Scene I
(The interior of Lamorah's cottage. Count Julian,
Ianthe, and the Ten Fair Virgins are examining the
riches that he has left behind him).
Count Julian
These, too, are ones—the richest costliest furs,
Of infinite variety of hue,
From milky white to lustrous glossy black—
All damasked with the down of forest Birds.
Richer than those bright Birds of Paradise,
Which, at the Nutmeg Season, fly away
To fruitful India from the Summer Isles—
More gorgeous than those radiant, feathered skins
Brought from the Guinea Isles to the Malays;
Some golden-plumaged in the Tropics dyed—
Others with paler hues dyed in the North—
All intermingled with Mosaic Words—
The life-time work of old Canondah's hands
After Lamorah had prepared the skins.
This did he with some simple Art unknown
To any but himself—born to die
With him.
Ianthe
But here are other untold gems—
Great chests of purest Virgin Gold—
The richest Plate that ever eyes beheld—
Which, from the Names, engraved upon each one,
Show that they were not wrought by Savage hands,
But are the wealth of Spanish Kings, brought by
The Spanish Buccaneers, in days gone by—
The Pirates of the Southern Seas—in Ships
To Florida, in Saint Louis' Fort,
(The Spanish Coffer of Freebooter's wealth—)
They long remained amassed, with Precious Stones,
Until the Savage Myrmadons came down,
In one great human deluge from the North,
Slaughtering them so they were compelled to fly
Leaving these riches in the Indians' hands!
Great Outalissa, son of Miscou, Chief
In Cuscovilla's Valley near the sea—
Was Wood-born Sythean of this mighty host,
Who claimed the treasures as his own. So, when
He died, these fell into Lamorah's hands.
Count Julian
Come, my Celuta! bring the Virgins Ten,
And let us gaze on this rich Barque of Heaven—
The Angel of such terror—such delight—
So beautiful—beyond compare—the work
Of Angels' hands, although not made in Heaven.
(Exeunt omnes).
