tableau, as enterDelawarand his party. After the music, theSoldierstake charge of theIndians.Pocahontasflies to the arms ofRolfe.
Nantaquas.O father!
[Powhatanis transfixed with confusion.
Smith.Wretched king! what fiend could urge you?
Powhatan.Shame ties the tongue of Powhatan. Ask of that fiend-like priest, how, to please the angry Spirit, I was to massacre my friends.
Smith.Holy Religion! still beneath the veilOf sacred piety what crimes lie hid!Bear hence that monster. Thou ferocious prince—
Smith.Holy Religion! still beneath the veilOf sacred piety what crimes lie hid!Bear hence that monster. Thou ferocious prince—
Miami.Miami's tortures shall not feast your eyes!
[Stabbing himself.
Smith.Rash youth, thou mightst have liv'd—
Miami.Liv'd! man, look there!
[Pointing toRolfeandPrincess. He is borne off.
Powhatan.Oh, if the false Powhatan might—Smith.No more.Wiser than thou have been the dupes of priesthood.Your hand. The father of this gen'rous pairI cannot choose but love. My noble lord,I pray you pardon my scant courtesyAnd sluggish duty, which so tardy-pacedDo greet your new arrival—Delawar.Valiant captain!Virtue-ennobled sir, a hero's heartWill make mine proud by its most near acquaintance.
Powhatan.Oh, if the false Powhatan might—
Smith.No more.Wiser than thou have been the dupes of priesthood.Your hand. The father of this gen'rous pairI cannot choose but love. My noble lord,I pray you pardon my scant courtesyAnd sluggish duty, which so tardy-pacedDo greet your new arrival—
Delawar.Valiant captain!Virtue-ennobled sir, a hero's heartWill make mine proud by its most near acquaintance.
[Embrace.
Smith.Your coming was most opportune, my lord.One moment more—Delawar.Nay, not to us the praise.Behold the brilliant star that led us on.Smith.Oh! blest is still its kindly influence!Could a rough soldier play the courtier, lady,His practis'd tongue might grace thy various goodness,With proper phrase of thanks; but oh! reward thee!Heaven only can—Princess.And has, my brother. See!I have its richest gift.[Turning toRolfe.Rolfe.My dearest love!Smith.Her brother, sir, and worthy of that name.
Smith.Your coming was most opportune, my lord.One moment more—
Delawar.Nay, not to us the praise.Behold the brilliant star that led us on.
Smith.Oh! blest is still its kindly influence!Could a rough soldier play the courtier, lady,His practis'd tongue might grace thy various goodness,With proper phrase of thanks; but oh! reward thee!Heaven only can—
Princess.And has, my brother. See!I have its richest gift.[Turning toRolfe.
[Turning toRolfe.
Rolfe.My dearest love!
Smith.Her brother, sir, and worthy of that name.
IntroducesNantaquastoDelawar;PercyandGeraldine, who had been conversing, advance.
Percy.You tell me wonders.Geraldine.But not miracles.Being near the uncle, sir, I knew the lady.Percy.And was I then deceived?Geraldine.What, gentle Percy!Young man, 'twas not well done, in idle pique,To wound the heart that lov'd you.Percy.O sir! speak!My Geraldine, your niece, is she not married?Delawar.Nor like to be, poor wench, but to her grave,If mourning for false lovers break maids' hearts.Percy.Was she then true? O madman! idiot!To let the feeble breath of empty rumourDrive me from heavenly happiness!Delawar.Poor girl!She fain would have embark'd with me.Percy.Ah, sir!Why did she not?Delawar.Marry, sir, I forbade her:The rough voyage would have shook her slender healthTo dissolution.Geraldine.Pardon, sir; not so—Delawar.How now, pert page?Geraldine.For here she is, my lord.And the rough voyage has giv'n her a new life.Percy.My Geraldine!Delawar.My niece! O brazenface!Approach me not; fly from your uncle's anger;Fly to your husband's arms for shelter, hussy!
Percy.You tell me wonders.
Geraldine.But not miracles.Being near the uncle, sir, I knew the lady.
Percy.And was I then deceived?
Geraldine.What, gentle Percy!Young man, 'twas not well done, in idle pique,To wound the heart that lov'd you.
Percy.O sir! speak!My Geraldine, your niece, is she not married?
Delawar.Nor like to be, poor wench, but to her grave,If mourning for false lovers break maids' hearts.
Percy.Was she then true? O madman! idiot!To let the feeble breath of empty rumourDrive me from heavenly happiness!
Delawar.Poor girl!She fain would have embark'd with me.
Percy.Ah, sir!Why did she not?
Delawar.Marry, sir, I forbade her:The rough voyage would have shook her slender healthTo dissolution.
Geraldine.Pardon, sir; not so—
Delawar.How now, pert page?
Geraldine.For here she is, my lord.And the rough voyage has giv'n her a new life.
Percy.My Geraldine!
Delawar.My niece! O brazenface!Approach me not; fly from your uncle's anger;Fly to your husband's arms for shelter, hussy!
[Geraldineflies toPercy'sembrace.
Percy.Oh! speechless transport! mute let me infold thee!
Delawar.[ToKate.] And you, my little spark, perhaps, your cloakCovers another duteous niece—or daughter.Speak, lady: for I see that title writIn crimson characters upon your cheek.Art of my blood?Larry.No, sir, she's of my flesh;Flesh of my flesh, my lord. Now, arrah, Kate,Don't blush. This goodly company all knowsMy flesh may wear the breeches, without scandal.Walter.Listen not, Alice, to his sophistry.Sir, if our good wives learn this argument,They'll logically pluck away our—Alice.Tut:Fear ye not that; for when a woman would,She'll draw them on without a rule of reason.Delawar.Methinks 'tis pairing time among the turtles.Who have we here?
Delawar.[ToKate.] And you, my little spark, perhaps, your cloakCovers another duteous niece—or daughter.Speak, lady: for I see that title writIn crimson characters upon your cheek.Art of my blood?
Larry.No, sir, she's of my flesh;Flesh of my flesh, my lord. Now, arrah, Kate,Don't blush. This goodly company all knowsMy flesh may wear the breeches, without scandal.
Walter.Listen not, Alice, to his sophistry.Sir, if our good wives learn this argument,They'll logically pluck away our—
Alice.Tut:Fear ye not that; for when a woman would,She'll draw them on without a rule of reason.
Delawar.Methinks 'tis pairing time among the turtles.Who have we here?
RobinandNimacome forward.
Robin.A pair of pigeons, sir; or rather a robin and a dove. A wild thing, sir, that I caught in the wood here. But when I have clipt her wings, and tamed her, I hope (without offence to this good company) that we shall bill without biting more than our neighbours.
Smith.Joy to ye, gentle lovers; joy to all;A goodly circle, and a fair. MethinksWild Nature smooths apace her savage frown,Moulding her features to a social smile.Now flies my hope-wing'd fancy o'er the gulfThat lies between us and the aftertime,When this fine portion of the globe shall teemWith civiliz'd society; when arts,And industry, and elegance shall reign,As the shrill war-cry of the savage manYields to the jocund shepherd's roundelay.Oh, enviable country! thus disjoin'dFrom old licentious Europe! may'st thou rise,Free from those bonds which fraud and superstitionIn barbarous ages have enchain'dherwith;—Bidding the antique world with wonder viewA great, yet virtuous empire in the west!
Smith.Joy to ye, gentle lovers; joy to all;A goodly circle, and a fair. MethinksWild Nature smooths apace her savage frown,Moulding her features to a social smile.Now flies my hope-wing'd fancy o'er the gulfThat lies between us and the aftertime,When this fine portion of the globe shall teemWith civiliz'd society; when arts,And industry, and elegance shall reign,As the shrill war-cry of the savage manYields to the jocund shepherd's roundelay.Oh, enviable country! thus disjoin'dFrom old licentious Europe! may'st thou rise,Free from those bonds which fraud and superstitionIn barbarous ages have enchain'dherwith;—Bidding the antique world with wonder viewA great, yet virtuous empire in the west!
Finale.
Freedom, on the western shoreFloat thy banner o'er the brave;Plenty, here thy blessings pour;Peace, thy olive sceptre wave!
Freedom, on the western shoreFloat thy banner o'er the brave;Plenty, here thy blessings pour;Peace, thy olive sceptre wave!
Percy,Walter, &c.
Fire-eyed Valour, guard the land;Here uprear thy fearless crest;
Fire-eyed Valour, guard the land;Here uprear thy fearless crest;
Princess,Kate,Alice, &c.
Love, diffuse thy influence blandO'er the regions of the west.
Love, diffuse thy influence blandO'er the regions of the west.
Chorus,Freedom, &c.
Larry.
Hither, lassie, frank and pretty,Come and live without formality.Thou, in English christen'd Pity,But call'd, in Irish, Hospitality.
Hither, lassie, frank and pretty,Come and live without formality.Thou, in English christen'd Pity,But call'd, in Irish, Hospitality.
Chorus,Freedom, &c.
The End.