HARRISON. Dreams he of closing up our empty plains? Our mighty forests waiting for the axe? Our mountain steeps engrailed with iron and gold? There's no asylumed madness like to this! Mankind shall have its wide possession here; And these rough assets of a virgin world Stand for its coming, and await its hand. The poor of every land shall come to this, Heart-full of sorrows and shall lay them down. LEFROY. (_Springing to his feet_.) The poor! What care your rich thieves for the poor? Those graspers hate the poor, from whom they spring, More deeply than they hate this injured race. Much have they taken from it--let them now Take this prediction, with the red man's curse! The time will come when that dread power--the Poor-- Whom, in their greed and pride of wealth, they spurn-- Will rise on them, and tear them from their seats; Drag all their vulgar splendours down, and pluck Their shallow women from their lawless beds, Yea, seize their puling and unhealthy babes, And fling them as foul pavement to the streets. In all the dreaming of the Universe There is no darker vision of despairs! 1ST OFFICER. What man is that? 'Tis not an Indian. HARRISON. Madman, you rave!--you know not what you say. TECUMSEH. Master of guile, this axe should speak for him! [_Drawing his hatchet as if to hurl it at_ HARRISON.] 2ND OFFICER. This man means mischief! Quick! Bring up the guard! [GENERAL HARRISON _and officers draw their swords. The warriors spring to their feet and cluster about_ TECUMSEH, _their eyes fixed intently upon_ HARRISON, _who stands unmoved._ TWANG _and his friends disappear. The soldiers rush forward and take aim, but are ordered not to fire_.] END OF SECOND ACT. ACT III. SCENE FIRST.--VINCENNES.--A COUNCIL CHAMBER IN GENERAL HARRISON'S HOUSE. _Enter_ HARRISON _and five_ COUNCILLORS. HARRISON. Here are despatches from the President, As well as letters from my trusted friends, Whose tenor made me summon you to Council. [_Placing papers on table_.] 1ST COUNCILLOR. Why break good news so gently? Is it true War is declared 'gainst England? HARRISON. Would it were! That war is still deferred. Our news is draff, And void of spirit, since New England turns A fresh cheek to the slap of Britain's palm. Great God! I am amazed at such supineness. Our trade prohibited, our men impressed, Our flag insulted--still her people bend, Amidst the ticking of their wooden clocks, Bemused o'er small inventions. Out upon't! Such tame submission yokes not with my spirit, And sends my southern blood into my cheeks, As proxy for New England's sense of shame. 2ND COUNCILLOR. We all see, save New England, what to do; But she has eyes for her one interest-- A war might sink it. So the way to war Puzzles imagining. HARRISON. There is a way Which lies athwart the President's command. The reinforcements asked for from Monroe Are here at last, but with this strict injunction, They must not be employed save in defence, Or in a forced attack.