The Indian Princess Part 6

POCAHONTAS. Nima, dost thou hear the words of my brother.

NANTAQUAS. The battle ceased, for courage left the bosom of our warriors; their arrows rested in their quivers; their bowstrings no longer sounded; the tired chieftains leaned on their war-clubs, and gazed at the terrible stranger, whom they dared not approach. Give an ear to me, king: 't was then I held out the hand of peace to him, and he became my brother; he forgot his arms, for he trusted to his brother: he was discoursing wonders to his friend, when our chiefs rushed upon him, and bore him away. But oh!

my father, he must not die; for he is not a war captive; I promised that the chain of friends.h.i.+p should be bright between us. Chieftains, your prince must not falsify his word; father, your son must not be a liar!

POCAHONTAS. Listen, warriors; listen, father; the white man is my brother's brother!

GRIMOSCO. King! when last night our village shook with the loud noise, it was the Great Spirit who talk'd to his priest; my mouth shall speak his commands: King, we must destroy the strangers, for they are not our G.o.d's children; we must take their scalps, and wash our hands in the white man's blood, for he is an enemy to the Great Spirit.

NANTAQUAS. O priest, thou hast dreamed a false dream; Miami, thou tellest the tale that is not. Hearken, my father, to my true words! the white man is beloved by the Great Spirit; his king is like you, my father, good and great; and he comes from a land beyond the wide water, to make us wise and happy!

_POWHATAN deliberates. Music._

POWHATAN. Stranger, thou must prepare for death. Six of our brethren fell by thy hand. Thou must die.

POCAHONTAS. Father, O father!

SMITH. Had not your people first beset me, king, I would have prov'd a friend and brother to them; Arts I'd have taught, that should have made them G.o.ds, And gifts would I have given to your people, Richer than red men ever yet beheld.

Think not I fear to die. Lead to the block.

The soul of the white warrior shall shrink not.

Prepare the stake! amidst your fiercest tortures, You'll find its fiery pains as n.o.bly scorned, As when the red man sings aloud his death-song.

POCAHONTAS. Oh! shall that brave man die!

_Music. The KING motions with his hand, and SMITH is led to the block._

MIAMI. [_To executioners._] Warriors, when the third signal strikes, sink your tomahawks in his head.

POCAHONTAS. Oh, do not, warriors, do not! Father, incline your heart to mercy; he will win your battles, he will vanquish your enemies! [_First signal._] Brother, speak! save your brother! Warriors, are you brave?

preserve the brave man! [_Second signal._] Miami, priest, sing the song of peace; ah! strike not, hold! mercy!

_Music. The third signal is struck, the hatchets are lifted up: when the PRINCESS, shrieking, runs distractedly to the block, and presses SMITH'S head to her bosom._

White man, thou shalt not die; or I will die with thee!

_Music. She leads SMITH to the throne, and kneels._

My father, dost thou love thy daughter? listen to her voice; look upon her tears: they ask for mercy to the captive. Is thy child dear to thee, my father? Thy child will die with the white man.

_Plaintive music. She bows her head to his feet. POWHATAN, after some deliberation, looking on his daughter with tenderness, presents her with a string of white wampum. POCAHONTAS, with the wildest expression of joy, rushes forward with SMITH, presenting the beads of peace._

Captive! thou art free!--

_Music. General joy is diffused--MIAMI and GRIMOSCO only appear discontented. The prince NANTAQUAS congratulates SMITH. The PRINCESS shows the most extravagant emotions of rapture._

SMITH. O woman! angel s.e.x! where'er thou art, Still art thou heavenly. The rudest clime Robs not thy glowing bosom of its nature.

Thrice blessed lady, take a captive's thanks!

[_He bows upon her hand._

POCAHONTAS. My brother!--

[_Music. SMITH expresses his grat.i.tude._

NANTAQUAS. Father, hear the design that fills my breast. I will go among the white men; I will learn their arts; and my people shall be made wise and happy.

POCAHONTAS. I too will accompany my brother.

MIAMI. Princess!--

POCAHONTAS. Away, cruel Miami; you would have murdered my brother!--

POWHATAN. Go, my son; take thy warriors, and go with the white men.

Daughter, I cannot lose thee from mine eyes; accompany thy brother but a little on his way. Stranger, depart in peace; I entrust my son to thy friends.h.i.+p.

SMITH. Gracious sir, He shall return with honours and with wonders; My beauteous sister! n.o.ble brother, come!

_Music. Exeunt, on one side, SMITH, PRINCESS, NANTAQUAS, NIMA, and train. On the other, KING, PRIEST, MIAMI, &c. The two latter express angry discontent._

SCENE II. _A forest._

_Enter PERCY, ROLFE._

ROLFE. So far indeed 'tis fruitless, yet we'll on.

PERCY. Aye, to the death.

ROLFE. Brave Percy, come, confess You have forgot your love.

PERCY. Why, faith, not quite; Despite of me, it sometimes through my mind Flits like a dark cloud o'er a summer sky; But pa.s.ses off like that, and leaves me cloudless.

I can't forget that she was sweet as spring; Fair as the day.

ROLFE. Aye, aye, like April weather; Sweet, fair, and faithless.

PERCY. True alas! like April!

_Song_--PERCY.

Fair Geraldine each charm of spring possest, Her cheek glow'd with the rose and lily's strife; Her breath was perfume, and each winter'd breast Felt that her sunny eyes beam'd light and life.

Alas! that in a form of blooming May, The mind should April's changeful liv'ry wear!

Yet ah! like April, smiling to betray, Is Geraldine, as false as she is fair!

ROLFE. Beshrew the little gipsy! let us on.

[_Exeunt PERCY, ROLFE._

_Enter LARRY, WALTER, ROBIN, &c._

LARRY. Go no further? Och! you hen-hearted c.o.c.k robin!