University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Carleton,
from the wall of the Upper-Town, exposing the body of Montgomery.
Say rebel brood, why stubbornly maintain
That ground, encircled by superior force?
Why so reluctantly give up the field,
When now my squadrons from each fort and gate,
All opposition broke, collect themselves,
Pouring their whole fire on your shatter'd ranks?
Front, flank, and rear, nay, overhead the storm
Of battle rages; but if so much trust,
And hope of conquest plays upon your minds,
Behold the body of your General slain.
The great Montgomery bleeds upon the wall.

Lamb
to his Countrymen.
The hapless fortune of the day is sunk!
Montgomery slain, and wither'd every hope!
Mysterious Providence, thy ways are just,
And we submit in deep humility.
But O let fire or pestilence from Heaven,
Avenge the butchery; let Englishmen,
The cause and agents in this horrid war,
In tenfold amplitude, meet gloomy death.
What do I say? can hecatombs of slaves
And villains sacrific'd, repay one drop
Of this pure vital scarlet-streaming blood?
No, not ten thousand of life-gushing veins,
From perjur'd Kings, and venal parasites,
Can rise in value, to one heart-warm drop,
Of that pure patriot; yet this alone we can,
That in revenge, the battle be renew'd,
And indignation be the word to day.

Carleton.
Once more I offer you the terms of peace,
Ye stubborn combatants. If I'm oblig'd
To hold the battle up, and lose more men
Slain by your obstinacy; rest assur'd,
The gate of mercy shall be shut. No hope
Of quarter shall remain, but the red flag
Of blood hung out, shall amply testify
The irreversible consign of death.
Nor in sepulture of a grassy grave,
Shall you meet burial; but your carcases
Shall feed the fowls and vultures of the Heaven,
Left long expos'd, and rotting on the earth;
But on submission you shall be receiv'd,
With arms of love and pity honouring
Your noble valour eminent and great,
Who these three hours such odds have combated,
And struggled hard with us for victory.

Oswald.
Methinks no man, my hapless countrymen,
Can throw suspicion of base cowardice,
On my behaviour, or my words this day;
For I have fought and ventured with you,
Where the hot battle did most fiercely rage,
But in my judgment, we contend in vain,
And risk our persons, without equal chance,
Against this enemy. Fair terms and words,
By them are offer'd, better then submit
And take their mercy, than see butchered,
So many brave men, in such circumstance,
That nought avails their courage and bright flame
Of true heroic excellence approv'd.

Morgan.
True, gallant Oswald, we attempt in vain,
To urge the war with such unequal strength,
And disadvantage of encompass'd ground,
On our side, visible. Lay down your arms,
Then hapless countrymen, and put yourselves
On that fair law and custom 'stablished
'Mong christian nations, that the life be spar'd,
And with humanity and gentleness,
The victor foe shall treat his prisoners.