Ponteach Part 21

Plant down the Stakes, and let them be confin'd: [_They loose them from each other._ First kill the Tygers, then destroy their Whelps.

PHILIP.

This Brat is in our Way, I will dispatch it.

[_Offering to s.n.a.t.c.h the sucking infant._

MRS. HONNYMAN.

No, my dear Babe shall in my Bosom die; There is its Nourishment, and there its End.

PHILIP.

Die both together then, 'twill mend the Sport; Tie the other to his Father, make a Pair; Then each will have a Consort in their Pains; Their sweet Brats with them, to increase the Dance.

[_They are tied down, facing each other upon their knees, and their backs to the stakes._

WARRIOR.

All now is ready; they are bound secure.

PHILIP.

Whene'er you please, their jovial Dance begins. [_To PONTEACH._

MRS. HONNYMAN.

Oh, my dear Husband! What a Sight is this!

Could ever fabling Poet draw Distress To such Perfection! Sad Catastrophe!

There are not Colours for such deep-dyed Woe, Nor words expressive of such heighten'd Anguish.

Ourselves, our Babes, O cruel, cruel Fate!

This, this is Death indeed with all its Terrors.

HONNYMAN.

Is there no secret Pity in your Minds?

Can you not feel some tender Pa.s.sion move, When you behold the Innocent distress'd?

True, I am guilty, and will bear your Tortures: Take your Revenge by all the Arts of Torment; Invent new Torments, lengthen out my Woe, And let me feel the keenest Edge of Pain: But spare this innocent afflicted Woman, Those smiling Babes who never yet thought Ill, They never did nor ever will offend you.

PHILIP.

It cannot be: They are akin to you.

Well learnt to hunt and murder, kill and rob.

PONTEACH.

Who ever spar'd a Serpent in the Egg?

Or left young Tygers quiet in their Den?

WARRIOR.

Or cherishes young Vipers in his Bosom?

PHILIP.

Begin, begin; I'll lead the merry Dance.

[_Offering at the woman with a firebrand._

PONTEACH.

Stop: Are we not unwise to kill this Woman?

Or Sacrifice her Children to our Vengeance?

They have not wrong'd us; can't do present Mischief.

I know her Friends; they're rich and powerful, And in their Turn will take severe Revenge: But if we spare, they'll hold themselves oblig'd, And purchase their Redemption with rich Presents.

Is not this better than an Hour's Diversion, To hear their Groans, and Plaints, and piteous Cries?

WARRIORS.

Your Counsel's wise, and much deserves our Praise; They shall be spar'd.

PONTEACH.

Untie, and take them hence; [_They untie the woman and the oldest child from HONNYMAN, and retire a little to consult his death._ When the War ends her Friends shall pay us for it.

PHILIP.

I'd rather have the Sport than all the Pay.

HONNYMAN.

O, now, kind Heaven, thou hast heard my Prayer, And what's to follow I can meet with Patience.

MRS. HONNYMAN.

Oh, my dear husband, could you too be freed! [_Weeping._ Yet must I stay and suffer Torments with you.

This seeming Mercy is but Cruelty!

I cannot leave you in this Scene of Woe, 'Tis easier far to stay and die together!

HONNYMAN.

Ah! but regard our Children's Preservation: Conduct their Youth, and form their Minds to Virtue; Nor let them know their Father's wretched End, Lest lawless Vengeance should betray them too.

MRS. HONNYMAN.

If I must live, I must retire from hence, Nor see your fearful Agonies in Death; This would be more than all the Train of Torments.

The horrid Sight would sink me to the Dust; These helpless Infants would become a Prey To worse than Beasts, to savage, b.l.o.o.d.y Men.

HONNYMAN.

Leave me--They are prepar'd, and coming on-- Heav'n save you all! Oh, 'tis the last dear Sight!