University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Montgomery and Macpherson.
Montgomery.
It seems to me, Macpherson, that we tread,
The ground of some romantic fairy land,
Where Knights in armour, and high combatants,
Have met in war. This is the plain where Wolfe,
Victorious Wolfe, fought with the brave Montcalm;
And even yet, the dreary snow-clad tomb,
Of many a'hero, slaughter'd on that day,
Recals the memory, of the bloody strife.
I believe not superstition, or the dreams,
Of high wrought fantasy, that fill the brain,
But yet methinks, Macpherson, that I feel,
Within this hour, some knowledge of my end;
Come sure presentment, that you and I,
This day, shall be with them, shall leave,
Our breathless bodies on this mortal soil.
But this allotment, should it be our case,
Fear not young soldier, for our cause is just,
And all those failings we are conscious of,
Shall in the bosom, of our God repose,
Who looks with mercy, on the sons of men,
And hides, their imperfections, with his love.
Say not young soldier, that thy life was short,
In the first bloom, of manhood, swift cut off.
All things are mortal, but the warriors fame;
This lives eternal, in the mouths of men.

Macpherson.
The light is sweet, and death is terrible;
But when I left, my father, and my friends,
I thought of this, and counted it but gain,
If fighting bravely, in my country's cause,
I tasted death, and met an equal fame,
With those at Lexington, and Bunker's-hill.

Montgomery.
Sweet fame, young here, shall attend thy years;
And link'd, in friendship, as we are link'd in death,
Our souls, shall mount, and visit those fair hills,
Where never-dying bards, and heroes stray.
There, Wolfe, shall hail us, and the great Montcalm,
Shall bind the amarinth around our brows.
For mighty warriors, though opposed here,
There live serene, in heavenly amity,
And walk, and taste, of conference sublime.
Go then, young soldier, and these orders bear,
To Colonel Campbell, and to Livingston.
The disposition, for the attack, is here.
Bid them be ready, when the morning breaks,
To try this city, by an escalade.