George Washington Parke Custis

“ Pocahontas. The paths are well known to us whose feet so often traverse them, and ere the shadows of the trees are much more aslant, we shall reach the abode of Powhatan. Adieu, courteous stranger, at Weorocomoeo we shall meet again.
(Exeunt Pocahontas and Omaya.)
Rolfe. What gone! why they have flitted away like the nimble fawns which start from the thicket to avoid the hunter's aim. And see, they now hold on their light and rapid course, and are now hidden by the luxuriant foliage. How full of grace and courtesy is this princess—savage, should I say. ”

“ I know the difference between peace and war better than any one in my country. I am old, and soon must die. This tale, that thou art come to destroy my country with thy arms, troubleth me, and affrighteth my people. What can ye gain by war, when we can fly to the woods, whereby ye must perish for want of food. Think ye that Powhatan is so simple as not to know that it is better to eat good meat, laugh, and receive presents from you, than to live in the woods, eat acorns, and be hunted by you, that if a twig break every one cryeth, there Cometh Captain Smith! ”

“ Hah! they fly! now, Percy, press them home. Give them not time to rally—well done. Now, comrades, shout my war cry in their despairing ears—Victory and Virginia! aye, victory and Virginia.
(Smith, exhausted, sinks into the arms of the Indians, who bind him, and lay his head on the stone of sacrifice.)
Selictaz. (Hastily, and in affright.) From the height, king, I beheld our army flying before the English like unto a herd of frighten'd deer, while the smoke from the enemy's guns can plainly be perceiv'd as it curls amongst the tops of the loftiest pines. ”

“ Matacoran. Go, Selictaz, to all the tribes friendly to Powhatan, bid them muster their warriors and repair to Weorocomoco; promise them much bounty at the hands of the king, and great rewards in the spoils of the English.
Selictaz. I go, my prince, but opine they will come in but tardily, the tribes do so much fear the arms of the English.
Matacoran. Bid them not fear those noisy weapons; the thunder rolls not always, and in its pauses our arrows will enter our enemies' bosoms, and our spears strike home. Tempt their avarice, Selictaz, by saying much of the riches of the strangers ”

“ Suddenly come dancing in from each side Indian girls with bows and arrows, then youths with spears; they present the weapons as if to slay them, retire, and bring in pine branches, which they hold over the English in form of a canopy. The English rise, the dancers form in two lines, the King, having Pocahontas and Omaya on each side of him, leads the way, the English follow, the Indians holding the pine branches over the train. Exeunt all but Matacoran, who, during these ceremonies, stands apart, his arms folded, and looking sternly on. ”

“ The fortune of war is on thy side; thy gods are as much greater than the gods of the Indian, as thine arms are greater than his. But altho' thy gods and thine arms have prevail'd, say did not Matacoran fight bravely in the last of his country's battles? and when his comrades fled, singly did he face the thunders of his foe. Now that he can no longer combat the invaders he will retire before them, even to where tradition says, there rolls a western wave. ”

“ What a vast and splendid park this savage king possesses here; how insignificant appear our European pleasure grounds, where a few trees have been planted and train'd by the hand of art, when compar'd with these noble forests, planted by the hand of nature. Our pieces of water, too, as they are called, where a few small fishes are fed and fatten'd, to those magnificent rivers, which, rising in the mountains, traverse the country for some hundred miles, then rush with indescribable grandeur to the sea. ”

“ The bands of Matacoran beset the path on every side; the river is the only hope. (A flash of lightning.) Ha! a storm is brewing, and how will these little hands, us'd only to guide the canoe in sportive race on a smooth and glassy surface, wage its struggling way, when raging billows uprear their foamy crests? Brave English, gallant, courteous Rolfe. ”

“ I am thy prisoner, Sir Savage, do with me as you list.
Matacoran. I like thy boldness. An' I give ye liberty what will ye do?
Hugo. Rejoin my banner with all speed.
Matacoran. And then—
Hugo. Fight the enemies of my king and country.
Matacoran. I like thee, old Warrior. Thou shalt return to thy chief, and tell him that Matacoran admires his valour, and bids him to the combat.
Hugo. On my life an' he'll not baulk ye in your bidding.
Matacoran. Thy sword and shield I keep in pledge, which thou may'st redeem in battle; take thy other arms, a brave soldier should never be unarm'd. Thou'rt free—Go. ”

“ Powhatan. Captain Smith, after what hath pass'd thou might well distrust my friendship for the future. But experience makes even an Indian wise. We cannot resist thee as enemies, therefore, it becomes us to be thy friends. In the name of Virginia, I pledge friendship to the English, so long as grass grows and water runs.
Smith. And dost consent to the union of thine admirable daughter with worthy Master Rolfe?
Powhatan. Aye, and let their union be a pledge of the future union between England and Virginia.
(Enter Barclay, Mantea and Namoutac.) ”

“ The sun which rises to-morrow will either behold thee a victorious king, or a humbled prisoner.
(Exit Powhatan.)
(Pocahontas comes from the tomb.)
Pocahontas. What have I heard! treachery and massacre against those whom they so lately receiv'd with every shew of hospitality and kindness. And Matacoran—he the brave and noble—and the reward of his achievement to be the hand of Pocahontas. No, chieftain, no. When Pocahontas rewards courage it must be unmix'd with treachery. Namoutac's conduct is explain'd. What is to be done? Can I fly to the English whom Selictaz leads on to sacrifice? ”

“ Matacoran. You're right;—but if you English so love your own country, why cross the wide sea to deprive the poor Indian of his rude and savage forests? But see, the smaller barques approach laden with the strangers; hear me—look well to thyself. I must on to Weorocomoco, and report to the king. Be assur'd of his favour, if thou prove faithful—but, if false, beware of his anger, for it is terrible. ”

“ And the contrast holds equally good with regard to animals; in the European parks a herd of tame stags lie lazily about the keeper's lodge; in the forests of Virginia, the wild buck arouses him from his leafy lair, flashes his bright eye indignant on his pursuers, and then bounds gracefully away over these interminable lawns. ”

“ My heart preserve; give it my lieutenant, to be by him embalm'd and convey'd to England. That England, for whose glory it did so truly beat in life, will give it place amid the cemeteries of her illustrious dead.
Powhatan. It shall be done, the king is merciful.
Smith. Plant my banner on my grave, the three Turks' heads, the cognizance of my achievement on the plains of Transylvania, that when the chivalry of Europe shall hereafter pass that way, they may lower pennon and lance in memory of Smith. ”

“ I think I have discover'd that the princess and cavalier are not indifferent to each other.
Barclay.'T is well; but let women alone, whether savage or civiliz'd, for finding out the secrets of her sex. Hear me, Mantea, be silent, be secret, if it is in the nature of a woman to keep a secret; your life, your husband's life, your children's lives depend upon your prudence in the matter of this conspiracy. Come, take up the nets, and let's to our fishing; we must appear as if nothing had happen'd a little while—and then—
(Exeunt Mantea and Barclay.) ”

“ The feasts of the coronation being over, the English will return to the vicinity of their ships. I have selected for their guide Selictaz, who will conduct them to the old ruinous hunting lodge on the banks of the river; there supplied with good victuals, they will feast and carouse, for not like we do the English prepare for war, by fasting and hardihood; they are a people who have much regard for the belly and after eating they will sleep; then, my king, we will approach and pin them to the soil they so greedily covet.
Powhatan. ”

“ Pocahontas. Nay, nay, your courage will not avail ye, the darkness will mar the superiority of your arms, while from every side will fly the poison'd arrows. Can Pocahontas ask a boon, which the English will deny?
Smith. After thy generous service, lady, thy boon is granted ere 't is ask'd.
Pocahontas. Then fly!! fly, my English, ere 'tis too late. Fly, I beseech ye.
Smith. Thou hast prevailed. But thou must bear us company; within our steely circle we will place our protectress, and the harm that reaches her must first destroy us. ”

“ Smith. To arms there, ho! (English spring up, arm, and are mustered by Percy.) By my faith tho', mistress, it would be but of ill savour to the fame of English cavaliers, were they to fly from the foe, leaving thee a distrest damsel behind. What say ye, Master Percy, could we expect favour from our dames were such ill fame to befall us?
Percy. Let the enemy come, we will bide their brunt. The Percy fears no odds.
Rolfe. We are but eighteen in all; but then our men-at-arms are all veteran soldiers bred in battle, and for our captain, a braver heart never throbb'd against a corslet. ”

“ Indians on the cliffs gazing at the shipping, and making signs to each other.
(Enter Matacoran and Selictaz, as from the chase; Matacoran with a light hunting spear in his hand, Selictaz carrying his bow and game—down rocks.)
Selictaz. There, my prince, behold the great canoes. Have I not told thee truly?
Matacoran. They are call'd barques, and bear the adventurous English in search of their darling gold, the god they worship! Away to Weorocomoco, and report this coming to the king. I will follow quickly on thy track. Fly with thy utmost speed—away.— (Exit Selictaz.) Barclay! English! ”

“ Be not alarm'd at their noisy arms; grapple with the foe, and his thunder will cease. We exceed them in numbers, of twenty to one—shame if they overcome us. They have great store of riches, win but the battle, and take all my share; this trusty blade will be all my spoil. On, comrades, on—the spirits of thy fathers, thy king, country, all, will behold thy battle. On to victory! 'T is Matacoran leads the way.
(Exeunt cheering.)
Scene 2. Woody country. View of James River. Reports of musketry. Indians fly in terror across the stage.
(Enter Matacoran and Selictaz.) ”

“ Matacoran. 'Tis well to sacrifice to the gods; but, believe me, king, the gods of the English are as much superior to our gods, as their guns are superior to our bows and arrows. But if we cannot succeed by open force, we must resort to stratagem. ”

“ Tho' he hath added country to thy kingdom, and led many captives to thy feet, one boon alone he crav'd, and 'twas her whose image nerv'd his arm in battle, and sooth'd the agonies of his many wounds—her who inspir'd the generous passion which bloom'd in his boyhood, and ripen'd in the man. ”

“ Powhatan. Nay, my prince, be of good heart, the girl is young and knows not thy worth. Drive out the English from my shores, and the choicest of my gifts and my beloved daughter, shall be thy reward.—I swear it.
Matacoran. No—as an unwilling bride I would not receive even Pocahontas to my arms. She has seen the strangers, and no longer looks upon an Indian warrior with favour or regard. 'T is no matter—Matacoran must have done with love. Glory and his country must return and possess his soul. Talk not of reward, king ”

“ My companions, intent on the pursuit of game, have left me to indulge in the contemplation of the sublime and beautiful, which is every where to be found in the wild and picturesque scenery of these interesting regions. ”

“ Omaya. Indeed, Namoutac, I do not think your travels abroad have much improv'd your taste in dress; I think you look'd far handsomer when you w^re formerly plum'd and painted among the young warriors in attendance on the king.
Pocahontas. Do tell me truly, Indian, what effects have your travels abroad had upon your attachments to your native country?
Namoutac. In good truth, lady, I can say, all which I have seen has impress'd me with the most exalted ideas of the power and grandeur of a people, who are as gods are to men. ”

“ Barclay. Do not so soon despond—tho' a leader be slain, English soldiers are not long without another. The brave Percy may by this time have restor'd the day. The daring valour of Smith led him too far in pursuit of the flying enemy, when slipping from a bank into the river, he was overpower'd by numbers, and the hero, before whom hundreds had fled, was taken and carried captive to Powhatan. ”

“ The chief went on to prophesy that Washington would never die in battle but would live to be the chief and founder of a mighty empire. This incident, which is given in Custis's Recollections, became the climax of the play which is otherwise but a series of conversations between Woodford, a captain of rangers, Maiona, his wife, and their Indian protegée, Manetta, daughter of the chief Menawa, who delivers the prophecy. ”

“ Powhatan. Thou wilt be well when the English are destroy'd. Take thy place.
(Pocahontas and Omaya take their places on the throne. Powhatan ascends and seats himself on the throne.)
Powhatan. Now bring the captive to my feet. Take with thee my guard, Selictaz, lest he may escape.
(Selictaz and guard go out and return with Smith, his clothes stained and in disorder, his plumes broken. Indians hearing his arms.)
Powhatan. Thou 'rt welcome. Captain Smith, tho' thou now com'st with not quite so gallant a train as when thou last did deign to visit my poor house. ”

“ George Washington Parke Custis
POCAHONTAS
Pocahontas or the Settlers of Virginia represents the plays on Indian themes and also the drama written in the South. The first Indian play to be written by an American was the tragedy of Ponteach or The Savages of America, by Major Robert Rogers (1766) . This was not acted. There were many Indian dramas in the first half of the nineteenth century—the earliest by an American to be performed being Barker's Indian Princess, (1808) . ”