Part 15 (1/2)

COL. ALLEN. The same--the very man.

GEN. PRESCOT. Then rebels you are, and as such I shall treat you, for daring to oppose Lord Paramount's troops, and the laws of the land.

COL. ALLEN. Prisoners we are, 'tis true--but we despise the name of a rebel--With more propriety that name is applicable to your master--'tis he who attempts to destroy the laws of the land, not us--we mean to support them, and defend our property against Paramount's and parliamentary tyranny.

GEN. PRESCOT. To answer you were a poorness of spirit I despise; when rebels dare accuse, power that replies, forgets to punish; I am not to argue that point with you: And let me tell you, sir, whoever you are, it now ill becomes you thus to talk--You're my prisoner--your life is in my hands, and you shall suffer immediately--Guards! take them away.

COL. ALLEN. Cruel insult!--pardon these brave men!--what they have done has been by my orders--I am the only guilty person (if guilt there be), let me alone suffer for them all. [_Opening his breast._] Here! take your revenge--Why do you hesitate?--Will you not strike a breast that ne'er will flinch from your pointed bayonet?

GEN. PRESCOT. Provoke me not--Remember you're my prisoners.

COL. ALLEN. Our souls are free!--Strike, cowards, strike!--I scorn to beg my life.

GEN. PRESCOT. Guards! away with them--I'll reserve you for a more ignominious death--your fate is fix'd--away with them.

COL. ALLEN. [_Going off._] Be glutted, ye thirsters after human blood--Come, see me suffer--mark my eye, and scorn me, if my expiring soul confesses fear--Come, see and be taught virtue, and to die as a patriot for the wrongs of my country.

[_Exeunt PRISONERS and GUARDS._

SCENE II. _A Dungeon._

COL. ALLEN. What! ye infernal monsters! murder us in the dark?--What place is this?--Who reigns king of these gloomy mansions?--You might favour us at least with one spark of light--Ye cannot see to do your business here.

OFFICER. 'Tis our orders.

COL. ALLEN. Ye dear, ye brave, wretched friends!--now would I die for ye all--ye share a death I wou'd gladly excuse you from--'Tis not death I fear--this is only bodily death--but to die noteless in the silent dark, is to die scorn'd, and shame our suff'ring country--we fall undignify'd by villains' hands--a sacrifice to Britain's outcast blood-hounds--This, this shakes the soul!--Come then, ye murderers, since it must be so--do your business speedily--Farewell, my friends! to die with you is now my n.o.blest claim since to die for you was a choice deny'd--What are ye about?--Stand off, ye wretches!

OFFICER. I am order'd to lay you in irons. [_They seize him._] You must submit.

COL. ALLEN. What, do you mean to torture us to death with chains, racks and gibbets? rather despatch us immediately--Ye executioners, ye inquisitors, does this cruelty proceed from the lenity I shewed to the prisoners I took?--Did it offend you that I treated them with friends.h.i.+p, generosity, honour and humanity?--If it did, our suff'rings will redound more to our honour, and our fall be the more glorious--But remember, this fall will prove your own one day--Wretches! I fear you not, do your worst; and while I here lay suff'ring and chain'd on my back to the damp floor, I'll yet pray for your conversion.

OFFICER. Excuse us, we have only obey'd our order.

COL. ALLEN. Then I forgive you; but pray execute them.

_Oh! my lost friends! 'tis liberty, not breath, Gives the brave life. Shun slav'ry more than death.

He who spurns fear, and dares disdain to be, Mocks chains and wrongs--and is forever free; While the base coward, never safe, tho' low, Creeps but to suff'rings, and lives on for woe!_

[_Exeunt GUARDS._

SCENE III. _In the Camp at Cambridge._

_GENERAL WAs.h.i.+NGTON, GENERAL LEE, and GENERAL PUTNAM._

GENERAL WAs.h.i.+NGTON.

Our accounts from the Northward, so far, are very favourable; Ticonderoga, Chamblee, St. John's and Montreal our troops are already in possession of--and Colonel Arnold, having penetrated Canada, after suff'ring much thro' cold, fatigue and want of provisions, is now before Quebec, and General Montgomery, I understand, is in full march to join him; see these letters.

[_They read._