Page:Representative American plays.pdf/125

108

last, and with an action of extreme tenderness takes leave of her. and accompany him.)

. Now we will go. Come, love! Where is he?

All gone!—I do remember—I awake—

They have him. Murder! Help! O, save him! save him!

( attempts to follow, hut falls. kneels to assist her. Scene closes.)

(Procession to the execution of . First enter Pioneers—Detachment of Infantry—Military Band of Music—Infantry. The Music having passed off, enter between  and ; they sorrowful, he cheerfully conversing as he passes over the stage.)

. It may in me be merely prejudice,

The effect of young opinion deep engraved

Upon the tender mind by care parental;

But I must think your country has mistook

Her interests. Believe me, but for this I should

Not willingly have drawn a sword against her.

Opinion must, nay, ought to sway our actions;

Therefore—

(Having crossed the stage, he goes out as still conversing with them. Another detachment of Infantry, with muffled and craped drums, closes the procession; as soon as they are off—

draws and discovers the distant view of the encampment.)

(Procession enters in same order as before, proceeds up the stage, and goes off the opposite side.)

. I dare not thee resist. Yet why, O why

Thus hurry me away?—

. Would'st thou behold—

. O, name it not!

. Or would'st thou, by thy looks

And gestures wild, o'erthrow that manly calmness

Which, or assumed or felt, so well becomes thy friend?

. What means that cannon's sound?

. (After a pause.) Signal of death

Appointed. André, thy friend, is now no more.

. Farewell, farewell, brave spirit! O! let my countrymen,

Henceforward when the cruelties of war

Arise in their remembrance; when their ready

Speech would pour forth torrents in their foe's dispraise,

Think on this act accurst, and lock complaint in silence.

( throws himself on the earth.)

. Such are the dictates of the heart, not head.

O, may the children of Columbia still

Be taught by every teacher of mankind,

Each circumstance of calculative gain,

Or wounded pride, which prompted our oppressors;

May every child be taught to lisp the tale;

And may, in times to come, no foreign force,

No European influence, tempt to mis-state,

Or awe the tongue of eloquence to silence.

Still may our children's children deep abhor

The motives, doubly deep detest the actors;

Ever remembering that the race who plann'd,

Who acquiesced, or did the deeds abhor'd,

Has pass'd from off the earth; and, in its stead,

Stand men who challenge love or detestation

But from their proper, individual deeds

Never let memory of the sire's offence

Descend upon the son.