University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

An apartment in the house of Col. Ferguson. Ferguson, Blasinghame, Matthews, Warren, and other persons discovered.
Blasinghame.
The matter then resolves itself to this—
We know for certain, now, that this man, Maurice,
Will be the opposition candidate:—
Ben Ferguson is ours.

Ferguson.
And why not you?

Blasinghame.
For the best reasons. No! my private business
Needs careful nursing now. This woman, Pressley,
Is like to give me trouble.

Matthews.
Her new lawyer
Is stubborn, then?

Blasinghame.
He seems to be a man;
And we shall suffer him to prove his manhood!
I wrote him of the merits of my case,
Concluding, with a civil exhortation,
As he was young, and but a stranger here,
That he should spare his teeth, nor peril them,
On nuts too hard to crack.

Matthews.
What said he then?

Blasinghame.
Oh! with an answer bold enough, I warrant.

Matthews.
He did not know his customer, I fancy.

Blasinghame.
I think not; and to lesson him a little,
One of my lambs was sent to him this morning—
Joe Savage!

Ferguson.
Joe's a rough teacher, colonel.

Blasinghame.
As God has made him, Joe. He'll do our business
As tenderly as if it were his own.

Ferguson.
But was there not some whisper of a secret
Touching this Norman Maurice, which, if true,
Would render any messages of honor,
Impossible, to him!

Blasinghame.
I did not hear;—
Unfold your budget.

Ferguson.
Harry Matthews, there,
Speaks of a secret in his friend's possession,
That's fatal to this man!

Blasinghame.
Ha! out with it!
'Twill save a monstrous trouble in our wigwam;
For, to say truth, this man is popular,
Grows every day in strength in the assembly,
And, I confess to you, I have my fears,
Touching the game before us. Our new members
Are not what I would have them; and old Mercer,
Catesby and Brooks, gain daily influence,
Under the cunning counsel of this Maurice.
If we can crush this fellow, who has talent,
And shows more stubbornness than I can relish,
'Twere better done before we lose our headway.
This man disposed of, they can find no other
To take the field with Ferguson.

Matthews.
Speak, Warren!

Warren.
There is a secret, gentlemen; a dark one
Which, told, were fatal to this Norman Maurice!
I will not tell it now; but wait the moment,
When, over all, conspicuous most, he stands,
With triumph in his prospect, and his spirit,
Exulting in the state he deems secure!
Then will I come between his hope and triumph;
Then show the guilty secret that degrades him,
Confound him with the proofs which now are ready,
And hurl him down to ruin, the more fatal,
For that I suffer'd him to rise so high.

Blasinghame.
But why not now? The man is high enough!

Warren.
The secret's mine, sir. When I'm done with it,
I'll bury it as did the Phrygian barber,
Where every reed that whistles in the wind
Shall make it into music for his ear.
Be sure of this, I'll yield it you in season,
Ere Maurice sits a Senator in Congress!

Matthews.
Well—that's sufficient!

Blasinghame.
Yes! Let him do that!
Meanwhile, there is a way to save himself.
This Maurice has my message—

Matthews.
He'll not fight!

Blasinghame.
If he would—

Matthews.
His honor would be rescued by his death?

Warren.
Scarcely; since 'tis for me to keep the secret,
Or free it, if I please! But, let me tell you,
That Maurice will not shrink from any combat!
I know him well. He is mine enemy,
But let me do him justice. He will fight,
Though all the devils of hell stood up against him.
Look to it, sir; [to Blasing.,]
your reputation's great,
But Maurice is no common opponent;
And you will need your utmost excellence,
To conquer him when once he takes the field!

Blasinghame.
Well! that's good news! My lamb is with him now;
We'll hear from him by noon.

Ferguson.
Before we part,
'Tis understood we put our troops in motion;
The strife will be a close one! Blasinghame
Hath truly spoken of this new assembly;
It puzzles me to fathom it. This Maurice,
Is, questionless, a man of wondrous power;
And, though I much prefer that we should beat him,
In a fair wrestle, with the usual agents,
Yet this is not so certainly our prospect,
As that we should forego this fatal secret,
That makes our game secure.

Warren.
You shall have it.

Blasinghame.
We meet to-night at Baylor's.

Matthews,
[to Warren.]
You'll be with us?
It may be that your fruit will then be ripe.

Blasinghame.
Ay, come, sir, with your friend.

Warren,
[to Matthews.]
Perhaps! We'll see;—
There may be other fruits upon that tree.

[Exeunt several ways.