Tecumseh : a Drama Part 16

BROCK. Tidings I trust to strengthen all our hopes.

MESSENGER. News of grave interest, this not the worst.

[_Handing a letter to_ GENERAL BROCK.]

BROCK. No, by my soul, for Mackinaw is ours!

That vaunted fort, whose gallant capture frees Our red allies. This is important news! What of Detroit!

MESSENGER. Things vary little there.

Hull's soldiers scour our helpless settlements, Our aliens join them, but the loyal ma.s.s-- Sullen, yet overawed, longs for relief.

BROCK. I hope to better this anon. You, sirs,

[_To his aides_.]

Come with me; here is matter to despatch At once to Montreal. Farewell, my friends.

[_To Baby and Elliott._]

BABY. We feel now what will follow this, farewell!

[_Exeunt_ BABY, ELLIOTT _and_ MESSENGER.]

BROCK. Now, gentlemen, prepare against our needs, That no neglect may check us at the start, Or mar our swift advance. And, for our cause, As we believe it just in sight of G.o.d, So should it triumph in the sight of man, Whose generous temper, at the first, a.s.signs Right to the weaker side, yet coldly draws d.a.m.ning conclusions from its failure. Now Betake you to your tasks with double zeal; And, meanwhile, let our joyful tidings spread!

[_Exeunt._]

SCENE THIRD.--THE SAME.

_Enter two_ OLD MEN _of York, severally_.

1ST OLD MAN. Good morrow, friend! a fair and fitting time To take our airing, and to say farewell.

'Tis here, I think, we bid our friends G.o.d-speed, A waftage, peraventure, to their graves.

2ND OLD MAN. 'Tis a good cause they die for, if they fall By this grey pate, if I were young again, I would no better journey. Young again!

This hubbub sets old pulses on the bound As I were in my teens.

_Enter_ a CITIZEN.

What news afoot?

CITIZEN. Why everyone's afoot and coming here.

York's citizens are turned to warriors; The learned professions go a-soldiering, And gentle hearts beat high for Canada!

For, as you pa.s.s, on every hand you see, Through the neglected openings of each house-- Through doorways, windows--our Canadian maids Strained by their parting lovers to their b.r.e.a.s.t.s; And loyal matrons busy round their lords, Buckling their arms on, or, with tearful eyes, Kissing them to the war!

1ST OLD MAN. The volunteers Will pa.s.s this way?

CITIZEN. Yes, to the beach, and there Embark for Burlington, whence they will march To Long Point, taking open boats again, To plough the shallow Erie's treacherous flood.

Such leaky craft as farmers market with: Rare bottoms, one sou-wester-driven wave Would heave against Lake Erie's wall of sh.o.r.e, And dash to fragments. 'Tis an awful hazard-- A danger which in apprehension lies, Yet palpable unto the spirit's touch, As earth to finger.

1ST OLD MAN. Let us hope a calm May lull this fretful and ill-tempered lake Whilst they ascend.

[_Military music is heard._]

CITIZEN. Hark! here our soldiers come.

_Enter_ GENERAL BROCK, _with his aides,_ MACDONELL _and_ GLEGG, NICHOL, _and other Officers, followed by the Volunteers in companies. A concourse of citizens._

MACDONELL. Our fellows show the mark of training, sir, And many, well in hand, yet full of fire, Are burning for distinction.

BROCK. This is good: Love of distinction is the fruitful soil From which brave actions spring; and, superposed On love of country, these strike deeper root, And grow to greater greatness. Cry a halt-- A word here--then away!

[_Flourish. The volunteers halt, form line, and order arms._]

Ye men of Canada! Subjects with me of that Imperial Power Whose liberties are marching round the earth: I need not urge you now to follow me, Though what befalls will try your stubborn faith In the fierce fire and crucible of war.

I need not urge you, who have heard the voice Of loyalty, and answered to its call.

Who has not read the insults of the foe-- The manifesto of his purposed crimes?

That foe, whose poison-plant, false-liberty, Runs o'er his body politic and kills Whilst seeming to adorn it, fronts us now!

Threats our poor Province to annihilate, And should he find the red men by our side-- Poor injured souls, who but defend their own-- Calls black Extermination from its h.e.l.l, To stalk abroad, and stench your land with slaughter.

These are our weighty arguments for war, Wherein armed justice will enclasp its sword, And sheath it in its bitter adversary; Wherein we'll turn our bayonet-points to pens, And write in blood:--_Here lies the poor invader_; Or be ourselves struck down by hailing death; Made stepping-stones for foes to walk upon-- The lifeless gangways to our country's ruin.

For now we look not with the eye of fear; We reck not if this strange mechanic frame-- Stop in an instant in the shock of war.

Our death may build into our country's life, And failing this, 'twere better still to die Than live the breathing spoils of infamy.

Then forward for our cause and Canada!

Forward for Britain's Empire--peerless arch Of Freedom's raising, whose majestic span Is axis to the world! On, on, my friends!

The task our country sets must we perform-- Wring peace from war, or perish in its storm!

[_Excitement and leave-taking. The volunteers break into column and sing:_]

O hark to the voice from the lips of the free!

O hark to the cry from the lakes to the sea!

Arm! arm! the invader is wasting our coasts, And tainting the air of our land with his hosts.

Arise! then, arise! let us rally and form, And rush like the torrent, and sweep like the storm, On the foes of our King,--of our country adored, Of the flag that was lost, but in exile restored!

And whose was the flag? and whose was the soil?

And whose was the exile, the suffering, the toil?

Our Fathers'! who carved in the forest a name, And left us rich heirs of their freedom and fame.

Oh, dear to our hearts is that flag, and the land Our Fathers bequeathed--'tis the work of their hand!

And the soil they redeemed from the woods with renown The might of their sons will defend for the Crown!

Our hearts they are one, and our hands they are free, From clime unto clime, and from sea unto sea!

And chaos will come to the States that annoy, But our Empire united what foe can destroy?

Then away! to the front! march! comrades away!