Might be happy and proud to be called the wife of Miles Standish! [But as he warmed and glowed, in his simple and eloquent language, Quite forgetful of self, and full of the praise of his rival, Archly the maiden smiled, and, with eyes overrunning with laughter, Said in a tremulous voice :] PRISCILLA. Why don't you speak for yourself, John? [Exit John. Curtain falls. [Into the open air John Alden, perplexed and bewildered, Rushed like a man insane, and wandered alone by the seaside.] SCENE III. Standish's House. (Curtain rises upon Miles. John enters.) [Soon he entered his door, and found the redoubtable Captain Sitting alone, and absorbed in the martial pages of Cæsar, Fighting some great campaign in Hainault or Brabant or Flanders.] MILES. Long have you been on your errand, [he said with a cheery demeanor, Even as one who is waiting an answer and fears not the issue.] Not far off is the house, although the woods are between But you us; have lingered so long, that while you were going and coming I have fought ten battles and sacked and demolished a city. Come, sit down, and in order relate to me all that has happened. JOHN. Friend! as you asked me I went straightway to the maiden Priscilla : Spoke of your courage and skill, of all your battles in Flanders; How with the people of God you had chosen to suffer affliction, How in return for your zeal they had made you Captain of Plymouth; Said you were a gentleman born, could trace your pedigree even Back to Hugh Standish of Duxbury Hall in Lancashire, England; Were heir of vast estates of which you were basely defrauded. All this I urgently spoke and much more to the purpose. But when I came to a pause and anxiously waited her answer, Archly the maiden smiled, and, with eyes overrunning with laughter, Said in a tremulous voice, "Why don't you speak for yourself, John?" [Up leaped the Captain of Plymouth, and stamped on the floor, till his armor Clanged on the wall, where it hung, with a sound of sinister omen. All his pent-up wrath burst forth in a sudden explosion, E'en as a hand-grenade, that scatters destruction around it. Wildly he shouted and loud :] MILES. John Alden! you have betrayed me! Me, Miles Standish, your friend! have supplanted, defrauded, betrayed me! One of my ancestors ran his sword through the heart of Wat Tyler; Who shall prevent me from running my own through the heart of a traitor? Yours is the greater treason, for yours is a treason to friendship! You, who lived under my roof, whom I cherished and loved as a brother; You, who have fed at my board, and drunk at my cup, to whose keeping I have intrusted my honor, my thoughts the most sacred and secret, You too, Brutus! ah woe to the name of friendship hereafter! Brutus was Cæsar's friend, and you were mine, but henceforward Let there be nothing between us save war, and implacable hatred! [Exit John. [So spake the Captain of Plymouth, and strode about in the chamber, Chafing and choking with rage; like cords were the veins on his temples. But in the midst of his anger a man appeared at the doorway :] (Enter Messenger.) MESSENGER. I bring in uttermost haste a message of urgent impor tance, Rumors of danger and war and hostile incursions of In dians! The council now is assembled impatiently waiting your coming; Talking of this and of that, contriving, suggesting, de bating, What were an answer befitting a signal and challenge of warfare Brought by an Indian who stands statue-like waiting an answer. MILES. Go! tell them I'm coming at once. I'll not keep them waiting. [Exit Messenger. [Took from the nail on the wall his sword with its scabbard of iron, Buckled the belt round his waist, and, frowning fiercely, departed.] [Exit Miles. Curtain falls. SCENE IV. Room in Puritan House. The Council. [Meanwhile the choleric Captain strode wrathful away to the council, Found it already assembled, impatiently waiting his coming; Men in the middle of life, austere and grave in deportment, Only one of them old, the hill that was nearest to heaven, Covered with snow, but erect, the excellent Elder of Plymouth. God had sifted three kingdoms to find the wheat for this planting, Then had sifted the wheat, as the living seed of a nation; fiant, Naked down to the waist, and grim and ferocious in aspect; While on the table before them was lying unopened a Bible, Ponderous, bound in leather, brass-studded, printed in Holland, And beside it outstretched the skin of a rattlesnake glittered, Filled, like a quiver, with arrows: a signal and challenge of warfare, Brought by the Indian, and speaking with arrowy tongues of defiance. This Miles Standish beheld, as he entered, and heard them debating What were an answer befitting the hostile message and menace, Talking of this and of that, contriving, suggesting, objecting; One voice only for peace, and that the voice of the Elder.] (Miles enters as the curtain rises.) ELDER. I judge it wise and well that some at least were converted, Rather than any were slain, for this was but Christian behavior! [Then out spake Miles Standish, the stalwart Captain of Plymouth, Muttering deep in his throat, for his voice was husky with anger :] MILES. What do you mean to make war with milk and the water of roses ? Is it to shoot red squirrels you have your howitzer planted There on the roof of the church, or is it to shoot red devils? Truly the only tongue that is understood by a savage Must be the tongue of fire that speaks from the mouth of the cannon! [Thereupon answered and said the excellent Elder of Plymouth, Somewhat amazed and alarmed at this irreverent language:] |