Classic Poem

SCENE FOURTH. — The Ruins OF F ORT M ALDEN AT A MHERSTBURG .

Enter G ENERAL H ARRISON and other American Officers .

H ARRISON . All gone! all gone! NaughThere but smoking ruins!
Now would I give this Province for one man,
Were that man only Proctor. Perfidy!
Thy manager has fled; and we are balked
In our just vengeance.
1 ST O FFICER . Let us follow him!
There are no ties 'twixt mercy and this man
That we should spare him.
H ARRISON . No, his ruthless axe,
Stayed only by Tecumseh's noble rage,
Has lit upon too many helpless heads.
Their blood cries, " After him! " and with our force
We can o'erwhelm his if we overtake him.
2 ND O FFICER . 'Tis strange Tecumseh hugs his flying fortunes!
3 RD O FFICER . Think you he is gone?
H ARRISON . No doubt of it, else would he face us here.
2 ND O FFICER . Had he remained we might perchance have made
Our peace with him, and ended this long feud.
H ARRISON . Made peace with him! There is no peace on earth
For him, save in it. We are what we are;
And if some miracle will work a change
In us, then shall we find him, as we would,
Contented but with peace. This much I say,
Knowing the man — but this is not the point!
'Tis Proctor, not Tecumseh, we discuss,
And Proctor we must capture if we can.

Enter a S COUT .

What tidings have you gathered?
S COUT . Proctor's force
Is making for the Heights of Burlington.
'Tis said Tecumseh made him pledge his word
To stand, and fight at the Moravian Town,
Should we pursue.
H ARRISON . Will hounds pursue the hare?
'Tis boot-and-saddle, and quick marches now,
If we would catch the foe.