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, Because that, fill'd with filial piety, 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 120 Can charm like mourning beauty?), soon struck off 125 Her chains, and rais'd her to his bed and throne; Adorn'd the brows of her aspiring Son, The fierce Vonones, with the regal crown Of rich Armenia, once the happy rule Of Tisaphernes, her deceased Lord. Golarzes. 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 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. Phraates. But see, the Prince Vardanes; Proud Lysias with him, he whose soul is harsh With jarring discord. Nought but madding rage 145 150 Gotarzes. 1759. Let us retire, 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 20 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 More pow'rful made by certain strength'ning Drugs. Urge them to drink till they grow mad and valiant, 55 I then begin my Trade with water'd Rum: The cooling Draught well suits their scorching Throats; 60 But here they come: you 'll see how I proceed. Jack. Yes, Sir, all 's ready when you please to call. [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. Ist Indian. So, what, you trade with Indians here to-day? M'Dole. Yes, if my Goods will suit, and we agree. 2d Indian. "T is Rum we want: we 're tired, hot, and thirsty. 3d Indian. You, Mr. Englishman, have you got Rum? M'Dole. Jack, bring a Bottle; pour them each a Gill. You know which Cask contains the Rum. The Rum? Ist Indian. It's good strong Rum; I feel it very soon. M'Dole. Give me a Glass. Here's Honesty in Trade: We English always drink before we deal. 65 70 75 80 2d Indian. Good Way enough; it makes one sharp and cunning. 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. M'Dole. What is your Price for Beaver Skins per Pound? 1st Indian. How much you ask per Quart for this strong Rum? 90 M'Dole. Five Pounds of Beaver for One Quart of Rum. 1st Indian. Five Pounds? Too much. Which is 't you call Five Pound? M'Dole. This little Weight. I cannot give you more. 1st Indian. Well, take 'em; weigh 'em. Don't you cheat us now. There's Thirty Pounds precisely of the Whole; [Exeunt Indians to receive their Rum. 95 100 Than ever I have done in Half a Year. Curse on my Honesty! I might have been Had I but known the proper Arts to thrive. M'Dole. Ay, there's the Way, my honest Friend, to live! 105 [Clapping his Shoulder. There's Ninety Weight of Sterling Beaver for you, Worth all the Rum and Trinkets in my Store; And would my Conscience let me do the Thing, I might enhance my Price and lessen theirs And raise my Profits to an higher Pitch. Murphey. I can't but thank you for your kind Instructions, As from them I expect to reap Advantage. But should the Dogs detect me in the Fraud, They are malicious and would have Revenge. ΙΙΟ M'Dole. Can't you avoid them? Let their Vengeance light 115 On others Heads, no matter whose, if you Are but secure and have the Gain in Hand; For they 're indiff'rent where they take Revenge, 120 125 [Exeunt. |