A monst'rous Leopard from a bosky fen And tore me to the ground; my treach'rous blade When furiously the savage sprung upon me Above my hand snap'd short, and left me quite Hearing the din, flew like some pitying pow'r, Defenceless to his rage. Arsaces then, And quickly freed me from the Monster's paws, 60 65 70 Would dare dispute with Jove the rule of heav'n; 80 Like a Titanian son, with giant insolence Match with the Gods and wage immortal war, 'Til their red wrath should hurl him headlong down E'en to destruction's lowest pit of horror. Gotarzes. Methinks he wears not that becoming joy 85 Which on this bright occasion gilds the court: His brow 's contracted with a gloomy frown, For standing 'twixt him and the hope of Empire, 90 Proud of strength, would seek the further shore; But 'ere he the mid-stream gain'd, a poignant pain Shot thro' his well-strung nerves, contracting all, And the stiff joints refus'd their wonted aid. Loudly he cry'd for help: Arsaces heard, 100 Phraates. There's something in the wind, for I 've observ'd Of late he much frequents the Queen's apartment, And fain would court her favour. Wild is she To gain revenge for fell Vonones' death, To save his Royal Sire he struck the bold The hand which gave her Liberty, nay rais'd her Thou hell-born fiend, how horrid is thy form! 105 The Gods sure let thee loose to scourge mankind, 115 Phraates. Yet I 've beheld this now so haughty Queen I 20 Her chains, and rais'd her to his bed and throne; 125 The fierce Vonones, with the regal crown Of rich Armenia, once the happy rule Of Tisaphernes, her deceased Lord. Gotarzes. And he in wasteful war return'd his thanks, 130 Refus'd the homage he had sworn to pay, And spread Destruction ev'ry where around, 'Til from Arsaces hand he met the fate His crimes deserv'd. Phraates. As yet your princely Brother On whom she'd wreck her vengeance. 135 1759. Golarzes. She has won 140 By spells, I think, so much on my fond father That he is guided by her will alone. She rules the realm; her pleasure is a law; All offices and favours are bestow'd As she directs. But see, the Prince Vardanes; Phraates. Proud Lysias with him, he whose soul is harsh 145 150 And shun them now: I know not what it means, But chilling horror shivers o'er my limbs When Lysias I behold. 155 1765. ROBERT ROGERS FROM PONTEACH OR THE SAVAGES OF AMERICA ACT I. SCENE I An Indian Trading House. Enter M'Dole and Murphey, M'Dole. So, Murphey, you are come to try your Fortune Murphey. Ay, any Thing to get an honest Living, Which, 'faith, I find it hard enough to do; Times are so dull and Traders are so plenty 5 That Gains are small and Profits come but slow. M'Dole. Are you experienc'd in this kind of Trade? Know you the Principles by which it prospers, If not, you're like a Ship without a Rudder, Murphey. I'm unacquainted with your Indian Commerce, And gladly would I learn the Arts from you, Who 're old and practis'd in them many Years. M'Dole. That is the curst Misfortune of our Traders: 15 A thousand Fools attempt to live this Way, Who might as well turn Ministers of State. But as you are a Friend I will inform you Of all the secret Arts by which we thrive; 20 Nor circumvent each other in our Gains. What have you got to part with to the Indians? Murphey. I've Rum and Blankets, Wampum, Powder, Bells, And such-like Trifles as they 're wont to prize. M'Dole. 'T is very well; your Articles are good: 25 But now the Thing 's to make a Profit from them That it's no Crime to cheat and gull an Indian. Murphey. How! Not a Sin to cheat an Indian, say you? 30 Are they not Men? hav 'nt they a Right to Justice As well as we, though savage in their Manners? M'Dole. Ah! If you boggle here, I say no more: This is the very Quintessence of Trade, 35 And ev'ry Hope of Gain depends upon it; 40 And died in Quiet like an honest Dealer. Murphey. Well, I'll not stick at what is necessary; 45 But his Device is now grown old and stale, Nor could I manage such a barefac'd Fraud. M'Dole. A thousand Opportunities present To take Advantage of their Ignorance; 50 More pow'rful made by certain strength'ning Drugs. Urge them to drink till they grow mad and valiant, Art. 55 I then begin my Trade with water'd Rum: The cooling Draught well suits their scorching Throats; My Scales are honest, but so well contriv'd 60 But here they come: you'll see how I proceed. Jack, is the Rum prepar 'd as I commanded? Jack. Yes, Sir, all 's ready when you please to call. You see the Trick is easy and conceal'd. [Shewing how to slip the Scales. Tom. Ah, never fear, I 'll do as well as Jack. Murphey. O, I'll take care of that. Enter a Number of Indians, with Packs of Fur. 65 70 Ist Indian. So, what, you trade with Indians here to-day? 75 2d Indian. 'T is Rum we want: we 're tired, hot, and thirsty. You know which Cask contains the Rum. The Rum? Ist Indian. It 's good strong Rum; I feel it very soon. We English always drink before we deal. 80 2d Indian. Good Way enough; it makes one sharp and cunning. M'Dole. Hand round another Gill. You 're very welcome. 3d Indian. Some say you Englishmen are sometimes Rogues: 85 You make poor Indians drunk, and then you cheat. Ist Indian. No, English good. The Frenchmen give no Rum. 2d Indian. I think it's best to trade with Englishmen. |