University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

—The Interior of Demba Sega Jalla's Tent.
Music.—Demba discovered reclining in African pomp, R., surrounded by numerous Attendants.
Dem.
Who was the leader of the guard, last night,
Over the females' tent?

First A.
'Twas Daucari.

Dem.
Where is he?

Dau.
[Coming forward, L.]
Here, my king.

Dem.
Do you not tremble?

Dau.
At your displeasure? ay.

Dem.
No, for your life, man—
For your life!—Know 'tis now in danger.

Dau.
'Tis always so when'er I fight for you,
But no one sees me tremble.

Dem.
Daucari,
You have been negligent upon your post.

Dau.
You are my king—I dare not contradict you.
[To one of the Attendants.
Come hither, you! Know you how many years
I've been in battles?

First A.
Thirty, as I've heard.

Dau.
Tell me in all that time I once was faulty;
Say so, that I may cry 'tis false, and stab you
[The Attendant shakes his head, and retires.
My king, that fellow, who ne'er flinched in war,
Dreads to accuse me, lest I kill a liar.

Dem.
You are too bold.

[Rises, and comes forward, C.
Dau.
I hope not so, my king;
Innocence, though tyrants reign, is fearless.

Dem.
Call you me tyrant?

Dau.
I'm too politic.

Dem.
Would you betray me?

Dau.
I'm much too loyal.

Dem.
Skill'd as you are in warfare, think you not
I must be loth—very loth, to sentence
You to death?

Dau.
Yes—I am useful to you.

Dem.
On that account I'll spare your life.

Dau.
That's wise.

Dem.
And for your service past.

Dau.
That's gratitude.

Dem.
I placed you, Daucari, to guard a female,
One of my slaves of war, whose melancholy—
Death's havoc done—look'd softer than the willow
Which graces the wild margin of a lake,
And droops o'er recent wrecks. She mourn'd so mildly,
That when her anguish forced a tear to fall,
A patient dimple caught it. Time, I
Had hope, would soothe her girlish grief, and yield
Me a willing treasure. Your base neglect
Has let some lover steal to her by night—
She has profaned my tents—and she shall surely die!

Dau.
You charged me, king, to head the western guard,
Not to become a sentinel. I watch'd not
All night, at one tent's mouth, I did my duty
In visiting the posts;—and when, at dawn,
I saw a stranger skulking from your slave,—
A cloak before his face,—my order was
To fire, but he escaped. 'Twas the sentry's
Neglect—but he's punished—for I shot him!

Dem.
Dull fool! and so prevented all the means
Of trying the delinquent, to discover
Who 'twas that fled. But the reward that's offer'd,
May bring detection yet. Begone!

[Daucari crosses to L.
Enter Mug, R.
Dem.
Now, white man, how's our prisoners' market?

Mug.
Dull, my liege.

Dem.
Tell me, what monkeys, or what merchandise,
You have obtained among the Europeans,
In barter for my slaves?

Mug.

Bless your royal soul! not a halfpenny yet in
hand; we mustn't deal with the wholesale traders, as if
your majesty kept a chandler's shop.

Dem.

How then?

Mug.

Oh, let me alone; I'm up to business by living
in the city; I have your majesty's interest at heart. You
are my king—only be ruled by me, and you'll do.

Dem.
Christian, your words, like your features, are
So very different from other men
That I both smile and wonder. But explain—
What is a purchase, when no value's given?

Mug.

Why, the European merchants are what we call
good men; and they have entered your majesty's market
to buy stock, just as if they were walking into a black
Royal Exchange. Some come on camels, some upon
oxen,—that's the way they waddled into the country. 'Tis
pretty sure they'll come down with the dust on settling
day, for without that they know your majesty won't let
'em waddle out.

Dem.

Still I cannot comprehend your meaning!

Mug.

Leave it all to me. Little more than a week will
finish the job. In the meantime, may it please your black
majesty, don't turn dun; but as I am now joining the fatigue
of chancellor of the exchequer to the labours of secretary
at war, I humbly hope you'll double my emoluments.

Dem.

Fear not! you shall have ample honours.

Mug.

I am more partial to profits;—and, from all I
have heard of your majesty's unprinted court calender, if
it's the same to you, I'd much rather receive a salary than
be knighted.

Enter Second Attendant, L.
Second A.
There's one without who brings a prisoner,
For whom he claims reward by proclamation.

Dem.
Now, by the serpent that's my deity,
The wretch who glided from my captive's tent!
Away! set him before me instantly!
[Exit Second Attendant, L.
Go, white man! be faithful to your trust.

[To Mug.
Mug.

Having nothing to do in your majesty's Old Bailey
department, I retire from the levee.

[Exit, R.
Enter Madiboo with Selico, Second Attendant, and four Soldiers, L.
Dem.
[To Madiboo.]
Now—speak!

Mad.
[Aside.]
I scarce am able! [Aloud.]
I've brought a
Man to die,—don't let it be by torture,—
A man, who—grant me, pray, a little pause,
For you may see I tremble.

Dem.
Be composed. Who is he?

Mad.
[In great agitation.]
Who!—he is my—

Sel.
[Hastily interrupting him.]
Prisoner!—
That's plain enough. Your presence, conqueror,
Awes my accuser, though it awes not me.

Dem.
[To Madiboo.]
Proceed in your speech.

Mad.
[Hesitating.]
There is a reward—
Four four hundred ounces—'tis in gold—for him
Who brings the culprit, who—pray pardon me,
I cannot utter—

Dem.
One who fled my tents,
Under the muskets of my soldiery.
Is that the wretch?

Mad.
[Looking at Selico, and, in agony, throwing himself into his brother's arms.]
I am the greatest wretch!

Dem.
[Amazed.]
Ha! weeping o'er the prisoner!

Sel.
[Quickly, over Madiboo's shoulder.]
No wonder!
He's my bosom friend, and has betray'd me.
[Puts Madiboo gently away.
Hear me avow, what he lacks power to tell
I left the tent at dawn—escaped the shot—
Whisper'd the fatal secret in his ear.
He heard the proclamation—he is poor!
Riches too often sap a poor man's virtue,
And his could not resist! He bouud me while
I slept, then dragged me hither. Give him
The gold—me my fate!

Dem.
Sure as the evening sun
Closes its sloping course behind the hills,
You suffer ere it sets!

Sel.
I am prepared!

Dem.
[To his Attandant, and pointing to Madiboo.]
Bring him the recompense.
[Exit Attendant, R.
Four hundred ounces, paid to you in gold.
'Tis fit that I should keep my faith with you,
Though you have basely broken faith with him.
'Tis said I'm cruel—I may be so in war—
Warriors must be torrents. Peaceful friendship
Should be so calm, that if a thought of gain
Ruffle the bosom of a friend, then gold
Should seem a pebble cast upon a pond,
Whose surface for a moment is disturbed—
The cause soon sinks, and all is still again.

Mad.
Keep your gold, and let my prisoner go.

Dem.
Your prisoner?—mine! Take your reward, or leave it,—
Still he is mine; and jealousy's revenge
Makes iron justice harder. Vivid lighting
May strike and melt me; a feign'd compunction
Is far too weak a fire to make me bend.
Re-enter Attendant, with gold, R.
Give him the gold.
[Madiboo receives it with horror.
Go, buy intoxication
And drown your conscience! Guard him well! and
Give order in the camp for execution.
This day the female slave and he shall die!

[Exit into the tent, followed by Attendants—others remain to guard Selico.
Mad.
Oh, brother!

Sel.
Hush! the guards will overhear us.

Mad.
I ne'er shall see you, dear Selico, more.

Sel.
Never!
You'll see my mother,—think on that—
Think on the treasure in your hands.

Mad.
Psha!—'sdeath!

Sel.
Not so; it will preserve a parent's life.
Conceal my fate from her; tell the good soul—
'Twill not be falsehood—tell her I've journey'd
To a far distant country, for her good;
And, if she ask how soon I shall return,
Evade the question—say—say we all shall meet.
But do not, brother, let her see you weep.

Second A.
[To Madiboo.]
You must be gone.

Mad.
One moment. Selico,
In infancy we often kiss'd each other;
Now you must die,—I would not ask it else—
I'll print a manly farewell on your cheek.
[Embraces him.
My dear brother! Mahomet support you!

[Exeunt, Madiboo, rushing off, L., and Selico, guarded, R.