 |
|
| 1. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 3. |
| 1. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 4. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 5. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
|
|
| 1. |
| 1. | Scene 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 3. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
|
|
| 1. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 3. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 5. |
| 5. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
|
| 1. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 3. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 4. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 5. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
 | The unpublished plays of Thomas Holley Chivers |  |
Scene 1.
In the vicinity of the Indian Agency. Enter Selma, a Spanish exile, dressed in the garb of an Indian Chief, Sachem, or Achi-Magus.Selma
(solo)
The Sun is setting in the far-off West;
I see him beckoning to the watchful Stars
That make the heraldry of fulgent Heaven,
While on the confines of celestial space
They softly tread the downy couch of Eve—
Like fiery Cherubim all night, in love,
Watching this lower world with eyes of fire.
Enter Col. Thompson
Col. Thompson
Well, Stranger, Sachem, Priest! what is thy wish?
Selma
My soul was lifted half way up to Heaven!
Col. Thompson
Thy words betray uncommon mind. Speak on.
4
That voice reminds me of my native land.
Col. Thompson
Thy name?
Selma
My name? What matters that to thee?
Col. Thompson
Thy dress is savage though thy words are not.
Selma
My name is Selma. Priest on Coosa's banks,
From Oostanallee to the Chestatee,
Where Talapoosa rolls her mountain rills,
From old Alchota's Holy Land above,
To Ouithlacoochee's silver vale below.
Col. Thompson
Thy dress bespeaks some savage power. Art free?
Selma
I left my freedom with my enemies.
Col. Thompson
Ah! what misfortune rankles in thy soul?
Selma
A woman's infidelity. 'Tis true.
When life was filled with most ecstatic bliss
5
I wandered from old Andalusia's land,
A reckless exile—doomed on earth to roam!
Col. Thompson
But wherefore came the knowledge thou hast gained!
Selma
From that proud spirit which alone is free.
Col. Thompson
Then tear that mockery from thy bleeding heart—
Baptize thyself with spiritual fire!
Selma
And die!
Col. Thompson
Thy spirit cannot die. Thy liberty,
Not ending with this life, shall live forever!
Who can compel thy spirit? Dash away
The robe! Misfortune cannot change thy soul—
Thy heart's prerogative—will make thee free!
Selma
But I was taken captive.
Col. Thompson
When?
Selma
In war—
6
Col. Thompson
What of that? thou art
No longer captive now in peace; for thou
Wert captive, first, because of war—wert then
An enemy—captivity has ceased
Since with thine enemy's freedom; thou art
Captive else against thine own decree—'gainst
Nation's laws, wherewith thou art of Heaven—
And God's right hand will free thee! Doff the robe!
Selma
And die before another night?
Col. Thompson
No live!
For who will kill thee!
Selma
Miccanopy's Tribe,
And Osceola, he who dwells afar
In Ouithlacoochee's Vale.
Col. Thompson
No—thou shalt live!
Selma
(aside)
Naymoyah, then, will see my face no more!
Col. Thompson
(overhearing him)
7
Tear out thy heartstrings first—forsake the thought!
Let Passion envy not thy Virtue, fool!
If thou art free—white-born—retract the vow!
Thy nature should be noble! Tear it off!
Cast down the savage garb! Thy name shall live!
The good man never dies! his spirit lives
Where thine shall garner thee eternal bliss!
What savage wildness bursts upon thy soul?
Selma
(throwing off the robe)
There is but one unfathomable gulf—
Of Solitude where Sorrow reigns alone;
A Wilderness wherein no blossoms grow;
A Winter always coldest to itself—
A blasted human heart!
Col. Thompson
By Heavens! he weeps!
(Violent yellings are heard at a distance. Selma snatches up the robe).
Dash down the savage robe in spite of death!
Selma
Gods! Miccanopy's men are near us now!
Col. Thompson
8
But that great Being who resides on high,
And he will save you from the savage foe.
(Yellings renew.)
What is the purport of those savage yells?
Selma
The Celebration of the Indian Chase.
(Naymoyah enters rushing into Selma's arms)
Naymoyah
Oh! white-winged Eagle! Swan upon the hills!
Remember that Naymoyah's soul is white!
The gentle Fawn, that knows the Valley-paths,
Will seek her Roe-buck on her native hills!
Selma
See how she flings her white arms round my neck,
Till every thought swings blind with ecstasy,
As if some Planet wandered from its sphere.
To feed, with holier light, the Sun's eclipse!
Now listen how her words drop from her tongue,
Like golden honey from the parted comb—
Making me value them by what they cost!
Col. Thompson
Thy fate is sealed forever!
Selma
9
Look up, Naymoyah! see me for the last!
For thou wilt go to bed tonight, sweet one!
And wake up at the morrow morn alone,
For I will not be there!
Naymoyah
Not there? these feet
Will follow to where the sun goes down!
Oh! where will Selma go? where will he go?
Say, white-winged Eagle! shall Naymoyah die?
(She kneels).
Col. Thompson
Nay, peace, young Indian! get thee home again!
Away! another happier home is ours.
(Exeunt Selma and Col. Thompson)
Naymoyah
Is Selma gone? What Pale-face Fiend is this
That tears my Selma from my soul? Oh! God!
Would that the Turtle knew the Hawk was nigh!
For he will bring back blood upon his wings!
But let him come—these hands shall wipe it off,
And he shall see how white's Naymoyah's soul!
Rejoice, young Eagle! we shall meet again.
(Exit)
| The unpublished plays of Thomas Holley Chivers | |