University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The Height of Abraham: Wolfe, Leonatus, and Britannicus, at the head of the troops; they all shout.
Wolfe.
At length we've gain'd an ample footing on
This Height of Abraham (to which my soul
With ardent wish hath long aspir'd) and are
Advanc'd upon the glorious edge of battle.
I will not ask my gallant soldiers, if
You're ready; th' alacrity with which you
Have explor'd the gloomy winding of this
Ascent, and the brisk manner in which you
Clamber'd up, surmounting all obstacles,
Declares to me with greater certainty
Than words, you're ready.

Britannicus.
Each low'ring brow declares the resolutions
Of their hearts, and indicates th' heroic
Workings of their souls, in every face
I read a warm impatience for th' onset,
As if they'd say, why stand we here in cool
Deliberation? Let us to closest
Fight advance, our foes may see us frown, and
Mark each lifted arm descending with the
Mortal blow, that we may hew thro' the front
Of their battle, and trample down their rear.

Leonatus.
Who falls this day, may well be deem'd great in
His death; and worthy of a British Patriot's name!
How much our absent and worthy friends of
Freedom will envy us each glorious wound we feel:

Wolfe.
Oh! what a beaming blaze of victory,
Love, and never-dying fame, will crown each
Rich survivor's head! who helps this day to
Rout the num'rous French, and scourge their scalping
Friends, (those bands of human brutes, back to their
Lurking dens, and native wilds again!
Now beat our drums, and sound each instrument
Of war, whilst we march onward to the Field
Of fame.

[Drums beat, instruments sound.]
[Exeunt, beating a march.