GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKE CUSTIS
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orocomoco. An' our leader lives, Virginia is ours.
Mowbray. Aye, Virginia will be ours—Victory and Virginia!
(Exeunt.)
Scene 5. The palace of Powhatan. Guards, etc.
(Enter Powhatan, meeting Pocahontas and Omaya.)
Powhatan. A strange tale this I hear of Namoutac and the Cavalier in the great tree. Namoutac is a fool, and deserv'd to be shot for his idle frolic. But, girl, something of greater moment claims attention. How comes it that ye continue to refuse the Prince as thy husband, the pride of my kingdom, the favourite of its king?
Pocatonas. I love not Matacoran, my affections are plac'd on another.
Powhatan. Hear me, girl! the Prince is now engaged in combat with the English, whom he expects to destroy or drive from Virginia. An' he perform either of which good services thou shalt be his reward—aye, the bride of Matacoran.
Pocatonas. An' the Prince conquer the English, he will find better reward in their spoils, than in me, an unloving wife.
Powhatan. He asks not reward, nay, refuses even thy ungrateful self; but I have sworn, yea, solemnly sworn, thou shalt be his, so prepare yourself to obey my will.
(Enter Selictaz, in great haste.)
Powhatan. Ha! what news, Selictaz? what of the Prince? how goes the battle? speak, if thou canst gather as much breath. An' thy news be great as thy haste, 't will be worth relating.
Selictaz. Great King! Smith! the leader Smith.—(Panting.)
Powhatan. Well—Smith is not near Weorocomoco, I hope!
Selictaz. Aye, great King, very near.
Powhatan. (Alarmed.) Guards there! say quickly thy say—
Selictaz. Smith is a prisoner, and will be here anon.
Powhatan. Ha! prisoner! Smith a prisoner! and alive! Smith a prisoner!
Selictaz. 'T is even so—Smith is thy prisoner, and alive.
Powhatan. Far beyond my hopes, thanks to the gods, and the brave Matacoran. Aha! girl, what say'st thou now to thy darling English, thy valiant Smith? Aha! wilt thou not now be the bride of Matacoran, the victorious Matacoran?
Pocatonas. Never! tho' he were victor of the world.
Powhatan. Oh! joy, joy; say, Selictaz, how long before the remaining English are brought captives to my feet.
Selictaz. That, King, is a very doubtful matter; for tho' the leader is taken, the battle doth not abate. In truth, my King, there seemeth to be many Smiths in the field; they fight as tho' they were all Smiths.
Powhatan. How fares the Prince?
Selictaz. I left him at his wonted place, the thickest of the battle. (A yell.) But hark, I hear the Indians who bear the captive Smith on their shoulders to make the greater haste to thy presence. Shall I usher them in?
Powhatan. Wait yet a moment, while I ascend my throne, and put on the crown and mantle, that I may receive the prisoner in the royalty of his own making. Come, girl, take thy place at my side—take thy place, I say.
Pocatonas. Excuse me, father, I'm not us'd to such sights. I am not well.
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.
Smith. My train will be here anon.
Powhatan. Aye, as captives like thyself.
Smith. No! but as conquerors, to plant my banner in victory on the throne where thou now sittest.
Powhatan. How! and their leader taken?
Smith. That's no matter, the Percy does battle in my stead; and were he to fall, I would say, as old King Hal said of the Percy who fell at Chevy Chase, good he
