She Would Be a Soldier; Or, The Plains of ChippewaNoah, M. M. (Mordecai Manuel)
General
She Would Be a Soldier; Or, The Plains of Chippewa
Noah, M. M. (Mordecai Manuel)
American drama; Chippewa, Battle of, Ont., 1814 -- Drama
SCENE IV. _The Camp, as in Act I, Scene III; the stage is thrown open,
drums roll, and the procession enters for the execution of CHRISTINE;
she is in the centre, between the two detachments; her coat is off, and
the stock unloosened from her neck--her step is firm, until she reaches
the tent of LENOX, when she clasps her hands and hangs down her head in
despair. Procession makes the circuit of the stage with slow steps, and
when opposite the tent she kneels; an OFFICER places the bandage over
her eyes, and gives a sign to a detachment of four to advance; they step
forward, and level their muskets at her; at the moment, LENOX rushes
from the tent with the miniature in his hand and strikes up their guns._
LENOX. Hold! for your lives! [_Rushes down to CHRISTINE, and tears the
bandage from her eyes._] 'Tis she! 'tis she! 'tis my own, my beloved
Christine!
[_Holds her in his arms; she faints._
2ND OFFICER. What means this?
LENOX. Stand off, ye cruel executioners, would you destroy a woman?
OFFICER. A woman? Heavens! how did this happen?
_Enter GENERAL, ADELA, LAROLE, SOLDIERS, &c._
LENOX. Support her, Adela, support my dear Christine!
[_ADELA assists._
CHRISTINE. [_Recovering._] Where am I? [_Sees LENOX and ADELA._] Hide
me, save me from that horrid sight!
LENOX. Do you not know me, dear Christine?
CHRISTINE. Traitor, begone! let me die at once! Is she not your bride?
LENOX. No, by Heavens, no! 'tis my early friend, my dear companion.
Could you doubt my love?
CHRISTINE. Not married? not your betrothed? O Lenox, are you then
faithful?
LENOX. Could Christine doubt my vows?
CHRISTINE. I see it all--I have been deceived. Pardon me, dear Lenox;
but driven to despair by your supposed perfidy, I enlisted, and rushed
on my fate--which in a moment (horrid thought!) would have terminated.
But you are true, and I am happy.
[_Embrace._
LAROLE. Parbleu! it is a littel voman vidout de petticoat. Suppose she
take a me von prisonier, O quell disgrâce!
_Enter JASPER, JERRY and PEASANTS._
JASPER. Where is she? where is my daughter?
CHRISTINE. My father? I dare not look upon him.
JASPER. Come to my arms, dear wanderer. Could you leave your poor old
father thus? You've nearly broke my heart, Christine.
CHRISTINE. My sufferings have been equally severe; but do you pardon
your child?
JASPER. I do--I do! and further prove my love, by making you happy. Take
her, Lenox, she is yours; and never let father attempt to force his
child into a marriage which her heart abhors.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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