194
POCAHONTAS, OR THE SETTLERS OF VIRGINIA
deer, and now blow a mort. Here they are.
(Enter Percy and West.)
Percy. Well, Master Rolfe, still given to meditation! but if our eyes have not deceiv'd us, thou art not solitary in thy musings—surely we saw something of the female form glide swiftly away, as tho' alarmed at our coming. Perhaps some sylvan deity of these shades, who pitying thy forlorn and solitary state, came to amuse thee, and to sing wood notes wild, as a cure for thy melancholy.
West. Or rather say the driads of this wood, who finding him absorb'd in dreamy musings on his absent love, came to console the hapless swain, and try if the tawny maidens of Virginia could not make him forget the fair dames of Europe. What say you, Master Rolfe?
Rolfe. Why, my merry masters, I say that ye are bad woodsmen, and have shot wide of your mark; an' ye draw no better bow at the stag, your arrow had as well remain'd in its quiver.
Percy. We'll guess no more. Master Rolfe, but are all attention to your story.
Rolfe. Well, you must know, that while resting on this bank, and listening for echoes from your horn, came tripping by no less a personage than the Princess Pocahontas, and a light-footed damsel, her hand-maiden, and after a few words of fair and courteous speech, they vanished like fairies from a moon beam.
Percy. And so. Sir Knight of the Wood, a fair princess has form'd thy adventure; but, if I mistake not, thou wilt yet have to win by sword and lance, and not by soft and gentle dalliance of words. Our valiant captain doubts the sincerity of the friendship with which we are to be receiv'd, and bids us all look to our arms. Now his experience of Turk, Tartar, and Hun, will make him keep a wary eye upon the proceedings of his savage majesty here, and at all events be prepar'd for the worst.
West. Master Rolfe looks grave. My broider'd doublet to a carman's frock but he is in love with this dark princess.
Percy. A match, I say, between Master Rolfe, and the tawney daughter of Virginia.
West. Agreed, agreed.
Rolfe. My meeting with the damsel was purely accidental; still let me say, that tho' of dark complexion, she is well favour'd both in form and feature, of admir'd carriage, courteous and discreet in discourse.
West. Excellently well describ'd. A match, a match, I say: but hark'ee. Master Rolfe, an' ye succeed your father-in-law Pohawtan, who they say is well-stricken in years, and become king of these realms, I pray ye make me, your old camarado, your master of the horse.
Rolfe. Well, my merry masters, here's a hand to each of you, and right royally I swear, to grant all your wishes, and a thousand largesses beside, so soon as I wed the princess, succeed Powhatan, and become sovereign lord of these realms. The day I mount the throne of Pawmunkee, thou. Master West, shalt mount the horse of state, thou Master Percy, the viceregal seat in the government of the gold mountains; while our valiant captain, as commander of the forces, will march to the conquest of the Monecans, and tribes far westward toward the setting sun. Now, my bon camarados and merry wags, having dispos'd of the gifts of royalty, I become plain Master Rolfe again, and propose that we burnish our harness for the morning's pageant, as it is fitting we appear in proper knightly array where a princess is to be won. Lieutenant, we wait thy leading.
Percy. Nay, my liege, we thy humble squires, know better our places than to precede the heir presumptive to a throne.
Rolfe. What! at your waggeries again—well, ye shall be pleasur'd. Allons, my noble vassals, allons.
(Exeunt omnes.)
ACT SECOND.
Scene 1. The palace of Powhatan at Weorocomoco. Powhatan seated on a throne which is covered with bear skins. Powhatan wearing a coronet of feathers, and a robe of skins, a spear in his hand; on his right the Princess, on his left, Omaya, with fans of feathers, double rows of guards with spears, bows and arrows.
(Enter Matacoran.)
Matacoran. The English have arriv'd, is it the great King's pleasure the strangers be brought before him?
Powhatan. Bring they the presents?
Matacoran. They do, great King.
