Tecumseh : a Drama Part 7

HARRISON. How so?

1ST OFFICER. Well, once, before his braves, 'tis said, You dared him to a trial of his spells, Which challenge he accepted, having heard From white men of a coming sun-eclipse.

Then, shrewdly noting day and hour, he called Boldly his followers round him, and declared That he would hide the sun. They stood and gazed, And, when the moon's colossal shadow fell, They crouched upon the ground, and worshipped him.

HARRISON. He caught me there, and mischief came of it.

Oh, he is deep. How different those brothers!

One dipt in craft, the dye of cruelty, The other frank and open as the day.

_Enter an_ ORDERLY.

ORDERLY. Tec.u.mseh and his braves have reached the landing!

[_Excitement. All rise hastily_.]

HARRISON. This room is smaller than our audience: Take seats and benches to the portico-- There we shall treat with him.

[_Exeunt all but_ GENERAL HARRISON.]

Could I but strain My charge this chief might be our trusty friend.

Yet I am but my nation's servitor; Gold is the king who overrides the right, And turns our people from the simple ways, And fair ideal of our fathers' lives.

[_Exit_.]

SCENE FOURTH.--THE SAME. THE PORTICO OF GENERAL HARRISON'S HOUSE. AN OPEN GROVE AT A LITTLE DISTANCE IN FRONT.

[_Curtain rises and discovers_ GENERAL HARRISON, _army officers and citizens, of various quality, including_ Tw.a.n.g, SLAUGH, GERKIN _and_ BLOAT, _seated in the portico. A sergeant and guard of soldiers near by.

Enter_ TEc.u.mSEH _and his followers with_ LEFROY _in Indian dress. They all stop at the grove_.]

HARRISON. Why halts he there? Go tell him he is welcome to our house.

[_An Orderly goes down with message_.]

1ST OFFICER. How grave and decorous they look-- "the mien Of pensive people born in ancient woods."

But look at him! Look at Tec.u.mseh there-- How simple in attire! that eagle, plume Sole ornament, and emblem of his spirit.

And yet, far-scanned, there's something in his face That likes us not. Would we were out of this!

HARRISON. Yes; even at a distance I can see His eyes distilling anger. 'Tis no sign Of treachery, which ever drapes with smiles The most perfidious purpose. Our poor strength Would fall at once should he break out on us; But let us hope 'tis yet a war of wits Where firmness may enact the part of force.

[_Orderly returns_.]

What answer do you bring?

ORDERLY. Tec.u.mseh says: "Houses are built for whites-- the red man's house, Leaf-roofed, and walled with living oak, is there--

[_Pointing to the grove_.]

Let our white brother meet us in it!"

2ND OFFICER. Oh! White brother! So he levels to your height, And strips your office of its dignity.

3RD OFFICER. 'Tis plain he cares not for your dignity, And touchingly reminds us of our tenets.

Our nation spurns the outward shows of state, And ceremony dies for lack of service.

Pomp is discrowned, and throned regality Dissolved away in our new land and laws.

Man is the Presence here!

1ST OFFICER. Well, for my part, I like not that one in particular.

[_Pointing toward_ TEc.u.mSEH.]

3RD OFFICER. No more do I! I wish I were a crab, And had its courtly fashion of advancing.

HARRISON. Best yield to him, the rather that he now Invites our confidence. His heavy force Scants good opinion somewhat, yet I know There's honor, aye, and kindness in this Chief.

[_Rising_.]

3RD OFFICER. Yes, faith, he loves us all, and means to keep Locks of our hair for memory. Here goes.

[_All rise_.] _Servants and soldiers carry chairs and benches to the grove, followed by_ GENERAL HARRISON _and others, who seat themselves-- _TEc.u.mSEH _and his followers still standing in the lower part of the grove_.

HARRISON. We have not met to bury our respect, Or mar our plea with lack of courtesy. The Great Chief knows it is his father's wish That he should sit by him.

TEc.u.mSEH. My father's wish! My father is the sun; the earth my mother

[_Pointing to each in turn_.]

And on her mighty bosom I shall rest.

[TEc.u.mSEH _and his followers seat themselves on the gra.s.s_.]

HARRISON. (_Rising_.) I asked Tec.u.mseh to confer with me, Not in war's hue, but for the ends of peace.

Our own intent--witness our presence here, Unarmed save those few muskets and our swords.

How comes it, then, that he descends on us With this o'erbearing and untimely strength?

Tec.u.mseh's virtues are the theme of all; Wisdom and courage, frankness and good faith-- To speak of these things is to think of him!

Yet, as one theft makes men suspect the thief-- Be all his life else spent in honesty-- So does one breach of faithfulness in man Wound all his after deeds. There is a pause In some men's goodness like the barren time Of those sweet trees which yield each second year, Wherein what seems a n.i.g.g.ardness in nature; Is but good husbandry for future gifts.

But this tree bears, and bears most treacherous fruit!

Here is a gross infringement of all laws That shelter men in council, where should sit No disproportioned force save that of reason-- Our strong dependence still, and argument, Of better consequence than that of arms, If great Tec.u.mseh should give ear to it.

TEc.u.mSEH. (_Rising_.) You called upon Tec.u.mseh and he came!

You sent your messenger, asked us to bring Our wide complaint to you--and it is here!

[_Waving his arm toward his followers_.]

Why is our brother angry at our force, Since every man but represents a wrong?

Nay! rather should our force be multiplied!