Tecumseh : a Drama Part 14

Now might the head of gray Experience Shake o'er the problems that surround us here.

I am no stranger to the brunt of war, But all the odds so lean against our side That valour's self might tremble for the issue, Could England stretch its full, a.s.sisting hand Then might I smile though velvet-footed time Struck all his claws at once into our flesh; But England, n.o.ble England, fights for life, Couching the knightly lance for liberty 'Gainst a new dragon that affrights the world.

And, now, how many noisome elements Would plant their greed athwart this country's good!

How many demagogues bewray its cause!

How many aliens urge it to surrender!

Our present good must match their present ill, And, on our frontiers, boldest deeds in war, Dismay the foe, and strip the loins of faction.

[_Enter_ COLONEL PROCTOR. ]

Time waits not our conveniency; I trust Your preparations have no further needs.

PROCTOR. All is in readiness, and I can leave For Amherstburg at once.

BROCK. Then tarry not, For time is precious to us now as powder.

You understand my wishes and commands?

PROCTOR. I know them and shall match them with obedience.

BROCK. Rest not within the limit of instructions If you can better them, for they should bind The feeble only; able men enlarge And shape them to their needs. Much must be done That lies in your discretion. At Detroit Hull vaunts his strength, and meditates invasion, And loyalty, unarmed, defenceless, bare, May let this boaster light upon our sh.o.r.es Without one manly motion of resistance.

So whilst I open Parliament at York, Close it again, and knit our volunteers, Be yours the task to head invasion off.

Act boldly, but discreetly, and so draw Our interest to the balance, that affairs May hang in something like an even scale, Till I can join you with a fitting force, And batter this old Hull until he sinks.

So fare-you-well--success attend your mission!

PROCTOR. Farewell, sir! I shall do my best in this, And put my judgment to a prudent use In furtherance of all.

[_Exit_ PROCTOR.]

BROCK. Prudent he will be--'tis a vice in him.

For in the qualities of every mind There's one o'ergrows, and prudence in this man Tops all the rest. 'Twill suit our present needs.

But, boldness, go with me! for, if I know My nature well, I shall do something soon Whose consequence will make the nation cheer, Or hiss me to my grave.

[_Re-enter_ ORDERLY. ]

ORDERLY. Your Exc'llency, Some settlers wait without.

BROCK. Whence do they come?

[_Enter_ COLONEL MACDONELL.]

ORDERLY. From the raw clearings up Lake Erie, Sir.

BROCK. Go bring them here at once. [_Exit_ ORDERLY.] The very men Who meanly s.h.i.+rk their service to the crown!

A breach of duty to be remedied, For disaffection like an ulcer spreads Until the caustic ointment of the law, Sternly applied, eats up and stays corruption.

[(_Enter_ DEPUTATION OF YANKEE SETTLERS).]

Good morrow, worthy friends; I trust you bear Good hopes in loyal hearts for Canada.

1ST SETTLER. That kind o' crop's a failure in our county.

Gen'ral, we came to talk about this war With the United States. It ain't quite fair To call out settlers from the other side.

BROCK. From it yet on it too! Why came you thence?

Is land so scarce in the United States?

Are there no empty towns.h.i.+ps, wilds or wastes In all their borders but you must encroach On ours? And, being here, how dare you make Your dwelling-places harbours of sedition And furrow British soil with alien ploughs To feed our enemies? There is not scope, Not room enough in all this wilderness For men so base.

2ND SETTLER. Why, General, we thought You wanted settlers here.

BROCK. Settlers indeed But with the soldier's courage to defend The land of their adoption. This attack On Canada is foul and unprovoked; The hearts are vile, the hands are traitorous That will not help to hurl invasion back.

Beware the lariat of the law! 'Tis thrown With aim so true in Canada it brings Sedition to the ground at every cast.

1ST SETTLER. Well, General, we're not your British sort, But if we were we know that Canada Is naught compared with the United States.

We have no faith in her, but much in them.

BROCK. You have no faith! Then take a creed from me!

For I believe in Britain's Empire, and In Canada, its true and loyal son, Who yet shall rise to greatness, and shall stand At England's shoulder helping her to guard True liberty throughout a faithless world.

Here is a creed for a.r.s.enals and camps, For hearts and heads that seek their country's good; So, go at once, and meditate on it!

I have no time to parley with you now-- But think on this as well! that traitors, spies, And aliens who refuse to take up arms, Forfeit their holdings, and must leave this land, Or dangle nearer Heaven than they wish.

So to your homes, and ponder your condition.

[_Exeunt Settlers ruefully_.]

This foreign element will hamper us.

Its alien spirit ever longs for change, And union with the States.

MACDONELL. O fear it not, Nor magnify the girth of noisy men!

Their name is faction, and their numbers few.

While everywhere encompa.s.sing them stands The silent element that doth not change; That points with steady finger to the Crown-- True as the needle to the viewless pole, And stable as its star!

BROCK. I know it well, And trust to it alone for earnestness, Accordant counsels, loyalty and faith.

But give me these--and let the Yankees come!

With our poor handful of inhabitants, We can defend our forest wilderness, And spurn the bold invader from our sh.o.r.es.

[_Re-enter_ ORDERLY.]

ORDERLY. Your boat is ready, sir!

BROCK. Man it at once--I shall forthwith to York.

[_Exeunt_.]

SCENE SECOND.--YORK THE CAPITAL OF UPPER CANADA. THE s.p.a.cE IN FRONT OF OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

[_Enter two_ U. E. LOYALISTS, _separately_.]

1ST U.E. LOYALIST. Well met, my friend! A stirrer like myself.