The Indian Princess Part 9

[_Leaning on him with innocent confidence._

ROLFE. Angel of purity! thou didst to-day feel pity; and now--Oh, rapturous task to teach thee the difference!--now, thou dost feel love.

PRINCESS. Love!

ROLFE. Love: the n.o.blest, the sweetest pa.s.sion that could swell thy angel bosom.

PRINCESS. Oh! I feel that 'tis very sweet. Lover, with thy lips thou didst make me feel it. My lips shall teach thee sweet love. [_Kisses him, and artlessly looks up in his face; placing her hand upon his heart._] Does thy heart beat?

ROLFE. Beat! O heaven!--

[_ROBIN, who had been with NIMA, comes forward._

ROBIN. Gad! we must end our amours, or we shall be left. Sir, my master, hadn't we better--

ROLFE. b.o.o.by! idiot!

_Enter WALTER._

WALTER. Sir, lieutenant, the captain awaits your coming up.

ROLFE. I'll follow on the instant.

PRINCESS. Thou wilt not go?

ROLFE. But for a time, love.

PRINCESS. I do not wish thee to leave me.

ROLFE. I must, love; but I will return.

PRINCESS. Soon--very soon?

ROLFE. Very--very soon.

PRINCESS. I am not pleased now--and yet my heart beats. Oh, lover!

ROLFE. My angel! there shall not a sun rise and set, ere I am with thee.

Adieu! thy own heavenly innocence be thy safeguard. Farewell, sweet love!

_Music. He embraces her and exit, followed by ROBIN and WALTER.

PRINCESS looks after him. A pause._

PRINCESS. O Nima!

NIMA. Princess, white men are pow-wows. The white man put his lips here, and I felt something--here--

[_Putting her hand to her heart._

PRINCESS. O lover!

_She runs to the place whence ROLFE went out, and gazes after him._

_Music. Enter from opposite side, MIAMI._

MIAMI. [_Sternly._] Princess!

PRINCESS. [_Turning._] Ah!

MIAMI. Miami has followed thy steps. Thou art the friend of the white men.

PRINCESS. Yes, for they are good and G.o.dlike.

MIAMI. Mine eyes beheld the pale youth part from you; your arms were entwined, your lips were together!

[_Struggling with jealousy._

PRINCESS. He is my lover; I am his lover.

[_Still looking after ROLFE._

MIAMI. [_Stamps with anger._] Hear me! In what do the red yield to the white men? and who among the red men is like Miami? While I was yet a child, did the dart which my breath blew through my sarbacan ever fail to pierce the eye of the bird? What youth dared, like Miami, to leap from the precipice, and drag the struggling bear from the foaming torrent? Is there a hunter--is there a warrior--skilful and brave as Miami? Come to my cabin, and see the scalps and the skins that adorn it. They are the trophies of the Susquehannock!

PRINCESS. Man, mine eyes will never behold thy trophies. They are not pleased to look on thee.

[_Averting her eyes with disgust._

MIAMI. Ha! [_Pause--he resumes in a softened tone._] Princess, I have crossed many woods and waters, that I might bear the daughter of Powhatan to my nation. Shall my people cry out, with scorn, "behold! our prince returns without his bride?" In what is the pale youth above the red Miami?

PRINCESS. Thine eyes are as the panther's; thy voice like the voice of the wolf. Thou shouldst make my heart beat with joy; and I tremble before thee. Oh no! Powhatan shall give me to my lover. I will be my lover's bride!

_Music. MIAMI stamps furiously; his actions betray the most savage rage of jealousy; he rushes to seize the PRINCESS, but, recollecting that her attendants are by, he goes out in an agony, by his gestures menacing revenge. The PRINCESS exit on the opposite side, followed by train._

SCENE III. _Werocomoco._

_Music. Enter from the palace POWHATAN and GRIMOSCO; met by the PRINCESS, who runs to her father._

POWHATAN. My daughter!

PRINCESS. O father! the furious Miami!

POWHATAN. What of the prince?

PRINCESS. Father, my father! do not let the fierce prince bear me to his cruel nation!

POWHATAN. How!