_Ran._ Come, come, I’ll give you a better Opportunity at my House to
morrow, we are to eat a Buffalo there, and I’ll secure the old Gentleman
from coming.
_Friend._ Then I shall see _Chrisante_ once more before I go.
_Chris._ Go--Heavens--whither, my _Friendly_?
_Friend._ I have received a Commission to go against the _Indians_,
_Bacon_ being sent for home.
_Ran._ But will he come when sent for?
_Friend._ If he refuse we are to endeavour to force him.
_Chris._ I do not think he will be forc’d, not even by _Friendly_.
_Friend._ And, faith, it goes against my Conscience to lift my Sword
against him, for he is truly brave, and what he has done, a Service to
the Country, had it but been by Authority.
_Chris._ What pity ‘tis there should be such false Maxims in the World,
that noble Actions, however great, must be criminal for want of a Law to
authorise ‘em.
_Friend._ Indeed ‘tis pity that when Laws are faulty they should not be
mended or abolish’d.
_Ran._ Hark ye, _Charles_, by Heaven, if you kill my _Daring_ I’ll
pistol you.
_Friend._ No, Widow, I’ll spare him for your sake.
[They join with _Surelove_.
_Haz._ Oh, she’s all divine, and all the Breath she utters serves but to
blow my Flame.
Enter _Maid_.
_Maid._ Madam, Dinner’s on the Table--
_Sure._ Please you, Sir, to walk in--come, Mr. _Friendly_.
[She takes _Hazard_.
_Ran._ Prithee, good Wench, bring in the Punch-Bowl.
[Exeunt.
ACT II.
SCENE I. A Pavilion.
Discovers the _Indian King_ and _Queen_ sitting in State, with
Guards of _Indians_, Men and Women attending: To them _Bacon_
richly dress’d, attended by _Daring_, _Fearless_ and other
Officers; he bows to the _King_ and _Queen_, who rise to receive
him_.
_King._ I am sorry, Sir, we meet upon these Terms, we who so often have
embrac’d as Friends.
_Bac._ How charming is the Queen! [Aside.] War, Sir, is not my Business
nor my Pleasure: Nor was I bred in Arms, my Country’s Good has forc’d me
to assume a Soldier’s Life; and ‘tis with much regret that I employ the
first Effects of it against my Friends: yet whilst I may--whilst this
Cessation lasts, I beg we may exchange those Friendships, Sir, we have
so often paid in happier Peace.
_King._ For your part, Sir, you’ve been so noble, that I repent the
fatal Difference that makes us meet in Arms. Yet though I’m young, I’m
sensible of Injuries; and oft have heard my Grandsire say, That we were
Monarchs once of all this spacious World, till you, an unknown People,
landing here, distress’d and ruin’d by destructive Storms, abusing all
our charitable Hospitality, usurp’d our Right, and made your Friends
your Slaves.
_Bac._ I will not justify the Ingratitude of my Forefathers, but finding
here my Inheritance, I am resolv’d still to maintain it so, and by my
Sword which first cut out my Portion, defend each Inch of Land, with my
last drop of Blood.
_Queen._ Even his Threats have Charms that please the Heart.
[Aside.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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