Classic Poem

SCENE EIGHTH. — Fort D ETROIT . — A T UMULT OF A MERICAN S OLDIERS AND C ITIZENS .

Enter G ENERAL H ULL and one of his officers, accompanied by Brock'S Aides , G LEGG and M ACDONELL .

H ULL . Here is the paper! Tell your General
Divine humanity, which hath in me
A deeper root than fear of him, thus yields:
A sheer compunction lest the savage axe
Should drink too deeply in confused revenge.
G LEGG . Depend upon it, we shall tell him so,
And shall away at once.
H ULL . 'Tis well I lived
To stop this bloody work! Deferment played
Into the hands of death.
O FFICER . Oh, sir, I think
That what begins in honour so should end —
First deeds, not stained, but dusted by the last;
For thus the long day of a useful life
Seems burnished by its close.
H ULL . My friend, had all
Been trusty as the men of your command!
But — I am great in silence and shall speak
No more of this! What's done is for the best.
O FFICER . A bleached and doting relic of stale time!
His best is bad for us.
1 ST V OLUNTEER . Hull! hold the fort!
2 ND V OLUNTEER . Resist! We'll back you up!
H ULL . Insolent ruffians!
Some men are here in whose sincerity
And courage I have perfect faith — but you! —
Untaught, unmannerly and mutinous —
Your muddy hearts would squirm within your ribs
If I but gave the order to resist!
You would command me! You who never learned
The simple first note of obedience!
Stand off, nor let me! I regard you not.
Fine Volunteers are you, who mutinied
O'er such privations as true soldiers laugh at!
Fine Volunteers! whom we were forced to coax
And almost drag upon the forest march.
Oh, if I had a thousand more of men,
A thousand less of things — which is your name —
I would defend this Fort, and keep it too.
Stand off, and let me pass!
1 ST V OLUNTEER . The General
Talks well, boys, when he's mad!

Enter an O FFICER .

O FFICER . Fall in! Fall in!
Here come the British troops — the Fort's surrendered!

Enter G ENERAL Brock and Forces, with Colours flying and military music. The American soldiers sullenly ground arms, and march out of the Fort .

Brock . This is a happy end! You, Nichol, make —
With Proctor — rough lists of our spoils of war,
Then join with us in grateful prayers to Heaven.
Enter T ECUMSEH and S TAYETA ( the latter wearing Brock'S sash ) with other Chiefs and Warriors, and L EFROY .

T ECUMSEH . My valiant brother is the rising sun —
Our foes the night, which disappears before him!
Our people thank him, and their hearts are his!
Brock . Why, here is misdirection! For their thanks —
They fall to you, Tecumseh, more than me!
And, lest what lies in justice should too long
Stand in expectancy — till thanks seem cold —
Take mine, Tecumseh! for your services
Have won, with us, the honours of the day,
And you shall share its spoils.
T ECUMSEH . Freedom I prize,
And my poor people's welfare, more than spoils!
No longer will they wander in the dark;
The path is open, and the sky is clear.
We thank you for it all!
Brock . Nay, then, our thanks
We'll interchange — take mine, as I take thine!
But how is this? Is friendship's gift unused?
Where is my brother's sash? —
T ECUMSEH . That gift I deemed
Conferred on me as on a warrior,
And, when I saw a worthier than myself,
I could not wear it. 'Tis Stayeta's now —
He keeps it till he finds a worthier still.
Brock . Noble Tecumseh! thou art still the best!
Men envy their own merit in another —
Grudging e'en what's superfluous to themselves —
But thou, great valour's integer, wouldst share
Its very recompense with all the world!
Here are my pistols — take them from a friend —
Nay — take them! Would I had a richer gift!
L EFROY . This is a noble friendship.
Brock . Ah, Lefroy!
What think you now of war?
L EFROY . If this war shield
Nature's most intimate and injured men,
I shall revoke my words and call it blest.

Re-enter G ENERAL H ULL .

H ULL . You asked not for my sword — but here it is!
I wielded it in honour in my youth,
And now to yield it, tarnished, in old age,
Vexes me to the soul.
Brock . Then keep it, sir!
H ULL . Trenton and Saratoga speak for me!
I little thought that I should have to knead,
In my gray years, this lumpy world again.
But, when my locks were brown, my heart aflame
For liberty, believe me, sir, this sword
Did much to baffle your imperious King!
Brock . That stands not in dispute, so keep the sword!
'Tis strange that those who fought for liberty
Should seek to wrench it from their fellowmen.
Impute not guilty war to Kings alone,
Since 'tis the pastime of Republics, too!
Yours has its dreams of glory, conquest, spoil —
Else should we not be here. But, General,
Wilt dine with us? We shall discuss this matter!
H ULL . Nay, let me to my house; I cannot eat.
Brock . Sir, as you will — but, prithee, be prepared!
I sail in six days for Niagara,
And you for Montreal.
H ULL . Till then, adieu!
T ECUMSEH . Why should my brother leave Detroit so soon?
Brock . Our foes are massing at Niagara,
And I must meet them; Colonel Proctor stays
In this command.
T ECUMSEH . I know him very well.
My brother's friend says " Go! " but you say " Come! "
Brock . ( Aside .) How am I straitened for good officers!
( To T ECUMSEH .) Friend Proctor's prudence may be useful here.
T ECUMSEH . I do misgive me o'er my brother's friend.

Re-enter N ICHOL and P ROCTOR .

N ICHOL . Large stores, munitions, public properties:
A rare account of needed stands of arms;
A brig of war, and military chest —
These are the spoils of bloodless victory.
Brock . Nought is much prized that is not won with blood!
G LEGG . And yet I would old England's victories
Were all as bloodless, ample and complete.
M ACDONELL . Oh, 'tis a victory fitly gained this day;
Great turning point of our Canadian fortunes!
This day forever should red-lettered stand
In all the calendars of our loved land!