University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Wolfe, Leonatus and Britannicus, in a Tent.
Wolfe.
Good Providence our purpose seems to back;
Thus far with little loss advanc'd, we may
Expect success will crown the enterprize:
Join'd by provincial troops both, Orleans,
And Point Levi, well secur'd; and as our
Fleet is anchor'd in the river; and forms
A floating bulwark 'twixt this and Montmorenci;
We've little need to fear a visit from
Our enemies: Our next attempt must be
To bring them to a battle.

Leonatus.
And that a glorious toilsome battle too!—
Their troops out-number ours by far: Strong are
Their entrenchments, brave and experienced
Are their Generals, and other leaders:
A rough steep ascent leads to their trenches!
Rugged, fierce, and cruel are their savages:
Regulars and veterans are their soldiers:
But ours I know will stand the test, we'll have
A mortal struggle with them! and tug in
Earnest for the conquest!

Britannicus.
I hope the wish'd for day is near at hand,
When we shall meet them in the field, and put
To noble proof, their boasted veteran
Thousands, and all their scalping bands, and prove
We have Britannia's welfare at our hearts!

Wolfe.
[Enter a Serjeant, addressing himself to Wolfe.]

Wolfe.
Let him enter.
[Exit Serjeant, enter Officer.]
Wolfe, to the Officer. What answer give they to our summons?

Officer.
When I, according to your orders, Sir,
In George the Second's name, demanded both
The town and garrison, the Governor
And General, with others, seem'd to sneer
At my demand; bid me advise you to
Return, and ask our Royal Master for
The keys, and a few more troops t'escort
Them to Quebec: Their situation, they
Likewise say, is strong and lofty; they've near
Twelve thousand regulars entrench'd, and at
The only spot attackable, commanded
By their bold, enterprising, fortunate
General, Montcalm; and in their wonted
Gasconading boast, you cannot force the
Bars of their gates, not daring t'approach near
Enough, since Monsieur Montcalm occupies
Th' adjacent plain, and around their ramparts,
Forms an impenetrable living outwark!
Too dreadful for your near advances! and
Before whose war you cannot stand, if he
Chose t'evacuate the trenches, and give
You battle!

Wolfe.
Say they this?
They shall e'er long, hear Britain's thunder roll!
And feel the bolt! Our troops and tars shall roar
Them such a concert, as shall shake the strong
And lofty base of their Quebec! and let
Montcalm take heed, or like hungry lions,
Foaming for their prey, we'll overleap his
Breastworks, and drag his Frenchmen by the heels,
Out from underground, where like moles they seem
To have buried themselves, fearing to look
At us, as if like basilisks, our eyes wou'd kill!
I cannot boast twelve thousand regulars,
With many savage scalping bands; my troops
Will scarcely to eight thousand rise; but these
Are gallant fellows; and I have seen them
Try'd: They're Britain's troops; and from Old England,
Caledonia and Hibernia drawn.

Britannicus.
They're the descendants of those very men,
Who fought at Cressy, Poictiers, Blenheim!
And often march'd victorious thro' the heart
Of France! and surely feel the ardor of
Their brave ancestors! But more than this, in
The last war, several gain'd great honour,
And many, we know, both officers, and
Soldiers at the late siege of Louisbourg,
Signaliz'd themselves.

Leonatus
to Wolfe.
I think Sir, we've enough;
Especially when I reflect, we lead
The triple union to the battle! all
Emulous of fame! most honourably
Jealous of each other! and firmly resolv'd
To bring no stain upon their mother country!

Wolfe.
This promises full well.
I must to my repose; weak nature will
No longer hold: Be it your care, Gentlemen,
To see the order of the camp, and guard
Against surprize; too much security,
Has many forts, and many armies lost.
Pardon, Gentlemen, the liberty I take,
I cannot doubt your honour, courage, or
Your prudence: Fail not I beg of using
All your eloquence, to ward the hearts of
All our troops, against the day, in which we
Shall attack the French entrenchments, which
I intend shall shortly be.
That day will bring the bravest to the test?

Britannicus.
All shall be done a man can do,
And if example will have any weight,
That shall not be wanting.

Leonatus.
I join my gallant brother in command,
And promise on the honour of a soldier,
On my part, that nothing shall be wanting.

Wolfe.
My worthy 'sharers in command! my
Honourable partners of bright glory!
Adieu;—and Heav'n will speed you both.

[Exeunt omnes.]