_Maj. Andre._ I have been thinking Some time, Sir Henry, what we should be doing. 'Tis yet but early in the active season; The summer scarce has finished her career, And in this mild, this pleasing temperate climate Three months as yet are open for campaigns; But then our worn-out, dying, wounded soldiers Demand our pity. Those who came from Charlestown Have brought with them a lingering hectic fever Which hardly one survives. Our soldiers here Who do the duty of the garrison, With constant watching, unremitted labor, Cannot be spared from hence. Were we sufficient In horse and foot to combat with the foe, I forthwith would advise your Excellency Once more to try the force of Washington, That so, by killing and by captivating Him and his troops, we totally might ruin This only stay, this bulwark of rebellion. But since our circumstances don't allow With open force t' attack the hostile lines, Let's try the witching power of bribery. We read the Prince of Macedon declared That those strong gates his javelins could not pierce Nor battering ram effect a breach upon, Were open still to gold. [_Pauses_ _Sir Henry._ Speak on, my friend, For I approve the motion to my soul If any project likely to succeed, Or well-planned scheme thou canst impart to me, Gold shall not be deficient. Millions lie Appropriated to this very purpose, And often have I sent to sound some chiefs Whose qualities and influence are great In yonder hostile camp, but their stern souls Are so well armed with more than Spartan virtue That there corruption seems to have no power, And all my schemes and plans are come to nothing. _Maj. Andre._ I know a man Who, wouldst thou think it, by his chieftain trusted, And even this moment placed in high command, And honoured to profusion by his country-- The Americans in truth almost adore him-- That I do correspond with daily. O Britain, Britain, That one descended from thy true-born sons Should plot against the soil that gave him birth, And for the value of a little gold Betray its dearest rights. But traitors are the growth of every country And Arnold is our own! _Sir Henry._ What say you? Arnold? Can Arnold then be bought? I greet you now! Arnold, in chief command at West Point fort? Arnold, who galled our sides in Canada? Arnold, who took and plundered Montreal? Gold shall not here be scarce if gold can buy him; Ten thousand sterling pounds are at his service, And twice ten thousand more if he deliver This West Point fort with its dependencies Into the hand of Clinton.