Abraham Lincoln: A Play Part 13

_Custis_: What you do?

_Lincoln_: We have sent a protest.

_Custis_: No good. Must do more.

_Lincoln_: What more can we do?

_Custis_: You know.

_Lincoln_: Yes; but don't ask me for reprisals.

_Custis (gleaming)_: Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.

_Lincoln_: No, no. You must think. Think what you are saying.

_Custis_: I think of murdered black men.

_Lincoln_: You would not ask me to murder?

_Custis_: Punish--not murder.

_Lincoln_: Yes, murder. How can I kill men in cold blood for what has been done by others? Think what would follow. It is for us to set a great example, not to follow a wicked one. You do believe that, don't you?

_Custis (after a pause)_: I know. Yes. Let your light so shine before men. I trust Mista Lincoln. Will trust. I was wrong. I was too sorry for my people.

_Lincoln_: Will you remember this? For more than two years I have thought of you every day. I have grown a weary man with thinking. But I shall not forget. I promise that.

_Custis_: You great, kind friend. I will love you.

_A knock at the door._

_Lincoln:_ Yes.

SUSAN _comes in_.

_Susan_: An officer gentleman. He says it's very important.

_Lincoln_: I'll come.

_He and_ CUSTIS _rise_.

Wait, will you, Mr. Custis? I want to ask you some questions.

_He goes out. It is getting dark, and_ SUSAN _lights a lamp and draws the curtains_. CUSTIS _stands by the door looking after_ LINCOLN.

_Custis_: He very good man.

_Susan_: You've found that out, have you?

_Custis_: Do you love him, you white girl?

_Susan_: Of course I do.

_Custis_: Yes, you must.

_Susan_: He's a real white man. No offence, of course.

_Custis_: Not offend. He talk to me as if black no difference.

_Susan_: But I tell you what, Mr. Custis. He'll kill himself over this war, his heart's that kind--like a shorn lamb, as they say.

_Custis_: Very unhappy war.

_Susan_: But I suppose he's right. It's got to go on till it's settled.

_In the street below a body of people is heard approaching, singing "John Brown's Body_" CUSTIS _and_ SUSAN _stand listening_, SUSAN _joining in the song as it pa.s.ses and fades away._

THE CURTAIN FALLS.

_First Chronicler_: Unchanged our time. And further yet In loneliness must be the way, And difficult and deep the debt Of constancy to pay.

_Second Chronicler_: And one denies, and one forsakes.

And still unquestioning he goes, Who has his lonely thoughts, and makes.

A world of those.

_The two together_: When the high heart we magnify, And the sure vision celebrate, And worship greatness pa.s.sing by, Ourselves are great.

SCENE IV.

_About the same date. A meeting of the Cabinet at Washington_. SMITH _has gone and_ CAMERON _has been replaced by_ EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War. Otherwise the ministry, completed by_ SEWARD, CHASE, HOOK, BLAIR, _and_ WELLES, _is as before. They are now arranging themselves at the table, leaving_ LINCOLN'S _place empty.

Seward (coming in_): I've just had my summons. Is there some special news?

_Stanton_: Yes. McClellan has defeated Lee at Antietam. It's our greatest success. They ought not to recover from it. The tide is turning.

_Blair_: Have you seen the President?

_Stanton_: I've just been with him.

_Welles_: What does he say?

_Stanton_: He only said, "At last." He's coming directly.

_Hook_: He will bring up his proclamation again. In my opinion it is inopportune.

_Seward_: Well, we've learnt by now that the President is the best man among us.