We rous'd a stag, which soon o'erleapt the boundary. Your son press'd boldly on, and bade us follow. Where, whilst they plung'd to extricate themselves, A swarm of Indians with an hideous yell Sprang from the woods, and made them prisoners. Gons. And thou didst fly, didst basely fly, to save Thy coward life. Gasp. Perhaps to save my master's: I thought my flight, for they were arin'd and many, Might do him service: nor without much peril Did I achieve my purpose; for their arrows, Like swarming adders, hiss'd around to sting me. Gons. Well, well; their chief is in my power. Confusion! Should he have left the prison. Alm. He left it, sir, with me. Gons. 'Tis even so; He has escap'd then. Alm. No, I would pledge my soul upon his honour. Gons. Summon the soldiers! Pedro, which way went he? Did no one mark him? Quick! a guard! You, Gaspro, Must guide us to the Indians. No, nor the mercy of these savages. Saddle another horse for Gaspro. Come, We'll hunt them to their hiding-place. Away! [Exeunt all but ALMANZA, Alm. Florio a prisoner with the Creeks! Alas! There is no time to pause then. I can find The path which Raymond took: and to disguise The better both my quality and country, I'll paint my face: and to have borrow'd plumes, I'll buy the dress of the poor Indian girl That waits upon me. Thus apparell'd, boldly, Should I miss Raymond, I will seek out Zoa. Courage, my heart! My body is but small; Yet feel I here within a braver spirit Than these frail limbs will vouch for. Then, adieu ! My unkind father: yet I leave you not Till your affection has forsaken me. [Exit. Scene, the Creeks. FERNANDEZ, FLORIO, and PEREZ, bound. Fern. Peace, Florio. Flor. Every man, you know, is allowed to make his own funeral oration. You, sir, I presume, (to TELICO) are master of the ceremonies to this Indian auto da fe. Tel. Well! Flor. Now, though I have been always very strongly of opinion that I should die one time or other, I can't say that I feel completely reconciled to this mode of making my exit. Fern. Can't you be quiet? Flor. In the first place, my constitution is always extremely incommoded by excessive heat: then I've such a natural aversion to pain, that I shall disgrace your entertainment, and roar most confoundedly: therefore, sir, if you would administer water to us instead of fire, or at all events give us a little of both; or if you would do us the favour to dispatch us in a gentlemanly christian-like manner, by breaking us on the wheel, or hanging, or à la Turque, by the bowstring, or impaling us alive, we shall feel the obligation as long as we remain in this world; and do all the good offices we can for you in the next. Tel. Unloose that man. (Pointing to PEREZ, whom they unbind.) Flor. So, Perez is to be cook'd first. Well, it's the first time he ever took precedence of his master; and I forgive him with all my heart and soul.. Tel. You may depart, sir. (To PEREZ.) Tel. D'ye hesitate ? I say you may depart: there is your horse; That Telico-I-lit the fire! Away! [Exit Perez. He puts his courser to the proof. Flor. Would he were carrying double, though I rode behind. Tel. (To POTOWMAK.) Now we'll release them. Tel. Set their limbs free. We war not with the Spaniards; And though with this grim face of preparation We frighted yonder fool that flies so fast, We never had a thought against your lives; No, nor your liberty. Flor. I knew you couldn't be in earnest. Tel. You must remain with us to-night: to-morrow Shall give you liberty. Come, you shall see, Since now we have acknowledged you as friends, (The ceremony of sacrificing prisoners is gone Ye, whose death still unrequited, Let the song of death arouse ye; Ye have drank revenge full deep; And thou, god of battle, hear us; Is the purple sacrifice; And the sounds to thee are dear, |