University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

—The Interior of Farulho's Tent, adjoining his House.
Farulho, Selico, and Berissa, discovered, attended by Domestics and Slaves.—The Slaves shout.
Far.
Nay, be less clamorous; for we have yet
The sacred ceremony to perform,
That is to make us joyful. But I yield
To custom; and, ere we proceed to mosque,
The bridal dance shall have its due observance

Sel.
Then strike upon the string; and, as your feet
Mark the light maze of fancy on the ground,
Be every motion swift as my heart's pulse,
That throbs to make my loved Berissa mine!

A NEGRO BRIDAL DANCE.
[The Dance is interrupted by a discharge of muskets, shrieks, and shouts, without—they all run over to R., in consternation.
Enter Madiboo, R. U. E., rushing forward, C., in the utmost agitation.
Mad.

To arms, directly!—Place the women in safety!—
Break off the marriage!

Sel.
[Hurriedly.]

Break off the marriage!

Ber.

What's our danger?

Far.
[Eagerly.]

Speak!

Mad.

I have so much to say, and so little breath to—
The enemy is pouring down in torrents!

Sel.

A straggling party,—as it often happens.

Mad.

I hoped so at first, myself; then I had my doubts;
then I smothered my apprehensions; then—Oh, Selico—
dear brother! I had so fixed my hopes on this day ending
happy, that—but 'tis too late to conceal anything now.
Their whole army is in the midst of the town; neither age
nor sex is spared;—at this moment, they are even trampling
upon infants, and half our houses are in flames!

Ber.
Oh, Selico!

Sel.
Be firm, sweet—pray, be firm!
While I have life, I will not leave you!

Mad.
But you must!

Sel.
What, leave my love in danger!

Mad.

Think, think—we have a mother!—a helpless aged
mother that gave us life, and whose life it is our first duty
to preserve.

Ber.
True; fly to her, Selico—fly quickly!

Sel.
Oh! how my separate duties tear me.

Far.
They should not, Selico; for nature points
Your path to action. I have slaves and servants,
To guard me and my child; and I have more—
The temple of our prophet,—sure they cannot
Profane the house of prayer: there will I
Haste with Berissa.—Nay, we have no time
For council now.

[Crash, discharge of muskets, and shouts, without.
Mad.
[Taking Selico by the arm.]

Come! we shall be
too late.

Sel.
[With great emotion.]
It must be so! [Embracing Berissa.]
Oh, my love! this struggle!—
Farewell!—I trust we soon shall meet again!
Oh, guard her, Farulho!

Mad.
[Tearing him from Berissa.]
Away!

Sel. & Ber.
Farewell!

[Exeunt, Selico and Madiboo R., Farulho, Berissa, and Slaves, L.—Shouts, yells, and crash without.
Enter Mug, R. U. E.
Mug.

Mercy on me! I would give all the goods in my
shop to be up to my neck in an English horse-pond! I
declined being a sharp-shooter, because the Tower-guns,
on a birth-day, gave me the colic; and now I have run my
unhappy head into an African town, that's invaded by an
emperor as black as the kitchen chimney of the London
Tavern. [Shouts and crash, without.]
Here they come—
but where shall I go? Oh, Henry Augustus Mug! what
will become of you?

[Runs off, R. U. E.—Shouts without.
Enter Mandingoes, R. and L., yelling and brandishing firebrands —they tear down the tent, and apply the firebrands to it—when it is demolished, the town of Fatteconda is seen in flames.
A Mandingo Chief and Warriors discovered at the back—they rush forward, and join the other Warriors with wild exultation.
CHORUS OF WARRIORS.
Rear—rear the torch! to victory proceeding!
Mandingo men are stout, and conquer all.
Oh! never heed your victims bleeding—
Rush on—and every foe must fall!
Rush on!