Spokeshave

“ That watching nations may not fling a slur
Upon our honor as we cast adrift
This alien race to face the world alone.
Caesar: Sweet Francos, truly thou hast quick discerned
The thought which wisdom fathered in my mind.
"Be wise as serpent, harmless as the dove,"
Should be our watchword as we scuttle ship,
For there be those who speak with venomed tongues
Of serpents, as we cast them helpless off.
But if we of politicos make use,
And to their clamour lend approving smile,
We may while coolly thrusting them aside,
Meet with the thoughtless world's approving nod.
Francos: Ha! Ha! ”

“ And may him thrust in Carpen's cast-off shoes;
My bowels gripe me with suspicion dire
That plans are rip'ning to this very end;
Hence we must pour in an unwilling ear
A weighty protest ere the scheme matures.
An open opposition were not wise
For Francos hath, I ween a stubborn streak
Which might by irritation grow so big
That naught could move it; while a flatt'ring tongue
Might bend him, all unconscious to himself,
To work our every will, while he doth dream
That from his fertile brain the seeds do sprout;
'Tis thus we'll plant our choice in Carpen's place. ”

“ Most noble sire, I marvel at the speech
Which from the mouth of Seldonskip doth flow;
For highest office, he no rev'rence feels
And "slang" were but fit outflow of his mind.
Francos: 'Tis ever thus with those born to great wealth
It swells them up and whale like they do spout.
But gold hath pow'r and it were well indeed
Not to seek combat with a foe so stout.
'Twere best to pass their idle blust'ring by
For it doth vanish like the dew at morn. ”

“ Ah, Sire, Procrastination is a thief
Which steals the treasure hidden in the brain,
While if it were supplanted by stern acts
Like to the sword 'twould ward off ev'ry foe.
Francos: Ah lack-a-day! Uncertainty doth fill
My mind. I would not aspirations block
With idle fears, but still I must beware,
Or when too late, these fears may take on life.
All speak:
Fear is a coward word and always flees
When Action shows himself armed cap-a-pie
And thus prepared to wage aggressive fight.
Hence, honored sire let's throw it to the dogs! ”

“ Be deeply feeding, and from stomach weak
May spew deep discord when we least expect.
I have it! well 'tis known that Wisdom's bird,
While winging daily flight, hath hovered o'er
Our foes politic, and hath often shunned
To make her nest in Democratic boughs.
'Twere well to seek from out the tricky foe
One who shall balance, like the flying wheel,
The various acts of Francos and his crew
And so most shrewdly curb the critic tongues
That wag within the jaws of foes most keen,
Thus hiding well, from all the thoughtless world.
The deep intent which labors in our breast. ”

“ In Francos thou wilt find a helping hand,
Council him wise for he the subtle wiles
Of crafty scheming men may not discern.
Quezox: Ah, noble sir, if I advice may breathe,
It were to shun the brood of vultures well.
They're skilled indeed to sing the siren's song,
And play with flattery on honest minds.
I feel 'twere well to journey to these Isles
In company with Francos, at thy will,
Thus guarding him from every idle tongue,
Which might make impress on an open heart. ”

“ Do suck the life blood from our downtrod race.
Seldonskip: You bet they'll scramble and they'll scramble hard,
An why not tell me? 'Tis all in the game!
(Francos to Seldonskip) : Again that tongue, in thoughtless prattle wags.
It seems that every opening of thy mouth,
Doth point to utterance in words uncouth
Which clothe some folly in a tattered garb.
(Quezox to Francos) : And yet most noble sire, my bowels of
Discernment do fierce gripe me with the fear
That in the rambling words this youth hath tongued
Much bitter truth may deeply hidden be.
Francos: Fear not! ”

“ Zounds! 'tis enough to cause the blood to course
Like mercury adown the burning veins.
Could I but lay my eager hands upon
The thiefly neck, I'd wring it with good zest.
Francos:
But, Windbag; why didst thou thy tongue unloose,
And set it wagging vaporings and froth?
Thou mightest have known the foe didst ready stand
To thrust thy words adown thy choking throat.
Imprudence on its shoulders ever bears
A burden which may crush its author down;
'Twere best to keep the pen in constant leash,
For, words, indited not, work little harm. ”

“ But Carpen, is this chief most proper named?
Its sound implies that blood's his proper food,
And that he sucks it from this people's veins.
Carpen: I think your voiced suspicions are unjust.
He seemeth to me but a proper man
Possessing skill anent his chosen craft.
So it was published when he here was sent.
Francos: Ah, well I know the arts political
Our foes did practice when they filled a nest
Fit for an eagle with a vulture mean
And covered their deceit by mouthing words.
Carpen: But Sire, I bear no brief in his behalf. ”

“ I read uncertainty in Francos' eye,
"The welfare of thy people" once he voiced,
Such words make music not unto mine ear.
(Disdainfully)
"Thy people!" So it is that Francos speaks.
Ah! little do the workings of his mind
Discern that we who seek the pow'r to rule
Feel not the Tao blood coursing our veins.
For it by stain Caucasian is submerged;
Still, we a ladder make of sable backs,
To climb aloft into the chairs of state.
Exampling thus: "The fittest must survive".
A narrow man, though cast in honest mould,
May mischief work, while conscience wears a smile. ”

“ Francos, consolingly: Events march on, and as the whirligig
Of time revolves, so 'tis with politics.
To-day one soars aloft on Vict'ry's wings;
Tomorrow Fate those pinions proud may clip.
'Tis here Philosophy a cooling draught
Kindly present to him who, from his seat,
Is thrust by Fortune's hand, which killeth not,
But only girds our loins for battles new. ”

“ Francos: Well gentlemen, I see insistence grows
Anent the humble office Carpen holds.
It seemeth to me that without his aid
I like a desert wanderer am lost.
Quezox: But Sire, a man of parts can fill his place
And of the varied strings of business tie a knot
Which will hold state affairs in proper place,
For they depend not on an special one.
1st Gentleman:
Sire, shall we, like the child, forever creep?
It is not thus the limbs find strength to walk.
2d Gentleman:
The mother thrusts her birdling from its nest
And thus it learns to wing its heavenward flight. ”

“ Those vultures who among us dwell,
While pleading loving friendship, shrewdly plan
Like to the feathered tribes, to gather down
(Walks out) : From careless wings to feather their own nests.
(Francos turning to Seldonskip) :
I must in candor voice my perturbed thoughts
Anent the strained relation which doth seem
To liken to a ship with cable taut
Which surging waves are threat'ning quick to snap.
Twixt thee and Quezox. Thou, mine eye doth speak,
Art like dry powder, ready to ignite
When Quezox looseth tongue which like a flint
Doth spark the fuse to quick explosion work. ”

“ We care not if they cut each other's throats.
Sir Windbag:
But, gentle sir, if they desire to war,
Why should we hinder such a sportive game?
They own those isles, and why should we debar
Them pastimes, for "they know just what they want."
Francos:
But, sirs, we wander from the vital point.
I called this conclave to impress with force
The import great of sifting from our ranks
Those evil-minded men, whose loyalty
Is doubtful, and may bring lasting reproach
Upon our policies, and thus besmirch
The reputation of that Jove-like pair
That rules the destiny of our great state. ”

“ But who shall Captain be? Ah there's the rub.
There many be who fain would walk the deck,
Though he who bears the burdens of day
Forsooth should then be decked with laurel crown.
But there be schemers, working in the dark,
[page 11] Who ready stand to grasp the hanging fruit
While he who plants and watereth the tree
With itching jaws may ne'er its fruitage taste.
Caesar hath said that Francos aid will lend,
To further us in working our designs,
And yet fear whispers to mine anxious mind
Honor hath made his soul its dwelling place. ”

“ Francos: But, Quezox, I am filled with anxious thoughts
Anent sweet Seldonskip, whose wandering eye
Doth lecherous look upon each passing dame.
The fire of youth that wanders through his veins
May scandal breed, and it were well to look
With watchful eye upon his every act
Affairs of state with mighty import soar
Above the intrigues of a callow youth,
Hence we must owlish vigil constant keep
And in good sooth, it might indeed be well
To speak him fair, and warning subtle give
Lest his distemper lead to grievous ill.
Quezox: Alas I know the temptress doth beguile ”

“ And longer bear our burden which will bring
No gratitude to recompense our pains?
Quezox: Sire! Carpen well hath voiced mine ev'ry thought,
We, who Caucasian blood boast in our veins
Are numerous, and can uphold the state. ”

“ We must with wisdom guard our every act
Lest a suspicion dark fill Francos' mind.
Thus far, he like a well trained niño, hath
With rev'rence bowed assent, to our demands.
(Muchacho returns with refreshments)
Quezox: And flattery. Like child its mother's milk,
He doth gulp down and eager cry for more;
Hence dose him well; you'll puke his stomach not. ”

“ Francos: Carpen disloyalty to those in pow'r
Shall meet its proper penalty, and they
Who voiced it must forthwith before me come
And explanation make, which doth ring clear.
Carpen: I'll quick despatch a message to their chief,
That he at once before thee shall appear.
Francos (walks the room, soliloquizing) :
Fortune is often kind, and to our hand
A weapon ready forged and sharpened fits. ”

“ Quick in my logic's dome where thought doth dwell
Those wheels whirled out these brilliant, burning words:
"These varlets have no place within these Isles
And quick should speed them to their native land;" ”

“ To expedite our plans which will in time
An era new inaugurate; but thou,
Like "Twist" of old, cry'st "More!" and ever "More!"
Quezox: But Sire, the time is short. Soon I must hie
Me to the halls of state, and I would fain
Depart with mind at ease on matters here,
For there be few who safely may advise.
(Exit Quezox. Enters Carpen)
Francos: Ha! Carpen, is it so; these varlets who
Do thoughts imprint, have o'er my head direct
[page 45]
Appealed to those who may dire action take,
And thus belittlement on me bestow?
Carpen: My Liege, 'tis so. ”

“ With loyal sons who ne'er a duty shirked.
(Exeunt Gentlemen) .
Francos: Ah! so it is. Each entity is filled
With selfish impulse which doth ever hide
Justice eternal from its clouded sight
And pigmy self exalt to giant form.
Bonset: But Sire, it were the common lot of man
To seek preferment; and unless he doth,
No other will lift hand to boost him on,
Unless great wealth doth like a magnet draw
Support from those who with a greedy eye
Expect to feel most happy contact with
[page 33]
The shining coin, which doth a lever prove
To pry success from out the voting mob. ”

“ And to them we do blindly pin our faith.
If one has doubts, he, like a Christian true,
Must stifle them and reason throw aside,
'Tis thus we from the Sunny South do act,
When facts run counter to our party creed. ”

“ McDuff . . . . . . A Publican.
Scene I. Caesar's Room at the Capitol.
Caesar soliloquizing:
Life is a problem intricate to solve:
With outstretched arms to grasp, we know not what
From out the future hidden by a veil
With woof too dense for eye of man to pierce;
Yet doth imagination pictures forms
Which, when we would embrace, evade our touch
And vanish into nothingness; while still
We vain pursuit ever persistent make.
Euclid from chaos order did evolve
And on the scroll of Fame hath writ those laws
Which Time, relentless, ne'er can thence efface. ”

“ Francos: 'Tis well! And in the intervining time
'Twere wise important matters to discuss.
(Enter Carpen)
Ha! Carpen, thou hast long experience had
In dealings intricate with this proud race,
And thee alone from out the anchored host
I trust to honest voice conditions here.
Carpen: Sire! dost thou seek a true, unvarnished tale,
Or rather wouldst a colored picture please?
Francos: Truth is so hidden in her various garbs
[page 34]
That nakedness alone presents her fair;
Hence ornament and furbelow disdain,
And Hebe-like unbedecked let her stand forth. ”

“ Doth lose its zest, and confidence once lost,
Like to a maiden's virtue, ne'er can be
Restored. 'Tis sad, yet though 'tis sad, 'tis true.
But, honored sir, the hint you give will keep.
Perhaps this man may look with greedy eye
Upon some high official post, which we
Must give because "he knows just what he wants."
Count Luie:
But softly, friend, if this thy doctrine be,
'Twere best to pack thy grip and ready stand
To get thee hence; for in these lovely Isles
There be not seats of honor to go round. ”

“ Hence sympathy doth plead for helping hand.
If 'tis thy wish, I in most guarded speech
Will whisper caution in his youthful ear.
Francos: 'Tis well. But still I fear me over much
That he, like highly tempered steel, will bend
Only to swift rebound, and further by
Reaction go from paths of rectitude.
(Seldonskip indolently approaches.)
Seldonskip: Most noble gentlemen, I greet thee sweet:
It tireth mightily, this placid sea.
Methinks a storm, a mighty, raging storm,
To break monotony would lend to life
[page 21] A phlegm, and hence a tedious day become
More gladsome. ”

“ Halstrom: . . . . Aide to the Governor General.
Scene I. Garden of the Palace.
Francos (Soliloquizes) : Methinks the poet of the past who scrolled
"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown"
Indeed were wise and kenned whereof he wrote.
His keen imagination doth amaze
And fill my mind with wonder at his full
Discernment of the most unhappy lot
Which great responsibility doth load
Upon the shoulders of betroubled men
Whom fate relentless hath before ordained
To, like the pack-horse, patiently, each day,
Upbear most galling burden, born of cares
Which do encompass the affairs of state. ”

“ If so, 'twere best preoccupation plead.
Halstrom: I think, my Liege, 'twere safe to give them ear
So that offense may rankle not their minds.
Francos: Ha, thinkst thou so? Then hail them to my court.
But stay! Wisdom doth hint that in each ear
A caution should be breathed that concise speech
Were best, for pressing matters constant urge.
Halstrom: Thy words are uttered but to be obeyed.
That time is precious I will firm impart. (Retires
and ushers the visitors in.)
Most honored Sire, these gentlement would speak
On matters of great import to the state. ”